In response to growing acceptance by the building community for the use of wood structural panels in combined shear and uplift, some manufacturers of competing products are struggling to come up with a case to promote the use of their products. For example, Simpson Strong-tie published a Technical Bulletin in September titled, Understanding the Performance of Wall Sheathing Used to Resist Simultaneous Uplift and Shear Loads, in which it discourages use of the wood structural panels system for combined shear and uplift. The bulletin raises a series of issues when using this system.

It is important to note that International Code Council Consensus Committee on Hurricane Resistant Construction (IS-HRC) heard the same arguments, as did the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). When balanced by the analytical procedures used by APA and full-scale testing conducted by Clemson University and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), neither group was convinced by the validity of the arguments.

APA, along with a number of industry organizations and individuals, want to ensure that the building community has valid information available that accurately interprets building code. Read APA Responds to Simpson's Technical Bulletin, posted under “Bracing News” on www.wallbracing.org, to get the facts and gain a better understanding of the IBC and IRC and how it pertains to wall sheathing used to resist simultaneous uplift and shear loads. We encourage your thoughts and questions on this issue. For more information on wall bracing and code requirements, visit www.wallbracing.org or download our latest brochure, Whole House Wall Bracing, Form G440.