STRUCTURAL MEMBRANE BRACING

Abstract

Structure membrane bracing of a framing structure is achieved by mounting a flexible membrane to at least part of the framing structure using fasteners and/or adhesive. The flexible membrane is a thin sheet, such as a fabric, that may be supplied as a roll and/or as folded sheets. Unlike conventional rigid panel products, the flexible membrane is flexible in nature and may be tightly rolled or folded in a compact manner to facilitate transport and mounting. The structural membrane bracing provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 50 Vs (plf), or a nominal unit wind shear capacity of 50 VW (plf), or greater. The flexible membrane may also function as a water-resistive barrier, thereby removing the need for conventional water-resistive membrane layers.

Description

BACKGROUND

Building codes in the United States require buildings to include racking resistance against lateral (horizontal) forces such as wind loads and loads generated by earthquakes (seismic). In typical wood frame residential construction, racking resistance may be provided by wood or metal framed walls with rigid panels forming shear walls and braced wall lines. The braced wall lines include braced wall panels or shear panels that are located on exterior walls, or interior walls.

To provide rigidity and racking resistance, braced wall lines or shear walls are often included in exterior or interior walls. Base shear forces are typically primarily resisted by anchors and overturning moments are primarily resisted by a combination of dead loads and hold-downs. These elements work together as part of a system to resist lateral loads or forces. The forces are generated by wind and seismic forces acting on the building. Additional racking resistance and resistance to lateral loads may be provided by interior walls and partitions, floor and roof diaphragms, and ceilings, among other elements. The size of the wind loads is based on the surface area exposed to the wind and seismic loads are based on mass and inertia of the building or the mass of an element of the building.

Buildings may use many types of structural elements or systems to resist wind loads and seismic loads, and these elements may include wood or light gauge steel frames, structural steel frames, concrete block, and poured or cast concrete, among others.

Many buildings are constructed of a wood frame including wood joists, wood studs, wood rafters, and structural sheathing panels. Typical, conventional rigid sheathing panels include, among others, oriented strand board panels (OSB), Thermo-ply structural sheathing, Thermo-Brace structural sheathing, plywood panels, fiberboard panels, gypsum-based panels, and Structural Insulated Panels (SIP). The rigid panel sheathing is used in shear panels, braced wall panels, floor diaphragms, and roof diaphragms. The sheathing panels are generally rigid and are nailed, stapled, glued, or screwed to the underlying light gauge steel or wood frame. For forces to be resisted by the panel sheathing and transferred, the attachment of the panels to the frame is important. The ‘rigid’ sheathing panels are not flexible and cannot be flexed, or be rolled, or folded, without breaking or exhibiting non-reversible change. In contrast to rigid panels, flexible elements such as a fabric or other flexible membrane have the ability to be rolled, or folded without breaking or exhibiting non-reversible change.

Historically, ‘let-in’ braces were used to brace wood frame residential structures to resist racking. These braces were typically one inch thick nominal wood framing members mounted at an angle and notched into the vertical wood framing members or studs, or metal straps, or angles. The braces could be located on the exterior or the interior side of the frame. The exterior of these wood frame residential structures was commonly sheathed with individual horizontal or diagonal mounted sawn dimensional boards to further brace the walls. These ‘let-in’ braces acted primarily in tension or in compression. The capacity of a traditional ‘let-in’ brace is typically limited by the relatively small number of fasteners and the limited capacity of these fasteners at the brace. As noted above, interior partitions and other elements of the structure provided additional bracing and racking resistance. In historic structures, interior partitions often included wood lath and plaster that provided some additional resistance.

In modern conventional construction, the bracing of the frame, particularly in light frame residential structures, is often achieved with the rigid panel sheathing noted above. Depending on the location of the project and the anticipated seismic and wind loads, the racking resistance is commonly provided at the corners of the buildings with a greater need for racking resistance on the lower floors of multi-story the structures. Where rigid panel sheathing is only provided in the areas of highest anticipated loads, the panels or braces may be intermittent, with non-structural infill panels in the balance of the wall plane. To provide a continuous plane without offsets, wood frame residential structures may be constructed with plywood or OSB sheathing panels at the corners of the buildings and fiberboard panels infill panels (of lesser shear capacity) are used at the balance of the exterior wall. It is now common practice to sheath the entire structure with rigid panel sheathing to provide the necessary racking resistance without having offsets in the wall surface created where sheathing is not required to resist racking loads. Continuously or completely sheathed buildings also provide some additional support to water-resistive protective membranes. Interior walls and diaphragms, also often constructed with rigid panels such as gypsum wallboard, may provide additional racking resistance.

Framing and frames may be of metal, wood, concrete, or other material. Framing includes, but is not limited to, beams, columns, trusses, rafters, joists, studs, blocking, sill plates, sole plates, and braces. Cladding may be siding, roofing, stucco, EIFS, brick, tile or similar elements.

The United States model building code typically includes weather-resistant wall envelope requirements, such as the inclusion of a water-resistive barrier, or water-resistant barrier, condensation control, vapor barriers, and flashing, among others. The water-resistive (resistant) barriers include traditional building papers, building wraps, non-structural membranes, felt papers, and fluid applied membranes. Water-resistive barriers described herein include the definition within Chapter 2 of the 2015 International Residential Code and as described in Section R703.2 of the 2015 International Residential Code. The building papers, building wraps, and felt are typically attached with light non-structural fasteners such as nails or staples. The nails or staples may include washers to reduce tear through of the fastener. These building papers, wraps and felt products are typically produced in sheets or rolls that are flexible, foldable, and are non-structural as they are not intended to provide racing resistance, or structural bracing. These papers and wraps when applied to the building, do not have sufficient shear capacity to serve as bracing to resist racking forces as braced panels or shear panels. To provide a rigid panel sheathing with water-resistive properties, there are rigid sheathing panels that include, surface coatings, laminations, or water-resistive plys (a layer of laminated material), or facing. Examples of these sheathing panels include the ‘Zip’ system by Huber Engineered Woods and DensGlass gypsum wall sheathing. In these rigid coated panel systems, the panel includes a water-resistive facing and the joints between the panels are typically taped or sealed to provide a continuous water-resistive (resistant) barrier. In other panels, a water-resistive (resistant) foil or facing is laminated to the rigid panel. The laminated foil or facing, or coating, is not intended to, and does not have the capacity, to provide additional shear capacity to provide structural bracing. As with the coated panels noted above, the joints between the panels are typically taped or sealed to provide a continuous water-resistive barrier.

Membranes of TPO, EPDM and other materials are currently used as roofing membranes.

‘Architectural Membrane’ structures, where the membrane serves as both the exposed roof structure and roof membrane are currently used in large commercial buildings such as the roof of the Denver airport and have been used in stadiums and other clear span structures. These architectural membranes as tensile structures are typically pretensioned and employ cable to carry loads and establish shapes. The membranes are exposed to the elements as they serve as an element of the structure, and the roofing or roof. Tensioned fabrics have been used to form enclosures or structures in the past (see Sahlin U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,1024) and are also referred to as tensile structures. Tensile structures typically utilize cables and wires to support dead and live loads beyond the weight of the membrane itself. Architectural membrane tensile structures do not typically include separate cladding such as roofing or siding beyond the membrane itself. Membrane structures are also commonly used in temporary movable structures such as tents or Yurts where the membrane is directly exposed to the exterior elements and may also be exposed to the interior. Membranes have been used as exposed non-structural cladding as at the Beijing National Stadium. Traditional membrane structures are directly exposed to wind, snow, and rain loads and forces. Traditional membrane structures transmit these forces through the membrane, a series of cables, connections, and frames to the foundation. The membranes in these structures are typically pre-tensioned.

The capacity of shear walls and braced panels to resist lateral or racking forces is determined by multiple factors including the shear capacity of the panel or brace used, the spacing of the fasteners, the locations of the fasteners, the diameter and qualities of the fasteners, and the underlying frame among other elements.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes structural membrane bracing where a flexible membrane provides shear capacity when attached to a wall frame, floor frame, or roof frame of a building, or similar structure. The terms “Building”, or “Structure”, includes but is not limited to a house, a multistory residential building, an office building, a warehouse, a mobile home, a recreational vehicle (RV), a shed, a garage, or an agricultural building. The flexible membrane element, when mounted on a frame as structural membrane bracing, provides shear capacity to independently replace typical rigid panels used to resist racking, shear, and/or moment forces. In certain embodiments, the structural membrane is not directly exposed to the elements such as wind, snow, and rain. The flexible membrane (including, but not limited to fabrics) when mounted as structural membrane bracing, is used as a replacement for rigid panel sheathing as conventionally used to brace walls, floor diaphragms, and roof diaphragms in buildings. In the embodiments described herein where the structural membrane bracing may be produced with varying structural capacities, the specific shear capacities indicated provide the advantage of flexible membrane products with a variety of structural performance that can be produced with a variety of associated costs and price.

