| abstract |
The present invention discloses structural cementitious panels that, when secured to framing for shear wall, floor and roof systems, resist lateral and shear loads equal to those provided by plywood and oriented strain plates. shear load. The panels provide reduced heat transfer compared to other structural cementitious panels. The panel employs one or more layers of a continuous phase cured by an aqueous mixture of alpha-calcium sulfate hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, coated expanded perlite particle filler, optional other fillers, activated pozzolan and lime get. The coated perlite has a particle size of 1 to 500 microns, a median diameter of 20 to 150 microns, and an effective particle density (specific gravity) of less than 0.50 g/cc. The panels are reinforced with fibres, such as alkali-resistant glass fibres. Preferred panels contain no intentionally added entrapped air. The invention also discloses a method for improving the fire resistance of buildings. |