Open Walls

Open walls is used to open one or more bays of a building. This condition is also used for a "skirt wall" condition - or all walls open to a given elevation. If you wish to make an opening in a wall for a window, door, etc., see Framed Openings.

Specify the width (length of wall area that is open) and the height to which it is open. Also specify on which wall the open area is located, and the distance (from the LEFT corner of that wall) at which the opening begins.

Indicate whether the columns are laterally braced or unbraced. When a portion of a wall is opened, the added structural support that the girts and sheets provide for the columns is absent. If the walls that are removed are replaced with certain materials (i.e. some masonry or tilt-up systems) to replace the girts and flange braces, adding weight to the column is not necessary. In that case the columns are "Laterally Braced". If the walls are removed and substituted with certain materials (i.e. some masonry or tilt-up systems) to replace the girts and flange braces, adding weight to the column is not necessary. When using these materials for substitution, both the outside flange and the flange brace angle must be attached to the wall to achieve the same effect as the girt and flange braces. The masonry anchors are by others. If the walls that are removed are replaced with an unsuitable material (i.e. glass or brick), or not replaced at all (remain open) then the columns are "Laterally Unbraced".

Open For - Indicate what will be placed in the open wall area.

	Masonry - This option will omit girts, sheeting and base condition and provides masonry trim at the top of the wall. The masonry must be designed to with stand the desired wind load.
	Collateral Materials W/Spandrel Beams - This option is the same as the masonry option, but also provides a spandrel beam for support of the masonry wall. The design provides for support of collateral material that weighs 62.5 pounds per square foot, which is equivalent to 5" tilt-up or 8" hollow CMU. If the materials weigh considerably more or less than what was designed for this may effect the final output especially in the case of seismic considerations.
	Collateral Materials W/O Spandrel Beams - Same as above but without spandrel beams.
	Glass - This option omits girts, sheeting base condition and provides header trim at the top of the glass. It also provides a header channel designed to support the glass at the header.
	Deduct Panels Only - This will leave the girts, and remove the wall panels, trim and base condition. If the wall material you are using is not listed, add a note that in the "Special Notes" screen to indicate what material you are using. The information will be used to provide adequate seismic resistance.
	Remain Open - This option omits girts, sheeting and base condition. This option does not effect the designing of the building or an open condition. This must be addressed in the appropriate Loads section (IBC Loads or Non-IBC Loads).