As part of a comprehensive research program concerned with the structural testing of building components, conducted for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) , a search for information was conducted. This search was undertaken in order to document existing information pertaining to structural testing of wall, floor and roof assemblies. Various information sources were consulted to trace the evolution of structural testing of building construction from the 1930 's to the present time. This task was a prerequisite to defining the state-of-the-art and to identifying the test areas requiring fundamental research.