A shear wall is a vertical structural element in a building that resists shear forces, caused by lateral loads such as wind, seismic activity, and ground movement. Shear walls are typically made of reinforced concrete or reinforced masonry, and they work by absorbing the lateral forces applied to a building and transferring them to the foundation. They are effective in safeguarding the structural integrity of a building against strong lateral forces and are commonly used in high-rise buildings and earthquake-prone areas.
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