Abstract: A masonry block includes a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, a front surface and an opposing rear surface, a first side surface and an opposing second side surface, an x-direction defined as extending parallel to the rear and bottom surfaces between the first and second side surfaces, and a y-direction defined as extending perpendicular to the x-direction between the front and rear surfaces, and a set of three leveling pads disposed on the rear surface. The set of three leveling pads being positioned on the rear surface such that the three leveling pads provide four regions of overlap with leveling pads of two similar blocks in both block courses above and below the given block when the blocks are arranged in a running bond pattern, such that the four regions of overlap form four load transfer lines through each block in the wall.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a monolithic retaining wall formed by combinable modular retaining wall blocks. Each of the combinable modular retaining wall blocks defines (A) vertical grooves extending along a vertical direction, and (B) horizontal grooves extending along a horizontal direction. This is done in such a way that the monolithic retaining wall, which is formed by the combinable modular retaining wall blocks, defines (A) spaced-apart instances of the vertical channels extending vertically through the monolithic retaining wall, and (B) spaced-apart instances of the horizontal channels extending horizontally through the monolithic retaining wall, in which at least some of the spaced-apart instances of the horizontal channels intersect at least some of the spaced-apart instances of the vertical channels.

Abstract: A precast concrete floor system that eliminates the need for column corbels and beam ledges while being very shallow. The main advantages of the present system include a span-to-depth ratio of 30, a flat soffit, economy, consistency with prevailing erection techniques, and fire and corrosion protection. The present system consists of continuous precast columns, prestressed rectangular beams, hollow-core planks, and cast-in-place composite topping. Testing results have indicated that a 12 inch deep flat soffit precast floor system has adequate capacity to carry gravity loads (including 100 psf live load) in a 30 ft×30 ft bay size. Testing has also shown that shear capacity of the ledge-less hollow-core-beam connections can be accurately predicted using the shear friction theory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel modular building system exhibiting superior strength to withstand seismic activity.

Abstract: A form or a series of forms for forming the bridge diaphragm from concrete material includes one or more bottom walls having an inner surface thereof abutting a bottom surface of the diaphragm. There is at least a pair of side walls upstanding on the inner surface of the bottom wall or walls at a respective longitudinal edge thereof and has an inner surface thereof abutting a respective side surface of the diaphragm. The at least the pair of side walls define each of a generally open top and a generally hollow interior of the form. There is also means for securely attaching each end of the form or series of forms to one of a side surface of at least one of the pair of longitudinal members and an end of another form for forming the diaphragm from the concrete material. Bracing of upper edges is also provided.

Abstract: The structural wall of a luminaire has one or more light source retention cavities for holding area light sources such as OLED panels, and a wire chase or chases that extend from one light source cavity to another light source cavity in the structural wall, and/or from a light source cavity to a wire feed point for the structural wall. The wire chase or chases have a wire retaining bottom channel and a constricted wire entry opening at the top of the wire chase that is narrow in relation to the wire retaining bottom channel for capturing the wires therein. In another aspect of the invention, the wire chase or chases can be manufactured as separate parts, which can be inserted into the structural wall of the luminaire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel modular building system exhibiting superior strength to withstand seismic activity.

Abstract: Large span buildings without ordinary beams and columns are formed of vertical load-bearing composite wall-panels and composite floors, both including two concrete layers interconnected by steel strip webs. The stiff horizontal plane formed of assembled roof/ceiling units, supported by wall-panels, connected to both gables restrains transversal movement of longitudinally arranged wall-panels attached tops, bracing them simultaneously against sideway forces and lessening their buckling lengths. Floors, if any applied, being rigidly connected to the vertical panels additionally improve stability of the global structure. The structure, being braced in that way, behaves as a rigid box made of slender panels.

Abstract: A sealing cover for a fastening device (26) for a spaced attachment of an object (5) to a constructional component includes a base plate (12) having a through-opening (13) for an anchoring element (27) of the fastening device (26) and at least one inlet opening (17), and a first circumferential web (14) projecting from the base plate (12) and forming therewith a receiving space (16) for receiving, at least partially, a spacing element (28) of the fastening device.

