Friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction system

Abstract

A friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction includes a plurality of elongated wood-based boards, wherein at least one board is at least partially sandwiched between at least two other boards. Friction structures with rough surfaces or with sharp projecting structures are displaced to extend outward from the rest of the friction structures and are positioned at interfaces of the boards to provide friction between adjacent boards. Straps are wrapped around the elongated boards on opposite sides of the friction structures and held in tension to provide a compressive force holding the boards and the friction structures in compression against one another. The compressive force generated by the tensioning elements causes the friction interfaces to resist relative movement between the elongated wood-based boards in at least one of shear, axial, or rotational directions.

Description

[0001] Attorney Docket No. che-onpct

[0002] FRICTION-BASED, MINIMALLY PENETRATIVE, WOOD-BASED CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No.

[0004] 63 / 749,083, filed 24 January 2025, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] The discussion of the background state of the art below may reflect hindsight gained from the disclosed invention(s), and these characterizations are not necessarily admitted to be prior art.

[0007] With the construction sector accounting for approximately 40% of global carbon dioxide (C02) emissions, material reuse and circular construction have emerged as critical strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Policy initiatives, such as the European Union's Circular Economy Action Plan (European Commission 2020), deconstruction ordinances in US cities, such as Portland, Seattle, and Denver, and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics' commitment to "radical reuse", reflect a growing global agenda to reduce emissions by promoting a circular economy.

[0008] Wood is uniquely prominent in construction materials due to its global prevalence and relative affordability. In the United States, over 94% of new residential homes were constructed using wood in 2022, wherein wood has been favored for its workability and cost-effectiveness. Yet, the demolition practices associated with timber construction pose significant environmental challenges. In 2018, US construction and demolition activities generated roughly 41 million tons of wood waste, only 9% of which was recycled. The majority (73%) was sent to landfills, while the remaining 20% was incinerated for energy recovery. A central contributor to the problem of wood demolition waste lies in contemporary timber construction practices, which is typically to employ single-use fixation methods, such as nails, compounded by adhesives. While efficient for assembly, these techniques make it difficult to separate components cleanly at the end of a building's life. The result is a system biased toward demolition rather than deconstruction, where disassembly becomes labor-intensive, costly, and often damaging to the materials themselves. Even structurally sound timber is frequently discarded due to the high costs of separation, sorting, cleaning, and re-distributing, reinforcing a linear model of consumption and disposal rather than a circular one.

[0009] The most direct environmental impact of wood waste in landfills is local soil and groundwater contamination. Groundwater, which is the water found underground inthe cracks and spaces of soil, sand, and rock, supplies 35% of the drinking water in the United States and nearly half of all drinking water worldwide.

[0010] The presence of wood waste in landfills can produce leachate— a contaminated liquid generated as water percolates through landfills— to migrate into groundwater, compromising drinking water quality and posing risks to human health.

[0011] Over 1,500 construction and demolition (C&D) landfills are in operation across the U.S., and federal regulations do not mandate the use of containment features, such as low-permeability liners and leachate collection systems, for these facilities, as most C&D debris is deemed non-hazardous. In 2019, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) conducted a study on the groundwater impacts of unlined C&D debris landfills, focusing on three contaminants of concern (COCs): arsenic (As), boron (B), and manganese (Mn). Of the 43 unlined C&D landfills analyzed, 33 exhibited significantly higher concentrations of at least one COC in downgradient groundwater compared to upgradient groundwater.

[0012] One can find in a C&D landfill two main types of wood waste: pressure-treated wood and untreated wood. Pressure-treated wood often contains chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which is a common source of arsenic in landfill leachate. Untreated wood can also contribute to manganese contamination, primarily from paints and coatings. Even when the disposed wood is unpainted and untreated, it can still culminate in groundwater contamination through oxidation-reduction reactions during decomposition. In these reactions, organic matter from the wood decomposes anaerobically, creating conditions that mobilize previously stable contaminants or the naturally occurring metals in aquifer sediment, leading to soil and groundwater contamination.

[0013] In addition to local water and soil contamination, wood waste in landfills is also a contributor to global warming through the emission of greenhouse gases during decomposition. Initially, as wood decomposes aerobically (in the presence of oxygen), it releases carbon dioxide (CO2). This process can last from days to months, depending on the oxygen levels present when the waste is deposited. When oxygen is depleted in the deeper layers of a landfill, anaerobic decomposition begins as microorganisms break down organic materials, such as wood waste, producing methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas with over 28 times the global warming potential of C02.

[0014] Due to the slow decomposition of wood waste, the greenhouse gas emissions can continue for 8 to 40 years.

[0015] Unlike municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act and are required to install gas collection and control systems when emissions exceed certain thresholds, construction-and-demolition (C&D) debris landfills in the U.S. are not generally required by federal regulations to have methanecapture systems. This regulatory gap underscores the urgent need for reversible wood construction methods that enable buildings to be disassembled at the end of their service life, facilitating wood reuse and recycling to divert material from landfills and mitigate its environmental impact.

[0016] SUMMARY

[0017] Friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based constructions and methods for forming them (e.g., via disassembly and reassembly) are described herein, where various embodiments of the apparatus and methods may include some or all of the elements, features, and steps described below.

[0018] A friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction (designed for disassembly and reassembly without sacrificing material integrity) includes a plurality of elongated wood-based boards, wherein at least one board is at least partially sandwiched between at least two other boards; friction structures with rough surfaces or with sharp projecting structures, such as jagged edges, elongated cylinders ending in a tapered point, or projecting structures with sharpened terminal edges displaced to extend (e.g., 1-3 mm) outward (e.g., orthogonally) from the rest of the friction structures, wherein the friction structures are positioned at interfaces of the board to provide friction between adjacent boards; and tensioning elements (e.g., straps) wrapped around the elongated boards on opposite sides of the friction structures, which can be substantially planar, and held in tension to provide a compressive force holding the boards and the friction structures in compression against one another. The compressive force generated by the tensioning elements causes the friction interfaces to resist relative movement between the elongated wood-based boards in at least one of shear, axial, or rotational directions.

