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Panel Design Specification

Technical Guides

Wood structural panels, including plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), play a critical role in residential and commercial construction. This comprehensive Panel Design Specification guide presents recommended design capacities and design methods for wood structural panels when used in building construction and related structures.

This publication is designed for: architects, engineers, engineered wood panel manufacturers, builders

The Panel Design Specification provides an overview of product standards, panel grades, bond classification, code provisions, mechanical properties and more. This information stems from extensive and continuing test programs conducted by APA, other wood structural panel certification bodies and the United States Forest Products Laboratory.

Key sections include:

  • Selecting panels

  • Code provisions

  • Mechanical properties

  • References

  • Conversion factors

  • Withdrawal capacities of nails and screws tables

  • Nail-head pull-through capacity tables

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.

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