FEA analysis of a SIP building

[DenverKev]

I've been studying homes built with structural insulated panels for a few months. I'm not a structural engineer, but it seems to me that these shell type homes are statically indeterminate. Yet all the structural analyses I've reviewed for these homes, the engineers are using Post and Beam methodology.

Does anyone know an engineer who uses FEA for structural shell buildings?

 

[vfrider]

Generally speaking, structural insulated panels are used to cover and provide closure and insulating properties to Post and Beam Structures. Functionally, they also provide resistance against racking forces that would tend to alter the geometric relationships of the Post and Beam Structural elements. The load paths would still traverse the structure via the Post and Beam elements so you would be looking at 3D truss analysis. If you build entirely of structural panel elements, you have morphed the structure into a composite shell structure and you would use the appropriate FEA analytical techniques given the mechanical properties for the structual panel (either by tables or by lab testing)

 

[DenverKev]

Right, I'm building a composite shell. No "point loads", not even the occasional 2 x 4 in the exterior walls. I feel that a ridge beam is unnecessary as well. All the commercially available panels have lab test results available.

I just can't find an engineer who can do a realistic analysis because they can't get post & beams out of their heads.

Where should I look? Maybe an FEA software user group?
Which one would be the most applicable?