[0019] A method for fabricating any of the friction-based, minimally penetrative, woodbased constructions described or illustrated herein includes placing friction structures on opposite sides of a plurality of the elongated boards; placing additional elongated boards alongside the friction structures to sandwich the friction structures between adjacent elongated boards; positioning the tensioning elements respectively around the additional elongated boards on opposite sides of the friction structures; and tensioning the tensioning elements to compress the friction structures against the adjoining elongated boards.

[0020] “Minimally penetrative” means penetrating a board only to the extent that, e.g., sandpaper or a friction plate with teeth that extend no more than 5 mm (e.g., 1-2 mm) would press into the board (e.g., not more than 5 mm or even not less than 2 mm) and that would not penetrate nearly as much as a typical nail would penetrate into a board.

[0021] We herein introduce what we refer to as strapped framing, which is a reversible wood construction method that enables material reuse. Inspired by bamboo lashingtechniques, this system uses tensioning elements as a non-penetrative means of assembly, facilitating easier disassembly while maintaining material integrity. The methods may be carried out by adapting existing industrial strapping toolkits, and the system creates friction joints by tying elongated members (formed, e.g., of wood) together with tensioned elements, generating friction between the wood surfaces to resist movement. The structures can be built without nails or screws, using only reusable tensioning elements (e.g., straps formed of stainless steel) and friction structures (e.g., in the form of pads).

[0022] The elongated boards, friction structures, and tensioning elements can be repeatedly assembled and disassembled to form different friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based constructions without compromising the material integrity of the elongated boards. After a structure is disassembled, the elongated boards can be stacked to form a simple pile of aligned boards, or the boards can be otherwise reused in the same or different combinations in a wide range of similar or distinct structures. These structures and this methodology can stand not just as a provocation for sustainability but also as a practical way for architecture to engage in finding solutions for the climate crisis.

[0023] To achieve reversibility in wood framing, we use a joinery system that is easily removable and minimizes damage to the material. In conventional wood construction practices, nails penetrate deeply or entirely through the board and are difficult to extract and typically leave permanent orifices in and marks on the wood. Tensioning elements, such as straps, are introduced as a minimally penetrative method of assembly, facilitating easier disassembly and preserving material integrity. The proposed method also acknowledges the current momentum in the construction industry and leverages the existing skillsets of the local workforce without a need for significant retraining.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a friction pad 12 made from a metal plate 14 with shallow teeth 16 on both sides. The overall shape of the friction pad 12 is not limited to a square geometry and maybe varied to suit different wood member sizes, joint configurations, or contact conditions.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the friction pad 12 shown in FIG. 1, showing the shallow teeth 16 on both faces.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a friction pad formed from double-sided sandpaper 18 or an equivalent material, including rough particles adhered to a generally planar surface to increase friction between contacting wood members.FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the friction pad 18 shown in FIG. 3, illustrating the rough particles 20 impregnated into an adhesive / binder system 22 on both sides of a planar substrate 24.

[0027] FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of a strapped wood joint 26, showing the general principle of joining two wood horizontal beam members 29 and one vertical post member 30 using external strapping 32 and friction pads 12 placed between contacting surfaces. The joint 26 can alternatively include two vertical post members 30 sandwiching one horizontal beam member 29.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan cut of the strapped joint 26 shown in FIG. 5, illustrating the placement of the friction pad 12 between contacting wood surfaces.

[0029] FIG. 7 is an exploded axonometric view of the strapped joint 26 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary application of the method, showing a post-and-lintel grid structure 34 constructed using pairs of horizontal beams 29 strapped to vertical posts 30. The wood-based members 29 and 30 can include solid sawn lumber as well as engineered or mass timber elements, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL), mass plywood (MPP), or glued laminated timber (glulam).

[0030] FIG. 9 shows another exemplary structure 34 with an array of parallel frames 36 braced laterally with pairs of beams 38.

[0031] FIGS. 10-13 offer a sequence illustrating the assembly of a strap-framed wood wall, in which two horizontal boards 29 are laid out; friction pads 12 are placed at stud locations; vertical studs 30 are positioned on the friction pads 12; additional friction pads are added; upper and lower boards 29 are sandwiched together about the vertical studs 30 and secured by tightening external straps 32; and the assembled wall 40 is then tilted into place.

[0032] FIG. 14 shows a strap-framed wall 40 incorporating door and window openings. FIG. 15 shows a corner condition formed by connecting two strap-framed walls 40.

[0033] FIG. 16 shows sections of a two-story structure 34 using strap framing, with pairs of joists 42 strapped to vertical studs 30, an upper-floor wall 40’ strapped through the joists 42 to lower-floor header beams 44 above the lower-floor wall 40’, and roof construction using double roof joists 42’ and double furring members 46 secured by strapping 32.

[0034] FIG. 17 shows a two-story strap-framed structure 34 using double studs 30, with floor and roof elements assembled using the same strapping method.

[0035] FIG. 18 shows a strapped beam element 48 formed by vertically stacked wood members 30 secured by external strapping.FIG. 19 is a close-up view of a section of the structure of FIG. 18 (taken between the dashed lines designated via the arrows 19 shown in FIG. 18) showing friction pads 12 between contacting surfaces of the wood members 30.

[0036] FIG. 20 shows a strapped beam element 48 formed by horizontally stacked wood members 30 secured by strapping 32.

