Performance of Wood Plastic Composite Foundation Elements in Post-Frame and Light-Frame Shear Walls.

摘要

This research was conducted to examine the feasibility of substitutung wood-plastic composites (WPC) for preservative pressure treated (PPT) lumber in foundation elements. Previously, Duchateau tested a direct substitution of a WPC still plate for PPT lumber in light-frame walls. She also tested a more economical 'three box' hollow section and a thicker section WPC that allowed studs to be inserted into the sill plate and steel rods to be used as holdowns. The research presented in this thesis builds on Duchateau's work by exploring the use of WPC for skirtboards in post-frame buildings and the use of alternative holdown methods in light-frame walls.