Structural Insulated Panel for a Foundation Wall and Foundation Wall Incorporating Same

Abstract

A foundation wall comprises a plurality of abutting, generally upright structural insulated panels, each of the panels comprising a slab of insulation sandwiched between first and second sheets and a top plate adjacent the top of the panel and overlaying the insulation. The lower end of the panel is devoid of a bottom plate.

1 . A foundation wall comprising:
 a plurality of abutting, generally upright structural insulated panels, each of the panels comprising a slab of insulation sandwiched between first and second sheets and a top plate adjacent the top of said panel and overlaying said insulation, the lower end of said panel being devoid of a bottom plate.   
   
   
       2 . A foundation wall according to  claim 1  wherein the insulation is expanded foam. 
   
   
       3 . A foundation wall according to  claim 1  wherein the insulation is expanded polystyrene. 
   
   
       4 . A foundation wall according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sheets are formed of material selected from the group comprising plywood, preserved plywood, oriented strand board, and preserved oriented strand board. 
   
   
       5 . A foundation wall according to  claim 1 , wherein adjacent panels are joined by butt joints. 
   
   
       6 . A foundation wall according to  claim 1  further comprising a recess formed in the insulation of each panel to accommodate said top plate, the sheets and insulation of each panel defining a flat panel bottom surface. 
   
   
       7 . A foundation wall according to  claim 1  wherein adjacent panels are joined by spline joints. 
   
   
       8 . A foundation wall according to  claim 6  wherein the bottom surfaces of said panels are supported by a footing. 
   
   
       9 . A foundation wall according to  claim 8  wherein said footing is one of a concrete footing and a compacted gravel bed. 
   
   
       10 . A foundation wall according to  claim 1 , wherein the foundation wall is a frost wall. 
   
   
       11 . A structural insulated panel comprising:
 a first sheet;   a second sheet; and   insulation sandwiched between and bonded to the first and second sheets, wherein the first and second sheets and insulation are configured to define a generally planar, bottom surface of said panel.   
   
   
       12 . A structural insulated panel according to  claim 11  wherein the insulation is expanded foam. 
   
   
       13 . A structural insulated panel according to  claim 11  wherein the insulation is expanded polystyrene. 
   
   
       14 . A structural insulated panel according to  claim 7 , wherein the first and second sheets are formed of material selected from the group comprising plywood, preserved plywood, oriented strand board, and preserved oriented strand board. 
   
   
       15 . A structural insulated panel comprising:
 a first and second sheet each bonded to a respective first and second side of a slab of insulation, the sheets and insulation being configured to define generally planar, side surfaces of said panel.   
   
   
       16 . A structural insulated panel according to  claim 15  wherein the insulation is expanded foam. 
   
   
       17 . A structural insulated panel according to  claim 15  wherein the insulation is expanded polystyrene. 
   
   
       18 . A structural insulated panel according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second sheets are formed of material selected from the group comprising plywood, preserved plywood, oriented strand board, and preserved oriented strand board. 
   
   
       19 . A wall structure comprising at least two structural insulated panels, each structural insulated panel comprising a first and second sheet each bonded to a respective first and second side of a slab of insulation, the sheets and insulation being configured to define generally planar, side surfaces of said panel, generally planar side surfaces of adjacent panels being in abutment. 
   
   
       20 . Use of a structural insulated panel according to  claim 11  in a foundation wall.