This study forms the first phase of an investigation to quantify the degree of interaction between timber structural framing components and non-structural sheathings and their effect on the stiffness and strength of the structural framing when subjected to axial loadings and out-of-plane face loadings.
This project investigated:
- the stiffness enhancement of studs sheathed with internal and external sheet materials when subjected to simultaneously applied axial and face loading
- the strength of connections typically used between top framing plates and truss or rafter members under uplift loading
- top plate stiffness enhancement provided by internal and external sheet materials.
Results indicated that the out-of-plane bending stiffness enhancement offered to studs by gypsum plasterboard and fibre-cement sheet sheathings was at least 60% for gypsum plasterboard only on one side and at least 150% for gypsum plasterboard on one side and fibre-cement sheet on the other..