In certain embodiments, the flexible membrane is mounted, in the factory or the field, to individual roof and floor trusses, joists, or purlins to form structural membrane bracing. In embodiments, the flexible membrane bracing is applied to gable end trusses to form structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, the flexible membrane has no substantive material insulation value and is not a foam or a foam board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one example framing structure for a wall assembly, in embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a flexible membrane to the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing of the wall frame, in embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 mounted to an outside of the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing, in embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 mounted to an interior surface of the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing, in embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 mounted to wrap around a corner of the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 530.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating example wrapping of flexible membrane of FIG. 2 onto an end stud and the top plate of the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing, in embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating example use of fasteners to mount the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 to the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing, in embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating example use of battens or strips of ‘mending plates’ to mount the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 to the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing, in embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating example use of a flexible membrane strip, or strap, mounted to the framing structure of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing, in embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating example tension forces applied to the framing structure of FIG. 1 by the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 attached by the fasteners of FIG. 7, in embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating example mounting of the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 to a multi-story framing structure, in embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating one example method for using the flexible membrane of FIG. 2 to provide structural membrane bracing to the framing structure of FIG. 1, in embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one example framing structure 100 for a wall frame. Framing structure 100 includes wooden sole plates 130 (also referred to as a sill plates), wooden studs 120, and wooden top plates 110. Framing structure 100 represents typical wall framing as used for constructing a building. In this example, framing structure 100 has two wall frames 140(1) and 140(2) that are orthogonal to one another and joined to form a corner 150. Framing structure 100 may also be a floor and/or roof framing used for constructing a building.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a flexible membrane 235 mounted to framing structure 100 of FIG. 1. When attached to the framing structure 100, the flexible membrane 235 provides a wall, floor, and/or roof bracing element (structural membrane bracing 230) to resist racking forces imposed on the framing structure 100. The framing structure 100 and the structural membrane bracing 230 combine to form the wall 200. In the example of FIG. 2, flexible membrane 235 is partially mounted to wall frame 140(1) in the process of installation for illustration purposes. Flexible membrane 235 is for example a thin sheet (e.g., fabric) that may be supplied as a roll and/or as folded sheets. That is, since flexible membrane 235 is flexible in nature, as opposed to conventional rigid panel products, it may be tightly rolled or folded in a compact manner to facilitate transport and mounting. Although flexible, flexible membrane 235 may be stiff to resist deformation or deflection under the action of an applied force. Deformation, as used here, is a measure of how much the membrane is or can be, stretched. Thus, flexible membrane 235 is flexible but resists stretching. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is flexible enough to be rolled or folded without breaking and without experiencing non-reversible change. When mounted (e.g., secured, fastened, attached, adhered) to the frame as structural membrane bracing 230, flexible membrane 235 resists stretching when loads are applied and provides shear capacity. Accordingly, flexible membrane 235 reinforces the frame or structure (e.g., framing structure 100) onto which it is fastened to provide structural membrane bracing 230.

Flexible membrane 235 is constructed to have a desired strength and other properties to provide structural membrane bracing 230 with shear capacity to framing structure 100. In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is a fabric, film, skin or flexible sheet and is formed with one or more of spun bound polypropylene, spun bound polyethylene fibers, glass fiber, fiberglass mat, fiberglass mesh, eglass, Kevlar (Aramid), sglass, carbon fiber, graphite, sheet plastic, sheet vinyl, polytetrafluoroethylene fiberglass (PTFE), polyester, PVC, TPO, EPDM and composites that include these materials.

In certain embodiments, the flexible membrane includes one of a mesh and/or a mat that includes one or more of fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal, plastic, and spun bound polypropylene.

In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is reinforced with one or more of metal fibers, a mesh, a grid, multilayer sections, patterns and/or patches of additional material.

Flexible membrane 235 may have a thickness of less than ¼ of an inch, less than 3/16 of an inch, less than ⅛ of an inch, less than 1/16 of an inch, less than 1/32 of an inch, and/or less than 1/64 of an inch thick. In embodiments flexible membrane 235 may have a thickness of 12.1, 12.9, or 21.3 mils.

Where framing structure 100 has vertical studs 120 spaced at either 16 inches or 24 inches on center, wall 200 formed by flexible membrane 235 mounted to framing structure 100 as structural membrane bracing 230, the wall has shear capacities that are equal to or exceed the published shear capacity of rigid panel sheathing mounted to the same framing structure.

In certain embodiments, flexible membrane has a machine direction (e.g., roll lengthwise direction) tensile strength greater than 187 N/2.54 cm and a cross direction tensile strength greater that 213 N/2.54 cm. In another embodiment, flexible membrane has a machine direction (e.g., roll lengthwise direction) tensile strength greater than 200 N/2.54 cm and a cross direction tensile strength greater that 250 N/2.54 cm.

In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 augments conventional sheathing of a structure as a structural membrane bracing. Flexible membrane 235 may not, in certain embodiments, be embedded in cementitious or plastic finishes, or claddings such as stucco or EIFS finishes.

As shown in FIG. 2, flexible membrane 235 is unrolled and mounted to wall frame 140(1) to form structural membrane bracing 230 and thereby wall 200. As used herein, the term structural membrane bracing 230 refers to the element that provides the racking resistance, bracing, tension resistance, or shear resistance, when flexible membrane 235 is mounted to a framing structure. The framing structure may be a wall, floor, ceiling, or roof frame.

Conventional ferrous lath, such as an expanded metal lath or woven wire lath, has the disadvantage of corrosion risk and is perforated with openings to allow the ‘keying’, or embedment, and integration of the lath with plaster, stucco or similar materials. The openings to integrate the lath with plaster prevent the lath from serving as both the bracing and the water-resistive barrier. Conventional lath reinforces the stucco or plaster to form a composite. Lath products typically provide an offset or set off to allow the plaster or stucco to key to lath where the plaster is over framing or sheathing. These openings and/or offset reduce the racking resistance of conventional ferrous lath. In embodiments, the flexible membrane is not keyed into and does not reinforce stucco, plaster, or insulation. The flexible membrane forms a structural membrane bracing through its attachment to the frame or other sheathing and does not resist racking as a reinforced composite with other materials.

Flexible membrane 235 is not a lath or embedded reinforcement, for plaster, stucco, EIFS, foam insulation, or cement based coatings or finishes. Flexible membrane 235 has advantages over conventional ferrous lath because it may be manufactured of lighter non-ferrous materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass. Advantageously, non-ferrous flexible membrane 235 is not susceptible to corrosion. Advantageously, flexible membrane 235 may also serve as waterproof, water-resistive, or water-resistant membrane whereas conventional ferrous lath cannot. Additionally, due to its thinness, and the material used, flexible membrane 235 is lighter than lath products of an equal tensile and shear strength. As previously noted, the flexibility and lower weight of flexible membrane 235 allows it to be supplied on a roll and used to form structural membrane bracing 230 of larger, lighter, continuous areas.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 when mounted as structural membrane bracing 230 also functions as a water-resistive/resistant barrier. Where structural membrane bracing 230 is placed on a portion of an exterior wall, the balance of the exterior wall may be covered with a conventional, water-resistant barrier. Furthermore, if multiple pieces of flexible membrane 235 are required to implement the structural membrane bracing 230, they may be lapped or otherwise mounted to functions as a water-resistive barrier in the building envelope. This provides an advantage over conventional panel sheathing and conventional water-resistant membrane combinations since the areas of the wall requiring racking resistance may be covered with flexible membrane 235 of structural membrane bracing 230 and the balance of the wall covered with conventional water-resistant barriers that are likely cheaper than structural membrane bracing 230 material (flexible membrane 235), thereby providing a cost saving.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 acts as multiple, or continuous, diagonal cross braces or straps on wall frame 140(1) (or other structure) to resist racking by resisting tension in opposing directions (see FIG. 10). Structural membrane bracing 230 provides shear capacity. The thickness, stiffness, and construction of flexible membrane 235 is selected to have the desired strength and properties to provide shear capacity as part of a system to meet building code bracing requirements. Flexible membrane 235 is preferably mounted by fastening or adhering at multiple locations of one or more of blocking installed between studs 120, sole plates 130, studs 120, and top plates 110 of wall frame 140(1). Fastening or adhering at multiple locations reduces the forces (and likelihood of tear-through) at each individual fastener or connector on flexible membrane 235.

Advantageously, structural membrane bracing 230 may act as a diagonal tensile strap (or strut), or a series of diagonal tensile straps to brace wall 200. In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 uniformly attaches at least to top plates 110, studs 120, and sole plates 130 of wall frame 140(1) to achieve a tension-field within structural membrane bracing 230 for wall 200.

In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is adhered to either framing structure 100, or to an underlying sheathing if sheathing is already applied to framing structure 100. When adhered, the distributed attachment assists in the distribution of stress and loads at the attachment points on wall frame 140(1) and within flexible membrane 235 itself.

One disadvantage of convention rigid panel sheathing that includes cellulose-based paper skins (e.g., gypsum sheathing) or that is wood based (e.g., fiberboard, OSB, and plywood), is its ability to support microbial growth, such as mold and fungi, that cause damage to the panel. Flexible membrane 235 may be made of fibers or materials, such as fiberglass, that do not support the growth of mold and fungi and that are not affected by water or moisture when mounted as structural membrane bracing, providing an advantage over conventional rigid panel sheathings that include cellulose, wood fiber, that are otherwise susceptible to degradation by water or moisture.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is an ‘inorganic’ material. In this context, inorganic means not consisting of, or being derived from, living matter. As an inorganic bracing, flexible membrane 235 is less susceptible to decay, rot, mold, and insect attack as compared to conventional bracing materials, such as OSB, plywood, fiberboard, paper faced gypsum sheathing, cellulose based panels, and wood based panels, that include ‘organic’ components. The inorganic flexible membrane 235 is not subject to insect attack such as termites (including but not limited to subterranean termites, Formosan termites, damp-wood termites, drywood termites), carpenter ants, powder-post beetles, wood borers, boring beetles as it does not provide a food source for these insects. The inorganic flexible membrane 235 does not provide a food source for, or support the growth of, molds, fungus and/or mildew. Accordingly, inorganic flexible membrane 235 has advantages over other rigid bracing panels such as OSB, plywood, fiberboard, paper faced gypsum sheathing, cellulose-based panels, and wood based panels that are subject to both decay and insect attack. The inorganic flexible membrane 235 when mounted forms structural membrane bracing 230 and may be used below grade without incurring the expense and potentially toxic treatments used to treated plywood, OSB, and framing used below grade, for example. Accordingly, in locations such as Hawaii, inorganic flexible membrane 235 has significant advantages over cellulose based panel sheathing where drywood termites damage wood frame structures.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 simplifies exterior wall assembly by replacing conventional sheathing overlaid with water-resistant membranes. That is, flexible membrane 235, when attached to framing structure 100, may provide both structural membrane bracing 230 as well as water-resistance. As compared to wall frame 104(1) braced using conventional rigid sheathing, wall 200 may have a reduced weight and reduced cost. The reduction in weight is an advantage as the reduced weight reduces the necessary size and cost of foundations. In addition, the reduce weight reduces the mass of the building. The reduced mass reduces the size of earthquake forces on the building as earthquake or seismic forces are a based in the mass of the building.