[0037] FIG. 21 is a close-up view of a section of the structure of FIG.20 (taken between the dashed lines designated via the arrows 21 shown in FIG. 20), showing friction pads 12 between contacting surfaces of the wood members 30.

[0038] FIG. 22 is a strapped beam element 48, serving as a post element and formed by stacked wood members 30 secured by strapping 32.

[0039] FIG. 23 is a plan view showing friction pads 12 within a strapped beam element 48 used as a column assembly.

[0040] FIGS. 24-26 show a strapped beam element 48 formed of bundled wood elements 30 in the form of non-uniform wood members, including shorter or mixed-quality wood pieces 30, secured by strapping 32 with friction pads between contacting surfaces, and used as beams or columns.

[0041] FIG. 27 shows a strapped truss 50 formed from multiple wood members 29 and 30 secured by strapping 32.

[0042] FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a joint 26 within the strapped truss 54 shown in FIG. 27 (taken between the dashed lines designated via the arrows 28 shown in FIG.

[0043] 27), illustrating friction pads 12 placed between contacting wood members 29 and 30.

[0044] FIG. 29 is a side elevation view of the strapped truss 50 shown in FIG. 27.

[0045] FIG. 30 shows a furniture-scale shelving structure 54 assembled using the strapping method.

[0046] FIG. 31 shows a bench 56 constructed using the strapping method.

[0047] FIG. 32 illustrates constructing one of six frames 36 flat on the ground.

[0048] FIG. 33 illustrates connecting two frames 36 with four pairs of horizontal beams 29 and plywood panels 58 mounted as stiffening planes between the frames 36 via additional strapping 32.

[0049] FIG. 34 illustrates six of the frames 36 to be joined to form the structure of FIG.

[0050] 35- FIG. 35 illustrates connecting the three pairs of parallel frames 36 with horizontal beams 29.

[0051] FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate the setup of a strapped-beam test specimen, including a horizontal beam 29 and two vertical studs 30, wherein the application of force is shown via arrow 60.

[0052] In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the different views; and apostrophes are used to differentiatemultiple instances of the same item or different embodiments of items sharing the same reference numeral. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, an emphasis is placed on illustrating particular principles in the exemplifications discussed below. For any drawings that include text (words, reference characters, and / or numbers), alternative versions of the drawings without the text are to be understood as being part of this disclosure; and formal replacement drawings without such text may be substituted therefor.

[0053] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The foregoing and other features and advantages of various aspects of the invention(s) will be apparent from the following more particular description of various concepts and specific embodiments within the broader bounds of the invention, as defined by the claims. Various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0055] Unless otherwise herein defined, used, or characterized, terms that are used herein (including technical and scientific terms) are to be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their accepted meaning in the context of the relevant art and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. For example, if a particular composition is referenced, the composition may be substantially (though not perfectly) pure, as practical and imperfect realities may apply; e.g., the potential presence of at least trace impurities (e.p., at less than i or 2%) can be understood as being within the scope of the description. Likewise, if a particular shape is referenced, the shape is intended to include imperfect variations from ideal shapes, e.g., due to manufacturing tolerances. Percentages or concentrations expressed herein can be in terms of weight or volume. Processes, procedures, and phenomena described below can occur at ambient pressure (e.g., about 50-120 kPa— for example, about 90-110 kPa) and temperature (e.g., -20 to 5O°C— for example, about 10-35°C) unless otherwise specified.

[0056] Although the terms, first, second, third, etc., maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements are not to be limited by these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element, discussed below, could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0057] Spatially relative terms, such as “above,” “below,” “left,” “right,” “in front,” “behind,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element to another element, as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms, as well as the illustrated configurations, are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus in use or operation in addition to the orientations described herein and depicted in the figures. For example, if the apparatus in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “above” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. The term “about” can mean within ±10% of the value recited. In addition, where a range of values is provided, each subrange and each individual value between the upper and lower ends of the range is contemplated and, therefore, disclosed.

[0058] Further still, in this disclosure, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “in contact with,” etc., another element, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element or intervening elements may be present unless otherwise specified.

[0059] Some of the terminology used herein is associated with particular embodiments and is not intended to limit more generic exemplifications of the invention. As used herein, singular forms, such as those introduced with the articles, “a” and “an,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. Additionally, the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and “comprising,” specify the presence of the stated elements or steps but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or steps.

[0060] Additionally, the various components identified herein can be provided in an assembled and finished form; or some or all of the components can be packaged together and marketed as a kit with instructions (e.g., in written, video, or audio form) for assembly and / or modification by a customer to produce a finished product.

[0061] Expanded friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based constructions (shown, e.g., in FIGS. 8, 9, 14-17, and 27-35) include three key components: elongated boards 29 and 30 (formed, e.g., of wood, such as, e.g., spruce, pine, or fir), tensioning elements 32 (e.g., in the form of straps or clamps), and friction structures 12 / 18 (e.g., plates or pads), wherein the elongated boards 29 and 30 can be oriented orthogonally and joined with the tensioning elements (straps) 32 and friction structures 12 / 18, as shown. Examples of the friction structure [including both toothed metal plates (FIGS. 1 and 2) and double-sided sandpaper 18 (FIGS.3 and 4)] along with wood-board sections 29 and 30 and tensioning elements (straps) 32 are shown in FIGS. 1-6). For loadbearing joints, friction plates 12 in the form of metal plates 14 with small teeth 16 (1-2 mm in length) on both sides can be used to maximize friction. The metal plates (andprotrusions) can be formed of, e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper alloys, titanium, or other metallic or metal-alloy materials.

