The present invention relates to siding/covering materials (20) which are made of composite materials to be covered over metal posts (10) or horizontal bearing members (50) with angular or circular cross-section and which comprise reinforcing cells (25). Said composite material is composed of materials such as wood, plastics or a derivative thereof, pressed wood and paper, pressed plastics etc.

A glass beam element, for constructing a loadbearing structure, comprises at least one elongate structural reinforcement section extending along a longitudinal direction, and at least one glass segment bonded to said at least one elongate structural reinforcement section. The at least one elongate structural reinforcement section comprises a weldable material, and the at least one glass segment has a length along the longitudinal direction that is shorter than the elongate structural reinforcement section such as to allow welding of an end region of the at least one elongate structural reinforcement section without thereby damaging the at least one glass segment.

A column bracket assembly is provided. The column bracket assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, each including a bracket body adapted to receive an end of support element (e.g. a wooden column) and a mounting bracket/plate pivotally coupled to the bracket body and adapted to be coupled to a structural element (e.g. a footing, pile, header, beam etc.). The column bracket assembly optionally includes mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and/or tension rods to the bracket bodies. A method of installing the column bracket assembly, and a method of repairing, resettling, shoring, and/or leveling a structure with the column bracket assembly are also provided, along with structures comprising the column bracket assembly.

A column bracket assembly is provided. The column bracket assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, each including a bracket body adapted to receive an end of support element (e.g. a wooden column) and a mounting bracket/plate pivotally coupled to the bracket body and adapted to be coupled to a structural element (e.g. a footing, pile, header, beam etc.). The column bracket assembly optionally includes mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and/or tension rods to the bracket bodies. A method of installing the column bracket assembly, and a method of repairing, resettling, shoring, and/or leveling a structure with the column bracket assembly are also provided, along with structures comprising the column bracket assembly.

A building assembly includes a plurality of expanded polystyrene wall panels, headers, sill panels, U blocks, U block caps, roof panels, and connectors. Each U block includes rebar and at least one of concrete and cementitious material in a recess or void therein. Each U block cap when joined to the U block creates an enclosed void in the U block which holds the rebar and concrete and/or cementitious material. A plurality of capped U blocks joins a plurality of wall panels, headers, and sills to form a wall structure. A plurality of U blocks are placed on a top surface of the wall structure. A roof assembly including a plurality of U blocks, H connectors, T connectors, and combinations thereof connected to roof panels to form a rigid roof assembly. A coating of cementitious material provides additional structural rigidity and resistance to impact, fire, water, mold, mildew, and insects.

A building assembly includes a plurality of expanded polystyrene wall panels, headers, sill panels, U blocks, U block caps, roof panels, and connectors. Each U block includes rebar and at least one of concrete and cementitious material in a recess or void therein. Each U block cap when joined to the U block creates an enclosed void in the U block which holds the rebar and concrete and/or cementitious material. A plurality of capped U blocks joins a plurality of wall panels, headers, and sills to form a wall structure. A plurality of U blocks are placed on a top surface of the wall structure. A roof assembly including a plurality of U blocks, H connectors, T connectors, and combinations thereof connected to roof panels to form a rigid roof assembly. A coating of cementitious material provides additional structural rigidity and resistance to impact, fire, water, mold, mildew, and insects.

In a column end joint structure for joining an end of a column made of flat wooden material having a rectangular cross-section to a joining member, splitting generation at the end of the column is controlled. An expansion of crack is controlled when splitting generated. A cutout portion is provided in each of ends in a longitudinal direction of a column end face, and a joint fitting is coupled inside the cutout portion by a joint bolt. The joint fitting is coupled to a foundation by an anchor bolt. Joint fittings are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the end face inside each cutout portion. One joint fitting is located contacting or close to a surface of the column inside the cutout portion such that the joint fitting side face and the surface of the column inside the cutout portion restrain a displacement orthogonal to the column axis.

In a column end joint structure for joining an end of a column made of flat wooden material having a rectangular cross-section to a joining member, splitting generation at the end of the column is controlled. An expansion of crack is controlled when splitting generated. A cutout portion is provided in each of ends in a longitudinal direction of a column end face, and a joint fitting is coupled inside the cutout portion by a joint bolt. The joint fitting is coupled to a foundation by an anchor bolt. Joint fittings are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the end face inside each cutout portion. One joint fitting is located contacting or close to a surface of the column inside the cutout portion such that the joint fitting side face and the surface of the column inside the cutout portion restrain a displacement orthogonal to the column axis.

An engineered wood structural system including multiple vertical structural elements including first seats comprised between parallel vertical struts made of successive aligned vertical strut segments connected to each other, multiple horizontal structural elements, supported on the first seats, each including an upper horizontal board and a lower horizontal board with at least one second spacer placed in between, and optionally slab members supported on the horizontal structural elements defining at least one structure floor.

An engineered wood structural system including multiple vertical structural elements including first seats comprised between parallel vertical struts made of successive aligned vertical strut segments connected to each other, multiple horizontal structural elements, supported on the first seats, each including an upper horizontal board and a lower horizontal board with at least one second spacer placed in between, and optionally slab members supported on the horizontal structural elements defining at least one structure floor.