BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

5

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001]. The present invention relates generally to the field of habitable building construction and monitoring of same. In particular, the invention is directed to the use of sensors in connection with engineered timber components of habitable buildings, and the0 post-constmction monitoring of sensor output.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[002]. Engineered timber products (also termed mass timber, composite wood, man-made5 wood, or manufactured board) have long been used in building construction as both structural and non-stmctural components. Such products are typically manufactured by the binding or fixing the strands, particles, fibres, or veneers or boards of wood, together with adhesives, or other methods of fixation to form a composite material. 0 [003]. Engineered timber products may be produced in the form of panels of variable in size and can be fabricated in a thickness of one centimetre, to 40 centimetres or more. Such products are typically engineered to comply with design specifications and are generally tested against a regulatory standard. Alternatively, the products may be in the form of an elongate member such as a joist, a column, a frame member, a beam, a lintel, a rafter or a5 bearer.

[004]. Engineered wood products may be manufactured from the same hardwoods and softwoods used to manufacture lumber. Forest floor, sawmill scraps and other wood waste, and low value wood can be used to manufacture engineered timber products composed of0 wood particles or fibers. Members such as peeler cores and even larger logs may be used. [005]. It is also possible to manufacture engineered building products from bamboo and other lignin-containing materials such as straw, hemp stalks, kenaf stalks, or sugar cane residue, in which case they contain no actual wood but rather vegetable fibers.

5 [006]. There is a perception on the part of some members of the public, as well as some building professionals (such as architects, structural engineers, building practitioners, and building component fabricators) that engineered timber products have an inherently lower level of reliability when used in a structural capacity, as compared with traditional lumber or steel. Such perceptions are exaggerated where engineered timber products are used in0 the construction of multi-storey buildings. Whether or not such perceptions are well founded, engineered timbers may not be incorporated in building design. Instead, traditional lumber (which is expensive, and obtainable from very mature trees) may be used. Alternatively, steel may be used and in which the opportunity to use a natural carbon sequestering product such as an engineered timber is lost. 5

[007]. It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improvement to engineered timber products used in building constmction. It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a useful alternative to prior art engineered timber products. 0 [008]. The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 5

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[009]. In a first aspect, but not necessarily the broadest aspect, the present invention provides a lignin-based product engineered for use in building construction comprising or0 associated with one or more sensors, each of the one or more sensors being configured to sense a characteristic of the lignin-based product or the environment thereabout and output a sensed condition by an electric or electronic output signal.

[010]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, each of the one or more sensors are selected 5 independently from: a temperature sensor, a smoke sensor, an ice sensor, a moisture sensor, a humidity sensor, a mould sensor, a stmctural integrity sensor, a defect sensor, a crack sensor, a continuity sensor, a movement sensor, a vibration sensor, a flexion sensor, a tension sensor, a compression sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a deflection sensor, a sound sensor, an electrical conductivity sensor, a salt sensor, and an ion sensor. 0

[Oil]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product comprises two or more of the sensors wherein each of the two or more sensors is configured to sense a different characteristic of the lignin-based product or the environment thereabout. 5 [012]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, each of the one or more sensors are disposed within the bounding volume of, or is integral with, or is on the surface of, the lignin-based product.

[013]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, each of the one or more sensors is contacted0 with, fixed to, or bonded to the lignin-based product

[014]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product comprises two or more components forming a structural integral composite and each of the one or more sensors is disposed between the two or more components. 5

[015]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin -based product comprises an internal recess or an externally opening recess and each of the one or more sensors is disposed partially or completely within the recess. [016]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product comprises a slot opening to the surface thereof and each of the one or more sensors is disposed partially or completely within the slot.

5 [017]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, each of the one or more sensors is removable from the lignin-based product.

[018]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, each of the one or more sensors comprises means for connection to an electrical power supply. 0

[019]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the means for connection to an electrical power supply is a wire, or a battery connector.

[020]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product comprises a power5 supply or in operable connection to a power supply.

[021 ]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the power supply is a battery associated with the lignin based product or separate to the lignin-based product. 0 [022]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the battery is partially or fully disposed within the lignin-based product but is accessible from outside the lignin-based product.

[023]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the power supply is a mains power supply. 5 [024]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product comprises means for transmitting or carrying the sensor output signal to the input of a device configured to receive the output signal.

[025]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, tthe means for transmitting or carrying the0 output signal is a wire, or is a wireless radio communication module. [026]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the wireless communication module is configured to form a mesh network with a plurality of remote wireless communication modules.

