1. Basic Design & Engineering
Chapter 2 of 10
Basic Design & Engineering
Presented by:
Al Cobb, Founder, Sips School
SPONSORED by:
Chapter 1- Introduction to SIPs

2. Learning Objectives Look at industry standard details
Recognize SIP-friendly architectural styles
Understand the many decisions that make up panel design
Review basic engineering concepts as it relates to panel design
These objectives should be a precursor to the start of the first hour of training??
I would think they would be a part of the course description and not associated with the video shoot.
Chapter 1- Introduction to SIPs

3. Load Design Charts
Assist the designer or Architect or Engineer

4. OSB/Plywood Spline Connection
Panel does ALL the work
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems

5. Lumber/EWP Spline Connection
Single dimensional lumber spline
Double dimensional lumber spline
Detail courtesy of Insulspan

6. I-Joist Spline Connection
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems

7. Cam Lock Connection Urethane SIPs ONLY Limited design flexibility
Fast installation

8. Panel Friendly Architectural Styles
Floor SIPs
Small additions
Beach/mountain houses on pilings
Wall SIPs
All architectural styles
Roof SIPs
Craftsman
Bungalow
Cape Cod
A -frame
Modern
Timber frames
Hybrids

9. Architect or Designer? Architect Designer
Creates custom design based on input
Designer
Stock plan adjustments
Permit drawings

10. Design Considerations
Do the construction drawings “need” to be designed for SIPs?
Does a structural engineer “need” to review the SIP shop drawings?
Are roof SIPs the best choice?
Know when to say NO

11. SIP Design (CAD) Not to be confused with architectural design
Typically converting stick framing to SIPs
2D & 3D Computer Aided Drafting/Design (CAD)
AutoCAD is the dominate program (taught in schools)
Other programs are available
Panel specific – hsbCAD, Dietrich, cadwork
Architectural programs - ArchiCAD, SoftPlan, Chief Architect, etc.
3D CAD can solve building design flaws early - virtual reality
CAD provides seamless transfer to CNC fabrication

12. CAD/CAM
SIP software converts SIP CAD drawings into machine instructional code.
SIP drawings are usually done in AutoCAD or architectural desktop (ADT). SIP software converts these drawings into machine instructional code. Not all manufacturers use CAD/CAM technology, but the industry is moving in this direction.

13. SIP Design
A good SIP designer balances the needs of the engineer, the budget, and the installer
Good SIP design drawings relay all critical information related to the installation of the SIPs
Buildings are built from the ground up, but should be designed from the roof down.

14. What decisions does a SIP designer make?
Where SIPs should be used
What thicknesses and sizes are appropriate
How the roof SIPs are supported
Where headers are required
That point loads are addressed
That tall walls have sufficient stiffness
Spacing of nails and screws
Whether an opening is cut from a SIP or it is pieced together

15. Floor SIPs Span determines thickness Substructure/girder system
Foundation connections
Second layer of sheathing
Utility runs
Proper weather sealing
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems

16. Wall SIPs What determines thickness? R-value Height vs. lateral load
Energy modeling

17. Wall-to-Floor Connection

18. Wall-to-Floor Connection

19. Insulated Rim SIP

20. Wall Corner Connections
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems

21. Interior Wall Connection
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems
Detail courtesy of Insulspan, Inc.

22. Second Floor Details

23. Hanging Floor Detail

24. Bevel Cut Top of Wall

25. Square Cut Top of Wall Maximum Point Loads
Single Let-In – 1.5” & 3”
Shim Plate – 1.5” & 3”
Detail courtesy of Insulspan, Inc.

26. Headers Where are headers required? How wide is the opening?
What is above the opening?
How much SIP is above and on each side of the opening?
Use a SIP header or a built-up header?
Transfer of gravity and point loads.

27. Headers
SIP headers can be used when there is at least 12-inches above and on each side of the opening and the width and load over the opening is within the design parameters
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems

28. Posts and Headers Headers Posts SIP headers Built-up 2xs EWP Insulated
None
Steel
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems

29. Headers
Built-up headers are used when the width of the opening or the load over the opening exceeds the design parameters for using a SIP header, or when the height above or on each side of the opening is less than 12”.
Detail courtesy of Premier Building Systems

30. Point Loads How are the point loads being handled? Posts in the walls
Extra top plates
SIPs handle load via both skins

31. Load Transfer – Two Strategies

32. Lateral forces on walls (Wind)
Chapter 1- Introduction to SIPs

33. Tall Walls Are the tall walls going to move in a strong wind
Tall walls are defined as greater than 12’ high up to 110 mpg or greater than 10’ high at 120+ mph
EWP vertical stiffeners?
Steel?

34. Roof SIPs What determines thickness? Design Benefits/Features Span
Total load
R-value (Energy Modeling)
Design Benefits/Features
Sloped/Cathedral Ceilings
Active Dormers
Conditioned/Usable Attics
Comfortable Bonus Rooms above Garages

35. Minimized Fascia Detail

36. Doghouse Dormers

37. Roof SIP Support Single ridge beam Cantilevered ridges
Purlin/mid-span beams
Bearing walls
Timber rafters
Timber trusses
Plated trusses

38. Ridge or Purlin Beam Material Choices
LVL
Glulam
Steel
PSL
Timber

39. Ridge Details

40. Roof Details Valley beam support Truss support
Detail courtesy of Insulspan, Inc.

41. Internal Valley Beams

42. Roof Penetrations
Details courtesy of Premier Building Systems

43. Extreme Engineering High wind zones Massive snow loads Tall walls
Large overhangs
Specific states
Seismic

44. Hold Down Connections
Details courtesy of Premier Building Systems

45. Basic Design & Engineering
Chapter 2 of 10
Basic Design & Engineering
Presented by:
Al Cobb, Founder, Sips School
SPONSORED by:
Chapter 1- Introduction to SIPs