Abstract: The walls of a wooden log building are provided with vertical support columns acting upon horizontal logs within the walls. The support columns prevent the logs, or groups of logs, from moving downward due to log shrinkage. Each support column comprises a vertical stack of log supports. Each support comprises an elongated support element, such as a pipe, and a plate element removably secured to an end of the support element. The plate elements support bottom surfaces of the logs and substantially prevent such bottom surfaces from moving downward. The weight of the building is concentrated within the support columns.

Abstract: The construction of bearing walls is facilitated by use of superposed courses of planks that are characterized by a novel combination of composition, geometry and arrangement. These planks are composed of a homogenized dispersion of fiber and binder. This material has been found to have a suitably high compression coefficient, to be chemically inert as a practical matter from the standpoint of resistance to atmospheric conditions, and to be inexpensively produced, for example, from used newsprint and the like. The planks generally have identical dimensions, thereby enabling standardized production and ease of assembly. The planks generally are substantially greater in width than in thickness. Pairs of the planks are provided at matched end locations with aligned notches for the reception of inserts that establish spacing and weather-tight joints. The planks are nailed or otherwise interlocked in staggered courses, by which the integrity of the construction is securely maintained.

Abstract: A log facade. A siding facade member is attached to a wall of the structure and extends to a corner thereof. A side of the siding member is formed as a portion of a semi-cylinder, giving the illusion that the siding member is part of a whole log. A corner member is attached to the corner of the structure and includes a round side surface that simulates the cross-section of a whole log. The siding facade member has an end that is received by the corner member, so as to cover an edge thereof, giving the illusion that the siding facade member is interlocked with the corner member without requiring that the edge be specially shaped to fit the round side surface.

Abstract: A building system which uses a plurality of interlocking members which can be used to construct an unlimited number of structures which can be assembled, disassembled and used by children and adults. The building system requires no tools, fasteners or adhesives, yet creates rigid and sturdy structures of all sizes, through interlocking ends and edges.

Abstract: Procedure for producing elongated wooden objects, such as, for example, posts (10) used for frames, and elongated objects (10) produced according to the procedure. Rounded timber (1), preferably in the form of a log, is divided down its length along at least one cleaved cut (2), after which the two semi-circular sectional pieces of timber (4) are each bevelled (5) to an isosceles trapezium with its base comprising the cleaved cut (2) and with a nose angle that can be imagined to be 90.degree.. Four such planed pieces of timber (4) are glued together with their bevelled sides against each other and the trapezium's short sides facing the middle of the elongated object (10) formed.

Abstract: A siding assembly and method of manufacture are disclosed. Each siding unit is a profile of a composite material which includes a thermoplastic polymer and a cellulosic fiber. The preferred siding unit has a tapered thickness and a convex face. Each siding unit is interconnected to adjacent siding units with a tongue and groove mechanism. The preferred siding profile has a plurality of webs, and the exposed portion of the siding has a capstock layer to improve weatherability. The exposed width of the siding's face may be adjustable. The siding units are interconnected end-to-end by inserts which are positioned by means of an adhesive or thermal welding.

Abstract: A corner joint for a structure formed of stacked timbers, such as a "log" house, and a form of timber for use in the same. The timbers may be tongue-and-groove members milled from wooden stock. The joint structure is formed by two channels which are cut vertically on opposite sides of the timber, with cutout notches being formed through the timber above and below a central tenon. The sidewalls on each vertical channel are curved, one being concave and the other convex. When assembled to form the joint, the convex sidewalls nest within the concave sidewalls so as to form a tight, stable interfit and also eliminate the direct line path which might emit light, air, or water to the interior of the building through the joint.

Abstract: A mine cribbing system includes a mine cribbing column having a discrete number of sides, each side including a series of stacked blocks. Each block includes an elongated body and a pair of spaced slots extending into one side of the body. The slots are utilized for interconnecting the adjacent sides. Preferably, the column is a three-sided structure with a first pair of slots in each body extending 1/3 of the thickness of the body and a second slot of each body extending in 2/3 of the thickness of the body.

Abstract: A polymeric landscaping structure, for uses such as retaining walls and landscape edging, that may be co-aligned without an exposed end. The structure has a U-shaped exterior with exterior end walls. The U-shaped exterior forms a cavity in which an interior wall is disposed such that when the structure is cut to a predetermined length, the interior wall will be exposed and form an exterior end wall. The structure has premolded bores which can be co-aligned for various lengths of structures required for multi-structure installations.

