Is a SIP structural?SIP

By their nature SIPs are structural. They are intended to carry loads. If they were not intended to carry loads there would be little need to securely laminate a Sandwich Panel or Nail a Stressed-Skin Panel. Sandwich Panels and Stressed-Skin Panels as types of SIPs carry and transfer loads in similar fashions. In recent years it has become a poor practice to refer to panels attached to other structural systems such as steel framing, timber framing, etc, as non-structural panels. Panels used in these applications are also commonly referred to as curtain wall panels because they close these structures with a curtain like affect. I think this is also a poor way to refer to a SIP, after all would you want the panels attached to one of these systems to blow around in a curtain like fashion. No, of course not. We expect and need the SIPs used in these applications to be rigid structural members. They must resist significant wind loads when used on walls and support snow, wind and dead loads on roof applications. In most cases they also contribute significant racking diaphragm stiffness to the Structural framework. It is hard to imagine how we could refer to these panels as non-structural curtains. The only type of load curtain wall panels do not normally see is axial load in walls. Even in walls however we expect the panels to support windows, doors and often other structural components such as beams. These are axial loads.

Answer: Yes, Always

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