Strength and Durability of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

March 12th 2010

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			Panel Facts

			Structurally speaking, can panels replace stick-frame construction? Yes! Tests performed show panels can, and do, outperform standard stick construction.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) - Strength & Durability

Every IB Panel ® is constructed with a rigid core of expanded polystyrene insulation. This core is adhered to oriented strand board. This process creates a single solid Structural Insulated Panel that will not twist or warp. Every IB Panel ® meets or exceeds any ICBO requirements.

The concept of Structural Insulated Panels has been around since the mid-1950's. IB Panels ® have been focusing on quality improvements that make a major difference. Our patented "foam on foam contact" corner design adds strength and durability to the overall housing structures.

Recommended article of interest can be found at EREC of Department of Energy (D.O.E.) regarding Structural Insulated Panels; (SIPs)
EREC Brief: Structural Insulated Panels
Date: 2 July 1998, Size 21.2K

We take strength & durability seriously. Our reputation depends on it. We've gone the extra mile to make sure, under various load tests, that our Structural Insulated Panels are strong & durable. The following information contains a summary of results for such structural testing.

Wall Panels
Allowable Axial Load (plf of Wall)

Panel Size (in)	Height (ft)	Normal Horizontal Wind Force (psf)
Panel Size (in)	Height (ft)	10	15	20	25	30
6	8	4931	4727	4522	4317	4112
	9	4807	4607	4407	4207	4008
	10	4674	4480	4286	4092	3898
	11	4533	4344	4156	3968	3779
	12	4407	4224	4041	3858	3675
	13	4240	4064	3888	3712	3536
	14	4093	3922	3752	3582	3412
	15	3948	3784	3620	3456	3292
	16	3808	3650	3492	3333	3175

Residential Floor Span Tables
Span of Panels Center to Center of Bearings. 40 psf Residential Live Load. 10 psf Dead Load included - Higher Dead Loads Require Special Analysis. Deflection Limited to 1/360 of Span - Locations Requiring More Rigid Floor Systems Require Special Analysis.

Panel Size	Spline	Maximum Span (feet)
6"	None	9'-3"
	(1) 2x6 No.2 DF-L	11'-0"
	(2) 2x6 No.2 DF-L	12'-3"

8"	None	11'-6"
	(1) 2x8 No.2 DF-L	14'-0"
	(2) 2x8 No.2 DF-L	15'-6"

Roof Load Tables
Notes to Roof Load Tables: Spacing of splinesis 4 feet on center maximum. Snow Load is Roof Snow (Pf) without Slope Reduction. Span is Horizontal Span of Panel - Center to Center of Bearings.

10 psf Dead Load Included - Dead Loads Greater than 10 psf Require Special design. Allowable Live Loads under 20 psf are not listed. Deflection limited to span/360. Higher loads may be possible on spans for which deflection controls if a larger deflection can be tollerated. Special design required.

Loads followed by asterisk (*) are controlled by the bearing reaction of the splines. Higher loads may be possible with web stiffeners intalled on the splines at the bearings per joist manufacture's specifications. Special design required.

Loads on spansfor which sheer stress or bearing reaction of the splines controls have been increased for duration of load (snow). Special design required for use with loads of normal duration. See note above for possible increased loads for spans for which deflection controls.

8" Panels
Span (ft)\Spline	None	(1) 2x8 No.2 DF-L	(2) 2x8 No.2 DF-L
10	50	63	92
12	37	52	71
14	29	40	50
16	23	30	37
18		23	28
20			22
22
24
10" Panels
Span (ft)\Spline	None	9-1/2" RFPI-50	9-1/2" TJI 210	(1) 1-3/4" x 9-1/2" 1.9E LVL	(2) 1-3/4" x 9-1/2" 1.9E LVL
10	68	75	92	159	250
12	53	72	85	105	157
14	42	67	63	75	109
16	34	51		56	78
18	27	39		43	59
20	22	31		34	45
22		25		27	35
24		21		22	28
12" Panels
Span (ft)\Spline	None	11-7/8" RFPI-50	11-7/8" TJI 210	(1) 1-3/4" x 11-7/8" 1.9E LVL	3-1/8" x 12" 24F-V4 Glulam	(2) 1-3/4" x 11-7/8" 1.9E LVL
10	87	87	104*	>250	>250	>250
12	68	78	100*	170	245	>250
14	55	76	89	119	165	183
16	45	72	68	88	120	131
18	37	57		66	90	97
20	30	45		52	69	73
22	25	37		42	54	59
24	21	30		39	43	47

Headers
Allowable Load - Pounds per lineal foot

Header Size (in.)	Span (ft)	Deflection Ratio
Header Size (in.)	Span (ft)	1/360
6	3	2,630
	4	2,172
	5	1,853
	6	1,470
	8	1,109
	10	1,092
	12	761

Contact Us at:
IB Panels ®
PO Box 723
50 West 100 South
Jerome, ID 83338
PH: 208-324-7184
FAX: 208-324-6740
Toll Free: 888-799-1398

News from IB Panels ®
Habitat for Humanity - "Blitz Build" was completed in 108 hours. IB Panels ® were used for the floors and walls. The walls were stood up within 45 minutes. Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3.

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Up to 50% more energy efficient.

Approximately 40% less on-site labor.

Highly efficient, insulated corners, patented design.

ICC # PFC 5361

Oregon Registration # M397

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