[0062] Alternatively, double-sided heavy-grain sandpaper 18 can serve as an effective substitute friction structure for joints 26 that primarily resist lateral loads. The sandpaper 18 can include a central backing substrate 24 formed of, e.g., latex-impregnated paper, polyester film, cotton or poly-cotton cloth, or a foam. Abrasive grains 20 are impregnated into an adhesive / binder system 22 on each side of the central backing substrate 24. The abrasive grains 20 can comprise, e.g., aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, zirconium alumina, or another ceramic abrasive. The adhesive / binder system 22 can comprise, e.g., phenolic resin, a combination of glue and resin, or a polyurethane or elastomeric binder.

[0063] Corner protectors can also be positioned between the boards 29 and 30 and the tensioning elements 32 at the corners of the boards 29 and 30 to prevent or to reduce the extent to which the tensioning elements 32 dig into the boards 29 and 30 after tensioning the tensioning elements 32.

[0064] As used herein, “expanded,” in reference to the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction, means that some of the boards are non-parallel with the boards to which they are joined. In such configurations, the structure can be mostly void space [e.g., where the structure defines an open volume e.g., a room) with dimensions at least a magnitude of order greater than the width and thickness of the boards].

[0065] As used herein, “wood” and “wood-based” include solid wood or engineered wood products, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL), cross-laminated timber (CLT), glued laminated timber (glulam), and plywood.

[0066] A fundamental principle behind this strapped construction is the creation of double-lap joints 26, in which elongated boards 29 and 30 are tied together using tensioning elements, with a double-sided friction structure 12 / 18 placed between each pair of wood surfaces 29 and 30 that come into contact (FIGS. 5-7). As the tensioning elements 32 are tightened, the elongated boards 29 and 30 are compressed against the friction structures 12 / 28, generating enough friction within the joint 26 to resist movement.

[0067] The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction can take a variety of forms, such as a temporary shelter, an exhibition wall, an outdoor pavilion, an interior partition wall, decks, or patios. An example of a structure 34 so-formed and in the form of a house is shown in FIG. 17.

[0068] A double-sided friction pad 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, can be formed from a stamped metal plate 14 with serrated edges 16, wherein adjacent serrated edges 16 are bent in opposite directions to form sharp projecting structures in the form of teethextending (e.g., 2 mm) outward from the plane of the metal plate 14. Accordingly, the resulting friction plate, when horizontally oriented, has teeth formed from the serrations that extend upward along two edges and teeth formed from the serrations that extend downward along the other two edges (in the orientation shown).

[0069] In one exemplary method, the serrations 16 were bent orthogonally from the plane of the metal plate 14 using an Eastwood 12-inch (30.5-cm) box and pan sheet metal brake (available from the Eastwood Company of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA). One edge of the metal plate 14 with the serrated edges 16 was inserted between the clamping surfaces of the Eastwood 12-inch box and pan sheet metal brake. The Eastwood metal brake machine was modified by adding a groove on the bending platform to accommodate previously bent edges 16 to perform the two-way bending of the metal friction plate 14.

[0070] The serrated edges 16 were bent to form friction teeth by first clamping the serrated edge 16 in the machine by lowering the bending dies with the material clamping handle. The machine operator then raises an apron assembly lever to pivot the apron upward to bend the body of the metal plate 14 to an approximately orthogonal orientation relative to the orientation of the clamped teeth, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. After releasing the clamp force applied with the bending dies and the apron assembly, the metal plate 14 was removed from the machine, flipped over, and rotated 90° to then clamp an adjacent serrated edge 16 between the bending dies and the apron assembly of the machine. The groove cut into the apron assembly (the lower clamping block) allows the teeth bent in the previous step to rest in this slot without being re-flattened when the plate 14 is clamped and bent again. The apron assembly was again pivoted upward to bend the plate 14 upward to be approximately orthogonal to the teeth formed by the clamped serrated edge 16. The teeth along this edge 16 extend in an opposite direction to the teeth formed in the previous step so that the friction pad 12 can grip elongated members on each side of the friction pad 12. These steps were repeated to form the bent teeth on the two remaining sides of the friction pad 12, flipping and rotating the plates 14 after each bending operation to arrange the next serrated edge 16 in the clamp in the desired orientation.

[0071] The tensioning elements 32 can be formed of any of various materials, thicknesses, and widths, which result in varying strengths. In a strapped frame structure, a combination of different straps 32 can be employed. For example, stainless-steel cable ties can be used to attach plywood to the frame, while hose clamps, which are often in the form of straps, can be used to bundle studs 30 together to form a columnlike support. Other types of clamps, such as a C-clamp, a Kant-twist type clamp, a locking clamp, a Marman clamp, a Mitre clamp, a pipe clamp, or a spring clamp can be used as the tensioning element in the systems described herein.Friction structures may be selected from among different grades or surface configurations that generate varying levels of frictional resistance when subjected to compressive engagement. The frictional performance of such structures is influenced not only by the wood members' surface roughness but also by the friction structures' geometry, depth, stiffness, and distribution of surface features that interact with the contacting material.

[0072] In load-bearing joints, such as those between vertical studs and headers, friction pads 12 formed as metal plates 14 having small protrusions or teeth 16 (1-2 mm) on opposing faces are advantageous. While deeper teeth are generally capable of generating higher mechanical interlock, similar to nails or screws, such deep penetration can cause permanent damage to the wood surface and compromise reversibility. By contrast, the relatively shallow teeth used in the present system are sufficient to engage the wood surface and develop frictional resistance while limiting surface damage and preserving the integrity of the wood members 29 and 30.

[0073] Unlike conventional truss plates, which rely on deeper, penetrative teeth to achieve load transfer through embedment, the friction plates described herein rely on compressive engagement generated by surrounding tensioning elements. The tensioning elements apply sustained normal force across the joint, enabling even relatively shallow teeth to develop substantial frictional resistance. In this manner, compression provided by the tensioning elements compensates for reduced tooth depth, allowing the joint to resist axial, shear, and rotational forces without penetrative fastening. In many structural applications, teeth having a depth of approximately 1-2 mm are sufficient to achieve the required joint capacity when combined with adequate compressive force.

