A fiber mat includes a unitary assembly of fibers including at least a first set of fibers and at least a first binder comprising an organic resin, wherein the unitary assembly of fibers includes a minority portion and a majority portion different than the minority portion, wherein the fiber mat provides at least a 5% increase in tear when placed in a bituminous roofing product compared to an equivalent bituminous roofing product made with a fiber mat of equivalent weight containing a homogenous mat structure.

Various implementations are directed to a single face building block and masonry wall assembly and methods. Each building block includes a single face shell, first and second webs extending from an interior surface of the face shell, and a pier that has a proximal surface disposed between distal ends of the webs and a distal surface that is opposite and spaced apart from the proximal surface of the pier. Interior surfaces of the webs, the proximal surface of the pier, and a portion of the interior surface of the face shell between the webs define a pocket. In addition, the building blocks may include a ledge that extends outwardly from the distal surface of the pier. This ledge forms a channel with an upper surface of the pier stacked above the block.

A lifting anchor for a precast concrete structure is made from a single strand of metal bar stock. The anchor includes undulations or waves that ensure proper engagement of the anchor in a desired compressed concrete zone and also minimizes interference with the pre-stressed strands in the concrete structure. The anchor can be positioned in different orientations in the structures, depending on functional requirements of particular structures, and can be made from a single strand of bar stock of desired cross-sectional thickness and shape (e.g., round or square). Also, the undulations or waves in the legs of the anchor can extend in one or both directions from a plane defined by the anchor's legs.

A lifting anchor for a precast concrete structure is made from a single strand of metal bar stock. The anchor includes undulations or waves that ensure proper engagement of the anchor in a desired compressed concrete zone and also minimizes interference with the pre-stressed strands in the concrete structure. The anchor can be positioned in different orientations in the structures, depending on functional requirements of particular structures, and can be made from a single strand of bar stock of desired cross-sectional thickness and shape (e.g., round or square). Also, the undulations or waves in the legs of the anchor can extend in one or both directions from a plane defined by the anchor's legs.

A cooling tower structure having a concrete perimeter foundation wall with a perimeter rebar grouping. The structure includes at least four columns formed of CMU blocks with at least two columns being freestanding and positioned approximate corners of the foundation wall. Each column further includes a column rebar grouping being tied into the perimeter rebar grouping. At least three bond-beams formed of CMU blocks are connected between the columns at least four feet above the foundation. The bond-beams include beam rebar groupings tying into at least one of the column rebar groupings. The structure includes housing walls formed of CMU blocks extending upward from the bond beams. At least one fan is on at least one pedestal column positioned within the foundation wall, with a pedestal rebar grouping extending though the pedestal column from a concrete pedestal footing. A series of water collection troughs are positioned within the cooling tower above the fan and fill media is positioned in the cooling tower above the collection troughs.

A cooling tower structure having a concrete perimeter foundation wall with a perimeter rebar grouping. The structure includes at least four columns formed of CMU blocks with at least two columns being freestanding and positioned approximate corners of the foundation wall. Each column further includes a column rebar grouping being tied into the perimeter rebar grouping. At least three bond-beams formed of CMU blocks are connected between the columns at least four feet above the foundation. The bond-beams include beam rebar groupings tying into at least one of the column rebar groupings. The structure includes housing walls formed of CMU blocks extending upward from the bond beams. At least one fan is on at least one pedestal column positioned within the foundation wall, with a pedestal rebar grouping extending though the pedestal column from a concrete pedestal footing. A series of water collection troughs are positioned within the cooling tower above the fan and fill media is positioned in the cooling tower above the collection troughs.

An exterior wall section forms a portion of an exterior wall of a building. The building has multiple floors and a framework defining the multiple floors. The exterior wall section includes a structural layer to be connected to the framework. The structural layer includes a plurality of studs connected together. An insulation layer is supported by the structural layer to insulate the building. Siding is supported by the structural layer and defines an exterior side of the exterior wall section. A perimeter of the exterior wall section is defined by the edge margins of the structural layer, the insulation layer and/or the siding. The exterior wall section includes an interlocking structure extending along the perimeter that mates with an interlocking structure of another exterior wall section to form a seal with said another exterior wall section when the exterior wall sections are connected to the building.

A system for assembling a plurality of pre-fabricated components to form a structure comprising: a first lifting device for transporting at least one pre-fabricated component from a source to a designated site; a second lifting device for engaging the at least one pre-fabricated component at the designated site; wherein the second lifting device comprises an engagement means to engage a portion of the at least one pre-fabricated component for installation at the designated site, and wherein the engagement means is capable of moving the engaged pre-fabricated component in at least two degrees of motion, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the engagement means comprises a plurality of locks.

A system for assembling a plurality of pre-fabricated components to form a structure comprising: a first lifting device for transporting at least one pre-fabricated component from a source to a designated site; a second lifting device for engaging the at least one pre-fabricated component at the designated site; wherein the second lifting device comprises an engagement means to engage a portion of the at least one pre-fabricated component for installation at the designated site, and wherein the engagement means is capable of moving the engaged pre-fabricated component in at least two degrees of motion, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the engagement means comprises a plurality of locks.

The present disclosure provides an insulation system for a building. The insulation system comprises a wall section adapted to be installed at least partially between two vertically oriented posts of a building, and a base section configured to be interconnected to the wall section and comprising a surface extending outwardly and downwardly away from an outer surface of the wall section when the insulation system is installed at the building.