Patent ID: 8061108

Claim:
A method of building a foundation system in a building, comprising the step of: assembling an exterior vertical wall by attaching reinforced, lightweight, dimensionally stable structural cementitious panels to vertical metal studs of a metal frame to form a first vertical shear diaphragm; locating at least a portion of the first vertical shear diaphragm below ground level and in contact with ground; providing below ground level footings, the footings in contact with the ground below the footings; the frame further comprising upper horizontal members above the studs and lower horizontal members below the studs, the studs attached to the upper and lower horizontal members, the lower horizontal members resting on the footings, the studs attached to the upper and lower horizontal members, the upper and lower horizontal members selected from at least one member of the group consisting of a C- joist and a plate; wherein the cementitious panel is attached to the metal framing member by metal screws with winged drillers to provide a shear load bearing wall system, wherein the winged drillers are located above the point and below the threads of the screws, and protruding laterally from the shaft of the screws, wherein, the cementitious panel having a density of 65 to 90 pounds per cubic foot and capable of resisting shear loads when fastened to framing and comprising a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture comprising, on a dry basis, 49 to 68 weight % reactive powder, 23 to 36.1 weight % lightweight filler particles comprising ceramic microspheres having a particle density of 0.50 to 0.80 g/ml and an average particle size of about 10 to 500 microns (micrometers), and 5 to 20 weight % glass fibers comprising alkali-resistant glass fibers, the continuous phase being reinforced with the 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, wherein the reactive powders comprise, on a dry basis, 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, wherein the structural cementitious panel has a flexural strength, after being soaked in water for 48 hours, of at least 1650 psi (11.4 MPa) as measured by the ASTM C 947-03 test, effective 2003, and wherein the structural cementitious panel has a thickness of about ½ to 1 ½ inches.