A shear panel building material that includes a first facing membrane, a core matrix disposed on a face of the first facing membrane, and a semi-rigid or rigid material attached to the core matrix. The core matrix can include microspheres having a size of about 200 microns to about 800 microns, sodium silicate, and ethylene vinyl acetate. In one aspect, the shear panel is substantially free from glue and cement.

A shear panel building material that includes a first facing membrane, a core matrix disposed on a face of the first facing membrane, and a semi-rigid or rigid material attached to the core matrix. The core matrix can include microspheres having a size of about 200 microns to about 800 microns, sodium silicate, and ethylene vinyl acetate. In one aspect, the shear panel is substantially free from glue and cement.

A mixture including glass fragments is located in a containment vessel and is processed in a kiln to form a commercially useful building product. The mixture is initially heated over a first time period to a first temperature intermediate the glass transition point temperature and about 950 C. or 1,100 C. (Section A). At the first temperature the glass fragments slump and bond to each other and the mixture is soaked at this temperature for a second time period (Section B). After reducing the temperature (Section C), the mixture is annealed for another time period (Section D). Finally, the kiln is cooled to allow the mixture to be removed (Section E).

A mixture including glass fragments is located in a containment vessel and is processed in a kiln to form a commercially useful building product. The mixture is initially heated over a first time period to a first temperature intermediate the glass transition point temperature and about 950 C. or 1,100 C. (Section A). At the first temperature the glass fragments slump and bond to each other and the mixture is soaked at this temperature for a second time period (Section B). After reducing the temperature (Section C), the mixture is annealed for another time period (Section D). Finally, the kiln is cooled to allow the mixture to be removed (Section E).

A combined composite and metal hybrid component and a method of forming said component, are disclosed, the component comprising a substantially sheet-like or web-like body portion, made of a composite material, at least one stiffening member made of a metal and at least one made of a composite material, and curing the component in a vacuum bag, such that the metal stiffening member is formed against the composite stiffening member and the metal stiffening member remains a part of the hybrid composite component.

A framed element includes an insulating core layer, an upper surface layer arranged on the insulating core layer, a frame structure including frame profiles which have been arranged to form at least part of the outer edges of the element and elongated support profiles in the length and/or width direction of the element. The insulating core layer is made of foamed glass or a combination of lightweight aggregates and a fire-retardant resin. The element further includes an elastic sealing compound arranged at least partly between the core layer and the upper surface layer of the element.

A framed element includes an insulating core layer, an upper surface layer arranged on the insulating core layer, a frame structure including frame profiles which have been arranged to form at least part of the outer edges of the element and elongated support profiles in the length and/or width direction of the element. The insulating core layer is made of foamed glass or a combination of lightweight aggregates and a fire-retardant resin. The element further includes an elastic sealing compound arranged at least partly between the core layer and the upper surface layer of the element.

The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes.

The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes.

In some embodiments, a shelter includes an impact-resistant panel having an energy-absorbing core positioned between two outer layers, wherein the energy-absorbing core includes a syntactic foam material that has a plurality of hollow microspheres compounded with a polymeric resin.