Which wall type helps the structure resist lateral forces?

• A. Shear Wall
• B. Partition Wall
• C. Blocking
• D. Header

Answer: (A)

The wall type that resists lateral forces is the shear wall. Shear walls are designed as stiff, continuous panels that carry wind or earthquake loads from the roof and upper floors down to the foundation, distributing those forces through the wall plane and into the structure. This makes them effective at preventing lateral racking and maintaining building stability under sideways loads.

Partition walls, by contrast, are non-structural interior walls that mainly divide spaces and do not carry significant lateral loads. Blocking consists of small pieces used to space or reinforce framing members and provide nailing surfaces; they don’t provide meaningful resistance to lateral forces. A header is a structural member above openings that helps carry loads from above but isn’t intended to resist lateral forces for the whole wall.