How do you know whether a SFRS is a bearing wall or building frame system

I'm going through the EET problems and I keep selecting the wrong R-value because it should have been a bearing wall system when I chose a building frame or vice-versa. How do you know which system should you pick?

Unless it specifically states it is bearing wall, use building frame, unless it is obvious that it would be bearing wall ( IE, typically with wood, walls in one direction are bearing, but the other direction are not)

I noticed this same sort of problem when I was going through problems from the AEI practice exam book, and I would also pick the wrong R value too. I actually took Hiner's review course, and bought AEI practice exams, so I asked Steven (the instructor of the review course), and he mentioned that having exam problems that don't specify if it is bearing wall or bukding frame SFRS is not a complete problem statement, and it needs to be stated.

I took the seismic exam twice (luckily just passed in April), and I don't remember seeing a problem where you might have a structure without specifying bearing wall or building frame if it had the chance to be either.

My advice based on what I learned from his advice: you probably won't run into a problem like that, so don't let it cause you any stress. If for some reason they do have a problem like that, pick one and roll with it. Maybe try both R values and see if you get an answer. But don't let it slow you down on the test.

XrayCP1 said:

I noticed this same sort of problem when I was going through problems from the AEI practice exam book, and I would also pick the wrong R value too. I actually took Hiner's review course, and bought AEI practice exams, so I asked Steven (the instructor of the review course), and he mentioned that having exam problems that don't specify if it is bearing wall or bukding frame SFRS is not a complete problem statement, and it needs to be stated.

I took the seismic exam twice (luckily just passed in April), and I don't remember seeing a problem where you might have a structure without specifying bearing wall or building frame if it had the chance to be either.

My advice based on what I learned from his advice: you probably won't run into a problem like that, so don't let it cause you any stress. If for some reason they do have a problem like that, pick one and roll with it. Maybe try both R values and see if you get an answer. But don't let it slow you down on the test.

Click to expand...

Do you have the second sample exam from Hiner Seismic review work book?