Abstract: An edge protection system for use with concrete flooring, including a first part for coupling to an edge portion of a first concrete flooring panel and a second part for coupling to an opposed edge portion of a second, neighbouring, concrete flooring panel, a dowel plate and a dowel sheath, wherein the dowel plate is for supporting the second concrete flooring panel relative to the first concrete flooring panel, the dowel sheath is fitted to extend laterally from the first part, with an internal cavity of the dowel sheath aligning with apertures formed in the first and second parts such that the dowel plate is able to be inserted into the dowel sheath cavity through said apertures to a supporting position in which the dowel plate remains in the apertures and extends laterally from the second part.

Abstract: A flexible seal system for provision of a substantially watertight seal between adjacent concrete panels; said system comprising a first flexible seal member proximate a first end of one said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of an outer surface of said concrete panel; said surface component extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member further including an overlap component extending from said surface component beyond said first end of said concrete panel; and a second flexible seal member proximate a second opposite end of an abutting said concrete panel; said second flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of a surface of said abutting concrete panel; said surface component of said second flexible seal member extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component an

Abstract: ‘Underground Thermal Battery Storage System’ using a battery structure of one or more underground thermally insulated cells, where each cell comprised of a waterproof thermal insulation shell, one or more fluid storage tanks and earth matrix. The thermal storage cell's fluid storage tanks are interconnected using a thermal fluid transport system with control valves, circulating pumps, and managed by a programmable controller. The programmable controller uses the cell sensors to determine cell status, control cell interconnections, and to manage the thermal charging and discharging by exterior heating or cooling devices. A moisture injection system is provided to control the thermal conductivity within the cell's earth matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an on-grade joint-stability system for on-grade concrete slabs. Embodiments of the system may include: a first on-grade concrete-slab portion; a second on-grade concrete-slab portion that is separated from the first on-grade concrete-slab portion by a joint; a first on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the first on-grade plate being positioned underneath the second concrete-slab portion; and a second on-grade plate having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath the first concrete-slab portion, and the second portion of the second on-grade plate being positioned underneath, and connected to, the second concrete-slab portion, such that height differentials across the joint are substantially prevented.

Abstract: A device to ensure that when the transverse contraction joint in a pavement and the like cracks, the crack extends through the middle of the dowel bar. A dowel is a smooth continuous bar that is embedded in a concrete pavement. It provides vertical shear resistance across a joint. Shortly after the concrete is place and sets, the concrete pavement starts to dry out. The drying out process produces a strain in the concrete pavement due to shrinkage causing the concrete to crack. In order to control the cracking, a saw cut is made in the pavement. The saw cut is centered in the middle of the embedded dowel bar. The saw cut provides a weaken plane in the pavement, thereby controlling the location of the crack. The saw cut and crack form the transverse contraction joint in the pavement. The crack extends from the bottom of the saw cut through the dowel bar to the bottom of the pavement. The crack does not always extend straight down to the bottom of the pavement.

Abstract: Floor coverings of composite tiles having a polygonal ground plan and having elastic properties. A recess which is formed of a hollow space in the composite tiles can include a cylindrical support molded on the underside of the tiles. The walls of each composite tile can be stabilized by a supporting component which is connected to the vertical edges of the composite tiles and preferably extends to the lower edge of the tiles. Laying plates which include an arrangement designed to co-operate with the supports of the composite tiles can be used. The laying plates form a laying system which permits the laying of the composite tiles even on difficult substrates and provide for the laid composite tiles to be easily be lifted.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.

Abstract: A method of making a flexible, yet durable expansion joint that is at a general even grade with abutting roadway surfaces. The method includes cutting a recess into adjacent roadway slabs having a gap therebetween, and thereafter cleaning the recesses. A flexible membrane strip is placed across the gap from slab to slab and secured thereto. Then, the recesses and gap are substantially filled with a mixture of sealant and aggregate. A final layer of aggregate is applied on top of the mixture such that the final layer of aggregate is at about an even grade with the abutting roadway slabs.

Abstract: An expansion joint retainer is used in fastening a flexible elastomeric seal or strip seal to a structural slab. The retainer has a main body made from a first material. The main body has a thickness selected to permit emplacement of the retainer on the edge of a slab whereby the upper surface of the main body is substantially coplanar with or beneath the upper traffic bearing surface of the slab. The retainer includes a retaining element adjacent the lower surface of the main body. The retaining element is made of a second material serving to provide the retainer with sufficient rigidity to be bolted to a slab. The invention is characterized in that the second material is a thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A device for bridging expansion joints in bridges or the like is provided with parallel lamellae arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the traffic route. The lamellae are supported on at least two inclined traverses which are pivoted and movably supported at both sides in the joint edges, which bridge said joint diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis, and are rotatably and movably guided in sliding drag bearings at the bottoms of the lamellae. The inclined traverses are arranged parallel to each other, whereby the support width of the lamellae is always uniform. At least one longitudinal traverse which is movably connected the longitudinal direction with each lamellae via sliding bearings fixed at the bottoms of the lamellae is provided for, preferably at the edge, for taking up the forces which inevitably occur due to movements of the bridge superstructure.

Abstract: A method of constructing a paved surface such as a roadway in which piles (8) are placed in the ground (G) and preformed slabs (4) are laid over the piles (8) to form a continuous paved surface. The preformed slabs (4) may be short in length and may be supported at opposite ends by separate beams (6) which comprise the pile caps. In a preferred embodiment, suitable for the construction of an elevated roadway, the method further comprises the steps of supporting preformed structural elements 5, 15 on the piles 8 and supporting the preformed slabs 4 on the preformed structural element 5, 15. The preformed structural elements 5, 15 may be shaped so as to provide an open work structure. Preferably, the preformed structural elements 5, 15 comprise substantially V-shaped channels which are laid with their longitudinal axes at right angles to the longitudinal centrelines of the roadway 2, and with their flanges 14 directed downwards.

Abstract: A highway pavement of concrete slab-on-grade surface includes a prestressed portland cement concrete surface layer which is mounted on a non-freezing low restraint support grade layer without any linear physical connection thereto in such a manner as to permit freedom of movement toward the midpoint of the surface layer. The surface layer is thereby able to slide in response to temperature and moisture changes in the environment including at temperatures below the freezing point of water. The surface layer has a riding surface of generally the same rideability five years after installation as it does at the time of installation.