Building codes changes?
... those in need of high-density design, taller wood-frame product might soon be possible. In Miki City, Japan, in mid-July, LP Building Products and the Network for Earthquake Engineering and Simulation are scheduled to perform the world's largest shake test ever attempted to demonstrate the importance of earthquake-resistant construction.
The subject?
A seven-story, 23-unit condo tower weighing nearly a million pounds that uses LP SolidStart I-Joists and LP SolidStart Laminated Veneer Lumber as the main structural components of the tower floors. The outcome of the tests could very well lead to taller wood-frame building, says David Clyne, the lead contractor on the earthquake shake test.
"The predicted results of our test in July will lead to the building codes in most areas in California to change from five stories to six stories," Clyne says. "The B.C. government in Canada already changed their building codes from five stories to six stories as well.
Both the U.S. federal government and the Canadian government will be present for the tests and will use the results of this test to establish new regulations in building with wood."
from Multifamily Developers Turn to Wood-Frame Construction to Cut Costs
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Next Release: July 14, 2009 (for June 2009 PPI data)