Abstract: Wooden log walls are constructed from full or siding logs stacked one above the other. The logs engage each other at connecting portions including an interior loose tongue and groove joint and downwardly curved cylindrical load supporting surfaces extending to the outer sides of the logs.

Abstract: A fastener for fastening together logs and a technique therefor is directed to a self-drilling/tapping fastener which allows the fastener to be driven through the log to be secured without pre-drilling a bore. Counter-bore wings on shaft segment of the fastener shank increase the diameter of the bore formed in the log to be fastened by the threaded segment of the shank, reducing friction caused by contact between the shaft segment and the bore. Counter-bore fins on the fastener head also form a counter-bore for the head. A lubricous coating applied to a portion of the shank accommodates settling of the logs and facilitates installation.

Abstract: A log wall and log building construction utilizing an improved log having a base with a central chordal surface that runs longitudinally along the log and a channel extending into the log on each side of the chordal base surface. The channels define an outwardly extending channel wall cooperating with the surface of the log and defining an edge that will form a seal with the subjacent log having a cooperating configuration. The surface opposite the base of the logs described above has a chordal longitudinal recess with a longitudinal parallel bead on each side of the recess. Each bead is designed to cooperate with the corresponding channel of an overlying log to form an enhanced seal along the line of engagement between the edge of the log base and the surface of the subjacent log outwardly of the respective bead.

Abstract: A wall element for wooden building comprises a number of board members (11, 23) of uniform length which are joined side by side by designing the opposite side edges of the elements with cooperating engagement members which between two neighboring elements provide a joint with labyrinth seal forming a pressure-reducing passage for wind loads on the exterior of the element. On the internal side, the board members (11, 23) are retained by transverse lath elements (12, 13; 24) by means of screw connections through the lath elements (12, 13; 24) into the backside of the board members (11, 23). At its top and bottom edges, the wall element is designed with cooperating bevel faces (29-32) for joining of overlying wall elements in a locked engagement.

Abstract: A building structure which simulates the appearance of a traditional log structure while incorporating modern wood framing construction techniques is disclosed. A number of interlocking log heads form the corner of the structure. Each log head abuts against a stud or post displaced a distance from the corner. Wall boards are affixed to extend horizontally over sheathing attached to studs and abut each log head. Small spaces between the wall boards are filled with a chinking element, which may be a wood strip covered with a suitable surface material to simulate actual chinking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling together at least one series of wooden planks, each having two opposite ends and two opposite longitudinal edges, with the planks being superposed edge-to-edge to form a wall panel. The device comprises a vertical upright fitted with fastener means for fastening the upright to one of the two ends of each plank, the fastener means comprising, for each series of superposed planks, a series of tenons extending perpendicularly to the vertical upright in a common vertical plane to co-operate with mortises formed in the corresponding ends of the planks. The vertical upright is made up of a plurality of segments connected end to end and each fitted with at least one of the tenons in each series of tenons.

Abstract: Small-diameter logs are longitudinally bisected and trimmed to form a flattened surface parallel and opposite the diametric surface formed by the bisection. All longitudinal surfaces of logs, half-logs and planks not visible in the final product are subjected to an overall pattern of cuts or perforations to relieve uneven wood fiber tension, the two half logs are adhesively joined at their trimmed flattened surfaces, the patterned cuts may be filled with adhesive; vertical piles of at least three planks are treated similarly. After adhesive has set a second longitudinal bisection is made through the half-log or plank-pile assembly, resulting in two asymmetric structural units, which are piled in a tight stack to discourage warping or twisting as the stack is subjected to air- or kiln-drying.

Abstract: A wood structural member for bearing a structural load includes at least one wood segment having a generally radial cross-section is selected and arranged so that the annual rings intersect the horizontal shear stress plane at an angle between thirty and ninety degrees.

Abstract: A modular construction system and modular member are provided for the construction of concatenated structures having interconnected, overlapping, offset or parallel courses. The modular members are provided with substantially planar upper and lower surfaces with the thickness, width and hole spacing of each modular member being predetermined and interdependent. The modular members present holes which receive connectors, and may have holes presenting a plurality of bore diameters. The members may be cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the member midway between adjacent holes to provide compatible modular member segments. The complementally shaped connectors are received in the holes and may include mechanical barbs or threads, or separate retainers for use with the connectors inhibit preventing vertical separation of overlapping adjacent modular members.

