Using Engineered Shear Panels in Your Straw Bale House
I have spoken before about the use of engineered shear panels, and I want to speak in favor of them once again.
Shear panels are engineered and thus easily accepted by almost any building official. Their installation is relatively simple and speeds up the construction of the home considerably.
Be sure you know exactly where they will go in the house before you pour your foundation because the anchor bolts need to be placed in the exact spot in the concrete so they will properly line up with the panels during the framing stage.
That said, it is possible to omit the bolts during the pour and drill them in later using a rotary hammer drill and some rated epoxy.
Some building officials may not feel as secure with this option; however, most companies that offer shear panels will accept this as a suitable installation.
-Andrew Morrison