Update #2 March 22, 2007
Final TEI reports were issued to replace all preliminary test reports below. Please download them and delete previous reports.

In addition to research and development work on novel building systems, work at Simpson Strong-Tie's Tyrell T. Gilb research laboratory also includes basic structural engineering research. Beginning in 2006 and in collaboration with Dr. J. Daniel Dolan of Washington State University, the lab began a series of groundbreaking tests to better understand the true performance of conventional, or IRC, construction. Using full-scale 3D freestanding wood structures, data was collected that is free from the influences of artificial boundary conditions inherent in any 2D testing program.

In addition to the 3D testing, each wall line of the 3D structure was tested as a simple 2D wall line, and the 4' bracing segments in these 2D wall lines were also tested as isolated 4'x8' wall segments, with and without holdowns. This information is allowing Simpson and Washington State University to piece together a complete picture of the real-world performance of this type of construction in a way that has not been done before.

This Update #2 contains the final TEI test reports that document the testing and the results.

Test Setup:

3D Test Configuration:

Load Direction:

2D Substructure:

TEI Reports:

Below is a list of the 3D and 2D tests for which TEI reports may be downloaded. Fifteen 20x20ft one-story flat-roof wood structures and five groups 20ft long 2D substructure wall lines built according to current IRC and CABO building codes were tested to destruction. The effects of load direction, roof framing direction, wall configuration, and corner interaction were investigated extensively.

Click the titles below to download the reports in PDF format. Files are large (1.5mb - 4mb) so please be patient while they download. Help for downloads

top