Abstract: A new log siding for installing on a structure to simulate an appearance of a log cabin. The inventive device includes a plurality of longitudinal sections adapted for coupling together in a side by side orientation and an end to end orientation on a wall of a structure. Each of the longitudinal sections has an arcuate central portion. The arcuate central portion has an upper edge extending upwardly therefrom. The upper edge has a downturned end portion forming a receiving slot. The arcuate central portion has a lower edge extending downwardly therefrom. The lower edge has an upturned portion on an intermediate portion thereof. The upturned portion has a slot formed therein. The lower edge has a plurality of apertures therethrough disposed below the upturned portion. The arcuate central portion has indicia thereon resembling a log. A plurality of corner posts are adapted for coupling with the longitudinal sections at corners of the structure.

Abstract: A plurality of conventional wood planks are vertically stacked and adhesively joined into an aligned symmetrical pile, the top and bottom planks being wider than planks, therebetween. A longitudinal bisecting cut through the pile produces two asymmetric sections, mirror-images of each other, which, when reversed, have the projecting edges of the top and bottom planks facing each other. By joining these projecting edges adhesively, the laminated hollow wood beam is assembled. Provision is made for adding internal bracing for increased strength and for covering the open ends of the hollow beam.

Abstract: A new Plastic Timber Landscaping System for providing an efficient landscaping tool which has the appearance of natural wood but does not rot or discolor from the elements, and of which is constructed from a staggered formation increasing strength and stability of the structure. The inventive device includes a plurality of elongated hollow rectangular members constructed from plastic including a plurality of knockout passages near the ends of said elongated hollow rectangular members, where the knockout passages align to corresponding knockout passages of other elongated hollow rectangular members where a joiner pipe projects through the corresponding knockout passages providing a strong, staggered, orthogonal connection of at least two elongated hollow rectangular members, and where the elongated hollow rectangular members include arcuate wood grain sides and a planar wood grain top simulating the appearance of natural wood.

Abstract: A log construction has a pair of logs, each having an end region with a surface portion thereon, wherein the surface portions are arranged to engage one another at a boundary therebetween, the boundary having a length. At least one barrier extends across the boundary and along the length thereof to couple the end regions together, the barrier having a pair of projections. Each of the logs has a passage open to and adjacent the boundary for receiving a corresponding one of the projections. Each projection has a pair of outer surfaces and the passage having a pair of inner surfaces, the outer and inner surfaces being further arranged to generate residual compressive forces toward the boundary as a result of shrinkage between the barrier and the end regions.

Abstract: A simulated log cabin structure, corner assembly and method are provided having advantages over conventional simulated log cabin structures. The structure has (i) a substrate wall layer, preferably an insulative board layer, (ii) spaced apart horizontal outer board layers, (iii) a mortar layer adhered to the substrate wall between the board layers, and (iv) a corner assembly having interconnecting alternating blocks. The structure may be quickly constructed by a method comprising (a) attaching insulative board to the exterior of a building frame, (b) applying mortar to the insulative board, (c) attaching horizontal boards to the frame in a spaced apart fashion to permit the mortar to be visible between the boards. The structure also has a corner assembly having interconnecting notched blocks having interior curved abutment faces for restricting horizontal movement of the blocks.

Abstract: A first story log house material is adhered to a base with a coach bolt and succeeding log materials after a second story are piled up in turn with clamping bolts. A coach bolt or a clamping bolt has a height corresponding with one long thickness and is equipped with a nut portion and a wahser. This method of assembling log walls for the log house eliminates the accumulated shrinkage for the log wall during the drying period. Thus, by the present invention, it is now not necessary to prepare some large size of a side adjusting device and also to reserve some large settling space, both of which are unavoidable in prior art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wooden log element which is intended to be stacked with similar log elements to form a wall structure while using a corner jointing technique. The log element includes surface parts having inwardly facing surfaces which are provided with grooves that extend in the longitudinal direction of the log element. It further includes spacers which function to hold the surface parts in a supported mutually spaced relationship. An empty space between the surface parts is filled with a thermal insulating material which when cured will fix the outer parts and the spacers in position. The log element has the form of a natural log in which the outer parts disposed on each side of the thermal insulating material have an arcuate cross-sectional shape and are formed by a plurality of mutually joined panel elements with the spacers disposed therebetween in a mutually spaced relationship along the full length of the log element and essentially enclosed by the thermally insulating material.

