| The three-dimensional model you made of | | | | to bear the live load of the climbers, but |
| poster board or construction paper is now | | | | also bear dead load of the wall itself. Live |
| ready to be transitioned to design drawing. | | | | load of the climbers varies with every move |
| Begin with a simple sketch to define the | | | | the climber makes and at times can be many |
| dimensions. CAD or computer aided design | | | | times the weight of the climber. The stress |
| software may be used or you can draw it by | | | | the wall undergoes requires it to be |
| hand. CAD is not required, if you can define | | | | supported strongly, if the climbing wall is |
| the entire dimension mathematically. | | | | going to be supported by an existing |
| | | | structure. Then you have to make sure that |
| Each joint or edge should be labeled for the | | | | the existing structure is strong enough to |
| exact distance from the last joint. The | | | | support the climbing wall. |
| distance from existing structure such as | | | | |
| wall, floor, ceiling is to be referred. | | | | Vertical walls transfer all the weight to the |
| Establish distances, angles and dimensions of | | | | floor, but also exert angular force on the |
| the entire structure. Take into consideration | | | | joints away from the wall. In steep overhang |
| the thickness of the plywood sheathing, and | | | | sections, three forces are acting on the |
| the wall studs also, considering the width of | | | | wall; the weight of the wall itself, the |
| the anchoring structure and keep sufficient | | | | climbers weight, and the forces caused by the |
| margins. | | | | climber's movement. It is advised to seek |
| | | | expert's and specialist's opinion before |
| Lumber: Actual size and Nominal size | | | | proceeding. |
| | | | |
| In the US, the size of the unfinished wood is | | | | The load the wall is likely to be subjected |
| called as nominal size, after the wood is | | | | to will determine the type and size of the |
| plainer and sanded to the actual size. | | | | joists, anchors, and the thickness of wall |
| Usually plaining and sanding will scrape off | | | | studs. Existing structure should be strong |
| a quarter or half inch from the nominal size. | | | | enough to take the load of the climbers and |
| However, plywood has the same nominal and | | | | should hold itself after being subjected to |
| actual size. | | | | enormous stress exerted by the climbers. In |
| | | | vertical walls the plywood will offer a lot |
| In over hanging sections, spacing and size of | | | | of vertical strength, but the support should |
| the joist will dictate the joist span length. | | | | be strong enough to take the live load |
| Greater span lengths require larger joists. | | | | stress, torque, and resist shearing. |
| | | | |
| An engineer is the right person to determine | | | | Taking expert advice from structural |
| the design specifications for an overhanging | | | | engineers will ensure that all engineering |
| wall, as many factors such as strength of the | | | | considerations are taken into account and |
| wood, reinforcement of the joists, and the | | | | specifications for the material required |
| type of anchor has to be considered. | | | | finalized. Once this is done, you will be |
| | | | better placed to budget for the material |
| Climbing walls being heavy need really strong | | | | required to build the climbing wall. |
| support. The support should not only be able | | | | |