[0074] For joints that primarily resist lower-magnitude loads, friction structures formed from abrasive materials, including double-sided heavy-grain sandpaper 18, may be used as an alternative to friction pads 12 formed from metal plates 14. While sandpaper 18 includes a large number of discrete abrasive particles 20 that function as numerous small “teeth,” the effective depth and stiffness of these particles are substantially less than those of metal teeth. As a result, such friction structures generally provide lower frictional resistance under comparable compressive forces. However, for light-duty applications, such as furniture, temporary assemblies, or non-structural components, abrasive friction structures may provide sufficient resistance while further reducing surface marking and material impact.

[0075] The size and plan area of the friction structure also influence joint performance. Larger friction plates or pads provide increased contact area, enabling greater total frictional force to be developed under compression. In addition, increased plate size enlarges the effective moment arm within the joint, thereby improving resistance torotational movement and enhancing joint stability under eccentric or off-axis loading. Accordingly, metal plates of greater area maybe selected where higher shear and rotational resistance is required, while smaller plates or abrasive pads may be used in applications with reduced structural demand.

[0076] By selecting the material, surface geometry, tooth depth, and size of the friction structure in accordance with anticipated load conditions, the friction-based construction may be tailored to provide appropriate levels of axial, shear, and rotational resistance while maintaining reversibility, non-penetrative assembly, and recoverability of the wood members.

[0077] There are many available strapping toolkits that can be potentially adapted to wood construction. These toolkits, originally designed for tasks such as heavy-duty packaging or securing traffic lights to poles, offer a diverse array of strapping materials with varying breaking strengths. Among these options, steel straps stand out as the strongest, followed by PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PP (polypropylene).

[0078] Complementing these straps are a multitude of tensioners, available in both manual and automatic variants, and buckles of varying strength and permanence, that can be seamlessly integrated into wooden construction projects. A strategic combination of these diverse strapping materials and tensioners can be employed based on functionality requirements to produce the structures described herein. For example, for foundation and load-bearing members, we can utilize steel straps for their superior strength, while PET straps can be preferred for use with non-load-bearing elements due to their quicker and easier installation, and heavy-duty cable ties can be used to secure sheathing boards to wooden members.

[0079] Examples of suitable straps include (a) a galvanized3 / 4-inch (1.9-cm) steel strap rated with a break strength of 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg), (b) a3 / 4-inch (1.9-cm) steel strap rated with a break strength of 2,100-3,500 pounds (953-1,588 kg), (c) a3 / 4-inch (1.9-cm) hose clamp rated with a break strength of 1,250-2,250 pounds (567-1,021 kg), (d) a3 / 4-inch (1.9-cm) PET strap rated with a break strength of 1,750-1,900 pounds (794-862 kg), (e) a 5 / 8-inch (1.6-cm) PP strap rated with a break strength of 500-820 pounds (227-372 kg), (f) a stainless-steel cable tie rated with a break strength of 500 pounds (227 kg), (g) bailing wire rated with a break strength of 375-925 pounds, and (e) a heavy-duty cable tie rated with a break strength of 250 pounds (113 kg).

[0080] Examples of suitable buckles for securing straps that do not include an integrated attachment mechanism include (a) a plastic-clip packing buckle for PP straps and carton packaging, (b) a heavy-duty wire buckle with a galvanized coating, (c) a stainless-steel lock slider buckle, and (d) a stainless-steel cable tie.

[0081] Examples of suitable tensioners for tensioning the strap include (a) a 3-in-i steel strapping tool (designed for use as a tensioner, crimper, or cutter), (b) a handheldpackaging strapping machine for a PP or PET strap, (c) a stainless-steel cable tie tool and metal zip tie tightener, and (d) a handheld rebar tier tying machine.

[0082] Additionally, corner protectors can be added to strapped wood joints to prevent damage to wood corners during the tensioning process.

[0083] To test the feasibility of the proposed strapping construction method, we built a small pavilion as a proof of concept. Measuring 8 feet (2.4 m) in length, 3.5 feet (1.1 m) in width, and 8 feet (2.4 m) in height, the pavilion was constructed using off-the-shelf dimensional lumber entirely without nails or glue.

[0084] For this small-scale construction, we used wood members with profiles of 1-1 / 4 inches (3.18 cm) x 1-1 / 4 inches (3.18 cm) and 1-1 / 4 inches (3.18 cm) x 3-1 / 2 inches (8.89 cm), stainless-steel cable ties with a break strength of 200 pounds (91 kg), and 40-grit double-sided sandpaper as friction pads between each pair of touching wood surfaces. For larger-scale constructions with larger stud profiles, stronger straps (or clamps) can be used. Metal friction plates with small teeth on both sides (a doublesided and less intrusive version of a truss plate) can also be used to enhance the strength of the friction joints. These teeth can dig into the adjoining boards (e.g., wood boards) but only to a shallow depth (e.g., less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm).

