Shear walls using metal studs as framing

New in current Uniform Building Code is a section providing values for shear walls using metal studs in place of wood framing. Look at pages 2-266 and 2-267 in the 1997 UBC. A caution: the values listed are ultimate strength values that must be divided by a safety factor before they may be used in design.  The following tables should help:

Shear Values for Shear Walls Framed with Cold-Formed Steel - Combined & Modified Table
(Framing spaced at 24" centers maximum)
Assembly Description	Force Type	Fastener Spacing at Panel Edges (Inches)
		6	4	3	2
15/32-inch Structural I sheathing (4-ply) one side	Wind	355	n/a	n/a	n/a
7/16-inch rated sheathing (OSB) one side	Wind	303	470	578	636
15/32-inch Structural I sheathing (4-ply) one side	Seismic	312	396	586	650
7/16-inch (OSB) one side	Seismic	280	366	510	650
Assembly Description	Orientation	Screw Spacing at Edges & Field (Inches)		Nominal Shear Value (Lbs./ft.)
1/2-inch gypsum board on both sides of wall with studs 24 inches o.c.	Gypsum board applied perpendicular to framing with strap blocking behind the horizontal joint and with solid blocking between the first two end studs.	7/7		195
		4/4		283

Restrictions

1. Wide flange cee studs (1 5/8" wide) are required.
2. Studs must be at least 20 gage material.
3. Fasteners must be at least #8 diameter x 1" in length.

Compare the allowable shear values below with those of 8d and 10d nails. This type of system could reasonably be limited by the strength of the plywood.

Allowable Shear Values for Self-Drilling Fasteners - ITW Buildex
(Fastener Factor of Safety = 4.0)
Screw Size	TEKS Point	Gauge of Stud Material
		20	18	16	14
#8-18	#3	182	272	302	303
#10-16	#3	182	316	385	388
#10-24	#3	187	302	388	423
#12-14	#3	192	339	405	492