A method of forming a lift shaft or similar in a multi-storey building is disclosed. The method includes the casting the shaft in segments (typically in the order of 800 mm deep) and then assembling the segments atop each other to form the shaft. The segments have vertical passages which align to form channels in which rebar can be inserted to tie the structure together.

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 exterior insulation structure includes a first board member, first supporting members, a first thermal insulator, second supporting members disposed on the exterior side of the first supporting members, a second thermal insulator disposed on the exterior side of the first thermal insulator and between the second supporting members, securing members fixed to the exterior side of the second supporting members, and exterior wall members attached to the securing members. The adjacent exterior wall members are joined together without leaving a gap therebetween. Each securing member is long enough, in the second direction, to be fixable to at least two second supporting members and shorter, in the second direction, than each exterior wall member. A first gap is left between the securing members adjacent in the second direction. At least part of each second supporting member is made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than that of steel.

A composite wall assembly has an auxiliary wall and an inner wall. The auxiliary wall has a hollow space and a first supporting pillar having multiple first through holes. The inner wall is attached to the auxiliary wall and forms a depositing space. The inner wall has a first wall member, a second wall member, and a second supporting pillar having multiple second through holes. The depositing space is formed between the first wall member and the second wall member. The auxiliary wall provides a cushion effect and is not damaged easily in the earthquake for protecting the pipelines in the hollow space. The interior ambient temperature of the building is lowered by the hollow space of the auxiliary wall.

A building construction unit and a method of constructing a building using wall and ceiling panel assemblies that are made up of traditional framing materials, such as studs and interior walls, coated with insulating foam, except that the typical exterior sheathing is optional. Because the panel assembly is structurally sound and thermally insulated, the only reason to install an exterior sheath or additional roofing material is for aesthetic or practical purposes.

A structural tent intended for use as a living space able to withstand extreme temperatures, while still being comfortable and used on a temporary basis; comprising a frame on which there are assembled first profiles and lower posts which are attached to a plurality of second profiles, brackets and upper posts, which form the structure on which a ridgepole is supported; and where a filler material is introduced into the gap created between the frame and the outside fabric; and where, finally, the ridgepole is integrally supported on the upper posts, where honeycomb plates are supported, an impermeable roof being arranged on the honeycomb plates and the gaps in the honeycomb plates being filled with a fine granular material.

A T-shaped shear wall module including a straight pattern plate, two L-shaped pattern plates with a same structure, and connectors. Each of the two L-shaped pattern plates includes a first pattern plate and a second pattern plate which are perpendicular to each other. In a direction perpendicular to the straight pattern plate, the two first pattern plates are arranged in parallel to each other and both extend in a direction away from the straight pattern plate, and a plurality of connectors are rigidly arranged between two first pattern plates. Along a direction parallel to the straight pattern plate, two second pattern plates are coplanar and extend in opposite directions, and a plurality of connectors are rigidly arranged between the straight pattern plate and the two second pattern plates. The present application also provides a shear wall and a construction method thereof.

A panel is disclosed for use in construction. The panel comprises opposing surfaces that extend between first and second opposite ends. The panel also comprises a plurality of parallel (e.g. sawtooth) ridges. The ridges are provided on at least one of the opposing surfaces. The ridges extend along and adjacent to a first of the opposite ends of the panel for at least a part length thereof. The ridges are arranged to engage with and move past corresponding ridges of an adjacent panel when the panels move relative to each other in opposite directions. The ridges are further arranged so as to interfere with the ridges of the adjacent panel to resist relative movement in a reverse of the opposite direction.

Modified and connected foam wall structures and methods for making them are described. The wall structures include a frame, a foam panel attached to the frame, a foam layer disposed in a cavity defined by the frame, and a structural adhesive. The structural adhesive may be disposed in at least one of: (A) an aperture located within the foam layer, and (B) an aperture located between the foam layer and a frame member. In some cases, a cured structural adhesive is located between connecting members of adjacent foam wall structures.

Modified and connected foam wall structures and methods for making them are described. The wall structures include a frame, a foam panel attached to the frame, a foam layer disposed in a cavity defined by the frame, and a structural adhesive. The structural adhesive may be disposed in at least one of: (A) an aperture located within the foam layer, and (B) an aperture located between the foam layer and a frame member. In some cases, a cured structural adhesive is located between connecting members of adjacent foam wall structures.