Seismic Design and Construction of Dwellings and Townhouses According to the International Residential Code (IRC-2024a)

In Seismic Design and Construction of Dwellings and Townhouses According to the International Residential Code (IRC-2024a), you'll learn ...

• Fundamental concepts of seismic design of dwellings and townhouses based on IRC Code.
• Load path transfer through each building part down to the building foundation and supporting soils.
• Roof-ceiling and floor systems and wall bracing.
• Examples that have been developed to illustrate the required earthquake bracing for wood light-frame dwellings and townhouses.

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 8 CPD

Length: 217 pages

This course presents a plain-language overview of design and construction provisions important to the earthquake performance of one- and two-family detached dwellings and townhouses (referred to as dwellings and townhouses in this course) constructed under the International Residential Code (IRC) (ICC, 2024a).

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the connections between building systems.
• Describe the effects of building configuration irregularities on response to wind and earthquake loads.
• Identify how engineered design is incorporated into IRC prescriptive construction.
• Explain load-path connections and irregular configurations.
• Describe load-path connections for wall overturning.
• Identify alternative dwelling configurations and construction methods.
• Explain the role of foundations in earthquakes and general foundation requirements.
• Describe the seismic requirements for concrete and masonry footings and stem walls.
• Identify special soil conditions that affect seismic design and construction.
• Explain special considerations for footings on steep sites and cut-and-fill sites.
• Describe the seismic requirements for basement walls, retaining walls, and stem walls constructed of concrete or masonry.
• Explain provisions for wood-framed construction and anchorage to foundations.
• Describe the role of floor systems in earthquakes.
• Explain wood-frame floor systems.
• Describe cantilevered floor construction.
• Explain blocking requirements that prevent joists or trusses from rotating or displacing laterally from their intended vertical position.
• Describe the connection of floor joists to the wall top plate or foundation sill plate below.
• Explain the use of wood structural panels in framed floors.
• Describe concrete slab-on-grade floors.
• Explain the role of walls in earthquakes.
• Describe wood light-frame wall construction.
• Identify wall-bracing methods.
• Explain the intermittent wall-bracing category.
• Describe the continuous wood structural panel sheathing method.
• Identify alternative braced wall panels.
• Explain wood structural panel bracing with stone or masonry veneer.
• Describe portal-frame construction.
• Identify wall-bracing requirements.
• Explain cripple-wall bracing.
• Describe examples that illustrate the required earthquake bracing for wood light-frame dwellings and townhouses.
• Identify requirements for sheathing nails and anchorage at the bottoms and tops of walls.
• Explain IRC limitations, general requirements, and earthquake requirements for cold-formed steel construction.
• Describe lateral support and anchorage requirements for masonry walls.
• Explain reinforcing and anchorage requirements for concrete walls.
• Identify seismic requirements for stone and masonry veneers.
• Explain the role of roof-ceiling systems in earthquakes.
• Describe wood-frame roof-ceiling systems.
• Explain blocking and lateral load paths for roof systems.
• Describe the connection of ceiling joists and rafters to the walls below.
• Identify roof sheathing requirements.
• Explain lateral-capacity considerations for wood-framed roofs.
• Describe IRC-based seismic requirements for masonry fireplaces and chimneys.
• Explain earthquake-resistant design requirements for balconies and decks.
• Describe the seismic performance of home appliances, equipment, furniture, and contents.
• Explain anchorage methods for furniture and other home contents during earthquakes.
• Describe gravity, earthquake, and wind-load considerations for horizontal and vertical additions to an existing dwelling or townhouse.
• Explain seismic retrofitting and strengthening of dwelling and townhouse superstructures and foundations.
• Describe seismic retrofitting and strengthening of masonry chimneys.
• Explain anchorage requirements for elevated decks, porches, trellises, and carports.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 42 questions. CPD credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.