OSB as a Raw Material
SBCA has published extensive information regarding raw material performance characteristics, since 2009, when SBCRI first learned of the disparities between OSB and lumber published design values and SBCRI tested performance. We published a 2015 article entitled “ Why is SBCA & SBCRI Publishing Investigative Reports? ”
The SBCA and SBCRI goal was to document SBCRI testing facts in a public forum for use by anyone needing background information. This webpage provides an organized listing of links to each of the past unique OSB articles along with the date of publication and a few other articles that may be of interest.
Recent Articles
1. Video: U of Alabama Wood Panel Testing; Ductility Concerns April 2019
2. Tornado Season & Collapse, Are Building Materials to Blame? March 2019
3. APA - IRC Allowable Design Values for OSB Wall Bracing = 175 PLF March 2019
4. Wood Structural Panel Lateral Capacity? APA - “Not Sure” October 2018
5. Design Value Concepts by APA’s Dr. Yeh August 2018
6. APA Confirms Wide Range of OSB Design Values July 2018
7. Competition Improves Everyone; APA Disagrees July 2018
8. APA Introduces "Standard Factors for OSB Equivalency" Concept July 2018
9. APA President Addresses Standard OSB Equivalency Factors July 2018
10. Testing Confirms APA Bracing Spectrum Concept Appropriate July 2018
11. Why Benchmark and Equivalency Testing Are So Important July 2018
12. Through Attorney, APA Responds to a Threat to OSB Market Share July 2018
13. APA Promotes Misleading Thunderstorm Headline April 2017
14. When Does 450=840? Why Not Fix It? SBCA Tried... October 2015
Testing of OSB Articles
16. Lawless Defense Presentation on Performance of Perforated Light-frame Wood Shear Walls with Conventional Anchorage and High Aspect Ration Segments December 2013
17. Ballot Response Submission to ASTM August 2013
18. SBCRI Qualtim Calibration of Lateral Wall Station to 12’x30’ Building April 2013
19. Weyerhaeuser Report Benchmark Monotonic and Cyclic Tests of Fully-Restrained Wood Structural Panel Braced Walls June 2012
20. Reliability and effect of partially restrained wood shear walls January 2012
21. PEI Lab Evaluation of Sheathing Materials - Racking Load on Single Sided Walls 3/8" Oriented Strand Board (OSB) October 2011
22. NAHB Research Center Evaluation of the Lateral Performance of Let-in Bracing and Mixed Bracing Systems May 2008
23. Tabulated Wall Bracing Test Data September 2006
Installation of OSB Articles
25. Installation & Fastening of Wood Structural Panel Wall Bracing March 2014
OSB Design Value Articles
26. How APA Built a Competitive Advantage for OSB Through the Building Code October 2015
27. When Does 450=840? Why Not Fix It? SBCA Tried... October 2015
28. 450=840 Creates an Artificial Competitive Advantage for OSB October 2015
29. Installation of Interior Gypsum Board Finish November 2014
30. SBCA Recommends Solution to AWC Regarding Shear Wall Design Values July 2014
31. SBCA Sustains Negative Vote on AWC Shearwall Design Standard June 2014
33. WDSC Ballot I for Special Provisions for Wind & Seismic (SDPWS) (04/2014) Finding of Non‐Persuasive on Ballot I‐1 Lawless Negative April 2014
34. Installation & Fastening of Wood Structural Panel Wall Bracing March 2014
35. Knowledge is Power: Know OSB Sheathing Performance & Options March 2014
36. Transparent Understanding of the Rules Clarifies the Path to Innovative & Value-added Engineering January 2014
37. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know, Part III November 2013
38. Overstated Lumber and OSB Design Values Create a Code-Compliance-Based Market Advantage October 2013
39. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know, Part II September/October 2013
40. You Don't Know What You Don't Know August 2013
41. SBCA Approves Design Value Policy August 2013
42. Design Values Matter: Make Sure You Fully Understand Why April 2013
43. Ground Breaking: What Everyone Needs to Know About Wood Structural Panel Performance June 2012
44. Reliability and effect of partially restrained wood shear walls January 2012
