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 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.

Beneficial use structures are disclosed that include coal combustion residuals (CCR) mixed with water and a binder to form a structural material, and adapted to be compacted for use in the formation of the beneficial use structure. Various structures having beneficial uses are described, including compressed air storage facilities and a pumped hydroelectric facility, including such a facility adapted for use with a lock system of a waterway.

A cross-laminated timber panel comprises a plurality of layers of lumber boards, each layer comprising a number of the lumber boards laid side-to-side pointing to a direction, each layer being disposed perpendicular to the direction of an adjoining layer; and an insert member replacing one of the lumber boards, the insert member having a different material or configuration than the lumber boards.

A cross-laminated timber panel comprises a plurality of layers of lumber boards, each layer comprising a number of the lumber boards laid side-to-side pointing to a direction, each layer being disposed perpendicular to the direction of an adjoining layer; and an insert member replacing one of the lumber boards, the insert member having a different material or configuration than the lumber boards.

A building wall includes a first shear wall panel having a horizontal bottom edge and a right vertical edge, a horizontal base support located under the horizontal bottom edge of the first shear wall panel, and a first tie-down that couples the first shear wall panel to the base support at a central point along the horizontal bottom edge of the first shear wall panel such that the shear wall panel rocks under horizontal forces. The wall further includes a second shear wall panel in plane with and adjacent to the first shear wall panel, the second shear wall panel having a horizontal bottom edge and a left vertical edge. The horizontal base support further is located under the horizontal bottom edge of the second shear wall panel, and a second tie-down couples the second shear wall panel to the base support at a central point along the horizontal bottom edge of the second shear wall panel such that the second shear wall panel rocks under horizontal forces. A connector couples the first shear wall panel along a portion of its right vertical edge to the adjacent second shear wall panel along a portion of its left vertical edge.

The present invention is generally directed to prepreg composites, typically in the form of unidirectional tapes, which contain at least one reinforcing fiber and a thermoplastic polyester matrix. The prepreg composites can be thermally bonded to a mineral-containing substrate in order to improve the performance characteristics of the substrate without requiring adhesives and without significantly increasing the mass or thickness of the substrate. The prepreg composite of the present invention can be applied to a wide range of mineral-containing substrates, including structural panels, gypsum wallboards, plasterboard, drywall, cement boards, or ceiling tiles.

The present invention is generally directed to prepreg composites, typically in the form of unidirectional tapes, which contain at least one reinforcing fiber and a thermoplastic polyester matrix. The prepreg composites can be thermally bonded to a mineral-containing substrate in order to improve the performance characteristics of the substrate without requiring adhesives and without significantly increasing the mass or thickness of the substrate. The prepreg composite of the present invention can be applied to a wide range of mineral-containing substrates, including structural panels, gypsum wallboards, plasterboard, drywall, cement boards, or ceiling tiles.

Beneficial use structures are disclosed that include coal combustion residuals (CCR) mixed with water and a binder to form a structural material and adapted to be compacted for use in the formation of the beneficial use structure. Various structures having beneficial uses described, including survival bunkers, composting pits, mine reclamation encapsulation and carbon sequestration facilities, water storage facilities, compressed air storage facilities, carbon sequestration/mineral carbonation facilities and a pumped hydroelectric facility adapted for use with a lock system of a waterway.

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.