Abstract: A technique for forming an insulated monocoque concrete shell house, wherein the house structure is built using foamed plastic interlocking and noninterlocking blocks in a manner similar to that in which a log cabin is built using logs. Once the structure is built, openings can be manually cut with ease into the wall of the structure to accommodate windows and doors. The inner and outer surfaces of the foamed plastic block structure, as well as, part of the foundation adjacent to the walls of the structure are sprayed with concrete forming a concrete monocoque shell house.

Abstract: The invention is a method of building structures from tapered logs which have been manufactured in an industrial setting. The logs are stacked crosswise by fitting a notch in a first log, where the notch has a standardized size and shape, over an end of a second log, where the end of the second log has a predetermined size and shape, allowing it to fit into the notch in the first log. Structures built using this method strongly handcrafted structures built from natural logs.

Abstract: A sealing system designed for use in buildings having log construction. The system makes use of horizontally-oriented channels that are located along the top and bottom face of each log. After the building has been assembled, vertically-oriented bores are drilled into each course of logs. The bore is located so that they interconnect a horizontal channel. Once the bore has been drilled, a liquid sealing material such as caulking is pumped into the bore where it then flows into and fills the horizontal channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for defining a landscape boundary. The invention comprises a longitudinal log having spaced apart ends, one of which is pronged and the other is flanged. The pronged and flanged ends are configured so as to engage one another by virtue of a pivot pin or locking pin arrangement. In this fashion, several logs can be fastened together and arranged in a variety of curved paths if necessary so as to define a landscape boundary. The invention also includes a lighting element to provide illumination to the landscape where the invention is used. The method of the present invention is directed to the steps of constructing a landscape boundary incorporating the apparatus of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for constructing a building is disclosed which employs various side wall, corner and roof forming elements adapted to be joined in interlocked sealed relation without need for nails or skilled craftsman. The various elements may be made from relatively inexpensive materials, such as reclaimed materials indigenous to the site of construction, generally lighter than conventional building materials such as brick and mortar, and are therefore particularly suitable for use in countries of relatively low economic wealth. Furring clips may be formed on the internal surfaces of the wall and corner forming elements to facilitate attachment of interior wallboards and the like, while the external surfaces of the various elements may be textured to simulate a desired exterior appearance.

Abstract: Log siding for an existing structure to give the appearance of traditional full log construction. The corner pieces are preformed in two cooperating shapes to fit snugly together at the corners of the structure. One type of corner piece has three perpendicular planes at its inner end, to abut against the corner of the structure. The second corner piece has concave arcs at its inner end, to fit snugly against the rounded surfaces of the first corner pieces. The siding pieces are square cut at one end of each wall to fit against the end of the first type of corner piece and are cut in concave arcs at the opposite end of each wall to fit snugly against the rounded shapes of the logs at the corner. The siding can be speedily erected at the site with a minimum of field cutting.

Abstract: A selective plurality of elongate half-logs, lumber planks which may have imperfect or damaged edges, or a combination of both, are superposed on each other and adhesively joined to form an intermediate assembly, which is then divided by one or more beam-long cuts made perpendicularly to the flat surfaces of the half-logs or planks. The resulting outer sections of the intermediate assembly, substantially mirror-images of each other, are reoriented so that the original outer edges face each other and are positioned so that a selected space remains between them. Various spacing and bracing elements are selectively chosen to connect the two outer sections and thus to form a laminated space-containing wood beam structure, on which surface-covering sheathing or coatings may be applied optionally.

Abstract: A vertical log building and method for constructing the same including a foundation that has a floor plate attached an upper portion. A plurality of wall structures that are secured to the foundation. Each wall structure has a plurality of vertically oriented logs disposed side by side and a plurality of corner logs. One of the vertical logs joining to one of the corner logs. Each log has two sides that have a pair of slots therein. Each of the plurality of vertical logs have an L-shaped notch at a floor end and a ceiling end. The L-shaped notch allows each vertical log to have an inner side. The L-shaped notch of the floor end is secured to the floor plate. Each corner log has a frontal area with a plurality of slots. The plurality of slots form two outer slots and two inner slots. The floor end and the ceiling end of each corner log has a generally V-shaped notch for attaching the corner log to the floor plate.