[0085] Exemplary friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based constructions 34 are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Each exemplification shows a variety of junctions of boards 29, 30, and 38 sandwiched between other boards 30 and 38 (oriented orthogonally in these exemplifications) with friction pads (not shown between the boards at each interface) and tensioned straps 32 around the outer boards 29 and 30 on opposite sides of each interface. In some instances, boards are also rested upon another orthogonally oriented board (or vice versa) to form adjacent interfaces, wherein various boards that form the interfaces extend, respectively, along each of three orthogonal directions.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 32, the assembly process for an exemplification of a pavilion involves constructing six frames 36, each including two pairs of parallel boards 30 extending in a first direction and two parallel boards 35 extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first and sandwiched between each pair of boards 30 at opposite ends of those board pairs 30, flat on the ground. Frames 36 are connected into pairs with four pairs of horizontal beams 29 (FIG. 33). The six frames 36 are then lifted, spaced 18 inches apart, connected with the horizontal beams 29, and stiffened with plywood panels 58 that are strapped onto the frames 36 (FIG. 34) by passing straps 32 through holes drilled in the plywood panels 58. The three pairs of frames 36 are then connected with the lateral bracing beams 38, and an additional plywood panel 58 is added as flooring to form a pavilion 60 (FIG. 35).To facilitate moving the pavilion 60 for exhibition purposes, it is subdivided into three independent structures during construction to allow for partial disassembly and reassembly at the exhibition site. After the exhibition, the pavilion can be disassembled by simply removing (e.g., releasing) the straps and collecting the materials for reuse. The boards 29, 30, 35, 36, and 38, the straps 32, and the friction pads 12 can all be reused and repurposed in other new structures.

[0087] The second prototype is an exhibition wall measuring 8 feet (2.4 m) in height and 20 feet (6.1 m) in length. The wall comprises two panels secured with straps.

[0088] A process for strapping beams to a panel to form a wall is illustrated in FIGS. 10-13. First, a top beam 29’ and a bottom beam 29” are laid flat and properly spaced on level ground, and friction pads 12 (in this case, in the form of heavy grain double-sided sandpaper) are spaced at even intervals along the beams 29’ and 29” where vertical studs 30 will cross these beams, as shown in FIG. 10. Second, vertical studs 30 are laid across the beams 29’ and 29”, covering the friction pads, as shown in FIG. 11. Third, additional friction pads (here, again, in the form of heavy grain double-sided sandpaper) are placed on the studs 30 above and in line with the friction pads underlying the studs 30, and an additional top and bottom beam 29’ and 29” are laid across the friction pads on each of the studs 30, as shown in FIG. 12; straps 12 (in this case, in the form of hose clamps) are used to strap the beams 29 and 30 together by positioning the straps 12 adjacent to and on opposite sides of each of the studs 30. Optionally, panels (in this case, 2 -inch-thick plywood panels) can be pre-drilled with holes through which the straps can be passed; and these panels can be placed on the studs 30 between the top and bottom beams 29 on one side of the studs. The assembled wall 40 can then be lifted off the ground, and one or more panels can be secured to the studs 30 by passing straps (in this case, stainless-steel zip ties) through holes drilled along a center line of the panel parallel to the orientation of the beams. The straps can be passed through the holes in the panels on opposite sides of each stud 30 and looped around the proximate stud 30 to secure the panel to the studs. Lastly, the wall 40 is then pivoted up off the ground, as shown in FIG. 12, into a vertical orientation for its intended use, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0089] More complex configurations of walls 40 formed via this technique are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, wherein cutouts are provided by doors and windows, and wherein corners are formed in which corner posts 41 can be strapped together. Further, a two-story structure 34 using strap framing, with pairs of joists 42 strapped to vertical studs 30, wherein an upper-floor wall 40 is strapped through the joists 42 to a lower-floor header beam 44, and roof construction using double roof joists 42 and double furring members 46 secured by strapping 32, is shown in FIG. 16.While the strength of friction structures, metal straps, and elongated boards can be individually determined, a complete evaluation of their combined performance is achievable by testing the full assembly. To assess the static load capacity of strapped framing, a series of load tests was conducted in accordance with specific testing standards, including ASTM D1761-20 and ASTM D7147-05.12.

[0090] The test specimens included a 12-inch joist 29 attached to two columns 30 using friction pads 12 and metal straps 32. These specimens were subjected to a vertical load 60 applied by a hydraulic press, with the structure shown via the orthogonally shifted views of FIGS. 36 and 37, which employs (a) hose clamps as the straps 32, (b) aluminum friction pads 12 with teeth, and (c) 2-X-4 (i.5-x-3.5-inch— i.e., 3.8-x-8.9-cm) wood studs 29 and 30. The vertical load 60 and the corresponding deflection of the joist 29 were measured and recorded to provide load-slip data and the maximum load capacity.

[0091] In the structural testing of a strapped beam shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, multiple test samples, each with different combinations of wood and friction pads, were evaluated under controlled conditions. Variables, such as the tension in the metal straps, the wood’s density, grain direction, and the presence of knots, were controlled.

[0092] As expected, the results indicated that the performance of the friction pads was directly related to the design of their teeth. The combination of white cedar and a friction pad sample that had only 2-mm deep teeth and that left negligible marks on the wood studs, was able to support a vertical static load of 2 imperial tons (1,814 kg)— well beyond the typical load requirements for a wood-framing joint. Using other species and / or dimensions of wood can enable support of a vertical static load significantly higher than 2 imperial tons (1,814 kg).

[0093] A 6-foot (i.8-m)-long bench 56 (shown in FIG. 31) formed using these techniques was constructed for users to directly experience the stability provided by the strapped framing system. The bench 56 was designed using a combination of 7 / 8-inch (2.2-cm)-wide, 3.5-inch (8.9-cm)-deep white cedar boards and friction pads. Five people, with a combined weight of 750 pounds (340 kg), were able to confidently stand, sit, and jump on the bench without any instability or failure. The “bench test” is not intended to simulate the load of an elevated, walkable surface supported by the strapped framing system but instead to offer a hands-on demonstration of the wood framing system’s strength beyond mere numerical data.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 18-26, strapped beam elements 48 can be formed in which the boards 30 are all flush and extend in the same direction. Friction pads 12 are mounted between adjacent boards 30, and tensioning elements 32, which can include any of a variety of strap or clamping mechanisms, encircle the bundle of boards 30. Magnified views of sections taken from FIGS. 18 and 20 are shown in FIGS. 19 and 21,respectively. The strapped beam 48 in its vertical supportive position is shown in FIG.

