An apparatus for resisting a gravity load is disclosed. The apparatus has a first end member, a second end member, and a plurality of elongated structural members, each of the plurality of elongated structural members including a first end portion attached to the first end member and a second end portion attached to the second end member. The plurality of elongated structural members is oriented to resist compressive stresses or tensile stresses induced by the gravity load. The plurality of elongated structural members is formed from plants with a harvest cycle of four years or fewer.

An apparatus for resisting a gravity load is disclosed. The apparatus has a first end member, a second end member, and a plurality of elongated structural members, each of the plurality of elongated structural members including a first end portion attached to the first end member and a second end portion attached to the second end member. The plurality of elongated structural members is oriented to resist compressive stresses or tensile stresses induced by the gravity load. The plurality of elongated structural members is formed from plants with a harvest cycle of four years or fewer.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a prefab construction element (11), preferably a load-bearing element, for frame construction, such as wood frame construction, comprising the steps of providing a roofing, flooring or wall panel (2), which panel (2) comprises an enclosure (3), providing a fungus and a substrate, introducing or preparing a mixture (10) of the fungus and the substrate, in the enclosure (3) and allowing the fungus to grow to form a network of hyphae through the mixture (10) and into the walls (4-7) of the enclosure (3) to form a mycelium composite, and drying the composite while it remains in the enclosure (3) of the panel (2).

An apparatus for resisting a gravity load is disclosed. The apparatus has a first end member, a second end member, and a plurality of elongated structural members, each of the plurality of elongated structural members including a first end portion attached to the first end member and a second end portion attached to the second end member. The plurality of elongated structural members is oriented to resist compressive stresses or tensile stresses induced by the gravity load. The plurality of elongated structural members is formed from plants with a harvest cycle of four years or fewer.

An apparatus for resisting a gravity load is disclosed. The apparatus has a first end member, a second end member, and a plurality of elongated structural members, each of the plurality of elongated structural members including a first end portion attached to the first end member and a second end portion attached to the second end member. The plurality of elongated structural members is oriented to resist compressive stresses or tensile stresses induced by the gravity load. The plurality of elongated structural members is formed from plants with a harvest cycle of four years or fewer.

The invention relates to a material board (1) which comprises a core (2) and a first cover layer (3) and a second cover layer (4), each of which is formed by a mixture (7, 8) formed by lignin-containing particles (5, 6) and binder, which mixture is designed to form a solid body structure in a chemical binding process. The aim is to provide a material panel, which, for ecological and economical reasons, comprises a high proportion of particles based on annual plants and still exhibits good mechanical properties. Another object of the invention can be considered that of ensuring that the system load is kept relatively low during the production process. Another object can be considered that of keeping the proportion of stock removal low. According to the invention, at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90% of the particles (5) associated with the mixture (7) of the core (2) are obtained from annual plants, and at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90% of the particles (6) associated with the mixtures (8) of the two cover layers (3, 4) are obtained from perennial plants. The invention further relates to the use of a material board and to a method for producing a material board. Finally, the invention relates to a system for producing a material board.

The invention relates to a material board (1) which comprises a core (2) and a first cover layer (3) and a second cover layer (4), each of which is formed by a mixture (7, 8) formed by lignin-containing particles (5, 6) and binder, which mixture is designed to form a solid body structure in a chemical binding process. The aim is to provide a material panel, which, for ecological and economical reasons, comprises a high proportion of particles based on annual plants and still exhibits good mechanical properties. Another object of the invention can be considered that of ensuring that the system load is kept relatively low during the production process. Another object can be considered that of keeping the proportion of stock removal low. According to the invention, at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90% of the particles (5) associated with the mixture (7) of the core (2) are obtained from annual plants, and at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 90% of the particles (6) associated with the mixtures (8) of the two cover layers (3, 4) are obtained from perennial plants. The invention further relates to the use of a material board and to a method for producing a material board. Finally, the invention relates to a system for producing a material board.

In implementations of prefabricated building components based on municipal and county codes, a housing design requirement describing a limitation on a dimension of a housing feature is identified. A housing design of a house is generated to comply with the identified limitation on the dimension, and the housing design is configured to be manufactured using a prefabricated component. The housing design is refined by adjusting design dimensions based on stock dimensions of subcomponents of the prefabricated component, and a refined housing design is generated based on the adjustments to the design dimensions.

A process for producing a smooth-sided strand-based siding or wood structural panel using a secondary pressing process. The secondary pressing process is performed after the primary process completes pressing and consolidation of the substrate/board. The secondary process applies and cures the overlay after applying a water spray on the hot board immediately out of the primary process press, and before overlay application. The application of the water spray causes the surface of the board to swell and cure. A settling period follows to allow the top surface particles and strands to swell along with absorption and evaporation of the moisture. This is followed by surface sanding to remove the telegraphing and produce a smooth surface, which is then followed by lamination of the overlay(s). The process is completed by post-lamination treatment and coating of the board.

A wood or engineered wood structural panel, such as, but not limited to, OSB (“oriented strand board”) or plywood, that is both fire-resistant and water resistant. The panel is factory-coated with a product that provides fire resistance. The treatment gives it a Fire-Resistant (FR) performance (for use in a one- or two-hour rated assembly). The panel also is overlaid or coated in a factory setting with a weather/water resistive barrier (WRB). The structural panel thus combines a fire-resistant structural sheathing and WRB product in one integrated panel produced at a factory prior for installation at a job site.