the BS* + Beer Show
Building Science is better with friends!
*Building Science
For years people have been getting together locally to talk building science. And now we are bringing it to the whole country with an online discussion group format.
The BS + Beer Show is an online talk show focusing on hot topics in building science. Our mission is:
"To spread BS far and wide, and to have fun doing it."
We hope you enjoy all the building science content!
ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Special Announcement: The Building Science Symposium Series now has a dedicated website: https://buildingsciencesymposium.com/. Next up: Seattle on April 8 and 9!
The Next LIVE Show via ZOOM
The BS + Beer Show
Shear Walls
Thursday, May 1st, 2025
6pm ET • 5pm CT • 4pm MT • 3pm PT
What keeps a building from falling over like a house of cards when the wind blows? “Wall bracing” is the general building code term and includes diagonal bracing, structural wood panels and other methods of creating adequate resistance to lateral loads in plane with the wall’s face. “Shear walls” are closely related but generally refer to engineered solutions rather than prescriptive details. Both are critically important and often misunderstood.
Bracing against wind is one thing; bracing against earthquake loads is another. Structural engineer Thor Matteson has focused on designing earthquake retrofits in California since 2008 and wrote the book, Earthquake Strengthening for Vulnerable Homes (https://www.shearwalls.com/shop-books/p/earthquake-strengthening-for-vulnerable-homes). Thor joins us to discuss why shear walls are important and how to design and build them. He will also share details of his invention, an efficient bracing method called Magnitude 10 braces, available through quakebracing.com.
Tune in to ask questions, share your experience or simply enjoy the show!
Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Cj4a87ctTOasDhV57lxzXw#/registration.
Our Guest Expert:
Thor Matteson is a structural engineer in the San Francisco Bay area. He has written multiple books and articles on the subject of shear walls, and co-founded the Earthquake Bracing Academy, a non-profit organization established to teach effective earthquake strengthening methods. He has contributed to earthquake-related guidelines for FEMA and the California Earthquake Authority, including this one: FEMA P-1100, "Vulnerability-Based Seismic Assessment and Retrofit of One-and Two-Family Dwellings." Thor is currently serving on the International Code Council’s committee to develop a residential earthquake retrofit standard. You can read more about Thor and his Magnitude 10 system at his website here: https://www.quakebracing.com/.
The BS*+Beer Show hosts:
Emily Mottram, Mottram Architecture (https://www.mottramarch.com/, https://www.instagram.com/mottramarch/)
Travis Brungardt, Catalyst Construction (https://www.catalystbuilt.com/, https://www.instagram.com/catalystbuilt/)
Ben Bogie, BPC Green Builders (https://www.bpcgreenbuilders.com/, https://www.instagram.com/benbogie/?hl=en)
Mike Maines, Maines Design (https://www.maines.design/, https://www.instagram.com/michaelmaines/)
Find recordings of The BS + Beer Show here: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blog/bs-and-beer
Thank you to our media partners:
Green Building Advisor and Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Watch The Replay:
Want to attend a live Symposium?
Each year our friends/fellow colleagues over at KC BS+Beer put on a new Building Science Symposium series of events in 4-6 different regions to bring the two full days of education and community engagement to new audiences.
2024 PRESENTERS
The 2024 Building Science Symposium presentation roster includes Dr. John Straube, Steve Baczek, Ross Trethewey, Glen Mathewson, Ben Bogie, Jake Bruton and Dr. Joe Lstiburek.
Click HERE to check out more on the symposium locations as they get posted for 2025!
THANK YOU
To everyone who attended, sponsored, or presented in 2024!
The Pretty Good House Book
This book makes a great gift for homeowners looking to build a new home, professionals looking to get started in building better homes, and your average individual interested in design or construction.
Buy local and support your independent book sellers!
BS* + Beer is a grassroots effort to share and promote building science through local gatherings. Click here to access a growing list of local organizations or start one near you.
Technical and Organizational support from Fine Homebuilding and Green Building Advisor.