5 [027]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin -based product is configured as a structural element.

[028]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the stmctural element is configured as an elongate member including a joist, a column, a frame member, a beam, a lintel, a rafter or0 a bearer.

[029]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the elongate stmctural member comprises elongate sub-members which are disposed substantially mutually parallel and make mutual contact along at least one lateral face. 5

[030]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product is configured as a panel.

[031]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the panel comprises elongate sub-panels0 which are disposed substantially mutually parallel and make mutual contact along at least one broad face.

[032]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product has a defined minimal performance rating in terms of load bearing capacity or other indicator of5 usefulness as a stmctural component of a building.

[033]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product has an applied indicium indicating a defined minimal performance rating in terms of load bearing capacity or other indicator of usefulness as a stmctural component of a building 0 [034]. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the lignin-based product is fabricated mainly or substantially completely from wood.

[035]. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for monitoring a

5 habitable comprising the lignin-based product of any embodiment of the first aspect and a device configured to receive the sensor output signal.

[036]. In one embodiment of the second aspect, the device configured to receive the sensor output signal is integrated with the sensor, or is remote from the sensor, or is remote from0 the lignin-based product.

[037]. In one embodiment of the second aspect, the device comprises a processor and memory, the memory have stored program instructions configured to analyse the sensor output signal. 5

[038]. In one embodiment of the second aspect, the stored program instmctions are configured to transform the sensor output signal into information relating to the sensed condition of the lignin-based product. 0 [039]. In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system comprises a plurality of lignin- based products, and wherein the stored program instmctions are configured to transform the sensor output signals of each of the plurality of sensors into information relating to the condition of each of the plurality of lignin-based products. 5 [040]. In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system comprises two or more sensor types and each of the two or more sensor types is configured to sense a different characteristic of the lignin-based product or the environment thereabout, and wherein the stored program instmctions are configured to transform the sensor outputs of all sensors into information relating to the condition of the lignin-based product. 0 [041]. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of constructing a habitable building, the method comprising the steps of assembling building components to form the habitable building, wherein at least one of the building components is the lignin- based product of any embodiment of the first aspect, or one of the plurality of lignin-based

5 products of the system of any embodiment of the second aspect.

[042]. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a habitable building comprising assembled building components, wherein at least one of the building components is the lignin-based product of any embodiments of the first aspect, or one of the plurality of0 lignin-based products of any embodiments of the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[043]. FIG. 1 illustrates highly diagrammatically and in cross-section an engineered5 structural member showing various possible positions for a sensor. It is not represented that any single member must comprise more than one sensor.

[044]. FIG. 2 illustrates highly diagrammatically and in cross-section an engineered timber composite structural member showing various possible positions for a sensor. It is0 not represented that any single member must comprise more than one sensor.

[045]. FIG. 3 illustrates highly diagrammatically and in cross-section a engineered structural member joined to another building component showing various possible positions for a sensor. It is not represented that any single member or join must comprise5 more than one sensor.

[046]. FIG. 4 illustrates in block form a system of the present invention comprises a powered and unpowered sensor, each sensor feeding an output signal to a receiving device having a microprocessor. 0 [047]. FIG. 5 illustrates in block form a system similar to that of FIG. 4 with the exception that wireless means are used to transmit sensor data output by radio waves. The path of the radio signal is represented by the dashed lines.

5 [048]. FIG. 6 illustrates in highly diagrammatic form a multi-level apartment building having sensors (each represented by a black box) being connected to a receiver by a mesh network. The transmission of data is shown by the arrows from one sensor to another.

[049]. FIG. 7 illustrates highly diagrammatically a building panel of the present invention0 formed from multiple sub-members and having sensors incorporated therein.

[050]. Unless otherwise indicated herein, features of the drawings labelled with the same numeral are taken to be the same features, or at least functionally similar features, when used across different drawings. 5

[051]. The drawings are not prepared to any particular scale or dimension and are not presented as being a completely accurate presentation of the various embodiments. 0

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

[052]. After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative5 applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be constmed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and0 not necessarily to all embodiments, or indeed any embodiment covered by the claims. [053]. Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

5 [054]. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but0 may.

[055]. As used herein, positional terms such as “lateral”, “across”, “above”, “below”, “higher”, “lower”, upward, downward, “plan view” and the like are to be considered with reference to a building component as used in its normal orientation when forming part of a5 building.

