Soon after Hurricane Andrew caused $20 billion in damages and havoc in Florida, AEWC researchers began exploring ways to safeguard buildings from natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. They focused on easy-to-manufacture, inexpensive construction panels which would provide improved resistance to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

The patented panels are oriented strand board (OSB) with a resin-and-fiberglas composite strip layered into the panel. These panels show a 125% increase in strength in hurricane winds and a 70% increase in ability to absorb energy during an earthquake.

United States Patent 6,699,575. Wood Composite Panels for Disaster-Resistant Construction 

Publications

Davids W, Dagher H, Cassidy E, Gardner D. FRP-reinforced oriented strand board panels for disaster-resistant construction.

Media Coverage

Houtman N. UMaine receives patent for stronger building panel. Mar 16, 2004. University of Maine Press Release.

Partners

National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Science Foundation
US Department of Agriculture