In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is non-metallic, an advantage over the prior art (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 11,225,890 B1). Since flexible membrane 235 when used as structural membrane bracing 230 is non-metallic, it has a lower thermal conductance, as compared to prior art metal sheathing. Metal based sheathing introduces a risk of corrosion or incurs an additional cost of galvanizing or the use of expensive corrosion resistant metals such as copper or titanium to mitigate the risk corrosion. Metal sheathings and foils are more likely to produce condensation, depending on their location in the wall assembly, due to high thermal conductivity and impermeability. In certain embodiments flexible membrane 235 also serves as a water-resistive/resistant barrier. In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is configured to be permeable to air and/or vapor. Impermeable sheathings, membranes, or barriers are not vapor permeable and are restricted to specific climate zones under the energy code in the United States. In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a vapor permeability greater than sheet metal or aluminum foil. In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a vapor permeability greater than 0.1 perm.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 also serves as an air barrier and reduces air leakage. This provides the benefit of improved energy performance of the building envelope and reduces the air leakage that occur at joints between rigid panel sheathing. Structural membrane bracing 230 has fewer joints than rigid panel sheathing and may be lapped to reduce leakage where joints occur. Flexible membrane 235 may be placed on the exterior of framing or the interior of framing providing options to control air leakage adjusted to local climate while also serving as structural membrane bracing 230.

Advantageously, flexible membrane 235 is supplied on a roll, or in large flexible sheets, such that it may be applied as a continuous element (e.g., single length) across wall or other assembly. Accordingly, flexible membrane 235 may be mounted to provide structural membrane bracing 230, shear capacity, and racking resistance without requiring as many intermediate joints as required with conventional sheathing. Further, when also used for water-resistance, flexible membrane 235 does not require the level of taping or sealing that is required when using conventional rigid sheathing panels with integral coatings or laminations to achieve a water-resistive (resistant) barrier. A further advantage is that structural membrane bracing 230 reduces air leakage when flexible membrane 235 is mounted as a continuous length as compared to air leakage between joints of conventional rigid panel sheathing. Further, since flexible membrane 235 has fewer, if any, joints that require taping and sealing, installation time of structural membrane bracing 230 is further reduced. A further advantage of mounting flexible membrane 235 as a continuous structural membrane is that the number of joints causing ‘ghosting’ or ‘mirroring’ of irregularities in the framing (and sheathing if used) that are visible after cladding is applied is also reduced or eliminated. Mounting flexible membrane 235 as a continuous structural membrane may avoid joints or edges parallel to the shear force.

The reduction in weight of wall 200 also allows the size and cost of supporting structures, such as foundations, to be reduced. The reduced weight of flexible membrane 235, as compared to conventional rigid panel sheeting, also reduces transportation costs and, as noted above, increases the case of installation. Flexible membrane 235 is installed using existing tools and methods and is compatible with current window and door opening flashing products and methods. Another advantage when mounting flexible membrane 235 is that studs 120 are easily found (e.g., seen or felt through flexible membrane 235), thereby alleviate any need for measuring and marking (or estimating) the position of the framing as required when using conventional sheathing panels. Advantageously, flexible membrane 235 may be formed around curves, angles, and corners to brace irregular shapes to form structural membrane bracing 230.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 spans multiple bays of framing structure 100, or an entire wall, without joints in flexible membrane 235. Joints between conventional 4 foot by 8 foot rigid panel sheathing create discontinuities in the bracing or shear plane and typically require double nailing at framing members that back the joints between the rigid panel sheathing. The double nailing creates an increased risk of splitting of wood backing framing members or blocking. A continuous flexible membrane 235 may provide a continuous structural membrane bracing, without intermediate joints, and reduces or eliminates the need and associated risk of nailing two conventional rigid panel sheathings to one individual framing member or blocking.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 covers framing structure 100 (e.g., an entire wall), and provides a greater shear capacity than the shear capacity for provided by conventional water-resistive (resistant) membranes when the water-resistive (resistant) membranes are installed on a frame without rigid panel sheathing.

Flexible membrane 235 may be used in a single continuous length that spans multiple bays of framing structure 100, or an entire wall, without joints. Joints between conventional four-foot by eight-foot rigid panel sheathing create discontinuities in the shear plane clement and typically require double nailing at framing studs (e.g., studs 120) backing the joints, creating an increased risk of splitting of studs or blocking made of wood.

Flexible membrane 235 may be supplied (e.g., on large rolls) in sizes to span from sole plate 130 to top plate 110, to span entire stories, and/or to span multiple stories. Using flexible membrane 235 in continuous lengths to cover large areas reduces, may reduce or eliminate, the need for intermediate blocking as required with braced walls or shear panels formed of conventional rigid panel sheathing. Flexible membrane 235 may also be mounted such that structural membrane bracing 230 provides shear capacity and racking resistance and/or shear transfer across the rim joist in platform framed walls (sec FIG. 11).

Advantageously, flexible membrane 235 is easily cut to form window and door openings without discontinuities or joints in the membrane around the corners of the openings. The continuous format of flexible membrane 235 also allows spanning of large floor or roof areas with a single sheet, such as when used as structural membrane bracing 230 in a floor or roof diaphragm. Flexible membrane 235 may also serve as a base sheet, or other covered layer, as part of a roofing system while providing structural membrane bracing 230.

For a given shear capacity, flexible membrane 235 of structural membrane bracing 230 may be thinner in thickness than conventional rigid panel sheathing installed on a similar frame. This reduction in thickness has advantages over the conventional rigid panel sheathing. For example, the reduction in thickness of flexible membrane 235 minimizes the cantilever of the fastener to the frame. Due to its thickness, flexible membrane may be applied in multiple layers without out materially impacting the wall thickness. As an example, stucco and siding systems typically discount the holding power of the rigid panel sheathing when nailing through the material. This is reflected in the stucco standard discussed below in ASTM C1063.

In certain embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 does not employ cables, or wires, for additional support. Flexible membrane 235 attaches directly to framing, or over other panels, to provide structural membrane bracing 230 and may be confined to the plane of the wall framing (e.g., wall frame 140(1) or wall frame 140(2)). In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 only covers a portion of a wall, roof, or floor and unlike typical tensile structures, does not necessarily create an entire roof, frame section, wall, or enclosure. In certain embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 uses a single, multi-purpose flexible membrane 235 that provides shear capacity and racking resistance as well as water-resistance in one element, to replace both conventional rigid panel sheathing and conventional water-resistant barrier membranes (and/or rigid coated or laminated sheathing panels).

Flexible membrane 235, when installed as structural membrane bracing 230, provides sufficient shear capacity to perform as a ‘braced wall panel’ or ‘shear wall’ as defined in the 2018 International Residential Code published by the International Code Council. Structural membrane bracing 230, when flexible membrane 235 is installed on wall frame 140(1) for example, provides sufficient shear capacity and resistance to racking to perform as the sheathing noted in definitions of a ‘braced wall line’ and ‘braced wall line, continuously sheathed’ in ‘Chapter 2, Definitions’ of the 2018 International Residential Code.

Flexible membrane 235, and structural membrane bracing 230, may be covered by exterior cladding, gypsum sheathing, siding, roofing or interior panels or gypsum wallboard. The term Roofing includes roof tiles, asphalt shingles, metal roofing sheets, TPO roofing, EPDM roofing, wood shingles, slate tiles, and similar materials. The term roofing does not include roofing underlayment or roof sheathing. Because the flexible membrane 235 forms structural membrane bracing 230 that is providing, or supplementing, the necessary racking resistance, these additional layers need not be robust enough to provide racking resistance. Thus, cost and weight (vertical load) on the structure is significantly reduced by not having heavy conventional rigid panel bracing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 mounted to an outside of framing structure 100 of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 230. Flexible membrane 235 may be mounted to framing structure 100 by one or both of adhesive and fasteners (see FIG. 7). In embodiments where adhesive is used, flexible membrane 235 of structural membrane bracing 230 may require no other fasteners to attach to framing structure 100. Following the example of FIG. 2, flexible membrane 235 is mounted to wall frame 140(1) and not to wall frame 140(2). Flexible membrane 235, mounted as structural membrane bracing 230 provides sufficient shear capacity and resistance to racking of framing structure 100 to perform as one of an interior ‘braced wall panel’, an exterior ‘braced wall panel’, an interior ‘shear wall’, and/or an exterior ‘shear wall’.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 extends four feet along framing structure 100 from corner 150 (e.g., from corners of a structure/building). In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 extends eight feet along framing structure 100 from corner 150 (e.g., from corners of a structure/building). In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 extends four, six, or eight feet along framing structure 100 from corner 150 (e.g., from corners of a structure/building).