[056]. The present invention is predicated at least in part on the inventors’ discovery that the use of sensors with engineered wood-based building materials can allow for monitoring of a building. Such monitoring may be useful in allaying a real or perceived concern0 relating to the use of engineered wood products (in contrast to traditional lumber and steel) as structural components of a building. The output of the sensors may be used as input for an algorithm configured to provide information on any one or more of: the soundness or unsoundness of a building, the presence or absence of any defect (including a structural defect) in the building, or the potential for a defect to arise in the building. 5

[057]. The lignin -based product may be any such product with the exception of a traditional lumber product. The lignin may be derived from any suitable plant source such as a tree, a grass (including bamboo and cane plants). The proportion of lignin in the product (by weight) may be greater than about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%,0 80%, 90%, 95% or 99%. [058]. In some embodiments, the lignin-based product is mostly or substantially completely wood.

[059]. In some embodiments, the linin-based product is a structural member comprised of

5 two or more sub-members which are fixed, adhered or otherwise bound to each other; or fixed, adhered or otherwise bound to a web associated with the sub-members. Exemplary structural members of these types are disclosed in international patent specifications published as WO/2009/094696; WO/2010/057423; WO/2015/031957, WO/2015/176125, WO/2018/086275, and WO/2018/085884. As demonstrated in the drawn examples,0 sensors may be disposed at the interfaces between sub-members with such disposal being particularly suitable where the lignin-based product is composed of sub-members forming mutual interfaces. It will be appreciated, however, that that sensors may be placed anywhere in, on or about the specific stmctural members disclosed in the aforementioned published international patent specifications. 5

[060]. The sensors of the present invention will generally be selected so as to provide useful information on the condition of the lignin-based product, or a building or building portion in which the lignin-based product is disposed. Suitable sensors mat be selected from a temperature sensor, a smoke sensor, an ice sensor, a moisture sensor, a humidity0 sensor, a mould sensor, a structural integrity sensor, a defect sensor, a crack sensor, a continuity sensor, a movement sensor, a vibration sensor, a flexion sensor, a tension sensor, a compression sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a deflection sensor, a sound sensor, an electrical conductivity sensor, a salt sensor, and an ion sensor. 5 [061]. Where a sensor is to be disposed within the lignin-based product, the sensor will typically be of relatively small volume so as to limit any diminution of structural integrity of the product. As will be appreciated, where a significant amount of lignin -based material must be removed to accommodate a voluminous sensor there may be an attendant significant loss in the load-bearing capability of the product. 0 [062]. Selection of the sensors and their target parameters depend on the monitoring structure, application, and the goals of monitoring. For example, accelerometers can be used for monitoring of condition of buildings. In active mode accelerometers can measure single-axis, two-axis or three-axis (vector) acceleration over time. Further processing of

5 accelerometer signals can provide information on the spectmm of oscillation modes, resonances, spectral density of the signal. All this information can be used in the data analysis. There are many accelerometers available in the market that can be used to measure such acceleration. For example, capacitive accelerometers manufactured by ST Microelectronics, Analog Devices, Kionix having 2 g range; piezoresistive accelerometers0 manufactured by Hitachi Metals also having 2 g range and other devices. Resolution of many low-g accelerometers can be as high as 1 mg and some devices have resolution in the range of 0.2-0.5 mg. For monitoring a building smaller peak accelerations may be preferred, which can be below 10 mg— about an order of magnitude smaller than that for bridges. More sensitive accelerometers can be used in such cases. For example, high5 resolution capacitive accelerometers manufactured by Colibrys can be used for vibration monitoring of buildings.

[063]. In both cases accuracy of measurements can be affected by influencing parameters as, for example, temperature. Temperature error can be comparable with the useful signal. 0 In order to increase accuracy of acceleration measurements the autonomous sensing module can be equipped with a temperature sensor. A low-pass filter can be also used to increase signal-to-noise ratio.

[064]. Depending on application, two or more sensors of one type can be used within one5 autonomous sensing module. This can be done to make multi-axis measurements, increase reliability of the autonomous sensing modules and increase accuracy of the measurements.

