Lateral Resistance of Sheathing-to-Framing Nailed Joints with an Intermediate Insulation Layer

Abstract

Lateral resistance of shear walls constructed with wood-based sheathing panels and lumber framing is largely governed by the strength of the sheathing-to-framing nailed joints. In new wall designs, a layer of soft thermal insulation is added between the sheathing and framing to increase the wall thermal resistance. Studying the influence of the intermediate insulation on the lateral load resistance of the nailed joint is essential for understanding the structural behavior of this kind of shear walls. An experimental study was conducted to measure the lateral resistance of the nailed joints. The results show that the insulation has a significant impact on the lateral resistance. An analytical model for predicting the lateral resistance, with embedment strengths of sheathing and framing members and nail bending strength as input parameters, was developed. The model predictions were compared with those from existing analytical models and with the experimental data. The ultimate lateral resistance of the nailed joints can be predicted with sufficient accuracy using the developed analytical model for the joints with up to 51-mm-thick intermediate insulation layers.