James Hardie Research Pty Limited

James Graham Geeves

John Sydney Cottier

David Robert Collins

A method of construction of partitions ( ) including the steps of erecting a structural steel frame from spaced apart frame members ( ), the frame members having boxed mounting flanges ( ) and being formed from a metal having a relatively high tensile strength, applying at least one layer of sheet material ( ) to at least one side of the frame, and securing the layer of sheet material ( ) to the frame by means of self-piercing impact fasteners ( ). In one preferred form, staples ( ) are used to secure cladding sheets ( ) to boxed flange frame members for various dry wall constructions. In another preferred embodiment, staples ( ) or nails ( ) are similarly used to secure layers of sheet material ( ) to opposing sides of the frame to define an intermediate cavity which is subsequently filled with cementitious material to form a solid partition.

Construction technique and structure resulting therefrom

A process for constructing a wall, floor or ceiling in situ. The process includes the steps of erecting a substantially rigid frame ( ) and attaching fiber reinforced cementitious sheets ( ) to the front and rear faces of the frame to form a void ( ) therebetween. This void ( ) is then filled with a lightweight aggregate concrete slurry and allowed to cure. The sheets are adapted to absorb sufficient moisture from the lightweight aggregate slurry to provide natural adherence of the concrete slurry to the sheets without substantially losing their structural integrity during setting and curing of the concrete slurry.

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Baulkham Hills, Australia

James Graham Geeves