[065]. Sensors with both analog and digital output can be used. Sensors may have a self test feature may be used for verification of sensor functionality. Sensors may have a self0 calibration feature, which can be used for verification of some sensor parameters as, for example, value of initial output signal. [066]. Sensor outputs may be wired, for either or both of power delivery (where required), or for data output. As will be appreciated, where wired arrangements are required and the sensor is embedded completely interior to a lignin-based product some means of passing a

5 wire external to the product for connection to another device is required. In some embodiments, a very fine wire may be used which may sit within an adhesive layer used to bind to two sub-members of the product and in which case no modification to any sub member is required. In some cases it may be necessary to form a channel, aperture, borehole or similar through the lignin-based material so allow to pass from an internal0 sensor to the outside. Where a sensor is disposed external to the product or is at least partially exposed to the outside there will no need to make any special arrangement for the wire

[067]. In some embodiments, sensor output signals are transmitted to a receiving device5 by way of a wireless mean. Such means include short range means such as WiFi™, Bluetooth™ and Ant™; and longer range means such as the 4G or 5G means used in a cellular telephone system.

[068]. The present system may be configured so as to allow for the relay of data from one0 lingnin-based product to another in a mesh network arrangement. Ultimately, a signal may be transmitted to a proximal or a remote receiving station. Thus, a string or a network or devices may be used across a building.

[069]. The skilled artisan is aware of networking protocols allowing the use of multiple5 radio receivers and transmitters to relay or propagate a radio signal. Such protocols include mesh networking protocols such as Zigbee and the like. Prior art protocols may be utilized in the present invention (with any modifications required to suit the present invention), or indeed a protocol may be devised de novo. 0 [070]. The protocol may be designed so as to limit or minimize the amount of time that a sensor device is transmitting (or capable of transmitting), and/or receiving (or capable of receiving) data. Such approaches extend battery life where batteries are used to power the sensors. For example, the protocol may dictate that data is transmitted only a certain intervals of time such that for the majority of time power is not used to maintain constant communication between devices. Alternatively, the protocol may dictate that a radio

5 transmitter is substantially inactive until it receives a radio signal from another device.

[071]. Battery power may be also saved where the device is configured so as to transmit data only where there is an appreciable change in data obtained by the sensor. For example, where a positional sensor detects only a minor tilt in the device no signal is transmitted,0 but when a major tilt is detected the radio transmitter is made operational. In this way, data which is not substantially informative over previously transmitted data is not transmitted leading to a waste in battery power.

[072]. An advantage of wireless networks is the avoidance of any need to physically5 connect individual devices (by way of wire or cable, for example). Such physical connections complicate installation, and are also prone to breakage.

[073]. As will be immediately appreciated by the skilled person, consideration may be taken of the medium (or media) through which the radio signal must travel. For example,0 brick attenuates a radio signal over distance and so longer wavelengths (or lower frequencies such as 2.4 GHz) are preferred.

[074]. In some embodiments, not all devices in the system have sensing capabilities with some intended merely to relay data. Similarly, some devices in the system are capable only5 of transmitting data but have no ability to relay data.

[075]. The protocol may be “self-healing” such that the system of devices is still operable where one of the devices is rendered inoperable. In such a protocol, where a first device transmits data to a second device, and the second device to a third device, and where the0 second device is rendered inoperable, the first device transmits information to the third device. The first device may be configured so as to increase power output so as to take account of the increased distance of transmission, and this may in turn result in a decreased battery life. However, the system will in these circumstances still remain operable for some time, as distinct from being rendered completely inoperable due to the failure of a single device. Such back-up features in the system may be highly advantageous where the

5 accessibility of the devices is very limited after installation.

[076]. Where batteries are used to power a sensor or an associated data transmission or reception means, a longer service life battery is preferred. The battery may have 25 years or more of service life. The art presently provides primary and secondary (rechargeable)0 batteries with over 25 years of service life time ("AMR units still going strong after 25 years on their original batteries", http://www.metering.com/AMR/units/strong/after/25/years/orig inal/batteries). Tadiran Batteries manufactures lithium batteries with a voltage of 3.6 V and capacity of 2400 mAh having self discharge of less than 1% per year. The company has customers using these5 batteries in devices continuously operating in the field for more than 25 years. This type of battery may be used in sensors or radio units that have very long periods between active mode sessions or in those having both primary and secondary batteries with primary battery serving as a backup battery. In such a system the primary battery can be used only if there is not energy from the secondary battery to support the device in active mode. 0

[077]. Hoppecke FNC manufactures rechargeable NiCd batteries with greater than 25 years of service life. The batteries allow for more than 3000 deep discharge cycles. Rechargeable lithium batteries with 25+ years of life time are also available from Quallion LLC. 5

[078]. If a sensor or radio device utilizes both primary and secondary batteries then switching to a primary battery can be detected and the fact of switching can activate transmission of an alarm signal to the base station. The alarm signal can be transmitted either during every session or with other periodicity. The primary battery can support the0 sensor or radio device for at least several months providing time either for maintenance or replacement . [079]. Reference is made to FIG. 1 showing an engineered lignin-based member (10). Disposed within, on and about the member is at least one sensor (15) with possible positions being detailed in the drawing. The sensor (15a) is disposed snugly in a recess

