Edge Reinforced Construction Sheeting

Edge-Reinforcement of Plywood & OSB – The Edge Reinforced Panel (ERP) was developed as a solution to the nail tear-out problem and consists of a reinforcing strip of fiber-glass or alternate strengthening and bonding material applied to the edge or nailing strip of a plywood or OSB sheet. The strip may be applied to one face, both faces, or wrapped around the edge of a sheet.
General Information

ERP’s unique characteristics make it an excellent product for external sheathing of shear walls and roofs. In practice an ERP is attached to the structural framing like other sheathing but now the nails are driven through a reinforced strip into the framing. The reinforcing does not hamper or necessitate change in current nailing procedure, and it better secures the panel to the wood stud during singular or cyclical stresses such as high winds or earthquake.

Advantages

1. Reinforcement significantly increases the strength of the nailing strip
* Nail tear-out virtually eliminated
* Nail pull-through greatly reduced
* Panel edges resist degradation by all causes
2. Meet new building code at minimal incremental cost compared to highly engineered alternatives
* Greatly reduced earthquake, high wind and hurricane/typhoon damage
3. Does not require changes or adaptations of current construction methods
* Saves contractor $$ by eliminating special training and reducing rework
* Increases safety factor in case of careless field construction
* Increased strength compensates for irregular nail spacing
* Prevents damage caused by excessive nail gun pressure and over-driven nails

The Market

The Edge Reinforced Panel was developed as a solution to highly publicized shear wall failures in the wake of the 1994 Northridge California earthquake and hurricane Andrew. The shear wall failures are attributed to nail tear-out and pull-through in wall sheathing (plywood, OSB).

ERP would be produced by a plywood or OSB manufacturer as 4x8 sheets (or other sizes) and sold in regions requiring reinforced sheer walls: California (earthquakes), Florida (hurricanes) etc.

Attached files:


Inventor(s): Dr. Fernando Fonseca

Type of Offer: Licensing



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