Abstract: Architectural glass panels for use in a wide variety of building wall systems, such as curtain walls and storefronts, which have improved resistance to damage from earthquake and/or other loads that could cause horizontal racking movements of architectural glass panels within their glazing frames are disclosed. Embodiments include various types of architectural glass panels that have material removed at panel corners and are fabricated with smooth edge contours in the corner regions. A preferred embodiment includes various types of architectural glass panels that have rounded corners with or without finished edges.

Abstract: Architectural glass panels for use in a wide variety of building wall systems, such as curtain walls and storefronts, which have improved resistance to damage from earthquake and/or other loads that could cause horizontal racking movements of architectural glass panels within their glazing frames are disclosed. Embodiments include various types of architectural glass panels that have material removed at panel corners and are fabricated with smooth edge contours in the corner regions. A preferred embodiment includes various types of architectural glass panels that have rounded corners with edges finished as deemed appropriate for the glass panel type.

Abstract: Described herein is a curtain wall system for multi-story buildings that is highly resistant to the damage caused by multidirectional swaying motions in building frames during an earthquake. In a conventional curtain wall system, each story is connected structurally to the stories above and/or below it. Earthquake-induced swaying motions of the building frame cause significant load transfers from story to story and cause such a conventional curtain wall system to be susceptible to earthquake damage. Not only does this damage necessitate expensive repairs, but serious threats to life safety are imposed when debris falls from a damaged wall system. In contrast, each story of the earthquake-immune curtain wall system is structurally isolated (i.e., decoupled) from adjacent stories, which produces the beneficial effects of minimizing wall system damage and the attendant risks of falling debris (in the forms of broken glass, stone, concrete, etc.) during an earthquake.

Abstract: Architectural glass panels for use in a wide variety of building wall systems, such as curtain walls and storefronts, which have improved resistance to damage from earthquake and/or other loads that could cause horizontal racking movements of architectural glass panels within their glazing frames are disclosed. Embodiments include various types of architectural glass panels that have material removed at panel corners and are fabricated with smooth edge contours in the corner regions. A preferred embodiment includes various types of architectural glass panels that have rounded corners with or without finished edges.

Abstract: Described herein is a curtain wall system for multi-story buildings that is highly resistant to the damage caused by multidirectional swaying motions in building frames during an earthquake. In a conventional curtain wall system, each story is connected structurally to the stories above and/or below it. Earthquake-induced swaying motions of the building frame cause significant load transfers from story to story and cause such a conventional curtain wall system to be susceptible to earthquake damage. Not only does this damage necessitate expensive repairs, but serious threats to life safety are imposed when debris falls from a damaged wall system. In contrast, each story of the earthquake-immune curtain wall system is structurally isolated (i.e., decoupled) from adjacent stories, which produces the beneficial effects of minimizing wall system damage and the attendant risks of falling debris (in the forms of broken glass, stone, concrete, etc.) during an earthquake.

Abstract: A curtain wall system for multi-story buildings that is highly resistant to the damage caused by multidirectional swaying motions in building frames during an earthquake. In a conventional curtain wall system, each story is connected structurally to the stories above and/or below it. Earthquake-induced swaying motions of the building frame cause significant load transfers from story to story and cause such a conventional curtain wall system to be susceptible to earthquake damage. Not only does this damage necessitate expensive repairs, but serious threats to life safety are imposed when debris falls from a damaged wall system. In contrast, each story of the earthquake-immune curtain wall system is structurally isolated (i.e., decoupled) from adjacent stories, which produces the beneficial effects of minimizing wall system damage and the attendant risks of falling debris (in the forms of broken glass, stone, concrete, etc.) during an earthquake.

Abstract: The vertical and lateral displacement of sections of fluid transmission pipelines due to earth subsidence or heaving is determined using vertical and horizontal arrays of magnetometer sensors located spaced apart on a boom or support member for providing multiple readings of the earth's magnetic field intensity and the anomaly caused by the presence of the pipeline. True position of the sensors may be measured using stadia techniques or electromagnetic radiation signals transmitted from a reference point. The sensor array may be mounted on a landbased vehicle or suspended from a rotary wing aircraft to provide access to remote regions which may not be accessible to conventional equipment and techniques.