Abstract: A lightweight and economical sound barrier includes fiber planks, each having a thin sound absorptive membrane coated on at least one side that functions as a transmission loss barrier; and a concrete barrier having H-columns for mounting the fiber planks. The H-columns are affixed to the concrete barrier by a plate mounted on the top of the concrete barrier and supported on a lower plate mounted at the bottom of the concrete barrier. The fiber planks each include precast textured slabs is composed of extra long, fine wood fibers that have been chemically processed and pressure bonded with waterproof portland cement, that is a lightweight, strong, fire retardant material with excellent acoustic properties. The fiber planks have a tongue and groove design. The fiber planks have a three layer is laminated product which is fully integrally bonded to insure a uniform, dependable bond between components. The fiber planks include up to a three and one half inches of foam treatment.

Abstract: An elongated outdoor acoustic barrier for erection along a roadway or the periphery of an airport, for reflecting and absorbing sounds emanating from the roadway or airport, includes a plurality of substantially vertical columns arrayed at spaced intervals along the barriers' length, each having a recessed groove extending along its exposed above-ground lateral surface facing an adjacent spaced column; and a plurality of elongated flat rectangular panels arranged in a vertical edgewise array at least one panel in height, having opposite panel ends each securely embraced in a respective recessed grooves of a pair of adjacent columns, at least one of said panels being formed of extruded pre-stressed hollow core concrete plank.

Abstract: A composite gambrel roof truss assembly comprises a prefabricated top truss having a rigid lower chord and two top chords, all connected together to form a rigid triangular top truss unit, with two prefabricated side truss units, each having a rigid diagonal base chord and two outer top chords, all connected together to form a rigid triangular side truss unit whose topmost top chord is dimensioned to be juxtaposed in abutting mating relationship with a corresponding top chord of the top truss unit, and with connector means joining the topmost chord of each side truss unit with its abutting mating top chord of the top truss unit whereby the prefabricated top truss unit can be readily connected at a construction site to both of the side truss units to form a sturdy, rigid composite truss assembly capable of rapid installation by being hoisted bodily into position, and having a peak junction and two hip junctions producing an economical four-chord arched gambrel roof truss assembly of light weight with an unusua