The effects of cross-wall and vertical load on the lateral stiffness of the building are demonstrated using the one-third models consisted of no-opening bearing walls to which the floor joists are installed in perpendicular. The effects are examined' in terms of Apparent Shear Strain, Actual Shear Strain and Rotation Angle. The results indicate that the cross-walls exert a greater influence on the lateral stiffness of building rather than the vertical load, and that Actual Shear Stiffness closely relates to the distribution of shear strains for the plywpod-sheathings of walls.
