Patent ID: 8065853

Claim:
A method of providing a building structure with a reinforced shear panel system comprising: assembling a system comprising a first shear diaphragm for the building structure supported on a metal framing, the first shear diaphragm comprising a shear panel for resisting shear loads when fastened to the metal framing, said assembling consisting of: attaching to the metal framing the shear panel consisting of a panel-shaped continuous phase and first and second metal reinforcements attached to the continuous phase; the panel-shaped continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture comprising, on a dry basis, 49 to 68 weight % of a blend of reactive powder, 23 to 43 weight % lightweight filler particles consisting of uniformly distributed ceramic microspheres, 5 to 20 weight % alkali-resistant glass fibers, wherein the glass fibers are monofilaments having a diameter of about 5 to 25 microns (micrometers) and a length of about 0.25 to 3 inches (6.3 to 76 mm), and optional superplasticizer, the continuous phase being uniformly reinforced with the glass fibers, the lightweight filler particles having a particle specific gravity of from 0.02 to 1.00 and an average particle size of about 10 to 500 microns (micrometers); wherein the blend of reactive powders comprises: 45 to 75 wt % calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, 20 to 40 wt % Portland cement, 0.2 to 3.5 wt % lime, and 5 to 25 wt % of an active pozzolan comprising silica fume; and the panel-shaped continuous phase panel having opposed first and second outer surfaces; the first and second reinforcing members selected from the group consisting of plate and a mesh sheet attached to only the first outer surface of the continuous phase panel, the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member each respectively attached to the first surface along the entire length of two opposed edges of the panel covering the portion of the first surface opposite the second surface at the point(s) where the panel is attached to the metal framing with screws to form a first shear diaphragm, wherein the second surface of the panel opposed to the first surface has no reinforcing members; wherein the reinforcing members cover 5 to 90% of the first surface of the continuous phase panel; the metal framing comprising metal framing members; and wherein the shear panel fastened to the metal frame has a racking shear strength between 1.1 and 3.0 times the racking shear strength of a similar structural cement panel without reinforcing that is fastened to the same wall framing, and wherein the panel has a thickness of about ½ to 1½ inches (6.3 to 38.11 mm), and wherein the shear panel is fastened to the metal framing with metal screws with winged drillers, the winged drillers located above the point and below the treads of the screw and protruding laterally from a shaft of the screw, to form a first shear diaphragm.