Resiliency

What to Know

1. Resiliency in the built environment focuses on a structure's ability to withstand and recover from natural hazards such as high winds, hurricanes, flooding, seismic events, wildfire exposure, and severe storms.

2. Engineered wood products have a long history of proven structural performance when builders design and install them in accordance with building codes and approved engineering standards.

3. Wood-frame construction offers key structural advantages:

   • Redundancy

   • Ductility

   • Favorable strength-to-weight ratios

   • Adaptable repairability following disaster events

4. APA-supported research and testing demonstrate the capability of engineered wood systems to perform in demanding structural and environmental conditions.

5. Building resilience depends not only on materials, but also on:

6. Proper system design and installation

7. Load path continuity

8. Moisture management

9. Code-compliant construction practices

10. Policies and resilience initiatives should rely on validated testing, real-world performance data, and recognized engineering principles.

11. APA advocates for practical resilience solutions that improve building performance while maintaining affordability and constructability.

What We're Doing

• APA conducts research, testing, and technical evaluations related to the resilience performance of engineered wood systems under a variety of hazard conditions.

• APA collaborates with universities, testing laboratories, code organizations, and industry partners to validate structural and enclosure system performance.

• APA develops technical resources and design guidance for resilient wall, roof, and floor assemblies that address:

  • Wind

  • Seismic

  • Moisture

  • Durability

• APA staff participate in building code and standards activities to ensure sound science and practical implementation strategies support resilience-related provisions.

• APA educates builders, designers, and code officials on best practices for resilient wood-frame construction.

• APA evaluates emerging resilience policies and claims to ensure accurate representation of engineered wood product performance.

• APA promotes resilient construction solutions through outreach and technical guidance that support safe, durable, and sustainable communities.