An uncoupling mat includes a flexible plastic layer having indentations provided with undercuts on a first, top side and cavities positioned between the indentations on an opposite bottom side. A fleece or fabric is securely connected to the second side and covering the cavities. A plurality of weakening zones is formed in the top surface of the film-like plastic, which each extend between two rows of indentations in a straight line between opposing side edges of the plastic layer and allow the plastic layer to move substantially transversely to the direction of extension of the weakening zones. Some of a first group of weakening zones extend parallel to one another across the top surface of the film-like plastic. Some of a second group of weakening zones extend parallel to one another across the top surface of the film-like plastic and intersecting the first group of parallel weakening zones.

Sheet-like composite parts are manufactured by: a) providing a substantially planar arrangement (A, B, A′) comprising a core layer (B) comprising a fleece material made of fleece thermoplastic fibers and reinforcement fibers, sandwiched between a pair of skin layers (A, A′), each comprising a skin thermoplastic and optionally reinforcement fibers, one face of the core layer being adjacent and substantially parallel to a skin layer and a second face of the core layer being adjacent and substantially parallel to the other skin layer, b) heating and pressing the sandwich arrangement (A,B,A′) followed by cooling, thereby obtaining the composite part, wherein the compression strength of the composite part is improved with a core layer (B) which is a Z-oriented core layer having reinforcement fibers that are predominantly oriented in a direction (Z) perpendicular to the first and second faces, produced by multiple folding.

A building panel is constructed of a corrugated material. The panel can be folded into a U-shaped configuration. Successive folded panels can be coupled together using complementary shaped corrugations to fix panels in position relative to each other. Shaped connectors can be used to connect building panels in one plane to building panels in another plane.

A blow-molded plastic structure has a hollow interior portion formed during a blow-molding process, and includes first and second outer portions that are spaced apart from each other, with the hollow interior portion disposed there between. The structure includes a pattern of structural stiffening features that are integrally formed in the second outer portion. The pattern of structural stiffening features includes a plurality of tripodal depressions disposed in rows and columns and a plurality of convex regions disposed in rows and columns between the plurality of tripodal depressions. Each convex region has a maximum height between the first and second outer portions. Each of the tripodal depressions extends into the hollow interior portion, includes three indentations disposed adjacent the first outer portion, and includes an island spaced away from the first outer portion. The island has three sides, each of which is disposed adjacent one of the three indentations.

A blow-molded plastic structure has a hollow interior portion formed during a blow-molding process, and includes first and second outer portions that are spaced apart from each other, with the hollow interior portion disposed there between. The structure includes a pattern of structural stiffening features that are integrally formed in the second outer portion. The pattern of structural stiffening features includes a plurality of tripodal depressions disposed in rows and columns and a plurality of convex regions disposed in rows and columns between the plurality of tripodal depressions. Each convex region has a maximum height between the first and second outer portions. Each of the tripodal depressions extends into the hollow interior portion, includes three indentations disposed adjacent the first outer portion, and includes an island spaced away from the first outer portion. The island has three sides, each of which is disposed adjacent one of the three indentations.

A building panel is constructed of a corrugated material. The panel can be folded into a U-shaped configuration. Successive folded panels can be coupled together using complementary shaped corrugations to fix panels in position relative to each other. Shaped connectors can be used to connect building panels in one plane to building panels in another plane.

Provided is a building material that is lightweight, exhibits excellent formability, and is inhibited from being damaged during transportation, and a method for producing the same. Specifically, provided is a method for producing a building material, including: a first step of curing a core layer material including a hydraulic material, a silica-containing material, and an aluminum powder, to react the aluminum powder and form bubbles, and incompletely hardening the hydraulic material and the silica-containing material, to form a foamed core layer; a second step of dispersing a surface layer material including a hydraulic material, and a silica-containing material, to form an unfoamed surface layer; a third step of stacking the foamed core layer on the unfoamed surface layer, to form a stack including the unfoamed surface layer and the foamed core layer; and a fourth step of pressing and curing the stack, and a building material produced therewith.

Provided is a building material that is lightweight, exhibits excellent formability, and is inhibited from being damaged during transportation, and a method for producing the same. Specifically, provided is a method for producing a building material, including: a first step of curing a core layer material including a hydraulic material, a silica-containing material, and an aluminum powder, to react the aluminum powder and form bubbles, and incompletely hardening the hydraulic material and the silica-containing material, to form a foamed core layer; a second step of dispersing a surface layer material including a hydraulic material, and a silica-containing material, to form an unfoamed surface layer; a third step of stacking the foamed core layer on the unfoamed surface layer, to form a stack including the unfoamed surface layer and the foamed core layer; and a fourth step of pressing and curing the stack, and a building material produced therewith.

A system and method for primarily erecting curvilinear buildings using a plurality of interconnected structural tubes/sandwich panels is provided. Fabricating structural tubing comprises: connecting a fibrous and flexible lining to an inner surface of a flexible outer membrane, wherein the lining is saturated in a curable material that forms into a solid foam material when cured; and curing the curable material. Fabricating a sandwich panel comprises: connecting a first fibrous and flexible lining to an inner surface of a first flexible outer membrane, wherein the first lining is saturated in a curable material that forms into a solid foam when cured; connecting a second fibrous and flexible lining to an inner surface of a second flexible outer membrane, wherein the second lining is saturated in a curable material that forms into a solid foam when cured; and curing the curable material of the first lining and second linings.