The IRC Wall Bracing Calculator is a structural analysis tool that performs wood-framed wall bracing design according to the IRC and other regional building codes.
Upload your floor plan in PDF or DXF, choose your building code, and draw your wall bracing plan. The calculator interprets geometry directly from your file and checks your plan for code-compliance. When finished, print out a report for the building
official and attach a copy to your plan set. Try out the program with this demo floor plan.
Helpful
The controls follow a CAD user interface that is easy to use,
reduces duplicative work, and reduces the chance of human error.
Design aids scattered throughout the calculator inform novice and veteran designers alike.
See the Resources tab for tutorial videos and other helpful materials.
Customer support is available for assistance to help you get started.
Accurate
Optimize your wall bracing plan to save on labor and building material costs. Is a portal frame necessary? Can drywall be omitted in the garage? Must blocking be installed on walls taller than 8 feet? Deriving the answers can be is tedious and time-consuming, especially when the architectural drawings evolve over the lifespan of a project. Let the calculator rapidly answer these and other questions to save you time and money in the long run.
Efficient
It can take as little as 5 minutes to design an entire wall bracing plan from start to finish. The limiting factor is often the time it takes to click or draw braced wall panels.
Affordable
There are two purchase options available depending on your needs.
No obligations, no cancellation policy, no hidden fees.
A modern web browser is necessary. Chrome and Edge tend to have better graphical performance than Firefox and Safari. Performance also depends on available computer memory and the complexity of the drawing.
What type of file does the calculator take?
The calculator accepts DXF or PDF files. DXF is a widely-used format for
CAD software, supported by virtually every platform. This is the preferred method because you can simply click on lines and they become wall panels. Alternatively, a PDF can be uploaded and lines traced instead of clicked. This is the preferred method for computuers or browsers with slower processing speed.
What does the wall bracing report contain?
The report contains everything the builder, reviewer, and inspector will need, including:
The floor plan with wall bracing depicted
Calculations for each wall bracing line
A list of all wall panels and their bracing contribution
Construction details
My jurisdiction uses the IRC but with ammendments. Will the IRC Wall Bracing Calcalator still be applicable?
Many jurisdictions make ammendments to their building code, but it is extremely rare for the wall bracing section to be ammended. Nonetheless, we recommend asking your building official if you are unsure.
How do I know that the calculator is accurate?
The software developer is a
structural engineer with a background in shear walls. Furthermore, full transparency is a core philosophy of the program. The wall bracing report
contains all information necessary to verify the accuracy.
How time-efficient is the process?
For first time users it takes a little time getting familiar with the software. After that it takes about 5-10 minutes for a typical floor plan. If a
non-compliance is detected the calculator flags the issue and provides
specific information so you can resolve immediately and move on.
Is it easy to learn?
It is very easy. Mostly point and click on CAD lines (or tracing if uploading a PDF file).
Can the calculator check seismic bracing requirements?
Yes, conventional wall bracing with IRC building codes checks for compliance in Seismic Design
Categories C, D0, D1, and D2. Note that some aspects are not checked by the calculator, such as connections acting from story to story and whether the building is considered irregular.
Can the calculator interpret diagonal wall panels?
Yes.
Can the calculator operate with a rotated coordinate system?
Wall Panels can be angled, but Braced Wall Lines cannot. If needed, the file should be rotated before uploading.
