Chuck,
There was no strapping on the outside of the building, but it is possible that there could have been strapping on the inside. So your are saying that if the openings are treated like an opening in the diaphragm, then the height to width ratios no longer apply? Which all of the extra stuff to do calculate with perforated shear walls, and the reduction in shear capacity, is it ever really worth it to use them?
Jeff Hedman , E.I.T.
L.R. Pope Engineers & Surveyors, Inc.
1240 East 100 South Suite # 15B
St. George, Utah 84790
Office: 435-628-1676
Fax: 435-628-1788