The racking performance of paperboard and wood based sheathing materials

by Ong, Benjamin.

RACKING PERFORMANCE OF PAPERBOARD AND WOOD BASED SHEATHING MATERIALS By Benjamin Ong A small scale (16 x 16 inch) racking tester was used to evaluate the racking performance of the paperboard and wood based sheathing materials. In this study it was shown that the staple spacing, staple size and caliper of the paperboard affect racking performance. It was established in this study that extending staples length beyond 1 inch has no advantage for the paperboard and wood based sheathing materials. Similarly, using nails for fasteners has no advantage both for paperboard and wood based sheathing materials. This finding is limited to the present set up and does not represent other racking testers. The racking performance improved when adhesive was used in combination with staples to attach the sheathing to the wood frame. It was observed after the racking test, the physical state of the paperboard sheathings indicate that staples have a higher withdrawal resistance and less tear through when compared to the nails. The stretching of the paperboards during the racking test slightly affects the tensile properties and further study is needed. The hardboard was evaluated to have better racking stiffness and strength than that of plywood and oriented strand board. The comparison of staples and nails as fasteners based on the racking stiffness and strength show that nail will be preferred for hardboard but for plywood and oriented strand board, either nails or staples could be used as fasteners. The basis weight and racking strength have an inverse relationship for the wood based sheathing.