Accelerating the Adoption of the Solid Panel Structural System

Published Sunday, June 30, 2024

This report explores the structural properties, capabilities, and applications for an innovative “studless” building system that uses a plate-like approach and exemplifies “Perfect Wall” principles.

"Perfect Wall" is a term coined and popularized by Joseph Lstiburek in "BSI-001: Perfect Wall" (Lstiburek 2010). It does not refer to a specific wall type nor a wall without defect; rather, it refers to a wall system strategy that places the four control layers for water, air, heat, and vapor outboard of the building's structural system and subsequently covers those layers with a cladding system that can drain and dry. This approach has the potential to be more efficient, durable, and resilient than cavity-insulated, light-framed wall systems. 

The primary goal of this project was to position the Solid Panel Structural building system and its “Perfect Wall” approach to thermal and moisture management for improved market adoption. A comprehensive testing regime was completed to fully characterize the structural behavior of the Solid Panel Structural system. These results were used to develop an engineering guide that can be used by architects and engineers for design and code approval. In addition, a small survey of builders and subcontractors was conducted to determine key issues for market acceptance and deployment.

Home Innovation worked in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, Huber Engineered Woods, and the Building America Program to produce this report. 

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