Abstract: A composite deck assembly includes a baseplate and a top plate secured to the baseplate. The baseplate is formed from a first composite matrix comprising strands of reinforcing fibers oriented in first direction and a polymer resin. The baseplate includes a plurality of ribs and a plurality of laterally extending open channels disposed between the ribs. The top plate is formed from a second composite matrix of reinforcing fibers in a polymer resin, and is secured, optionally releasably, to the baseplate so as to generally enclose at least a portion of the channels. All the reinforcing fibers in the baseplate may be limited to being either the strands oriented in the first direction or matted reinforcing fibers having a random orientation. At least one of the base section and the top plate may be translucent. The open channel configuration simplifies manufacture and lowers cost.

Abstract: A nuclear steam supply containment system employing prefabricated component supports that are surrounded by steel concrete forms and anchored to the floor liner of a nuclear containment. The prefabricated component supports extend through the concrete forms and a reinforce concrete slab cap to a support elevation for the component. A second inner steel concrete form can be employed to form an annular concrete channel through which the supports extend. The center of the inner form can be filled with a sand-like substance, radiation absorber material or concrete grout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning mild steel reinforcing bars within a precast, moment resisting frame of a building. The apparatus includes a hand-receiving access component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame so as to permit convenient access to the reinforcing bars that are slidably carried within bar receiving passageways formed within the concrete beams. Additionally, the apparatus includes a bladder-receiving component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame in a manner to permit an expandable bladder to be conveniently positioned within the cable receiving passageways formed in the beam. When in position within a cable-receiving passageway, the expandable bladder spans the interface between the beam and the column and effectively prevents grout from entering the cable passageway during the grouting step.

Abstract: A precast concrete wall panel and system using such panels, with each panel including a rectangular concrete frame having a flat outer side and a recessed inner side. On the perimeter of the panel and along the face of the recessed inner side, concrete ribs are cast for stiffness. The recessed inner side is embedded with an insulation batt. A strip of wood molding is provided on each inner longitudinal edge of the frame. Using this molding, dry wall may be conveniently fastened to the concrete panel to finish the inside wall surface. To form a wall, the panels are placed side by side. Joints between the panels coincide with reinforcement rods extending upwardly from the building foundation. Recesses in the sides of the panels create channels or keys through which the rods extend. Concrete is poured into the keys to secure the panels to each other and to the foundation. The wall panels are complemented with special components such as corner components, window frames and door frames.

Abstract: A building made substantially of pre-cast components is disclosed. The building comprises of pre-cast concrete walls, floors and columns; the walls and columns being made of pre-cast concrete wall panels; and floors being made of pre-cast concrete slabs. The panels have one of ‘L’, ‘T’, cross or ‘I’ cross-sectional shapes, wherein the ‘L’, ‘T’ and cross-shaped panels are joints between ‘I’ shaped panels and slabs and panels being interlocked together to form an enclosure. At least some of the ‘L’, ‘T’ or cross-shaped or ‘I’ have a door or window opening. ‘I’ shaped panels are of varying lengths. Columns are reinforced with steel bars and additional concrete.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

Abstract: The invention provides means and methods to erect and plumb a precast concrete post in a concrete footing embedment. In a method of the invention, the base of a post is connected with mounting hardware to a partial footing, followed by the pouring of a footing remainder around the base of the post and around the hardware. A post of the invention has an upper section and a base; the base contains a mounting hole. The post maintains essentially the same footprint from the upper section to the base. A post and panel structure of the invention is characterized by a post secured in a two-part footing, in which a secondary footing securely captures the post in the footing.

