A gypsum panel has a gypsum body with a length L along an x-axis, a width W along a y-axis, and a thickness T along a z-axis. The gypsum body includes at least one core embedded at least partially within the gypsum body. Examples of the core include a hollow, open cell structure having walled elements. The walled elements have axes that can be substantially parallel to each other and the z-axis. The walled elements may be substantially filled with a same material as the gypsum body.

A composite wall, ceiling or floor panel (10), system and method, including a sheet (14) having a first face (18) including at least one first mounting portion (16), and at least one formwork member (20) with at least one second mounting portion (30) arranged to engage with the first mounting portion of the sheet to retain the sheet and said at least one formwork member together. Structural support comes from piers (for a wall) or beams (ceiling or floor) formed in the spacing between adjacent formwork members. The formwork members act as the core of a wall, ceiling or floor panel. An external coating (123) is applied to the formwork members, such as spray shotcrete or render. Channels (28) formed by the formwork members defines integrated ducting for services to be run.

There is provided a prefabricated floor panel (101) for use with a supporting structure (103) including a floor member (105) the floor member (105) defining a floor surface (107) and being adapted to engage with an adjacent similar floor panel (101) and at least one or more strengthening beams (109) configured to engage with the supporting structure (103) in use to support the prefabricated floor panel (101).

Disclosed herein are low density fiber cement articles, such as fiber cement building panels and sheets, comprised of multiple overlaying fiber cement substrate layers having small and uniform entrained air pockets distributed throughout. Also disclosed herein are air entrainment systems and methods for manufacturing aerated low density fiber cement panels or sheets with consistent air void content and uniform air void distribution. Also disclosed herein are air entrainment technologies adapted to work in conjunction with the Hatschek process to produce aerated fiber cement articles having controlled air void content and distribution.

Gypsum panels, sheathing systems, and methods of making and using the same are provided. A gypsum panel includes a gypsum core associated with a first fiberglass mat having a continuous barrier coating, the coating penetrating a portion of the first fiberglass mat opposite the gypsum core, wherein gypsum penetrates a remaining fibrous portion of the first fiberglass mat such that voids in the first fiberglass mat are substantially eliminated. A building sheathing system includes at least two gypsum panels and a seaming component to provide a seam at an interface between the gypsum panels.

Gypsum panels, sheathing systems, and methods of making and using the same are provided. A gypsum panel includes a gypsum core associated with a first fiberglass mat having a continuous barrier coating, the coating penetrating a portion of the first fiberglass mat opposite the gypsum core, wherein gypsum penetrates a remaining fibrous portion of the first fiberglass mat such that voids in the first fiberglass mat are substantially eliminated. A building sheathing system includes at least two gypsum panels and a seaming component to provide a seam at an interface between the gypsum panels.

A composition, utility material, and method of making a utility material is disclosed. A composition having an improved setting time may include a plurality of microparticles mixed with a sodium silicate binder and an isocyanate setting agent, where the microparticle composition has a setting time of less than or equal to one hour. A utility material may be a wallboard that includes the composition.

An actuator for controlling the operation of an apparatus comprises a panel (16) and an acoustic sensor (26). The panel provides a partition within a building structure, while the acoustic sensor is adapted to detect acoustic waves propagating through the panel. When a user exerts pressure against the panel, the sensor detects the acoustic waves that are formed and emits signals for controlling the operation of an apparatus, such as a doorbell, a light source, a television, a sound system, a ventilation system, a window blind, a radio or an alarm.

The invention comprises a relatively lightweight cementitious-based material panel. The cementitious-based material panel comprises a foam insulating panel having a first surface and a second surface; a first structural layer of cementitious-based material formed on the first surface of the foam insulating panel and affixed thereto; and a second non-structural layer of cementitious-based material formed on the second surface of the foam insulating panel and affixed thereto. The second non-structural layer of cementitious-based material is substantially thinner than the first structural layer of concrete. The second non-structural layer of cementitious-based material is preferably formed from polymer modified concrete, plaster or mortar. A method of making the cementitious-based material panel is also disclosed.

A construction panel comprising a rigid insulation layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an outer concrete wythe secured to the exterior surface of the insulation layer, an inner concrete wythe secured to the interior surface of the insulation layer, a grid system which ties the outer concrete wythe to the inner concrete wythe and a capillary tube system located within the construction panel wherein liquid is passed through the tubing in order to increase or decrease the temperature of the construction panel.