Ultimate Strength of Structural Particleboard Diaphragms

Ten 16- by 48-foot wood-framed diaphragms sheathed with waferboard or particleboard were tested by means of lateral loading. The objective of these tests was to evaluate effects of sheathing-panel thickness, nail size and spacing, blocking, and sheathing pattern of diaphragm strength – Greatest increases in diaphragm strength resulted from increasing nail density. Moderate strength increase was achieved when panel thickness was increased from 7/16 to 5/8 inch. Nail size and panel pattern had little effect on strength within the range of this experiment. Eliminating blocking appeared to decrease strength markedly.

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