Abstract: Siding having members which give the structure to which they are attached the illusion of construction from wooden logs. Other accommodating features, such as half and quarter panels, allow attachment to a building having commonplace irregularities, for example, doors and windows. The structures disclosed herein also provide for the inclusion of additional insulation, for attachment of the siding members to each other, and for attaching the siding to a building.

Abstract: A system of and manner for applying half log siding to a pre-constructed wall with the use of a separate piece of interlocking material. Having a specific shape, this interlocking piece allows for easy assembly and will securely hold the bottoms and tops of the positioned half logs to the wall. This assembly is repeated up the wall until the desired amount of wall is covered with the siding. This separate interlocking piece is capable of being fastened to a wall constructed of any building material while remaining hidden within the completed assembly. The final appearance of the siding gives the illusion of full logs, the drawbacks related with their construction and settling is not experienced.

Abstract: A pre-cut building structure and method of erecting the same, wherein there is a plurality of vertical columns, each having vertically aligned grooves to receive end portions of related timbers. The columns are located, and the wall sections are formed by stacking the timbers in aligned slots of pairs of columns. The timbers are bonded to one another and to the columns to form the building structure, and loads on the building structure that would tend to deform the wall structure in a plane parallel to the length of the timbers are resisted by the bonded connections between the timbers.

Abstract: A landscaping system using a plurality of hollow, extruded, artificial timber modules for building a retaining wall is disclosed. The timber modules include top and bottom walls having ribs and channels extending longitudinally therealong, respectively. The ribs of one module snap-fit into the channels of another module to form a wall of vertically stacked modules. Each of the modules include a series of longitudinally spaced holes for receiving stakes therethrough to ensure the stacked modules do not slide with respect to one another. In addition, corner modules having first and second angularly disposed linear portions are adaptively formed to interconnect one set of vertically stacked timbers to another set of vertically stacked timbers. The first and second linear portions are formed to be cooperatively received within the first and second set of vertically stacked modules, respectively.

Abstract: A fabricating process for fabricating a log used in the construction of log structures, and resulting construction log. The process of the present invention includes the steps of cutting a first longitudinal groove (34) in an upper surface (16) of a log having an elongated body (10) defining upper and lower surfaces (16 and 18) and defining varying dimensions between the upper and lower surfaces (16 and 18) of the body (10) along the length of the log. The first longitudinal groove (34) is designed for receiving a portion of a spacing block (38) disposed between logs in a log structure. Further, a second longitudinal groove (36) is cut in the lower surface (18) of the log body (10) for receiving a portion of a spacing block (38), with the first longitudinal groove (34) and the second longitudinal groove (36) defining bottom surfaces (42 and 44) which are substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timber element and a procedure for manufacturing such a timber element. The timber element (14b) is composed of at least two heavy wooden blanks (2) fitted one upon the other and glued to each other by their substantially horizontal faces. As taught by the invention, each wooden blank (2) is provided on at least on horizontal face with a guiding recess (6; 6a, 6b) longitudinal to the wooden blank and vertical, for guiding the crackling to occur vertically.

Abstract: Diametrically cut lengths of half- or quarter-logs positioned side-by-side with their cut flat surfaces forming a pallet platform, a floor, wall panelling or a fence are mounted on support rails held together by interlocking tongue-and-groove or dovetail joints and fastening elements where needed. Support rails are hollow converted log beams made from three-sided lengths of logs arranged to form a rectangular cross-sectional outline and held together by spacers at intervals. Provision is made to assure a level surface by adjusting depth of grooves to offset log taper. Pallets may be made to be readily disassembled for space-saving storage, shipping or repair, and four-way fork-lift access may be provided.

Abstract: Where a structural frame has elongated spaced parallel framing members therein, longitudinally extending edges of which are substantially coplanar with one another on one side of the frame, boards of wood facing material are superimposed on the edges of the framing members, and interlocked with one another, as well as with the framing members, at male/female joints formed therebetween along parallels to the right angular coordinates of the frame in the plane of the edges. The joints take the form of tongue and groove joints, and in the case of those between the boards and the framing members, the joints are also dovetailed. Certain improvements in sheet metal clad wood facing materials are also shown, as is a process for making boards of sheet metal clad wood facing material from planks of wood which are only partially dried when they are put to use in the process.

