Framing & StructuralQuestion 346 of 700
In a seismic retrofit of an older house with a raised foundation, what two upgrades are MOST commonly added to the cripple wall and sill to resist earthquake movement?
a.New roofing and gutters
b.Larger windows and doors
c.Interior paint and trim
d.Structural panel sheathing on the cripple wall and anchor bolts (or plates) connecting the sill to the foundation
Explanation
The classic soft-story cripple-wall retrofit adds wood structural panel bracing to the short cripple wall and anchor bolts or foundation plates tying the sill to the concrete, so the house cannot slide off or the cripple wall collapse in a quake. Roofing, windows, and paint do not address this lateral weakness.
Law Reference: 2025 CA Existing Building CodePractice all 700 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- In a wood-framed building, what is the PRIMARY role of a floor or roof diaphragm in the lateral system?
- At the ends of a shear wall, why is blocking installed at horizontal panel joints in a 'blocked' shear wall?
- In a continuous load path for lateral loads, what is the main job of metal straps that connect wall framing across a floor level (stacked walls)?
- What is the main purpose of a hold-down (tie-down) anchor at the end post of a narrow shear wall?
- A 'collector' or 'drag strut' in a lateral system does what?
- To transfer shear from a diaphragm or wall into the framing, the connection of sheathing to the boundary members depends MOST on which factor?
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