[0095] 22. Exemplary positioning of friction pads 12 internal to the strapped beam 48 is shown in FIG. 23. In this configuration, the friction pads 12 prevent the boards 30 from being longitudinally or laterally displaced from one another.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 24-26, the strapped beam 48 may be formed from a bundle of non-uniform wood members 30, including members 30 having differing lengths, widths, and / or thicknesses. Such members 30, when used individually, may exhibit limited load-bearing capacity due to their reduced cross-sectional depth and corresponding structural stiffness.

[0097] In particular, smaller or shallower wood members 30 have reduced flexural capacity because bending resistance is directly related to the member’s section depth and second moment of area (moment of inertia). As is known in structural mechanics, increasing the effective depth of a beam significantly increases its resistance to bending and deflection, as the moment of inertia scales disproportionately with depth.

[0098] By bundling multiple non-uniform wood members 30 together and arranging them in a stacked or grouped configuration, the strapped beam 48 achieves an increased effective depth and composite cross-sectional geometry. When compressively engaged, the bundled members 30 act together to resist applied loads, thereby providing substantially greater load-bearing capacity than any individual member 30 alone. In this manner, smaller or lower-grade timber elements may be structurally upgraded through aggregation rather than replacement.

[0099] Friction pads 12 may be deployed along the length of the contacting surfaces between adjacent members 30 within the bundle. When straps 32 encircle the bundled members 30 and are tensioned, compressive forces are generated across the friction pads 12, producing frictional resistance that limits relative sliding, separation, and rotation between the members 30. This frictional engagement enables load sharing across the bundled members 30, allowing the assembly to behave as a composite structural member.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 27, the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction can be or can include a truss 50, wherein inner diagonally oriented beams 30 can be sandwiched at non-orthogonal angles (e.g., at 450angles) between horizontal beams 29 and may abut one another. A magnified view of a section of the truss 50 showing the friction pads 12 and straps 32 at and about the interfaces between the horizontal and diagonal beams 30 and 29 is provided in FIG. 28, wherein each friction pad 12 can extend across the abutting ends of two diagonal boards 30 between the horizontal boards 29. The friction pads 12 and straps 32 can also be seen in the side view of FIG. 29.Further still, a furniture-scale shelving structure 54 (with a height, e.g., of about 2 m) that can be formed via the methods and techniques described herein is shown in FIG. 30. Any of the exemplary structures described and shown herein can be assembled and disassembled as needed, and the boards, friction pads, and / or tensioning elements can then be reused in other combinations and in other configurations.

[0101] As in conventional wood framing, wall panels can be framed flat on the ground and then tilted up and strapped into place. As the frames are erected, plywood panels can be strapped onto them to serve as stiffening planes, stabilizing and tying the entire structure into a cohesive whole.

[0102] In describing embodiments, herein, specific terminology is used for the sake of clarity. For the purpose of description, specific terms are intended to at least include technical and functional equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar result. Additionally, in some instances where a particular embodiment includes a plurality of system elements or method steps, those elements or steps may be replaced with a single element or step. Likewise, a single element or step may be replaced with a plurality of elements or steps that serve the same purpose. Further, where parameters for various properties or other values are specified herein for embodiments, those parameters or values can be adjusted up or down by 1 / 100*, 1 / 50*, 1 / 20*, i / ioth, 1 / 5*, i / 3rd, 1 / 2, 2 / 3rd, 3 / 4th, 4 / 5th, 9 / ioth, 19 / 20*, 49 / 50*, 99 / 100*, etc. (or up by a factor of i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 20, 50, 100, etc.), or by rounded-off approximations thereof or within a range of the specified parameter up to or down to any of the variations specified above e.g., for a specified parameter of 100 and a variation of 1 / 100*, the value of the parameter may be in a range from 0.99 to 1.01), unless otherwise specified. Further still, where methods are recited and where steps / stages are recited in a particular order— with or without sequenced prefacing characters added for ease of reference— the steps / stages are not to be interpreted as being temporally limited to the order in which they are recited unless otherwise specified or implied by the terms and phrasing.

[0103] Additional examples consistent with the present teachings are set out in the following numbered clauses:

[0104] 1. A friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction, comprising:

[0105] a plurality of elongated wood-based boards, wherein at least one of the elongated wood-based boards is at least partially sandwiched between at least two other elongated wood-based boards;

[0106] friction structures with rough surfaces or with sharp projecting structures displaced to extend outward from the rest of the friction structures, wherein thefriction structures are positioned at interfaces of the elongated wood-based boards to provide friction between adjacent elongated wood-based boards; and tensioning elements wrapped around the elongated wood-based boards on opposite sides of the friction structures and held in tension to provide a compressive force holding the elongated wood-based boards and the friction structures in compression against one another,

[0107] wherein the compressive force generated by the tensioning elements causes the friction interfaces to resist relative movement between the elongated wood-based boards in at least one of shear, axial, or rotational directions.

[0108] 2. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 1, wherein the friction structures are metal plates, each with a substantially planar body, wherein the sharp projecting structures are bent jagged edges extending from and on each side of the substantially planar body.

[0109] 3. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 2, wherein the jagged edges extend less than 5 mm from the substantially planar body.

[0110] 4. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 2, wherein the jagged edges extend no more than about 2 mm from the substantially planar body.

[0111] 5. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 1, wherein the friction structures comprise double-sided sandpaper.

[0112] 6. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 1 and 5, wherein the tensioning elements are straps formed of metal, polymer, or a textile.