In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 does not cover the entire surface of wall frame 140 and is limited to a portion, or segment of wall frame 140. In certain embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is mounted at the corners of wall frame 140, or of a segment of wall frame 140. For example, flexible membrane 235 may be mounted in the first 4 or 8 feet of wall frame 140 from a corner. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is thin (e.g., 0.031 nominal inches), where structural membrane bracing 230 is located only at the corners (or ends) of wall frame 140, it creates an offset in the wall surface that is no greater than the thickness of flexible membrane 235. The thin nature of flexible membrane 235 allows structural membrane bracing 230 to be used within portions of exterior or interior walls without creating offsets greater than the thickness of flexible membrane 235 from portions of the interior and exterior walls that do not receive structural membrane bracing 230. The thinness of flexible membrane 235 provides an advantage over conventional panel sheathing because structural membrane bracing 230 may be provided at any wall section of a building or structure with smaller, immaterial and/or insignificant offsets as compared to offsets caused by conventional rigid panel sheathing which will telegraph to the naked eye. The thinness of flexible membrane 235 minimizes the offset in plane from wall portions with structural membrane bracing 230 with wall portions without structural membrane bracing 230.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 mounted to an interior surface of framing structure 100 of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 430. That is, structural membrane bracing 430 is formed by mounting flexible membrane 235 to the interior surface of framing structure 100, however, flexible membrane 235 may be mounted to either or both of the interior surface and the exterior surface of framing structure 100 to provide structural membrane bracing.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 mounted to wrap around a corner 150 of framing structure 100 of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 530. Accordingly, flexible membrane 235 is mounted to both wall frame 140(1) and wall frame 140(2) such that it wraps around corner 150 in a continuous element or member. Advantageously, since flexible membrane 235 is mounted in a single continuous clement, structural membrane bracing 530 provides shear capacity and racking resistance to both wall frame 140(1) and to wall frame 140(2). Advantageously, wrapping the flexible membrane 235 provides greater surface area for the flexible membrane to be attached by adhesive and/or fasteners when forming structural membrane bracing 530. The additional surface area has the advantage of providing additional locations for fasteners to attach the structural membrane bracing on an adjacent wall plane, at a spacing that is less likely to split or damage the underlying framing and in cases, such as building corners, provides an additional member to attach the membrane to.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating example wrapping of flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 onto an end stud 620 (e.g., an end one of studs 120 of wall frame 140(1)) and top plate 110 of framing structure 100 of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 630. Advantageously, since flexible membrane 235 is flexible, it is easily positioned and wrapped onto end stud 620 and wrapped onto top plate 110 as shown. The wrapping of flexible membrane 235 onto end stud 620 and top plate 110 increases the surface area with which flexible membrane 235 is fastened and/or adhered when forming structural membrane bracing 630.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating example use of fasteners 750 to mount flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 to framing structure 100 of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 730. The example of FIG. 7 is similar to the example of FIG. 5, where flexible membrane 235 wraps around corner 150 and is affixed to both wall frames 140(1) and 140(2). Flexible membrane 235 may be attached to framing structure 100 using one or both of adhesive (not shown) and fasteners 750. As shown in FIG. 7, fasteners 750 may employ disks, washers, or shapes to reduce pull-through. The increased surface area of the disks, washers, or shapes distributes the load on flexible membrane 235 at the attachment points.

The bending yield stress of fasteners, such as nails, is typically considered in the design of shear walls. Common nail failures in shear wall assemblies include nail withdrawal, pull-through, bending, crushing of adjacent material, tear out and fatigue. Cyclic loading, as occurs during an earthquake for example, impacts shear walls and bracing panels, and particularly walls sheathed with gypsum wallboard or gypsum sheathing. Advantageously, when providing the same racking resistance, flexible membrane 235 when mounted as structural membrane bracing 230 is thinner than conventional rigid panel sheathing and therefore the cantilever or projection of its fasteners is less than fasteners of the conventional rigid panel sheathing.

In conventional construction, cladding (e.g., siding, stucco, and brick veneers using ties) are attached to the framing by fasteners, or ties. In many cases the cladding is required to attach to the framing structure (studs) and not to panel sheathing. Various cladding ties, and clip devices for siding, have specific fastener embedment requirements into the frame itself, and discount the sheathing. This is reflected in the requirements for stucco lath as described in ASTM C 1163. Advantageously, because the structural membrane bracing 230 may be thinner than conventional sheathing, shorter and cheaper fasteners (e.g., nails) may be used to attach the cladding (e.g., using cladding ties, and clip devices, or fasteners) to a wall frame (e.g., wall frame 140) through flexible membrane 235 while maintaining the required minimum penetration of the fastener into the framing structure.

Advantageously, flexible membrane 235 of structural membrane bracing 230 is an efficient, thin substitution for conventional rigid panel sheathing, where adjustments in the spacing and nature of the fasteners used with flexible membrane 235 may be made to accommodate various load requirements, thereby avoiding the expense and weight of thicker, heavier rigid panel sheathing.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating example use of battens 850 or strips of ‘mending plates’ to mount flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 to framing structure 100 of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 830. In embodiments, battens 850 are barbed perforated or un-perforated barbed plates. In embodiments, battens 850 are covered with additional patches of flexible membrane 235 or are coated or sealed. Advantageously, battens 850 may reduce pull-though and/or tearing of flexible membrane 235 by fasteners by providing attachments with greater surface area. The greater surface area reduces the concentrated forces that result in tear or pull through of the fasteners at flexible membrane 235. Additionally, battens 850 may perform a dual purpose, reducing pull through at the fasteners and also providing a drainage and/or a ventilation space between the cladding and flexible membrane 235.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating example use of a flexible membrane strip, or strap, 935 mounted to framing structure 100 of FIG. 1 to form structural membrane bracing 930. Flexible membrane strip 935 is formed of flexible membrane 235 and provides bracing to wall frame 140(1) when mounted as a structural membrane bracing 930. The use of strips (also referrable as “straps”) provides structural membrane bracing 930 at the highest anticipated areas of forces without the cost of extending flexible 235 membrane over the entire surface. In certain embodiments, flexible membrane strip 935 wraps around framing members such as studs 120 (including studs or framing at openings), sole plates 130, sill plates, top plates 110, joists, trusses and similar framing elements. By wrapping the membrane, the membrane may be adhered and/or fastened to a larger surface area. Multiple flexible membrane strips 935 may be mounted to run in opposite diagonal directions on framing structure 100. Since flexible membrane 235 is thin, overlapping flexible membrane strips 935 do not create a significant ‘out-of-plane’ wall and may be overlaid with cladding without any material distortion of the cladding or finish when forming a structural membrane bracing 930. The thin nature of structural membrane bracing 930 provides an advantage over conventional metal strapping since the thickness of conventional metal strapping creates out of plane offsets. This is particularly true when the conventional metal straps overlap each other in a cross braces with the conventional metal straps running in opposite directions. The thin nature of structural membrane bracing 930 also provides an advantage over conventional let in wood braces that require notching of the studs to install the let in brace without wall offsets, requiring greater labor and as a result, cost. The thin nature of structural membrane bracing 930 allows the membrane to supplement other bracing systems, such a rigid panels, without creating offsets in the plane of the wall.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating example of opposed tension (tensile) forces, represented by diagrammatic arrows 1080, accommodated in structural membrane bracing 230 of FIG. 2 attached by fasteners 750 of FIG. 7. Although shown mounted by fasteners 750, these example tension forces may also apply when flexible membrane 235 is adhered to framing structure 100. Diagrammatic arrows 1080 represent tension forces (e.g., cross bracing) accommodated in structural membrane bracing 1030. However, as described above, structural membrane bracing 1030 may accommodate both tension and shear forces.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating example mounting of flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 to a multi-story framing structure 1100. A first story 1102 of framing structure 1100 is similar to framing structure 100 of FIG. 1, but framing structure 1100 further includes a second story 1104. Accordingly, framing structure 1100 includes studs 1120, top plates 1110, a rim joist 1125, joists 1126, and decking 1127.

In the example of FIG. 11, a first portion of flexible membrane 235(1) is mounted to studs 1120 at first story 1102, similar to flexible membrane 235 being mounted to wall frames 140(1) and 140(2). A second portion of flexible membrane 235(2) is mounted to studs 1120 at second story 1104 and laps over the first portion of flexible membrane 235(1) at overlap 1140 to serve as both structural membrane bracing 1130 of framing structure 1100. Overlap 1140 of flexible membrane 235(2) over flexible membrane 235(1) to form structural membrane bracing 1130 may serve as a ship-lap to shed water when the structural membrane bracing 130 serves as both bracing and a water-resistive membrane. Although a single horizontal lap is shown, the weather lap of the structural membrane bracing may occur at any horizontal or vertical (vertical lap) boundaries of flexible membrane 235 of structural membrane bracing 1130. Moreover, flexible membrane 235 may be similarly mounted to framing of additional stories without departing from the scope hereof. In the example of FIG. 11, flexible membrane 235 covers a portion of framing structure 1100 of second story 1104 for clarity of illustration; however, flexible membrane 235 may cover all of framing structure 1100 at second story 1104 without departing from the scope hereof.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating one example method 1200 for using flexible membrane 235 of FIG. 2 to provide structural membrane bracing 230 to framing structure 100 of FIG. 1.

At block 1210, method 1200 braces a framing structure with a flexible membrane to resist racking, wherein the flexible membrane attaches to at least part of the framing structure.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the flexible membrane is inorganic, non-metallic, or both inorganic and non-metallic. In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the flexible membrane is any embodiment or example of variations of flexible membrane 235 discussed herein.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the bracing the framing structure includes mounting the flexible membrane to at least a top plate and a sole plate of the framing structure, as shown in in block 1220, a non-limiting example of which is shown at least in FIG. 2 as discussed above.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the bracing the framing structure including mounting the flexible membrane to at least two different studs of the framing structure, as shown in block 1230, a non-limiting example of which is shown in at least FIG. 7, as well as other figures as discussed above.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the bracing the framing structure including mounting the flexible membrane using fasteners to secure the flexible membrane to the framing structure, as shown in block 1240, a non-limiting example of which is shown in at least FIG. 7 as discussed above.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the bracing the framing structure including wrapping the flexible membrane around a top plate of the framing structure, as shown in block 1250, a non-limiting example of which is shown in at least FIG. 6 as discussed above.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the bracing the framing structure including wrapping the flexible membrane around at least one end stud of the framing structure, as shown in block 1260, a non-limiting example of which is shown in at least FIG. 6 as discussed above.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the bracing the framing structure including mounting one or more strips of the flexible membrane to or around a plurality of framing members, as shown in block 1270, a non-limiting example of which is shown in at least FIG. 9 as discussed above.

