SIPS
SIPS
(OP)
Is anybody out there familiar with SIPs?: Structural Insulated Panels. They consist of OSB facings with an expanded styrene core. They are used for walls, floors and roofs. The walls are often load-bearing no less. Are there studs built in?
I did find www.sips.org, and there's some information there, but not much. Looks like the system is a work in progress. The “Design Guide” I downloaded from the site is blank on the topic of shear walls and diaphragms.
I have a potential customer who wants to use SIPs for a four story hotel! I can't see it... looks scary to me!
Any comments from anyone who has used the product would be greatly appreciated.
I did find www.sips.org, and there's some information there, but not much. Looks like the system is a work in progress. The “Design Guide” I downloaded from the site is blank on the topic of shear walls and diaphragms.
I have a potential customer who wants to use SIPs for a four story hotel! I can't see it... looks scary to me!
Any comments from anyone who has used the product would be greatly appreciated.






RE: SIPS
I will look and see if we have any manufacturer info from this project.
RE: SIPS
Premier was different, but many of the manufacturers do not rate their panels for shear. Typically they use 2X4 studs at the periphery which would limit their shear capacity by code unless the system is rated.
Honestly, I cannot remember if they have interior studs, but the plywood is glued to the foam interior, We cannot rely on glue alone structurally, so, another reason to use only a rated panel for shear.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: SIPS
Mike, did Premier provide you with shear capacities and details for your design?
RE: SIPS
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: SIPS
RE: SIPS
But that project was a very unusual, non-cookie cutter custom house. A big box hotel with a very repetitive floor plan may be a good candidate for SIPs. For uplift I would go with a continuous anchor rod or tie wire system to eliminate the wall-floor-wall tie down connections, make your life a whole lot easier. I do not see being able to rely on the SIP manufacturer for anything other than standard shear and lateral loading data, I would want to be in control of all the other detailing to make sure it is done right. Either way, something goes wrong, you are getting dragged into it.
Not sure I would want my first SIP job to be a 4 story hotel though!