System and method of foamed cementitious construction

Abstract

A building system and method. A construction method and system is disclosed. The system includes panel members composed of foamed cement containing perlite as the only material aggregate. Each lightweight cement body is encased around its perimeter edges by a rigid frame preferably fabricated from steel C-channel or beams. Once cured, a plurality of such panels vertically disposed, arranged upon building footings, and inter-connected to serve as structure walls. The use of a special foamed cementitious mix containing expanded perlite provides lightweight panels of reliable strength and durability yet excellent thermal and sound insulation. The frames of abutting panels may be joined by welding. Reinforced concrete footings according to this disclosure are provided with a special channel running longitudinally there-along. An exposed anchor bar runs along the inside of the longitudinal channel. The wall panels have reinforcing conduits extending top to bottom in the panel frame. Tie rods situated in the conduit interiors extend beyond the conduit ends. The upper end of each tie rod is adjustably engaged with the end of the corresponding conduit, while the tie rod lower end is connected to the anchor rod on the footing. With the tie rod attached to the footing's anchor rod, the controlled tightening of the engagement of the tie rod and conduit upper ends pulls the tie rod into tension to secure the panel to the footing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 718,409 entitled “Foamed Cementitious Building Material and Method of Use,” filed on Sep. 16, 2005, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) [0003] The present invention relates to construction methods and materials, generally to methods and materials for constructing building structures, particularly concrete construction, and specifically to a cementitious composition and method of using it to erect structures. [0004] 2. Background Art [0005] It has been known for centuries that structural elements may be fashioned from cement, and reinforced concrete has been used in structural design and erection for nearly a century. Modern concrete structures typically are reinforced with steel rods (“rebar”), and the concrete mix includes Portla...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] A construction method and system is disclosed. The system includes panel members composed of foamed cement containing perlite as the only material aggregate. Each lightweight cement body is encased around its perimeter edges by a rigid frame preferably fabricated from steel C-channel or beams. Once cured, a plurality of such panels vertically disposed, arranged upon building footings, and inter-connected to serve as structure walls. The use of a special foamed cementitious mix containing expanded perlite provides lightweight panels of reliable strength and durability yet excellent thermal and sound insulation. The frames of abutting panels may be joined by welding.

Problems solved by technology

Reinforced concrete structural elements pose certain challenges and disadvantages.

Two leading challenges are the comparatively heavy weight (vis-a-vis lumber post and beam construction) and thermal conductivity.

Concrete, especially dense and heavily reinforced concrete, also is a less than optimal thermal insulator; in cold climates, concrete walls and floors can serve to conduct heat from a building interior to the ground and outdoor air.

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