This application relates to I-joists which are configured to resist fire damage. Specifically, the present application relates to reinforcing I-joists with reinforcing members configured to provide structural support and/or to provide a physical barrier to fire. This may help the I-joists to maintain structural integrity during a fire and so help improve safety during evacuation of a building and during fire-fighting operations.

A cellulose-based structural building panel assembly includes a cross-laminated timber (CLT) core which is reinforced with one or more post-tensioned tendons stressed to a pre-selected tensioning force, following the placement as part of the panel assembly. The tendons are provided within a sleeve which is grouted with a channel formed in an underside of the core and which after post-tensioning of tendons is infilled with a binder securing the tendons in a fully bonded configuration.

A cellulose-based structural building panel assembly includes a cross-laminated timber (CLT) core which is reinforced with one or more post-tensioned tendons stressed to a pre-selected tensioning force, following the placement as part of the panel assembly. The tendons are provided within a sleeve which is grouted with a channel formed in an underside of the core and which after post-tensioning of tendons is infilled with a binder securing the tendons in a fully bonded configuration.

The invention relates to a composite floor beam 30 for use in construction. The composite floor beam 30 comprises an upper part 32 made from a first material extending substantially along the length of the beam and a lower part 34 made from a second material such as metal extending substantially along the length of the beam, the upper part 32 comprises an upper surface 40 and a lower surface 42. The lower part 34 comprises an upper surface 51 and a lower surface 52. The upper surface 40 of the upper part 32 is designed to be arranged horizontally to support a floor above. The upper surface 40 of the upper part 32 is parallel to the lower surface 52 of the lower part 34. The lower surface 52 of the lower part 34 is designed to be arranged horizontally for attachment to a ceiling below. The lower surface 42 of the upper part 32 and the upper surface 51 of the lower part 34 define apertures 36 between them for cabling and/or piping and/or other utilities. The apertures 36 pass from a first side of the beam to a second side of the beam. The direction of the apertures 36 passing from the first side 38 to the second side 39 being transverse to the direction of the length of the beam 30.

An apparatus to connect two mass timber (CLT, LVL, or other configurations) shear wall panels, comprising a high load deformation capacity steel connector, wherein the connector comprises a high stiffness that shifts to a low stiffness during a high intensity earthquake or significant wind loading event.

An apparatus to connect two mass timber (CLT, LVL, or other configurations) shear wall panels, comprising a high load deformation capacity steel connector, wherein the connector comprises a high stiffness that shifts to a low stiffness during a high intensity earthquake or significant wind loading event.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

A bar element as a construction element includes strips preferably produced from bamboo and is hollow at least in certain regions. The hollow interior is formed at least in certain sections as a hollow fillet achieved by a plastic and/or resin introduced into the bar elements, using a shaped body movable through the interior. Producing bar elements from interconnected strips ensures that although produced from a natural raw material, the bar elements have a reproducible outer cross section. Using a shaped body movable through the interior to produce the inner cross section also ensures a defined inner cross section of the bar elements, with the result that in turn connections between a plurality of bar elements that are defined by suitable connection elements can be formed. In this way, the bar elements make it possible to produce lattice works, grid constructions, frameworks or other desired structures and/or three-dimensional bodies.

A composite assembly includes a series of elongated layers joined lengthwise thereof. At least two of the elongated layers each have an upper elongated portion and a lower elongated portion secured together in an end-to-end relationship at a joint therebetween by a connector arrangement. The upper elongated portion is constructed of a wood material, and the lower elongated portion is constructed of a non-wood material. The lower elongated portion may have a reinforcing rod therein.