Abstract: A surfactant composition is disclosed comprising a first alkyl sulfate surfactant, optionally a second alkyl sulfate surfactant, and optionally an alkyl ether sulfate. The first and second alkyl sulfate surfactants have Formula (1): R1—OSO3?+M1??(1) and the alkyl ether sulfate has Formula (2): R2—(OCH2CH2)yOSO3?+M2??(2) in which R1 and R2 are independently selected linear or branched alkyl or a combination thereof having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, y has an average value from 0.1 to 5, and M1 and M2 are cations independently selected from sodium, calcium, ammonium, or a combination of two or all of these. Use of the composition as a foaming agent for gypsum slurries, and of the gypsum slurries for formation of gypsum boards, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gypsum-based product comprises the steps of mixing calcined gypsum with polymer particles and water to provide a slurry. The polymer particles comprise principally polyvinyl acetate, and have a particle size distribution, measured using laser diffractometry, such that particles having a diameter of 4.5 ?m or less provide at least 90% of the total particle volume.

Abstract: The modular facade is made of prefab panels comprising a frame structure with horizontal and vertical profiles. The prefab panel includes an outer cladding attached to the frame structure by attaching means. The horizontal and the vertical profiles have a matching shiplap design. A method of mounting the modular facade relies upon the steps of installing brackets to a building structure, for levelling position of the prefab panels, and an anti-tipping element in an upper part of the building structure, so that not very demanding lifting means, such as a small crane, suffices, for suspending subsequent adjacent prefab panels from an upper story.

Abstract: An automated device is configured to move in contact with a building board. The automated device includes a chassis bearing a tool, the tool being configured to carry out a mechanical operation on the building board. The automated device includes at least one suction member and at least one system for setting the automated device in motion. The suction member includes at least two chambers allowing the automated device to adhere to the building board, the tool being situated between the at least two chambers.

Abstract: A partition, mounted on a mounting surface, comprises a plurality of elongate upright members, a first board and a second board. The first board is mounted on one side of a pair of the elongate upright members that are adjacent to each other, and the second board is mounted on the other side of the same pair of adjacent elongate upright members, so as to provide a cavity between the pair of elongate upright members and the first and second boards. The partition further comprises a spacer that is located within the cavity, the maximum dimension of the spacer in the through-thickness direction of the partition being at least 90% of the separation of the two boards. The spacer may help to reduce the extent of inward bowing of the boards between adjacent elongate upright members, so that, for example, the upright members may be spaced further apart.

Abstract: A corrugated construction element (100) for drywall and ceiling construction is disclosed. The corrugated construction element (100) comprises a base profile (101) connected to at least one leg profile (102a) or (102b). The base profile (101) and/or at least one leg profile (102a) or (102b) comprise an array of angular corrugations (110) extending across their surface in a non-parallel direction to the principal axis L of the corrugated construction element (100). The disclosure also relates to an apparatus and a method for forming a corrugated profile (770).

Abstract: A method for tightening a screw for fastening a construction panel to a support of the construction panel, in which the fastening screw is screwed through the construction panel and then through at least part of the support, includes a monitoring of a change over time of a tightening torque of the fastening screw, with determination of a first maximum torque value and then of a second minimum torque value, and after determination of the second minimum torque value, a stoppage of the tightening of the fastening screw for a torque value, termed stoppage value, corresponding to a third maximum torque value or being determined after an occurrence of a third maximum torque value.

Abstract: A demountable wall partition system includes a first and a second demountable partition panel each including a board and having a front surface and a rear surface, and a flange connection element. At least one panel mount bracket is connected to each board and protrudes from the rear surface and includes a first end flange extending in a first flange plane parallel with the rear surface of the board and a second end flange. The panels are arranged spaced apart with the rear surfaces facing each other such that the at least one panel mount bracket of the respective panel form at least one pair of aligned panel mount brackets, wherein said brackets are connected to each other by means of the flange connection element which is connected to the end flanges of the brackets such that the flange connection element is supported by the brackets.

Abstract: An acoustic insulation product includes a panel made of porous material, based on foam or fibres, including a first face, referred to as back face, intended to face towards a wall, and a second face, referred to as front face, situated on the opposite side to the back face, and a layer, referred to as backing layer, which adheres to or is linked or coupled at least in part to the back face of the panel made of porous material, the backing layer having an airflow resistance of between 5 kPa·s/m and 20 kPa·s/m.

Abstract: A novel design of rails for a suspended ceiling, the rails including expansion absorbers. The absorbers are produced so that the rails can absorb an expansion while maintaining the integrity of the ceiling, so that the ceiling panels do not fall in the event of a fire. The rails maintain a significant load-bearing capacity despite the presence of one or more expansion absorbers over the length thereof.

Abstract: A mineral wool panel, intended to be used as an acoustic panel, has a surface density of greater than or equal to 3.2 kg/m2, an air flow resistivity of between 30 and 120 kPa·s/m2, and a Young's modulus of between 0.5 and 4 MPa.

Abstract: A surfactant composition is disclosed comprising a first alkyl sulfate surfactant, optionally a second alkyl sulfate surfactant, and optionally an alkyl ether sulfate. The first and second alkyl sulfate surfactants have Formula (1): and the alkyl ether sulfate has Formula (2): in which R1 and R2 are independently selected linear or branched alkyl or a combination thereof having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, y has an average value from 0.1 to 5, and M1 and M2 are cations independently selected from sodium, calcium, ammonium, or a combination of two or all of these. Use of the composition as a foaming agent for gypsum slurries, and of the gypsum slurries for formation of gypsum boards, are disclosed.

Abstract: A glass wool panel, intended to be used as an acoustic panel, has a density of less than or equal to 130 kg/m3, an air flow resistivity of between 30 and 120 kPa·s/m2, a Young's modulus of between 0.5 and 4 MPa.

Abstract: A panel has a gypsum matrix, in which the following additives are embedded: glass fibre in an amount greater than 1 wt % relative to the gypsum and a synthetic polymeric binder in an amount greater than 2.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The glass fibre and synthetic polymeric binder are present in a weight ratio of at least 2 parts binder to one part fibre. The amount of sand present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-0.5 wt % relative to the gypsum. The amount of cellulosic fibre present in the gypsum matrix lies in the range 0-2 wt % relative to the gypsum.

Abstract: A bracing device for securing at least one facing panel in front of a structure, includes a mounting plate equipped with a bearing face which is planar overall, against which the facing panel can bear, the bearing face having at least one transverse dimension greater than or equal to 30 mm, and a body extending in an axial direction and equipped, at a front end, with a mechanism for securing it to the mounting plate and, at a rear end opposite to the front end, with a mechanism for securing it to the structure.

Abstract: A device for cutting a plate or panel of porous construction material includes a movement structure that moves the plate or panel and includes at least one conveyor, and which is able to move in a direction (X). The device also includes a wire to cut the plate or panel and a structure for passing the wire in a direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction (X) of travel of the plate or panel. The device for cutting allows a cut to be made that greatly limits the waste and dust generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a building board construction with increased surface strength. More specifically, increased nail pull strength is achieved via the application of an external surface coating. The surface coating is ideally applied to a paper faced gypsum building board. In one possible embodiment, the coating is formed from a water soluble polymer.