In at least some embodiments of block 1210, the bracing the framing structure including mounting one or more battens over the flexible membrane, as shown in block 1280, a non-limiting example of which is shown in at least FIG. 8 as discussed above.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of embodiments provide variations of the structural membrane bracing 230 and/or flexible membrane bracing 235. It should be appreciated that any of the variations described below may apply to any of the embodiments discussed above in FIGS. 1-12, particularly where like reference numerals are used below. Thus, in the description below a variation or “embodiments” of structural membrane bracing 230 and/or flexible membrane 235 discussed below applies to any structural membrane bracing 230 and/or flexible membrane 235, respectively, as discussed above in FIGS. 1-12, unless otherwise specified. Similar logic applies for other referenced variations, such as fasteners and fastener locations in the description below even if not specifically indicated in this paragraph.

In embodiments, for a given shear capacity and racking resistance for a framed structure, structural membrane bracing 230 is thinner than conventional panel sheathing installed on the same framing structure for the same racking resistance.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is in contact (but not embedded with or into) with insulation between the framing members of framing structure 100. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is mounted between the cladding and the framing and can be located over or under continuous wall insulation such as insulation panels.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is mounted between two or more panels. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is ‘sandwiched’ between the two or more adjacent panels.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is 0.031 inches in nominal thickness. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is less than 0.015 inches in nominal thickness. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is less than 0.031 inches in nominal thickness. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is less than 0.078 inches in nominal thickness. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is less than 0.125 inches in nominal thickness. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is less than 0.1875 inches in nominal thickness. Where flexible membrane 235 has a thickness less than 0.078 inches, flexible membrane 235 provides an advantage over conventional Thermo-ply Green rigid panels that are the thinnest known conventional panel sheathing. For example, Thermo-ply, and Thermo-ply type panels, are thin enough to be bent or curved without breaking but cannot be rolled or folded without breaking or experiencing non-reversible change as does a flexible membrane 235.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 is only exposed to wind or earthquake lateral loads through the connection of flexible membrane 235 with framing structure 100. Where structural membrane bracing 230 is not directly exposed to wind, snow, or rain loads, flexible membrane 235 need not require the same level of waterproofing and UV radiation resistance as directly exposed elements.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 supplements bracing provided by exterior cladding, or rigid panel sheathing such as gypsum sheathing, OSB, MGO board, plywood, or let-in braces.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 is covered by interior panels or interior gypsum wallboard.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 is covered with cladding or roofing. The cladding may be siding, stucco, EIFS, or brick veneer as examples. This is an advantage over traditional membrane structures because it does not require flexible membrane 235 to have the same level of waterproofing, abrasion resistance, and UV radiation resistance as cladding or roofing.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 replaces conventional rigid panel sheathing in a permanent wood framed or light gauge metal framed structure. Flexible membrane 235 is attached by fasteners, glue, or adhesive to framing structure 100 or sheathing when installed to form structural membrane bracing 230. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is attached directly to framing including studs, joists, rafters, and plates. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is attached directly to exterior or interior sheathing. Structural membrane bracing 230 may serve as a primary element of the later bracing system of the structure, or act as a reinforcement of the lateral bracing system of a frame structure.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is installed ‘taut’. ‘Taut’ is defined as without slack. Flexible membrane 235 may be installed without folds, loose portions, or winkles in the membrane. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is installed without being stretched.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 carries only tension and/or shear in plane when loaded.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is non-combustible when tested in accordance with ASTM E136. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a class A flame spread when tested under ASTM E84. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a smoke-developed index of not more than 450 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 supplements traditional rigid panel sheathing bracing. The ability to supplement the lateral bracing of exterior walls at the corners or other areas with flexible membrane 235 forming structural membrane bracing 230 that does not add significant wall thickness or weight, and that may be mounted to either or both an interior or exterior face of the wall studs is an advantage over conventional rigid panel sheathing.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 is limited to portions of the first story frame of a multistory building or structure. In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 is limited to portions or all of the second story or subsequent upper story frames of a multistory building or structure. These embodiments provide a benefit as some of the largest lateral forces in a building or structure are resolved in the first story of a building or structure. In an example, the first story of a multi-story building is braced with conventional rigid sheathing such as plywood or OSB and the second and/or other upper stories of the multistory building are braced with structural membrane bracing 230. To provide a plumb exterior plane for the bracing elements, in a multistory building, the second floor framing may be installed flush and plumb with the face of the conventional rigid panel sheathing on the first floor. The frame of the second floor will cantilever toward the exterior by the thickness of the conventional rigid panel sheathing. This offset, or cantilever, may be ½ of an inch, or ⅝ of an inch as examples. This embodiment has the advantage of using structural membrane bracing 230 on stories and portions of a multistory building where the structural demands (such as shear capacity) on the bracing are generally less.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 may be cut with a knife or sharp blade and does not require a saw or power tools to cut. The ability to cut flexible membrane 235 with a knife provides an advantage over conventional rigid panel sheathing that requires a saw to cut.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is installed on studs 120 or other framing elements of framing structure 100 that are spaced no more than 12 inches, 16 inches, 24, or 36 inches on center.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is installed in the same plane as framing structure 100 (e.g., as the wall to which it is attached).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 (and/or structural membrane bracing 230) is not pre-tensioned. Pre-tension is defined as tension artificially induced in the membrane in addition to any self-weight or imposed loads.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is resistant to stretching and elongation as compared to currently available water resistive membrane and home-wrap products. In embodiments the flexible membrane is stiff and resists deformation or stretching under load.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 when mounted to form structural membrane 230 is pre tensioned. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is pretensioned by hand without the use of tools or mechanical devices. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is stretched during installation to provide tension.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 is in tension only when lateral racking forces are applied to framing structure 100 (e.g., to the underlying frame to which it is attached). ‘Tension’ in this embodiment is defined as a state of being stretched tight, or a state of stress in which a material is being pulled apart.

In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 provides resistance to loads only through the plane of flexible membrane 235(parallel to flexible membrane 235) and does not materially resist loads perpendicular to flexible membrane 235.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has sufficient tensile strength, shear strength, and/or tear resistance to provide, when installed (e.g., mounted to framing structure 100) as structural membrane bracing, sufficient shear capacity and resistance to racking to meet the requirements of a ‘braced wall panel’ or ‘shear wall’ as defined in the 2018 International Residential Code published by the International Code Council. The flexible membrane 235 has sufficient tensile strength, shear strength, and/or tear resistance to provide, when installed, sufficient shear capacity and resistance to racking to perform as the ‘sheathing’ noted in definitions of a ‘braced wall line’ and ‘braced wall line, continuously sheathed’ in ‘Chapter 2, Definitions’ of the 2018 International Residential Code.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has mechanical properties such as tensile strength, shear strength, and/or tear resistance that exceed the mechanical properties of commercially currently available water resistive and water-resistant exterior wall membrane and roof underlayment products in the United States.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230, augments or provides impact resistance of the wall assembly when tested under standard ASTM E1996-17.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength greater in machine direction MD (N/2.54 cm) of 163 and a tensile strength greater in cross direction CD (N/2.54 cm) of 178.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tear resistance greater than 30 lbs. in the machine direction and/or 25 lbs. in the cross direction when evaluated under ASTM D1117.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tear resistance greater than 40 lbs. in the machine direction and/or 30 lbs. in the cross direction when evaluated under ASTM D1117.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tear resistance greater than 50 lbs. in the machine direction and/or 40 lbs. in the cross direction when evaluated under ASTM D1117.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tear resistance greater than 60 lbs. in the machine direction and/or 50 lbs. in the cross direction when evaluated under ASTM D1117.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tear resistance greater than 70 lbs. in the machine direction and/or 60 lbs. in the cross direction when evaluated under ASTM D1117.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tear resistance greater than 100 lbs. in the machine direction and/or 90 lbs. in the cross direction when evaluated under ASTM D1117.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is a reinforced or otherwise modified weather resistive or weather resistant membrane product.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength greater in machine direction (N/2.54 cm) of 187 and a tensile strength greater in cross direction (N/2.54 cm) of 213.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength greater than 500 psi as tested by ASTM D412 modified.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength greater in machine direction MD (N/2.54 cm) of 200 and a tensile strength greater in cross direction CD (N/2.54 cm) of 250.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength greater than 58.0 MD, 50.6 CD, when tested in accordance with ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength (ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035) greater than 59 lbs/inch machine direction MD and/or 51 lbs/inch cross direction CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 provides an advantage over published tensile strength of weather resistant membrane products. These products, without modification of the mechanical properties, when mounted to a frame do not provide the shear capacity and racking resistance of a to meet structural bracing requirements of current building codes.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength (ASTM D-5034) greater than 63.3 lbs./inch machine direction MD and/or 51.4 lbs./inch cross direction CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength (ASTM D-5034) greater than 80 lbs./inch machine direction MD and/or 60 lbs./inch cross direction CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength (ASTM D-5034) greater than 90 lbs./inch machine direction MD and/or 70 lbs./inch cross direction CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength (ASTM D-5034) greater than 100 lbs./inch machine direction MD and/or 80 lbs./inch cross direction CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength (ASTM D-5034) greater than 150 lbs./inch machine direction MD and/or 100 lbs./inch cross direction CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength equal to or greater than 27.6 to 34.5 MPa. This provides an advantage as the benefits of flexible membrane 235 as described above may be provided with the same published tensile strength as standard plywood.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 60 lbs. MD and/or 70 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 70 lbs. MD and/or 80 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 80 lbs. MD and/or 90 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 90 lbs. MD and/or 100 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 100 lbs. MD and/or 110 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 110 lbs. MD and/or 120 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 120 lbs. MD and/or 130 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 130 lbs. MD and/or 140 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a trapezoidal tear resistance under ASTM D5733 of greater than 140 lbs. MD and/or 150 lbs. CD