5 (20) formed in the end face of the member (10). The sensor (15b) contacts the surface of the member (10). The sensor (15c) is mounted above the surface of the member (10) being elevated by a bed of adhesive (25). The sensor (15d) is disposed snugly in a recess (30) formed in a lateral face of the member (10). The sensor (15f) is embedded in the lignin- based member (10) having been disposed in a flowing lignin-based material which flowed0 around the sensor (15f) and subsequently cured hard. Each of the sensors except for (15f) are accessible to the outside, and accordingly may be powered by external means if necessary, and also have wired output signal connections or wireless output signal connections. The sensor (15f) is complete embedded and will need to connect to the outside for power or output signal transmission by way of power wires (16) (17) and output5 wire (18) that are already connected to the sensor (15f) such that the lignin -based material forms around the sensor (15f) and wires (16)(17)(18). As will be appreciated, some sensor types may only require two wires, an example being a thermistor which is not a powered sensor in that it consumes current, but instead acts as a variable resistor on current flowing therethrough. The sensors in this drawing are useful in sensing an environmental condition0 (e.g. 15c), axial bending (e.g. 15a orl5f), surface temperature (e.g. 15b), tension of the member surface (e.g. 15e), compressive forces (e.g. 15f or 15d), moisture in the outer regions of the member (e.g. 15e), moisture in a core region (e.g. 15d), the deposition of a salt on the member exterior (e.g. 15e), or a sound reverberating through the member (e.g. 15b). 5

[080]. Reference is made to FIG. 2 showing an engineered lignin-based member (10) formed form three sub-members (40) (45) (50) to form a composite stmcture. The sensor (15g) is disposed in a cavity (55) formed by opposing recesses in the faces of sub-members (45) and (50). The sensor (15h) is disposed in a cavity (60) formed by a recess in the face0 of sub-member (45) and the opposing lateral face of sub-member (50). The sensor (15i) is disposed within a cavity (65) formed by a recess is sub-member (40), an aperture formed through sub-member (45), and a recess formed in sub-member (50). The sensor (15j) is disposed within a cavity (70) formed by apertures through sub-members (40) (45), and lateral face of sub-member (50). For sensors that are not accessible from the outside, fine boreholes may be made through any of the sub-members (40)(45)(50), with wire being

5 threaded through the borehole during assembly so as to emerge outside the lignin-based member (10). The sensors in this drawing are useful for determining any separation of the sub-members, or relative sliding of the sub-members, or moisture migrating along the interfaces between sub-members, or glue deterioration between the sub-members. 0 [081]. Reference is made to FIG. 3 showing a structural join formed by an engineered timber member (10) and a second member (75) which may be regular lumber or even steel. The member (10) may or may not have a dedicated sensor (15k) but does have a sensor which spans members (10) and (75). For example, sensor (151) is disposed on the surface of member (10) but inserts into member (75). Sensor (15m) is embedded in a cavity formed5 by a deep horizontal cavity formed by recess in both members (10) and (75). Sensor (15n) is disposed on the surfaces and at the inside comer formed by members (10) and (75). The sensor in this drawing are useful in determining any separation of members (10) and (70) or any sliding of members (10) and (70) relative to each other (e.g. 151, 15m, 15n), any moisture collecting in the join (e.g. 15m), comparison of moisture or temperature in0 member (10) by sensor (15k) with moisture in member (75) by sensor (15m), a crack forming on the surface of member (10) or (70) about the joint (e.g. 15n).

[082]. Reference is made to FIG. 4 showing a system having two sensors (15e) (15f) both in wired communication with a microprocessor. The microprocessor has associated5 memory holding stored program instmctions in the form of processor-executable software. The output (19) of sensor (15e) is analogue (e.g. continuously variable output of a conductivity sensor, converted to digital by a D/A converter; not shown) while the output (18) of powered sensor (15f) is digital (e.g. digital output of a tri-axial accelerometer). More sophisticated sensors may have capacity to receive digital instmctions to alter its0 operation, and communication may therefore be duplex (as for sensor 15f). In such cases, the sensor may have an associated processor or at least a control input allowing for control of the sensor. For example, sensor control may be used to alter a sensitivity, or a range of detection, or a condition detected. Monitoring of the building may therefore be a dynamic process whereby some active control (whether human or machine -based) is exerted over the system to improve an operational outcome in monitoring of the building.

