Couple the IRC requirements with energy code requirements that are pushing more buildings to utilize a higher heel, and it is apparent the connection of high heels to walls is a key application issue.
The SBC Industry Testing Task Group and the TPI TAC/SBCA E&T Testing Review and Vetting Group has begun to evaluate the needs and priority of testing the performance of assemblies to quantify the effect of heel blocking.
It is clear from the very specific and isolated heel height testing already performed that there is an opportunity to provide revisions to 2009 and 2012 model code blocking requirements to transfer the lateral load resulting from wind and seismic events into braced wall lines.
By approaching engineering and testing through the eyes of framers, NFC can make the framing process more reliable and cost effective.
SBCRI is fully capable of testing any type of full-scale assembly, which can provide framing contractors great insight into the performance of the products they use on a daily basis.
Testing raw materials, products and structural systems will ensure that framers understand real performance and derive maximum value from the product or engineered solution.
Challenging times force hard and bold decisions that are risky. The survival of SBCA, BCMC, SBC Magazine and SBCRI were dependant on risk-taking.
Private contract testing business through SBCRI led to the creation of the new and very valuable concepts of benchmark testing and code compliance tools called the Technical Evaluation Report (TER).
The SBC industry can easily be the center of the universe for providing the structural framework of all light-frame construction and offering great value in engineering innovation.
When it comes to code compliance for your new product, consider a road less traveled that can be much quicker and more robust than the traditional path.
The ICC and AWC have published and through code adoption provide as law nominal unit shear capacity values, which are to be applied in accordance with the installation requirements of the building code and/or the code referenced WFCM and SDPWS.
Our goal at SBCRI has been to provide a technically reasonable foundation upon which to make engineering judgments when designing braced wall panels for lateral load resistance.
True creative innovation can only take place within the light frame construction industry when there is an accurate technical foundation.
