Abstract: A wall includes a plurality of wall members stacked substantially vertically and including a bottom wall member and a top wall member. Each wall member has an upper surface in opposed relation to a lower surface and a through opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. A through opening in each wall member is aligned with a through opening in all other wall members so as to form a through opening in the wall extending from the upper surface of the top wall member to the lower surface of the bottom wall member. A rod, having an upper end in opposed relation to a lower end, is positioned in the through opening of the wall and a lower fastener attaches to the lower end of the rod adjacent the lower surface of the bottom wall member. An upper fastener attaches to the upper end of the rod adjacent the upper surface of the top wall member, and an actuator is positioned between the upper fastener and the upper surface of the top wall member for applying a downward force to the top wall member.

Abstract: An improved log (10) for interlocking with other logs (10) for the construction of log structures, and an associated fabricating process. The log (10) comprises an elongated body (12) having first and second opposite end portions (14 and 16), a top portion (18) and a bottom portion (20). At least one downwardly oriented saddle notch (34) is provided in the bottom portion (20) of the body (12) for closely receiving the top portion (18) of another log (10). Each saddle notch (34) defines an interior surface (40) carrying at least one tongue (42), and above each saddle notch (34) at least one groove (44) is provided in the top portion (18) of the body (12) for closely receiving the tongue (42) of another log (10) such that a plurality of logs (10) can interlock to form strong, well insulated corner joints.