5

[083]. Reference is made to FIG. 5 in which the system of FIG. 4 is modified such that each sensor (15e) (15f) has a wireless data transmission module (100), and the receiving device has a wireless network interface to allow for the wireless transmission of sensor output data to the microprocessor. 0

[084]. FIG.6 shows an exemplary apartment building, having lignin-based products and associated sensors (represented by a black box). Each floor has a sensor in the wall, and one in the floor. The sensors are networked by wired or wireless means to such that data from upper floor sensors are transmitted downwardly via lower floor sensors to finally5 arrive at the receiver. The direction of data transmission is shown by the short and heavy arrows. In wireless applications, a self-healing mesh network is formed.

[085]. FIG .7 shows a panel for use as part of a building wall, and having a window disposed therein and tied to the floor zone of the storey above. The panel is formed from0 stacked sub-members (two marked 145), each being slabbed small diameter logs (optionally peeler cores). Steel rods (115a) (155b) are glued into channels extending through the sub-members (145). Furring channels (150a) (150b) (150c) are provided as indicated. Above the window is a lintel comprising two or the sub-members (45), and tied together with short vertical and angles glued steel rods. A further short vertical steel rod5 is disposed in the three sus-members (45) above the lintel. The lower face of the lintel has a sensor (15x) which may be a strain sensor or a deflection sensor. A stress sensor or a pressure sensor (15z, depth highly exaggerated for clarity) is disposed between two sub members. This panel has disposed thereover a sheet of drywall plaster (not shown) so as to be useful as an interior wall. The lintel is especially sensitive to adverse stresses being0 placed on the wall and out-of-spec readings from sensor (15x) and optionally sensor (15z) may be indicative of a structural issue in the wall, or the building as a whole requiring rectification.

[086]. The present lignin-based products may be positioned in any area of a building for

5 which monitoring is required. The products may be present as a component of any one of more of the following building structures: a floor stmcture, a wall structure, a ceiling structure, a roof structure, a foundation stmcture, a support stmcture, a frame stmcture, a door stmcture, or window stmcture. Lintels form a part of a door stmcture or a window stmcture are particularly preferred given that these components are generally unsupported0 from beneath in the central region, and therefore flexion can be monitored as a proxy for the overall stability of the room, a part of the building, or the building as a whole.

[087]. The present invention further provides a system for monitoring a building. The output of the one or more sensors of lignin-based product may be used to monitor a building5 for any potential stmctural weakness or other issue requiring remedial work, or even to simply provide some assurance that the building is sound. The system comprises a device for receiving digital or analogue output signals from the sensors, such a device may be dedicated for the purpose or may be an existing device (such as a personal computer) having software and/or an associated peripheral device facilitating reception of the sensor0 output signal.

[088]. Of course, raw sensor output may be comprehensible to a human although in many circumstances some processing of the signal may be required. Where the output signal is a resistance value for example, the processing may convert to a temperature or a moisture5 level using a standard curve. Whilst knowledge of physical parameters may be useful, further information may be gained by using software -based means to analyse the sensor output, and possibly even analyse multiple sensor output, and even multiple sensor type outputs in order to achieve a desired outcome. 0 [089]. As one example, a lignin-based product may be a moisture sensor and a flexion sensor. The output of these sensors when each is taken alone may be useful in monitoring a building by sensing dampness in a frame member and an unusually high pressure (load) being applied, either of which conditions may suggest some remedial work is required. However, when the output of each sensor type are combined certain advantages may result. For example, where a lignin-based product is damp it may become soft and so it might be

5 expected to flex more than usual. In that circumstance, by co-processing the two signals an algorithm may determine that the only real issue is the presence of a higher than normal water content in the lignin-based product with the increase in flexion only occurring only as a result of some localised dampness and not as being indicative of some other structural issue in the building. 0

[090]. In some embodiments, the software -based analysis of sensor output signal utilises output from sensors in multiple locations (and even from different lignin-based products) to provide information useful in building monitoring. Sensors may be disposed in multiple locations within a room, and multiple locations within a building. The output of such5 sensors may be co-processed by algorithmic software means to provide useful information. In an exemplary embodiment, flexion sensors may be disposed in lintels of doors for each floor of an apartment building. Relatively high levels of flexion at lower floors and relatively low levels of flexion in upper floors, with a predictable rate of increase from upper to lower floors being expected. If flexion at an upper floor became suddenly higher,0 but still less than flexion seen at lower floors then the algorithm may nevertheless flag the issue for review by a human operator given the departure from an expected pattern of sensor outputs across floors.

