About this programme
Prefabricated building systems are becoming more prevalent in New Zealand in an effort to provide resilient buildings that are high quality, affordable and can be quickly constructed. Structural insulated panel (SIP) systems have been used worldwide for many decades. They provide excellent insulation performance, which can improve energy efficiency and include a high degree of off- site prefabrication. With SIPs having the potential to provide improved building stock for New Zealand, it is important to understand their long-term and short-term performance. This project will investigate whether SIP buildings will perform adequately when subjected to environmental conditions and natural hazards in New Zealand. The project will extend the initial BRANZ test programme to investigate the durability and long-term performance of small-scale SIP samples after accelerated ageing to New Zealand conditions. Seismic performance testing will determine how SIP structural bracing systems perform when subjected to seismic loading. Load and displacement data on SIP wall configurations will be compared with New Zealand Building Code requirements on structural performance and control specimens on existing bracing systems. A literature review will be undertaken to better understand the known issues relating to the fire performance of typical SIP systems used in New Zealand. Having a robust methodology for assessing the long-term performance of SIPs will support industry innovation by providing manufacturers with a compliance pathway that does not currently exist. Designers and specifiers will have increased confidence and data to inform the use of SIP systems as an energy-efficient prefabricated option for resilient buildings in New Zealand. (NB: TEXT FROM LIA2020)