[Greenbuilding] Advanced Framing/OVE in Midwest?

[Ted Inoue]

I'm curious - has your engineer actually run the numbers? Isn't that what
you're paying him/her for?
It always irks me when architects and engineers question OVE. Did they just
go to school and memorize a few standard construction practices so that they
could stamp plans without thought?

A big part of our job as professionals in green and sustainable building is
to educate those in the building business. That means building inspectors,
architects, engineers, builders and their subs. Everybody has to be on-board
if it's going to work effectively.

While this doesn't address your request, you might want to check out the
Building Science corp. information on OVE if you haven't already. They note
that building code recognized 2x4 24 OC for single story construction, so
2x6 24 is substantially over engineered for such construction. And 2x6 24 is
code approved for 2 story construction.

If you really want to make it strong, blow in high density polyurethane to
fill the cavities. This will bond the entire structure together and be way
stronger than conventional 2x4 16 any day. But you know that since you've
worked with SIPs!

If anybody knows of published information comparing the strength of 2x4/16
vs. 2x6/24, please post a link. We could all benefit from such information.
I'm putting together an educational information package for my local
building community and would love to have such a document to include.

cheers,
Ted


On 3/3/07, Jason Stone <stone_jason at sbcglobal.net > wrote:
>
> We use panelized 2x6 16" o.c. construction one some of our homes and are
> very pleased with the result, though we end up using more lumber than we'd
> like. The timing of your post is interesting since I was researching OVE
> this week to see if we couldn't reduce our material usage.  Has anyone
> else
> actually built with advance framing techniques -- in particular 2x6 with
> 24"
> o.c. in the Midwest?  I've run into polite resistance from my engineer,
> green reviewers, architect, and carpenters because of concerns about
> structural intergrity (specifically, what I understand to be a 90 MPH wind
> rating requirement, which in turn requires a high cost sheathing that
> offsets any OVE savings).  Only one company hasn't weighed in yet and
> that's
> my panel company (who can give me the final material cost savings, if
> any).
>
>
> I have to admit I fell into the trap of "nobody else is doing it that way
> locally, so I don't know that I want to be the first and only," but then
> that's a lot of what green building is!  I would just feel better about
> pursuing this if I could talk to someone who had success in reality rather
> than just a concept on paper.  Anyone?
>
> Jason Stone
> Sage Homebuilders, LLC
> St. Louis, MO
> 314-495-0718
> http://www.sagestl.com
> --
>
>