[091]. The software analysis of sensor output signal may be performed either5 automatically (without involvement of a human) or automatically. The software may has include means for evaluating results of analysis and initiating verification procedures; providing warnings and alarms based on the results of analysis and/or the verification procedures. The warnings and alarms can be related to the condition of both the monitored building and the hardware used for monitoring the building. 0 [092]. The software may also support interactive activities, including inspection and measuring using additional monitoring devices. Based on the results of data analysis, verification procedures and interactive activities the software may assign different credibility ratings to different data sets, to sensors or to data receiving devices. The

5 credibility ratings may be taken into account in data analysis. These ratings allow for exclusion of bad and/or questionable data from analysis.

[093]. The software may use existing baseline data and/or for reference data for the monitored building. In case of buildings the baseline data can be provided by modeling of0 the structure; extracted from constmction documentation or other documentation; provided by monitoring of the building at the early stage of its life or at a predetermined age. In a general case, baseline data also can be generated by the software as a result of analysis and establishing correlation between multiple sets of data collected after the monitoring has been started. A baseline and/or reference data also can be obtained with help of the software5 by analyzing data for a group of similar monitored lignin-based products.

[094]. The software may also generate reports for users of the system. Some algorithms of data analysis and user interface capabilities are described in the next section. 0 [095]. A general approach that can be used in data analysis includes any one or more of the following.

[096]. Identification of parameters, which are informative for evaluation of condition of a class or a group of monitored building components and can be obtained from the measured5 parameters by numerical integration and/or differentiation over time or by other operations, as for example multiplication or calculating ratio or sum of some measured parameters.

[097]. Based on identified parameters and their variation with time during a day, a week, a season as well as annual variations, a schedule may be specified for measurement for0 these parameters. Data is then collected according to the schedule. This data is referred later as current data sets. [098]. Evaluation of validity of current data sets. This may be performed by calculating averages and standard deviations for each monitored parameter and comparing these results with historical data for the same parameters as well as comparing data for similar

5 parameters of different sensors.

[099]. Required mathematical operations are fulfilled to obtain the identified informative parameters. 0 [100]. Where relationships are known to be related to the measured and calculated parameters these relationships are used to correct the time dependencies obtained from measurement data.

[101]. Distribution of absolute values of the measured and calculated parameters (density5 distributions in the time domain) are obtained for each data set.

[102]. If the measured and calculated parameters change then use Fourier transformation to obtain a spectrum of the measured and calculated parameters in the frequency domain for each data set. 0

[103]. Global and local maximums may be selected for each frequency spectrum obtained on step and each distribution obtained on and average absolute value of each parameter found; the resulting set of calculated parameters will include: peak and average values for each measured and calculated parameter, main frequencies and corresponding spectral5 densities in the frequency domain; this set is used further in data analysis and referred later as a set of reference parameters or a vector of reference parameters for the current data set.

[104]. Time dependencies are used for parameters that: (a) can have significantly different variations in different parts of the building and (b) can have correlations between time0 dependencies of such variations to identify reproducible spatial distributions of these parameters. Data collected by different sensors should be used for identification of such spatial distributions. Some parameters characterizing the spatial distributions as their values at different locations, locations of global and local maximums and minimums, symmetry with respect to different axes and distortion with respect to some ideal shapes can be added to the vector of reference parameters for the current data sets. This step can

5 be performed when data collected by sensor allows for good identification of the spatial distributions.

[105]. The first sets of measurement data are used for establishing a baseline for each sensor, for monitoring the whole building for each of the reference parameters. The0 baseline may include average value and standard deviation calculated using all data available for each reference parameter. The baseline does not change unless the monitored building undergoes certain structural changes as upgrades, repairs, reconstruction, strengthening, etc. or can have experienced structural changes as a result of an event as earthquake, flooding, fire, landslide, etc. In case the monitored building has structural5 changes then a new baseline can be established using the first sets of measurements acquired after the changes happened.

[106]. The first sets of measurement data are used for establishing time dependence of average value and standard deviation as well as moving averages for average values and0 for standard deviations for each reference parameter. Moving averages for both average value and standard deviation may be calculated for one or more predetermined periods of time preceding the current monitoring session, for example 60-day moving average, 180- day moving average, 5-year moving average, etc. Time dependence of reference parameters may be considered as historical data for the reference parameters. In contrast5 with the baseline, the set of historical data is updated after accepting each new set of measurements.

