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