Has any one on this forum ever manufactured or used "OSB" panels longer than 20'? If so what was used to hold the panels together. We are beginning to build them and have to send the jumbo panels to have them tested. They have to be tested with the methods we will use on the site to connect them. Thanks, Greg

Greg;

We built 28ft.OSB  when I worked for a mfg.

not sure what you are looking for?
  
the tests need to be conducted true to the actual engineered connection details. In other words you can't fasten closer together for a better test results unless you want that to become the new standard fastening pattern

I was rushing out to mass and tried to hurry the message. Should have waited, took my time to compose a more thoughtful blog and would not have wasted the time of those reading it...

I need to know what those of you who have built with OSB SIPs over 24 feet have used to mate the two panels. Was it dimensional lumber, OSB splines, sip splines? My concern is at that height what will we need to use to ensure the stability of the wall.

We are doing some commercial stuff in the real near future and I will need to get these panels tested. And you are right, I have to get them tested true to the fastening system we will use on the sight. Which is why I posed the question.

My thanks and my apologies.

Greg;

 

the 2 x spline will certainly give you the best structural results, but if you are going to mfg. and sell with 2x and flat OSB splines you should be testing both.

same goes for your foam densities

Don't forget to properly mix your Glue and spread it out just right.

Thanks, Chris.

We will try the 2 x's and get them tested in accordance with the on site fastening process. I was just not sure if we should go the dimensional lumber route. If you already have... We have never built longer than 20' and we used dimensional lumber there.

As far as glue goes, we manufacture our own. We get the glue part, thanks.

Greg

Thats one for the engineers to figure out. I have used full length 24' SIP's many times and have used a couple of different methods for connections. Double 2x splines, but I really don't like this method it leaves some room for error when the seem in the 2x's line up with the seem in the panels.( sealing joint between 2x's is critical ) Triple 2x splines are sometimes used when supporting a ridge beam or purling or in the center of a gable. LVLs were spec'd on a SIP's garage I recently built and the tallest panels was 22'. As far as connecting them legthwise and stacking them on top of one another, I haven't seen this done. Unless there is some structural point of attachment along the way, like in post and beam construction. LVL's might be the right choice and the engineers should be able to spec them. Not an inexpensive option but definetly an option. I have used 5-1/2" x 5-1/4" LVL to support a triple LVL ridge beam on many occasions and have done it up to 24' maximizing the panel height at the gable. Actually the top of the ridge beam was 24' even.

Tom Pittsley
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www.eebt.org