[107]. After the baseline is established, the safe ranges of reference parameters may be defined. This can be done with help of different approaches, including modeling of the0 monitored building using constmction documentation, using data on safe ranges specified in similar cases, expert estimate, etc. [108]. If the system has sensors of influencing parameters then data from these sensors to may be used to evaluate average values of the influencing parameters during the current session and add these values as a set of influencing parameters or as a vector linked to the

5 corresponding set of current reference parameters.

[109]. The set of influencing parameters depends on the monitored building and on application. Typical influencing parameters are temperature, wind, rain, humidity and proximal vehicular traffic. 0

[110]. In some cases the influencing parameters can be obtained from sources other than the sensors used in the monitoring system. For example, data about weather parameters or traffic parameters can be available from the internet or from other local sensing systems. 5 [111]. If the influencing parameters are measured or obtained from the other sources then the first sets of measurements can be used to establish correlations between each reference parameter and each influencing parameter.

[112]. The same approach as was described for establishing a baseline and time0 dependence of historical data for each reference parameter may be used to establish correlation baseline and time dependence of historical data on correlation of each reference parameter and each influencing parameter.

[113]. If the correlation between the reference parameters and the influencing parameters5 is well established then the reference parameters can be calculated for a specific set of influencing parameters called "normal conditions".

[114]. Using the correlations between the reference parameters and the influencing parameters the safe ranges of all reference parameters used in data analysis may be made0 dependent on the influencing parameters. [115]. Each of the reference parameters for the current data set may be compared with the safe range and with the historical data for this parameter. If all reference parameters for the current data set are within the safe ranges and none of the parameters deviate more than allowed from the corresponding historical values then the current set of data is accepted

5 and added to the historical set of data, and the historical set of data is updated taking into account the latest data.

[116]. If at least one of the reference parameters deviates more than a predetermined value from a moving average (as calculated for the real values of the influencing parameters or0 for the values of reference parameters recalculated for the "normal conditions") then a request for data verification can be issued by the software. If this reference parameter is still within the safe range then the data verification request does not trigger any warnings or alarms. 5 [117]. If data verification shows that some sensors or radio devices do not work properly then depending on the adverse effect this issue may have on the monitoring system a recommendation, a request or an order can be issued for maintenance, repair or replacement of the malfunctioning component. 0 [118]. If at least one of the reference parameters is out of the safe range then either a warning or alarm may be triggered. The fact that one of the reference parameters was found to be out of the safe range can be a result of a damage (in such case a large shift of some reference parameters can be expected) or it can be a natural result of the monitoring object aging when the historical curves move toward the limits of the safe range. In the latter case5 the current set of data can be accepted and added to the historical set of data.

[119]. When possible, collected current data and historical data may be used to evaluate location of the damage or location of the part of the monitoring object responsible for shifting some reference parameters out of their safe ranges as well as severity of damage0 and safety of the monitored object. Localization of damage can be done based on the analysis of relative changes of reference parameters for separate sensors and correlated with locations of the sensors.

[120]. After a warning or alarm is triggered, either a user of the system and/or owner of

5 the monitored building and/or a specialist is (are) informed about the potential problem with the monitored object or with system hardware. If necessary, the system can provide real-time access to additional monitoring devices that allows inspection of the monitored building and/or make some independent measurements and repeat the analysis. 0 [121]. Credibility rating may be assigned to the current set of data for each sensor, and for the monitored building as a whole based on the deviation of the set of reference parameters from the set of moving averages for historical reference parameters. A metric defining a distance between vectors in a space of reference parameters can be defined for evaluating of this deviation. 5

[122]. Credibility ratings may change over time. For example, if a building exhibited a change of parameters the first set of data may achieve a low credibility rating, however after the change is confirmed by subsequent measurements the credibility rating may be increased for the earlier measurement. 0

[123]. From time to time the set of moving averages for the historical reference parameters may be compared with the baseline reference parameters and trends for the reference parameters can be evaluated. Based on the trends, it can be estimated when some of the reference parameters will be approaching one of the limits of their safe range. This5 information can be used to plan some maintenance, repair and even replacement of the monitored building or other actions related to the monitored object.

[124]. Summary reports may be generated describing the set of reference parameters and trends of their change, recommendations related to maintenance, repair or replacement of0 the monitored structure or other actions appropriate for the monitored building as well as recommendations related to the monitoring system. [125]. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to further variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention comprises all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[126]. While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

[127]. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.