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength (grab tensile) under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of greater than 93 lbs. MD and/or 95 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength (grab tensile) under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of greater than 100 lbs. MD and/or 100 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength (grab tensile) under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of greater than 110 lbs. MD and/or 110 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength (grab tensile) under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of greater than 120 lbs. MD and/or 120 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength (grab tensile) under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of greater than 130 lbs. MD and/or 130 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength (grab tensile) under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of greater than 140 lbs. MD and/or 140 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength (grab tensile) under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of greater than 200 lbs. MD and/or 200 lbs. CD.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 1%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 1% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 2%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 2% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 3%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 3% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 4%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 4% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 5%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 5% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 10%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 10% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 15%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 15% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 20%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 20% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 30%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 30% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 40%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 40% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035 of less than 50%. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 stretches less than 50% under load when mounted as structural membrane bracing.

In these embodiments, the flexible membrane 235 elongation may be measured by either ASTM D5034 and/or ASTM D5035.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D882 of less than 5%.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D882 of less than 10%.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D882 of less than 15%.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D882 of less than 20%.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D882 of less than 30%.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has an elongation under ASTM D882 of less than 40%.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 35 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 30 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 40 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 35 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 45 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 40 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 50 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 45 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 55 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 50 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 60 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 55 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 55 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 50 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 60 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 55 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 100 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 95 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a tensile strength under ASTM D882 of greater than 200 lbs./in. in the machine direction (MD) and/or 195 lbs./in. in the cross direction (CD).

In embodiments structural membrane bracing 230, provides shear capacity and racking resistance as part of the overall lateral load resisting wall system. The structural membrane bracing 230 acts as part of a lateral load resisting system with other elements such as ‘tie-downs’, ‘hold-downs’, anchors, and the weight of the structure to provide bracing, resist over-turning, and resist base shear.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides wall bracing with seismic and wind nominal unit shear capacities equivalent to or greater than the sheathing materials described in Table 4.3A of the ANSI/AW 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) publication.

In an embodiment, in areas of greater demand for shear capacity, framing structure 100 may include blocking. Where framing structure 100 is blocked, the flexible membrane 235 may be attached to the blocking by adhesive, fasteners, or a combination of adhesive and fasteners. Where flexible membrane 235 is attached to blocking in a framing bay, forming structural membrane bracing 230, the blocking provides additional surface area for attachment of flexible membrane 235 among other structural benefits. A framing bay (or stud bay as an example), is the portion of the framing structure 100 that encompasses two framing studs, joists, or rafters.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 25 Vs (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 50 Vs (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing clement with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 100 Vs (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing clement with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 200 Vs (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 300 Vs (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with nominal unit wind shear capacity of 25 Vw (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing clement with nominal unit wind shear capacity of 50 Vw (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing clement with nominal unit wind shear capacity of 100 Vw (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with nominal unit wind shear capacity of 200 Vw (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment, structural membrane bracing 230 provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with nominal unit wind shear capacity of 300 Vw (plf) or greater.

In an embodiment the ‘allowable unit shear capacity’ of the structural membrane bracing 230 is determined by dividing the nominal unit shear capacity, modified as required, and factored in accordance with the principles reflected in the ANSI/AW 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS).

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has a dry tensile strength of 233 lbs MD or greater per ASTM D 5034. Where ‘MD’ is machine direction.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has a dry tensile strength 191 lbs XD or greater per ASTM D 5034. Where ‘XD’ is transverse direction.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has a dry tensile strength of 191 lbs CD or greater per ASTM D 5034. Where ‘CD’ is cross-machine direction.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 passes AC-38 for Pliability. In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 is pliable.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has a puncture resistance of 413 lbs or greater per ASTM D-4833-88.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has a breaking strength of 212 pounds mean value or greater per ASTM D 5034.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has elongation of 0.5 inches or less mean value per ASTM D 5034, with a four inch wide sample.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has impact resistance of impact weight greater than 900 grams, or greater (er AST less than D1709-04).

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has water vapor transmission of 10 Perms or greater per ASTM E 96, Method A.

In an embodiment, the flexible membrane 235 has trapezoidal tear resistance of 60 lbs MD or greater; and 67 lbs CD or greater per ASTM D-1117.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 has a Class A Flame Spread Index per ASTM E84. In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 passes the Smoke Development Index per ASTM E84.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 provides the primary bracing and racking resistance for framing structure 100. In this embodiment, the flexible membrane is not augmented by, embedded in, or reinforced by other materials to provide bracing and racking resistance for framing structure 100.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 forms a barrier to water, water vapor, or air either individually or in combination.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 does not provide flashing of openings or wall perimeters.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 is not part of a through wall drainage assembly.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 or structural membrane bracing 230 does not provide fall protection at openings during construction.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is attached to wood or metal of framing structure 100 by glue (adhesive), fasteners or both adhesive and fastener. The adhesive may be applied to flexible membrane 235, framing structure 100, or both. In embodiments, the adhesive is applied to all or a portion of flexible membrane 235 and/or all or a portion of framing structure 100. With vertical studs 120 spaced at 16 inches, or 24 inches on center; wall frame 140(1) with structural membrane bracing 230 is equal to or exceeds the published shear and rigidity values for nominal ⅜ inch thick or nominal ½ inch thick OSB (or similar panel sheathing) on the same framing. Adhesive or glue attachment of flexible membrane 235 forming structural membrane bracing 230 reduces the concentration of loads and localized stress at fastener connections (see FIG. 7) and thereby reduces the risk of tearing of flexible membrane 235.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is installed with fasteners and without cables, wires, or tightening bolts that function to pre-tension the membrane when installed. This is an advantage over traditional membrane structures since structural membrane bracing 230 does not require cables, wires, or tightening bolts.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is translucent. Translucent flexible membrane 235 provides advantages over conventional rigid panel products by allowing natural lighting to penetrate the interior of a structure during construction. Conventional rigid panel products block light to the interior of a structure often requiring supplemental temporary lighting of the interior during construction.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 acts as a water-resistive (resistant) barrier that is a secondary barrier to water under cladding, and does not act as cladding, roofing or other primary barrier. In certain embodiments flexible membrane 235 and/or structural membrane bracing 230 also serves as a water-resistive/resistant barrier.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is incorporated into the structural system of a permanent building. The permanent building is a residential building for example.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is produced in rolls that span the height of a typical stud wall. Rolls may be 3 feet or more in width.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 also forms a water-resistive (resistant) barrier that includes surface ridges, bumps, or raised patterns to improve drainage between flexible membrane 235 and the exterior cladding. In embodiments, the fasteners used to attach flexible membrane 235 may include washers or shapes to promote drainage or ventilation between the flexible membrane 235 and the cladding.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is fastened to framing structure 100 with nails, screws, staples, barbed disks, corrugated nails, straps, wedges, v-nails, rivets, tacks, glue nails, adhesive tapes, adhesive strips, adhesive spray, cap nails, eyelets with fasteners, grommets with fasteners, or other fasteners. In embodiments the fasteners have enlarged heads, discs, plates, elements, or washers to reduce the risk of membrane tear through at the fasteners.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is fastened to framing structure 100 with, or including, battens placed over the membrane at framing members. The battens serve as furring between flexible membrane 235 and the exterior cladding for example. Where flexible membrane 235 also serves as a water-resistant barrier, the battens serve as a patch, or covering of the fastener locations. For example, the battens may be additional sheets, patches, or sections of flexible membrane 235 applied to reinforce areas of anticipated stress in structural membrane bracing 230 such as at corners and at fasteners. For example, the battens may be additional sheets, patches, or sections of material different from flexible membrane 235(such as wood-based material, cement-based material, composite-materials, fiberglass-based material, etc.) that are applied to reinforce areas of anticipated stress in structural membrane bracing 230 such as at corners and at fasteners.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 includes a heat reflective film.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 shrinks when exposed to heat. Flexible membrane 235 may permanently set in a shrunken state. In embodiments, tension is introduced to structural membrane bracing 230 by shrinking flexible membrane 235 with a heat gun or by other post installation methods.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 includes flexible insulating membranes. When insulation is included, flexible membrane 235 remains flexible and may be rolled or folded. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 may only be rolled or folded in one direction or about one axis.

In embodiments, upper layers of flexible membrane 235 are lapped over underlying lower layers of flexible membrane 235 to shed water.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is flexible and is not rigid. For example, flexible membrane 235 may be, rolled or folded without breaking or permanent distortion or deformation. For example, flexible membrane 235 may be pliable, malleable and may conform to curved, convex, concave, bent, or polygon surfaces.

