Abstract: In one embodiment, a reinforced fiber cement article comprising a fiber cement piece and a reinforcing fixture bonded to a portion of the fiber cement piece for improving the performance, strength and durability of the fiber cement piece. The reinforcing fiber cement article could be used as or in conjunction with a siding plank assembly, which further comprises an interlocking feature that allows the siding plank to be stacked with other siding planks in a manner such that a uniform and deep shadow line is created. The interlocking feature sets the gauge of the exposed plank face and allows for leveling of the plank during installation. The reinforcing fixture could also serve as a thick butt piece or a plastic spline that produces a deep shadow line. A cementitious adhesive is used to bond the reinforcing fixture to the fiber cement piece.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reinforced fiber cement article comprising a fiber cement piece and a reinforcing fixture bonded to a portion of the fiber cement piece for improving the performance, strength and durability of the fiber cement piece. The reinforcing fiber cement article could be used as or in conjunction with a siding plank assembly, which further comprises an interlocking feature that allows the siding plank to be stacked with other siding planks in a manner such that a uniform and deep shadow line is created. The interlocking feature sets the gauge of the exposed plank face and allows for leveling of the plank during installation. The reinforcing fixture could also serve as a thick butt piece or a plastic spline that produces a deep shadow line. A cementitious adhesive is used to bond the reinforcing fixture to the fiber cement piece.

Abstract: The building material, in one embodiment, has a jointing system that is uniquely configured to cover the frame of a structure. This building material, in one embodiment, is a building board with a conforming flange that is embossed onto the board and adapted to engage or mate with an end of an adjacent board. In another embodiment, the building material is an engineered panel joint comprised of a building board and a flexible or hinged article attached to the back surface of the building board. The article is preferably attached to the building board by an adhesive and extends beyond the edge and away from the building board for receiving a fastener to fix the building board to the structure. The fastener is preferably a nail. Components of the building material are preferably attached to the frame of the structure through the use of a single row of nails while maintaining or enhancing the shear strength performance of the building board system.

Abstract: A structural fiber cement sheet containing cementitious matrix and reinforcing cellulose fibers distributed throughout the matrix having a dry density less than 1.25 g/cm3, a thickness less than 0.7500 in, and able to withstand uniform loads of 200 psf or greater according to test method of Section 6.4.2.4 of PS2 and with a deflection of less than 0.067 inches at 60 psf when spaced on a span of 24 inches or less on center.

Abstract: A fibre reinforced cement flooring sheet (1) that is suitable for use in wet area flooring, is lower in density than conventional compressed fibre cement wet area flooring, and is nailable. The flooring sheet (1) includes connecting means (2) on longitudinal edges permitting the sheet to be interlockingly engaged with adjacent sheets to form a substantially coplanar support surface, suitable for use in wet areas.

Abstract: A pre-finished, moisture resistant and durable building material is provided. In one embodiment the building material includes a fiber cement substrate having a first side and a second side, at least one resin impregnated paper over at least one of the first and second sides, and a stress-relieving polymeric film between the fiber cement substrate and the at least one resin impregnated paper, the polymer film acting as a stress relaxer between the fiber cement substrate and the at least one resin impregnated paper. In another embodiment, a stress-relieving polymeric coating or film is provided between resin penetrated sheets and a substrate. In another embodiment, a process for bonding the resin penetrated sheets to the substrate is provided.

Abstract: The cutting tool shown generally as 1, has a disc with a peripheral cutting face. In this embodiment the cutting face includes an array of eight circumferentially spaced teeth 2. An open circumferential gutter 5 is located inboard of the teeth and is recessed into a lateral face of the disc. Fluid in the gutter drains into the passageways through the respective inlets under the apparent force due to rotation. A fluid passageway 9 runs between the gutter and the base of the each tooth. The fluid is thereby forced through the passageway and out of outlet 11.

Abstract: A panelized cladding system including a plurality of battens securable to a building structure, each batten having a structure engaging surface and an integrally formed finish ready panel supporting surface and, fibre cement cladding panels are secured to or through the battens such that the finish ready panel supporting surface of each batten forms an external recessed surface of an express joint formed thereon.

Abstract: A method of producing a water resistant fiber-cement product. The water repelling agent can be added or applied to the fiber-cement or indeed the material forming the fiber cement at a number of different stages in the process. The resultant material has increased water impermeability over conventional fiber-cement products.

Abstract: A method of preparing a low-density material and precursor for forming a low-density material is provided. An aqueous mixture of inorganic primary component and a blowing agent is formed, the mixture is dried and optionally ground to form an expandable precursor. Such a precursor is then fired with activation of the blowing agent being controlled such that it is activated within a predetermined optimal temperature range. Control of the blowing agent can be accomplished via a variety of means including appropriate distribution throughout the precursor, addition of a control agent into the precursor, or modification of the firing conditions such as oxygen deficient or fuel rich environment, plasma heating etc.

Abstract: A cementitious slurry comprising fly ash having a predominant particle size of up to about 10 microns, and/or aluminous material having a predominant particle size of up to about 150 microns. The additive acts as a water reduction agent and can replace either wholly or partially a conventional plasticiser.

Abstract: An elongate batten (1) adapted for positioning intermediate an inner wall framing member (2) and an outer wall cladding sheet (3) to facilitate dispersion and evaporation of moisture from a wall cavity. The batten includes at least one channel to facilitate migration and drainage of moisture between the batten and the framing member.

Abstract: A dewatering aid for a slurry coating on a building product in which a coating formulation includes an hydraulic binder. A slurry is produced from said binder and dewatering aid and applied to the product to be coated. The resultant coating is then dewatered through said product. Dewatering can be accomplished with or without vacuum assistance.

Abstract: An engineered composite building material, such as fiber cement, having one or more engineered sub-surface regions designed to provide the building material with improved moisture ingress resistance, paint adhesion, and other mechanical properties is provided. The sub-surface region has a cement-polymer matrix formed by introducing an impregnating agent into the pores of the substrate. The composite building material may be formed by applying impregnating agents to the subsurface regions of the substrate to form chemical and/or mechanical bonds with the matrix of the building material, the reinforcement fibers, and/or the surface coatings applied to the material. The thickness of the sub-surface regions may be controlled by varying the viscosity and porosity of the building material substrate. The cement-polymer building material has enhanced durability, weather resistance, strength, and stiffness.

Abstract: A cavity wall system and a method of forming a cavity wall including: a wall structure (1); a plurality of outer wall cladding panels (2); and a plurality of discrete mounting elements (4, 5, 6) for mounting the cladding panels a predetermined distance away from the wall structure (1) so as to form a substantially flat exterior wall surface (7) and a substantially uninterrupted internal wall cavity (8) between the cladding panels (2) and the wall structure (1); the mounting elements (4, 5, 6) being sized and arranged so as to allow substantially uninterrupted fluid flow throughout the cavity (8); and the system further including moisture control means defining a moisture control plane to minimise migration of liquid moisture from the cavity (8) into the wall structure (1). The invention also provides a mounting member (4) and a termination member (5) for use as mounting elements in the cavity wall system and method.