45. Braced Wall Revolution November 2011
46. Why Should I Care about Code Compliant Braced Wall Design Values? August 2011
47. SBCRI Qualtim Braced Wall Panel Engineering Considerations August 2011
48. SBCRI Qualtim Why Evaluate Braced Wall Engineering July 2011
49. SBCRI Reveals Data from Wall Bracing Tests April 2009
OSB Seismic Design Parameter Articles
50. Seismic Design Coefficients: How they are determined for light-frame components Part 2 August 2014
51. Is APA a Great Example of Advancing Interests via Conflicting Interests? January 2017
52. Seismic Design Coefficients: How they are determined for light-frame components May 2014
53. Overstated Lumber and OSB Design Values Create a Code-Compliance-Based Market Advantage October 2013
54. Monotonic and Cyclic Tests of Shear Walls with Gypsum Wallboard, Fiberboard, and Hardboard Sheathing November 2002
OSB Performance and Fasteners Articles
55. Homebuilders Find OSB to Be an Unreliable Air Barrier September 2015
56. Does Open-Cell Spray Foam Cause Roof Rot? April 2014
57. Installation and Fastening of Wood Structural Panel Wall Bracing March 2014
58. Does Open-Cell Spray Foam Lead to Damp Roof Sheathing? January 2014
59. Prevent Moisture Absorption of OSB Roof Panels with Spray Urethane April 2003
Engineering of OSB Articles
60. Engineered vs. Prescriptive Wall Panel Design August 2015
61. Good Information Leads to Good Decision-Making March 2015
62. Reliability and effect of partially restrained wood shear walls January 2012
64. Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) American Forest & Paper Association August 2008
67. Perforated Shearwall Design Approach by Douglas, B. K. and H. Sugiyama American Forest & Paper Association December 1994
APA Conflict of Interest Related Articles
68. APA Promotes Misleading Thunderstorm Headline April 2017
69. Is APA a Great Example of Advancing Interests via Conflicting Interests? January 2017
70. Really? OSB Sheathing Blamed in Building Collapse Due to 86 mph Wind! May 2016
71. APA Touts Efforts to Keep Codes Wood Friendly April 2015
72. OSB Sheathed/Braced Condo Collapse Video Goes Viral January 2014
73. Transparent Understanding of the Rules Clarifies the Path to Innovative & Value-added Engineering January 2014
74. SBCA Press Release on Truss & Component Raw Material & Construction Products Design Properties Policy August 2013
Winds of Change – Innovation Welcome Here Articles
75. Knowledge is Power: Know OSB Sheathing Performance & Options March 2014
76. Change Is Such Hard Work: Part IV of the “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know Series” December 2013
77. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know, Part III November 2013
78. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know, Part II September/October 2013
79. You Don't Know What You Don't Know August 2013
80. Embracing Change December 2001
APA, AWC and NAHB Using Code to Create Winners and Losers Articles
81. Homebuilders Outline Opposition to 3 Code Proposals April 2018
82. NAHB Policy and Homebuilder Testimony Support SBCA’s RB69 Code Change Proposal October 2016
83. NAHB Policy Supports Truss Construction, Why are They Testifying Against It? October 2016
84. Firefighter Deaths Underscore Importance of SBCA's RB69 Code Change Proposal October 2016
85. How AWC & NAHB Created a Competitive Advantage for 2x10s Through the Code October 2015
86. NAHB Analysis Critical of 2012 IECC June 2015
87. APA Touts Efforts to Keep Codes Wood Friendly April 2015
88. NAHB Promotes and Influences Voting on ICC Code Change Proposals May 2015
89. NAHB: Legislation Requiring 10-Year Payback from Energy Code Would be a 'Boon for Consumers' July 2014
90. SBCA Sustains Negative Vote on AWC Shearwall Design Standard June 2014
91. AWC & NAHB Author Original Code Change Proposals Effectively Banning Floor Truss and I-joist Use April 2014
92. SBCA's Public Letter to ALSC, AWC, NAHB, SFPA and ICC September 2013
93. NAHB Updates Green Building Standard January 2013