The usefulness of certain walls in the structural planning of multistorey buildings
in particular has long been recognised. When external or internal walls are situated in advantageous positions they can be very efficient in resisting lateral loads originating from wind or earthquakes. In addition to the potential strength, which shear walls possess, they offer considerable lateral stiffness and thus can protect a building against non-structural damage that arises when lateral displacement or sway becomes excessive during a moderate seismic disturbance. Only in the last few years did the 
subject receive more attention and many aspects of the behaviour of shear walls are still
 being studied and evaluated. Because of necessary space limitations relevant features, which have been treated in well known publications, will be mentioned very briefly here, but reference to the appropriate source will be made. Other aspects, which are now understood a little better because of more recent research efforts, are presented in more detail. Emphasis is placed on features of behaviour relevant to loading of seismic origin rather than on design recipes.