A portal frame comprising at least one header, at least a first column, at least one frame connector for rigidly connecting the at least first column to the at least one header, at least one header fastener configured to fasten the frame connector to the at least one header and at least one column fastener configured to fasten the frame connector to the at least first column. The at least first column is formed of wood or a wood-based/wood-derived material. The at least one frame connector comprises a lateral header connecting portion extending beyond a lateral edge of the first column in a direction towards the center of the at least one header and a column connecting portion extending along at least a portion of the height of the at least first column. The lateral header connecting portion comprises at least one of the at least one header fastening means.

Disclosed is a seismic reinforcement structure and a seismic retrofitting method, including: a first bracket including a horizontal part extending in contact with the bottom surface of the building, and a vertical part formed in connection with the horizontal part and extending in contact with the wall surface of the building; a second bracket including a horizontal part extending in contact with the ceiling of the building, and a vertical part formed in connection with the horizontal part and extending in contact with the wall surface of the building; and a connecting support rod having a vertically long shape and vertically connecting the horizontal part of the first bracket and the second bracket, wherein the relative position to the bottom of the whole building is fixed, thereby preventing the building from collapsing.

A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.

A reinforced building wall includes a foundation and an anchor rod anchored to the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation; the first stud wall having a first bottom plate, a first top plate and first and second vertical studs operably joined to the first bottom plate and the first top plate; a horizontal first bridge member disposed between the first stud and the second stud, the first bridge member having a first vertical opening; a rod post having one end operably connected to the anchor rod and operably connected to the first bridge member to transfer downward forces from the first bridge member and the second bridge member to the rod post; the anchor rod is attached to an anchor; and the anchor is disposed in an upper portion of the foundation.

Wall structures and methods of manufacturing wall structures are described. The wall structures include a frame, a foam panel attached to the frame, a brace disposed in a cavity defined by the frame, and a foam layer. The wall structures can impart a high wall racking strength and good thermal performance through the combination of the foam layer, brace, and the foam panels.

The present invention relates to using interlocking spacer braces between support members to construct wood and metal framed walls, floors and building trusses. Spacer braces have indentations, extensions, fingers that interlock horizontally, vertically or diagonally between support members. The spacer braces can form diagonal and lateral wall bracing, diagonal and vertical chords within building truss with either horizontally or vertical orientations, beams, hold-downs and shear walls. The spacer braces can be installed between wood or metal framing members.

A lateral force resistance system for a building is provided wherein a portal frame is constructed with a lapped connection between the supported structural member and the supporting structural member and the supporting structural member is made with an elongated member that spans the width of the supporting structural member and the height of the supporting structural member.

Wall structures and methods of manufacturing wall structures are described. The wall structures include a frame, a foam panel attached to the frame, a brace disposed in a cavity defined by the frame, and a foam layer. The wall structures can impart a high wall racking strength and good thermal performance through the combination of the foam layer, brace, and the foam panels.

A bracket assembly (2) for bracing a building component (3, 71) to a building structure (42), the assembly comprising a first connecting portion (4) having at least two protruding portions (6, 8) joined by a joining portion (10), each protruding portion (6, 8) connectable to a respective bracing element (44, 46) and a second connecting portion (12) having at least one depending portion (16, 18) and linked to said first connecting portion (4), said at least one depending portion (16, 18) for connection to said building component (3, 71).

A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.