Lateral Strength Evaluation of Existing Oriented Strandboard Wall Sheathing

The lateral strength of thirty-six, 7/16 in thick oriented strandboard samples taken from two existing multi-story apartment buildings deemed to be in a state of substantial impairment in Western Washington state, USA were evaluated. These samples, although stained and partially deteriorated, met the minimum requirements for structural wood panels set forth by governmental and industry standards. A discussion of imminent collapse and substantial structural impairment and their relationships to the 1997 Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous buildings and the 2003 International Existing Building Code is presented as well as discussion on the economic burden created by the complete removal (stripping) of exterior wall claddings to replace oriented strandboard sheathing that still meets the minimum requirements for a structural wood panel.