Feasibility Study of Determination of Seismic Performance Factors for Structural Insulated Panels

Abstract

The authors present the results of a feasibility study to apply the major steps of the methodology to quantify seismic performance factors (SPFs) for structural insulated panels (SIPs) as the seismic force–resisting system for residential and light commercial buildings. This methodology uses collapse evaluation to determine acceptable SPFs. Structural response prediction was assessed through the combination of building code seismic provisions, nonlinear dynamic analyses, and risk-based assessment techniques. The SIP system in this study consisted of a rigid foam insulation core sandwiched between two sheets of oriented strand board. Analytical modeling was carried out using seismic analysis software. The results of the preliminary study show that the methodology and the seismic analysis software used in this study can lead to the determination of SPFs for SIP systems, but extensive experimental test results among other data are needed for a comprehensive project to quantify SPFs.