In embodiments, the joints between sections of flexible membrane 235 are sealed or taped. When flexible membrane 235 is also used as a water-resistant membrane, the sealing and taping of the joints reduces water infiltration through the joints. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is mounted as a single length without joints in structural membrane bracing 230 for the exterior wall of a given story, or of multiple stories.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is a fabric, film, skin or flexible sheet. The fabric or sheet may be of any one or more of spun bound polypropylene, spun bound polyethylene fibers, fiberglass mat or mesh, carbon fiber, sheet plastic, sheet vinyl, polytetrafluoroethylene fiberglass (PTFE), polyester, PVC, TPO, EPDM, ETFE, Olefin, polyethylene fibers, fiberglass mat or mesh, eglass, Kevlar (Aramid), sglass, graphite, sheet plastic and reinforced composites that include these materials or combinations thereof. Flexible membrane 235 may include metal mesh, strands, or fibers including steel, iron based, or aluminum, or combinations thereof.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 includes reinforcement such as any one or more of fibers, straps, mesh, grids, multilayer sections, grids, patterns or patches of additional material, or combinations thereof located internally or on one or more surfaces of the membrane. Patches, straps and other reinforcement may be of the same or different material from flexible membrane 235.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235, when installed as structural membrane bracing 230, provides shear capacity that is greater than a similar installation utilizing conventional gypsum wallboard and/or gypsum sheathing.

In embodiments, reinforcing layers or reinforcing patches are located at anticipated fastener locations on flexible membrane 235. For example, the patches may be limited to certain portions of flexible membrane 235

In embodiments, the fasteners for flexible membrane 235 include washers, plates, or disks that function to reduce the risk of punch, pull, or tear through of the fasteners or tearing of flexible membrane 235.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is a vapor barrier or vapor retarder.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is vapor permeable. This is an advantage over rigid sheathing panels which tend to be vapor retarders or vapor barriers.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 extends from an upper story over the rim joist and extends over and onto the framing of the story below. Flexible membrane 235 provides continuous bracing across the rim joist, which includes sheathing joints in conventional framing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is self-healing when punctured by fasteners.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is mounted using ‘mending plates’, barbed perforated or un-perforated barbed plates. In embodiments, the mending plates arc covered with additional patches of flexible membrane 235 or are coated or sealed.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is UV stable.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is made of one layer of material, of multiple layers of material, or of layers of different materials. Flexible membrane 235 may be a laminate.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is folded at the framing members to reinforce structural membrane bracing 230 where flexible membrane 235 connects to framing structure 100.

In embodiments, spacing of fasteners used to mount flexible membrane 235 is selected to cause structural membrane bracing 230 to provide the necessary bracing to resist racking.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 includes graphics such as logos, span guides, and/or fastener locations.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is incorporated into floor or roof diaphragms.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is covered by interior gypsum wallboard.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 includes a fire retardant or is non-combustible.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is coated with intumescent material.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is coated with Magnesium Oxide (MgO).

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is laminated to a rigid panel sheathing. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is installed over a rigid panel sheathing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is adhered over a separate rigid panel sheathing. Flexible membrane 235 may be adhered with an adhesive on flexible membrane 235 or an adhesive placed separately. The application of flexible membrane 235 over a separate rigid panel has the advantage of allowing use of a thinner panel or a panel with a lower structural performance that is augmented by flexible membrane 235. Examples of the underlying sheathing could include exterior gypsum sheathing, interior gypsum wallboard, Thermo-ply type sheathings, or fiber-board and similar sheathing that have shear and other structural capacities that are less than that of OSB or plywood rigid panel sheathing. Flexible membrane 235 may include a release film over the adhesive to allow it to be rolled for transportation.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is applied, with fasteners, adhesive, or both fasteners and adhesive, (as structural membrane bracing 230) over/to floor sheathing or roof sheathing to provide or augment the floor or roof diaphragm's ability to distribute horizontal seismic and wind loads. The floor or roof diaphragm transmits lateral loads to the vertical resisting elements of a structure such as shear walls or frames. The diaphragms may be horizontal or sloped such as at a roof. When flexible membrane 235 is installed and forms structural membrane bracing 230, structural membrane bracing 230 provides shear capacity and reinforces the floor and roof framing and/or the floor and roof sheathing when acting as a diaphragm. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 includes non-slip patterns or textures to improve the slip resistance of floors and roofs during construction. Flexible membrane 235 may serve as roofing underlayment as well as structural membrane sheathing 230 and may protect interior structures during construction when applied to intermediate floor sheathing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 does not create an enclosure or roof.

In an embodiment, flexible membrane 235 is mounted diagonally across framing structure 100. Flexible membrane 235 may be in the form of a strap, strip, or brace of varying width (see flexible membrane strip 935 of FIG. 9). The width of flexible membrane 235 may be the width of a roll of flexible membrane 235 and may be 6 inches or less in width. Flexible membrane 235 may be 12 inches or less in width. Flexible membrane 235 may be 24 inches or less in width. Flexible membrane 235 may be 36 inches or less in width. The strap formed of flexible membrane 235 may include adhesive on one or both faces. The strap formed of flexible membrane 235 may be manufactured as an adhesive backed roll that may include a release film over the adhesive side(s) of flexible membrane 235.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is without penetrations, perforations or openings.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is waterproof, weatherproof, water resistant, or water resistive.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 has a strength direction with a pattern or weave of reinforcement in a particular direction, such as a diagonal direction for example.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is barbed for attachment.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is laminated to insulation.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is laminated to gypsum sheathing or gypsum wallboard.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 provides acoustical dampening.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is manufactured of a fiber or material that has inherent fire resistive and fire-retardant capabilities such as carbon fiber or mineral wool. Carbon fiber and mineral wool fabrics provide an advantage as the carbon fiber and mineral wool fabrics are naturally fire resistive and do not require the use of chemicals to provide improved fire resistance.

In embodiments, the fasteners used with flexible membrane 235 are designed to minimize tear through or punching through flexible membrane 235.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 includes an adhesive backing. In these embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is adhered to framing structure 100 or an underlying sheathing. Flexible membrane 235 may be supplied in rolls that span multiple framing areas and/or sheathing panels to provide cross bracing or to supplement the underling panels with additional cross bracing. These embodiments provide an advantage as less expensive sheathing panels may be used, such as fiber board, or insulative panels may be used that would otherwise not provide significant or sufficient cross bracing. The addition of an adhered flexible membrane 235 provides or supplements the bracing otherwise provided.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is laminated within two or more braced panels to provide additional shear resistance to the panel sheathing panes, which may include conventional plywood, OSB, particle board, fiberboard, HPL, gypsum or other panel sheathing.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is laminated to a base panel. Base panels may be wood based panels such as OSB or plywood, gypsum sheathing, gypsum wallboard panel, or fiber-cement.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is mounted such that the anticipated loads are parallel to the weave of flexible membrane 235. Fabrics, depending on the direction and nature of the weave may have a strength along a particular axis such as the vertical or horizontal axis. In a fabric with particular strength along the vertical and horizontal axis, the fabric would be mounted to the wall framing at an angle of 45 degrees so that the tensile diagonal stress aligns with one of the stronger axis of the fabric.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is uniformly attached to top plates 110 and sole plates 130 of framing structure 100 to achieve structural membrane bracing 230 that resists forces through a tension-field.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is applied to a modular frame. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is applied in a factory setting as part of a prefabricated wall or other assembly.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is welded of fused to at least part of framing structure 100.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is coated to increase the stiffness of flexible membrane 235. The coating may be a resin, such as an epoxy resin or polyester resin. The coating may be applied by spray, roller, brush or other method.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is omni-directional, multi-directional, or bi-directional fiber strand fabric.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is woven. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is non-woven.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is not a lath for plaster, stucco, EIFS, or cement-based coatings or finishes.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 does not include a ‘facer’ or other material laminated to flexible membrane 235. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 serves as a water-resistive barrier.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is attached by adhesive, fasteners, or adhesive and fasteners to the foundation of the structure. In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 is attached to both framing structure 100 and a foundation of a structure. These embodiments share the advantage of the membrane attachment replacing or supplementing traditional anchor bolts or hold downs.

In embodiments, flexible membrane 235 as structural membrane bracing 230 is a substitute for traditional metal straps and connectors that connect framing structure 100 to a foundation of a structure/building or that connect the first level of framing to the second level of framing in the structure/building. In embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 serves as a drag strut to collect and transfer shear forces to vertical force resisting elements.

In an embodiments, structural membrane bracing 230 provides the sole shear capacity of a wall frame assembly and does not rely on integration with other materials to provide shear capacity.

Combination of Features

(A1) In one embodiment, a structural membrane bracing includes: a flexible membrane attached to a framing structure; wherein, the structural membrane bracing provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 50 Vs (plf) or greater, or a nominal unit wind shear capacity of 50 Vw (plf) or greater, or both; and, the flexible membrane bracing serves as a water-resistive barrier.

(A2) In embodiments of A1, the flexible membrane is inorganic and non-metallic.

(A3) Embodiments of either A1 or A2 further including adhesive for securing the flexible membrane to the framing structure.

(A4) In any of the embodiments A1-A3, no other fasteners are required to secure the flexible membrane to the framing structure.

(A5) Any of the embodiments A1-A4 further including a plurality of fasteners for securing the flexible membrane to the framing structure.

(A6) In the embodiment A5, the plurality of fasteners including one or more of nails, screws, staples, barbed disks, and mending plates.

(A7) In either of the embodiments A3 or A5, the flexible membrane when structural membrane bracing, provides sufficient shear capacity and resistance to racking of the framing structure to perform as one of an interior braced wall panel, an exterior braced wall panel, an interior shear wall, and an exterior shear wall as defined in the 2018 International Residential Code published by the International Code Council.

(A8) In any of the embodiments A1-A7, the flexible membrane being covered with cladding or roofing.

(A9) In any of the embodiments A1-A8, the cladding including siding.

(A10) In any of the embodiments A1-A9, the flexible membrane being mounted to one or both of an exterior surface and an interior surface of the framing structure.