Abstract: A hollow light weight pole like structure suitable for use as a utility pole, column or log building member is made of a plurality of wood strips glued edge to edge forming a hollow interior core, with at least one layer of high strength veneer material glued to the exterior of the wood strips with the veneer grain running parallel to the length. The layer of veneer increases the strength, distributes bending stresses uniformly, provides greater decay resistance than ordinary glued hollow poles, and increases the service life. The veneer can be made in several layers forming a continuous overwrap without longitudinally extending gaps that expose the interior wood strips to weather or splitting.

Abstract: A fitting is intended for mounting and joining horizontal tongue-and-grooved panels to form an inner wall and an outer wall respectively in a timber building structure. The fitting includes two parts which can be moved linearly in relation to one another in the directions of arrows A and B. Each of the two fitting-parts includes a flanged dowel which is intended for insertion into holes pre-drilled in respective inner and outer panels. The fitting also includes two upper dowels which are intended to be firmly screwed onto the lower dowels. Further inner and outer panels are mounted on the upper dowels with the aid of the pre-drilled holes. This building method results in two free-standing walls, i.e., the inner and outer walls respectively.

Abstract: A simulated log siding for a cabin, house or other building is disclosed which can be constructed of tree heartwood, such as oak, or vinyl plastic. In the heartwood species, elongated planks are provided which have an outwardly bowed outer facing surface and a fiat inwardly facing surface. Each plank contains a notched inwardly facing lower edge and a rail extending along an upper edge of the outwardly bowed surface. The rail of a lower row of such planks inserts into the rabbet joint of an immediately adjacent upper row of such planks to provide a moisture barrier between adjoining rows. In the vinyl plastic species elongated planks are provided which also have an outwardly bowed outer facing surface. A flat panel is attached along an upper edge of the bowed surface which contains an outwardly projecting, downwardly opening catch channel or member.

Abstract: A technique for fastening together logs and a fastener therefor is directed to a self-drilling/tapping fastener which allows the fastener to be driven through the log to be secured without pre-drilling a bore. Counter-bore fins on the fastener head also form a counter-bore for the head. A lubricious coating applied to a portion of the shank accommodates settling of the logs and facilitates installation.

Abstract: A `log` home is formed by horizontal structural members that are notched at the intersection to form a corner. Springs are inserted in the notch to bias two surfaces of the adjacent logs into engagement so that expansion and contraction are accomodated on the opposite sides of the notch.

Abstract: Converted log structural products are produced from conventionally unusable or marginally useful sections of logs transversely cut into suitable lengths and then cut longitudinally by perpendicular cuts into log parts of either right-angled sector or right triangle cross-section. Four log parts matching in size and shape, and positioned so that their right angles form the corners of a rectangle, are assembled into a converted log, the interior space between the four log parts being filled selectively with braces, supports, insulation, concrete for various applications.

Abstract: A modular landscape timber system used generally to construct retaining walls and boxed gardens having a plurality of vertically aligned layers of modular first members having ends with ball and socket joint portions that interfit with one another, a plurality of braces, and a plurality of spikes that are driven through the braces on an incline to fasten the ends of the timber members together with a resulting joint that resists rotational movement. The system further includes a deadman joint that serves to maintain the vertical alignment of the layers of first members.

Abstract: A tubular wall member useful for the erection of building structures comprises an end connector inserted into the open ends of a hollow tubular member. The end connector provides a flat, substantially circular front end portion and a rearward extending body portion comprising two spaced, matchingly notched, parallel plates. Tabs rearwardly extending from the periphery of the circular front end of the connector are provided with the rear end portion thereof bent upwardly and forward so that when the front of the end connector is inserted into the open end of the tubular member, the bent tabs contact the end of the tubular member.

Abstract: Converted log structural products are produced from conventionally unusable or marginally useful sections of logs transversely cut into suitable lengths and then cut longitudinally by perpendicular cuts into log parts of either right-angled sector or right triangle cross-section. Four log parts matching in size and shape, and positioned so that their right angles form the corners of a rectangle, are assembled into a converted log, the interior space between the four log parts being filled selectively with braces, supports, insulation, concrete for various applications.