[0113] 7. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 6, wherein the straps have a break strength of at least about 200 pounds.

[0114] 8. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the elongated wood-based boards have sectional dimensions of at least about 1.5 inches by at least about 3.5 inches (> about 40 mm by > about 100 mm).

[0115] 9. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction with expanded gaps between the elongated wood-based boards across lengths of the elongated wood-based boards between the friction structures, wherein at least some of the elongated wood-based boards are oriented substantially non-parallel with other elongated wood-based boards in the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction.10. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 9, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction is at least 3 meters tall.

[0116] 11. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 9, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction is a house, a temporary shelter, an exhibition wall, an outdoor pavilion, an interior partition wall

[0117] 12. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of clause 10 or 11, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction is a multi-story building.

[0118] 13. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 9-12, wherein the friction structures and the tensioning elements enable the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction to support at least a load of at least 1,000 kg.

[0119] 14. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 1-12, wherein at least some of the elongated boards are oriented substantially orthogonally to adjacent elongated boards to which they are joined.

[0120] 15. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 1-9, wherein each of the elongated boards is oriented substantially parallel with each of the other elongated boards.

[0121] 16. The friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 1-15, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction is free of nails, screws, and adhesive.

[0122] 17. A method for fabricating a friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction of any of clauses 1-16, wherein the method comprises:

[0123] placing friction structures on opposite sides of a plurality of the elongated boards;

[0124] placing additional elongated boards alongside the friction structures to sandwich the friction structures between adjacent elongated boards;

[0125] positioning the tensioning elements respectively around the additional elongated boards on opposite sides of the friction structures; and

[0126] tensioning the tensioning elements to compress the friction structures against the adjoining elongated boards.

[0127] 18. The method of clause 17, further comprising disassembling the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction, wherein the elongated boards are essentially unimpaired after the disassembly.19- The method of clause 17 or 18, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative, wood-based construction supports the weight of a plurality of humans without collapsing.

[0128] While this invention has been shown and described with references to particular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various substitutions and alterations in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. Further still, other aspects, functions, and advantages are also within the scope of the invention; and all embodiments of the invention need not necessarily achieve all of the advantages or possess all of the characteristics described above. Additionally, steps, elements, and features discussed herein in connection with one embodiment can likewise be used in conjunction with other embodiments. The contents of references, including reference texts, journal articles, patents, patent applications, etc., cited throughout the text are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes; and all appropriate combinations of embodiments, features, characterizations, and methods from these references and the present disclosure may be included in embodiments of this invention. Still further, the components and steps identified in the Background section are integral to this disclosure and can be used in conjunction with or substituted for components and steps described elsewhere in the disclosure within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction, comprising:a plurality of elongated wood-based boards, wherein at least one of the elongated wood-based boards is at least partially sandwiched between at least two other elongated wood-based boards;friction structures with rough surfaces or with sharp projecting structures displaced to extend outward from the rest of the friction structures, wherein the friction structures are positioned at interfaces of the elongated wood-based boards to provide friction between adjacent elongated wood-based boards; and tensioning elements wrapped around the elongated wood-based boards on opposite sides of the friction structures and held in tension to provide a compressive force holding the elongated wood-based boards and the friction structures in compression against one another,wherein the compressive force generated by the tensioning elements causes the friction interfaces to resist relative movement between the elongated wood-based boards in at least one of shear, axial, or rotational directions.

2. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein the friction structures are metal plates, each with a substantially planar body, wherein the sharp projecting structures are bent jagged edges extending from and on each side of the substantially planar body.

3. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 2, wherein the jagged edges extend less than 5 mm from the substantially planar body.

4. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 2, wherein the jagged edges extend no more than about 2 mm from the substantially planar body.

5. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein the friction structures comprise double-sided sandpaper.

6. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein the tensioning elements comprise straps formed of metal, polymer, or a textile.

7. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 6, wherein the straps have a break strength of at least about 200 pounds.

8. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein the elongated wood-based boards have sectional dimensions of at least about 1.5 inches by at least about 3.5 inches (> about 40 mm by > about too mm).

9. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction claim 1, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction is a three-dimensional structure with expanded gaps between the elongated woodbased boards across lengths of the elongated wood-based boards between the friction structures, wherein at least some of the elongated wood-based boards are oriented substantially non-parallel with other elongated wood-based boards in the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction.

10. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 9, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction is at least 3 meters tall.

11. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 9, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction is a house, a temporary shelter, an exhibition wall, an outdoor pavilion, or an interior partition wall.

12. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 9, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction is a multi-story building.

13. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 9, wherein the friction structures and the tensioning elements enable the frictionbased, minimally penetrative wood-based construction to support at least a load of at least 1,000 kg.

14. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein at least some of the elongated wood-based boards are oriented substantially orthogonally to adjacent elongated wood-based boards to which they are joined.15- The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein each of the elongated wood-based boards is oriented substantially parallel with each of the other elongated wood-based boards.

16. The friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction is free of nails, screws, and adhesive.

17. A method for fabricating a friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction of claim 1, wherein the method comprises:placing friction structures on opposite sides of a plurality of the elongated wood-based boards;placing additional elongated wood-based boards alongside the friction structures to sandwich the friction structures between adjacent elongated woodbased boards;positioning the tensioning elements respectively around the additional elongated wood-based boards on opposite sides of the friction structures; and tensioning the tensioning elements to compress the friction structures against the adjacent elongated wood-based boards.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising disassembling the friction-based, minimally penetrative wood-based construction, wherein the elongated woodbased boards are essentially unimpaired after the disassembly.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the friction-based, minimally penetrative woodbased construction supports the weight of a plurality of humans without collapsing.

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