(A11) In any of the embodiments A1-A10, flexible membrane having one of a thickness of: less than ¼ of an inch, less than 3/16 of an inch, less than ⅛ of an inch, less than 1/16 of an inch, less than 1/32 of an inch, and less than 1/64 of an inch thick.

(A12) In any of the embodiments A1-A11, the flexible membrane including one or more of a fabric, a film, a skin, and a flexible sheet.

(A13) In the embodiment A12, the flexible membrane including one or more of spun bound polypropylene, spun bound polyethylene fibers, glass fiber, a fiberglass mat, a fiberglass mesh, eglass, Kevlar (Aramid), sglass, carbon fiber, graphite, sheet plastic, sheet vinyl, polytetrafluoroethylene fiberglass (PTFE), polyester, PVC, TPO, EPDM, and composites that include any one or more of these materials.

(A14) In any of the embodiments A1-A13, the flexible membrane including one of a mesh and a mat.

(A15) In the embodiment A14, the mesh or mat including one or more of fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal, and plastic.

(A16) In any of the embodiments A1-A15, the flexible membrane being reinforced with one or more of metal fibers, a mesh, a grid, multilayer sections, patterns and/or patches of additional material.

(A17) In any of the embodiments A1-A16, wherein, based on the framing structure having vertical studs spaced at 16 inches or 24 inches on center, a wall frame formed by mounting the flexible membrane to the framing structure as structural membrane bracing, provides shear capacity that is equal to or exceeds the published shear and rigidity values for nominal 3/8 inch thick or nominal 1/2 inch thick OSB (or similar panel sheathing) used on the same framing structure.

(A18) In any of the embodiments A1-A17, the flexible membrane having a machine direction tensile strength greater than 187 N/2.54 cm and a cross direction tensile strength greater than 213 N/2.54 cm.

(A19) In any of the embodiments A1-A18, the flexible membrane having a machine direction tensile strength greater than 200 N/2.54 cm and a cross direction tensile strength greater than 250 N/2.54 cm.

(A20) In any of the embodiments A1-A19, the flexible membrane forming a water-resistive barrier.

(A21) In the embodiment A20, the water-resistive barrier including surface ridges, bumps, or raised patterns to improve drainage between the structural membrane bracing and cladding.

(A22) In the embodiment A20, the flexible membrane being lapped over another piece of flexible membrane or another material.

(A23) In the embodiment A20, the flexible membrane being vapor permeable.

(A24) In any of the embodiments A1-A23, the flexible membrane comprises spun bound polypropylene.

(A25) In any of the embodiments A1-A24, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 233 lbs MD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein MD is machine direction.

(A26) In any of the embodiments A1-A25, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 191 lbs XD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein XD is transverse direction.

(A27) In any of the embodiments A1-A26, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 19 lbs CD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein CD is cross-machine direction.

(A28) In any of the embodiments A1-A27, the flexible membrane has water vapor transmission of 10 Perms or greater per ASTM E 96, Method A.

(A29) In any of the embodiments A1-A28, the flexible membrane has a trapezoidal tear resistance of 60 lbs MD or greater; and 67 CD or greater per ASTM D-1117; wherein MD is machine direction and CD is cross-machine direction.

(A30) In any of the embodiments A1-A29, the flexible membrane has a Class A Flame Spread Index per ASTM E84.

(A31) In any of the embodiments A1-A30, the flexible membrane being covered with flooring, cladding, or roofing.

(B1) In one embodiment a method for structural membrane bracing includes: bracing a framing structure with a flexible membrane wherein, the structural membrane bracing provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 50 Vs (plf) or greater, or a nominal unit wind shear capacity of 50 Vw (plf) or greater, or both; and, the flexible membrane serves as a water-resistive barrier; wherein the flexible membrane attaches to at least part of the framing structure.

(B2) In the embodiment of B1, the flexible membrane being inorganic and non-metallic.

(B3) In either of the embodiments B1 and B2, the bracing the framing structure including mounting the flexible membrane to at least a top plate and a sole plate of the framing structure.

(B4) In any of the embodiments B1-B3, the bracing the framing structure including mounting the flexible membrane to at least two different studs of the framing structure.

(B5) In any of the embodiments B1-B4, the bracing the framing structure including mounting the flexible membrane using fasteners to secure the flexible membrane to the framing structure.

(B6) In any of the embodiments B1-B5, the bracing the framing structure including wrapping the flexible membrane around a top plate of the framing structure.

(B7) In any of the embodiments B1-B6, the bracing the framing structure including wrapping the flexible membrane around at least one end stud of the framing structure.

(B8) In any of the embodiments B1-B7, the bracing the framing structure including mounting one or more strips of the flexible membrane to or around a plurality of framing members.

(B9) In any of the embodiments B1-B8, the bracing the framing structure including mounting one or more battens over the flexible membrane.

(B10) In any of the embodiments B1-B9, the flexible membrane comprises spun bound polypropylene.

(B11) In any of the embodiments B1-B10, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 233 lbs MD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein MD is machine direction.

(B12) In any of the embodiments B1-B11, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 191 lbs XD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein XD is transverse direction.

(B13) In any of the embodiments B1-B12, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 19 lbs CD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein CD is cross-machine direction.

(B14) In any of the embodiments B1-B13, the flexible membrane has water vapor transmission of 10 Perms or greater per ASTM E 96, Method A.

(B15) In any of the embodiments B1-B14, the flexible membrane has a trapezoidal tear resistance of 60 lbs MD or greater; and 67 CD or greater per ASTM D-1117; wherein MD is machine direction and CD is cross-machine direction.

(B16) In any of the embodiments B1-B15, the flexible membrane has a Class A Flame Spread Index per ASTM E84.

(B17) In any of the embodiments B1-B16, further comprising covering the flexible membrane with flooring, cladding, or roofing.

(C1) In one embodiment, a framing structure with structural membrane bracing includes: a framing structure with a top plate, a sole plate and a plurality of vertical studs; and a flexible membrane mounted to a surface of the framing structure; wherein, the structural membrane bracing provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 50 Vs (plf) or greater, or a nominal unit wind shear capacity of 50 Vw (plf) or greater, or both; and, the flexible membrane serves as a water-resistive barrier.

(C2) In the embodiment of C1, the flexible membrane mounting to at least a top plate and a sole plate of the framing structure.

(C3) In either of the embodiments C1 or C2, the flexible membrane mounting to at least two different studs of the framing structure.

(C4) Any of the embodiments of C1-C3 further including fasteners for mounting the flexible membrane to the framing structure.

(C5) In any of the embodiments C1-C4, the bracing the framing structure including wrapping the flexible membrane around a top plate of the framing structure.

(C6) In any of the embodiments C1-C5, the flexible membrane wrapping around at least one end stud of the framing structure.

(C7) In any of the embodiments C1-C6, the flexible membrane including two or more strips mounted to or around a plurality of framing members.

(C8) Any of the embodiments C1-C7 further including one or more battens for securing the flexible membrane to the framing structure.

(C9) In any of the embodiments C1-C8, the flexible membrane comprises spun bound polypropylene.

(C10) In any of the embodiments C1-C9, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 233 lbs MD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein MD is machine direction.

(C11) In any of the embodiments C1-C10, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 191 lbs XD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein XD is transverse direction.

(C12) In any of the embodiments C1-C11, the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 19 lbs CD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein CD is cross-machine direction.

(C13) In any of the embodiments C1-C12, the flexible membrane has water vapor transmission of 10 Perms or greater per ASTM E 96, Method A.

(C14) In any of the embodiments C1-C13, the flexible membrane has a trapezoidal tear resistance of 60 lbs MD or greater; and 67 CD or greater per ASTM D-1117; wherein MD is machine direction and CD is cross-machine direction.

(C15) In any of the embodiments C1-C14, the flexible membrane has a Class A Flame Spread Index per ASTM E84.

(C16) In any of the embodiments C1-C15, wherein the framing structure further comprises flooring, cladding, or roofing covering the flexible membrane.

Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. Structural membrane bracing, comprising: a flexible membrane attached to a framing structure;wherein, the structural membrane bracing provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit seismic shear capacity of 50 Vs (plf) or greater; and,the structural membrane bracing serves as a water-resistive barrier.

2. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane comprises spun bound polypropylene.

3. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 233 lbs MD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein MD is machine direction.

4. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 191 lbs XD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein XD is transverse direction.

5. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 19 lbs CD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein CD is cross-machine direction.

6. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has water vapor transmission of 10 Perms or greater per ASTM E 96, Method A.

7. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has a trapezoidal tear resistance of 60 lbs MD or greater; and 67 CD or greater per ASTM D-1117; wherein MD is machine direction and CD is cross-machine direction.

8. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has a Class A Flame Spread Index per ASTM E84.

9. The structural membrane bracing of claim 1, the flexible membrane being covered with flooring, cladding, or roofing.

10. Structural membrane bracing, comprising: a flexible membrane attached to a framing structure;wherein, the structural membrane bracing provides a wall, floor, or roof bracing element with a nominal unit wind shear capacity of 50 Vw (plf) or greater; and,the structural membrane bracing serves as a water-resistive barrier.

11. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane comprises spun bound polypropylene.

12. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 233 lbs MD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein MD is machine direction.

13. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 191 lbs XD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein XD is transverse direction.

14. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane has a dry tensile strength of 19 lbs CD or greater per ASTM D 5034; wherein CD is cross-machine direction.

15. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane has water vapor transmission of 10 Perms or greater per ASTM E 96, Method A.

16. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane has a trapezoidal tear resistance of 60 lbs MD or greater; and 67 CD or greater per ASTM D-1117; wherein MD is machine direction and CD is cross-machine direction.

17. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane has a Class A Flame Spread Index per ASTM E84.

18. The structural membrane bracing of claim 10, the flexible membrane being covered with flooring, cladding, or roofing.