Shear walls are definitely easier to work into residential builds, but moment frames can be worth the extra hassle in certain layouts—especially open-concept designs. Have you tried combining both methods in one project? Curious how that'd hold up...
"Have you tried combining both methods in one project? Curious how that'd hold up..."
Actually did exactly that on a recent flip—open-concept main floor, shear walls around the stairwell and moment frames at the perimeter. Worked surprisingly well structurally, and the engineer seemed pretty confident it'd handle seismic loads effectively. The combo approach gave me flexibility with layout without sacrificing stability. Only downside was cost and complexity during framing...had to double-check everything twice to make sure connections were spot-on. But overall, I'd say it's worth considering if your design demands openness but still needs solid earthquake resistance.
Totally agree—did something similar when retrofitting my old Victorian. Shear walls were a lifesaver around the staircase, but moment frames...man, those things ate up my budget fast. Worth it though, since I didn't wanna lose the original charm by adding bulky interior walls everywhere. Also, heads up: inspectors seem extra picky about hybrid setups. Had to redo a couple connections because they weren't "exactly by the book." Still, slept through last month's tremor, so guess it paid off...
Interesting to hear your experience with moment frames—I considered them briefly but ended up going a different route. Instead, I opted for carefully placed steel bracing hidden within closets and utility spaces. It required some creative planning, but it was significantly easier on my budget and still preserved the historic feel. Inspectors did scrutinize the unconventional placements closely, but once they saw the engineering calcs, things went smoothly. Might be worth exploring if anyone's feeling hesitant about moment frame costs...
Good call on the hidden bracing—smart way to keep costs down and still respect the original architecture. I've done something similar on a couple flips, tucking steel supports into pantry walls and behind built-ins. Inspectors always raise an eyebrow at first, but once they see the numbers check out, they're usually good. Moment frames can be great, but they're definitely not budget-friendly for every project... Glad your creative solution worked out!