Abstract: An intersection assembly for use with an architectural stucco reveal system. The stucco reveal system generally includes elongated strips of material which can be attached to an underlying structure. The strips include a base portion and generally two spaced-apart walls extending from a front side of said base portion defining a channel therebetween. Flanges extend away from outside surfaces of the walls and the channel. The intersection assembly includes at least two intersecting portions which have edges which are placed in abutment to define a desired angular configuration of the intersection assembly. A support plate of a generally rigid material compatible for welding to the intersecting portions is welded to a rear side of the intersecting portions. The support plate provides structural support to retain the intersecting portions in the desired angular configuration with the edges thereof in abutment.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound, wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

Abstract: Shuttering floor slab for the two-phase construction of level concrete plates, which is thin and rectangular or polygonal in shape and contains the bending reinforcement of the final slab, used to form a level monolithic structure by assembly and embedded bonding of an upper layer to conform the final slab, characterized in that its body contains multiple parallel longitudinal passages connected to its upper surface by symetrically located slots placed on the longitudinal parallel axes of the passages, and having interrupted continuity, thus creating an intimate connection between the poured upper layer and the shuttering floor slab, through the material of the upper layer itself when this material enters into the longitudinal passages of the slotted floor slab through the slots in the upper face of said slab.

Abstract: A concrete facing panel is joined to a counterfort by means of a pair of bolted joints. Each joint comprises a hole in the panel through which a bolt projecting from the counterfort passes, and a nut mounted on the threaded end of the bolt. A resilient plug is located in the hole at its end facing the counterfort to form a first watertight seal, the plug including an integral spacing ring to space apart the panel and the counterfort. A second watertight seal is provided by a layer of epoxy resin applied over the nut.

Abstract: A building element based on plaster which is manufactured by dry mixing sand and plaster, by dampening the mixture, by placing the damp mixture in a mold, and by compressing the mixture in the mold while the plaster hydrates in order to densify the crystal lattice of the plaster. The building element (10) includes self-alignment projections (14) on its top face (12) and a vertical groove (22) at one of its ends for the purpose of casting a liquid sealant, such as plaster.

Abstract: Improvements in the construction of buildings is described using prefabricated panels provided with insulation material arranged in pairs. Couplying structure secures the panels to a base and to other panels. Concrete fills the hollow space between the pair of panels.

Abstract: A polymer building or other structured wall form construction wherein forms prefabricated of polymer, such as polystyrene, are assembled together, spaced apart by integrally connecting polymer or blocks or spacers, erected upon a foundation footing, or other base structure, through their insertion upon L-shaped ties, with the wall forms being erected to the desired height for the subject building or other structure, through the application of tee-shaped ties therebetween. Reinforcement is located in the spacing between the blocks of the wall forms, and concrete may be poured therein, to provide a latticework of reinforced concrete for the composite wall. A top beam form of plate cap is arranged upon the upper edge of the formed wall, with a concrete beam being poured simultaneously with the construction of the assembled wall.

Abstract: A cover joint for masonry and sheet material structures and a method of forming the joint between two structure surfaces comprising attaching a cover strip member having inner and outer leg parts at the joint by firstly securing the outer leg parts, which are provided with apertures, to the structure surfaces by settable material which extrudes through the apertures. The outer leg parts are offset from the inner leg parts to provide a space between the inner leg parts and the structure surfaces. A coating of filling and settable material is then applied over the outer leg parts to provide smooth tapered uninterrupted surfaces thereon. The cover strip member may be of planar form or in the form of an angle member.

Abstract: An economical method of constructing a means suitable for directing, transporting, or holding water based upon the use of an aqueous liquid silicone elastomeric emulsion to form a membrane on a depression surface which is suitable to direct, transport or hold water. The emulsion, which cures under atmospheric conditions, is sprayed on the depression surface, then dried. The construction is useful as a water harvesting structure with a long, useful life. Such structures are particularly useful in providing water for animals in arid regions.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a method for erecting a building comprising the steps of locating storey-high relatively thin-walled precast cured concrete panels having substantially L-shaped cross-sections, in a jig corresponding to a floor or portion of a floor of a building, the panels being in opposed and staggered relationship on a suitable base, the base including a channel and the lower edges of the panels being disposed in the channel, and casting a concrete slab or beam on the load-bearing walls thus erected, portions of said slab or beam as cast being disposed on opposite sides of the upper ends of the said panels thereby to lock the panels by the resulting in situ cast concrete slab or beam above them.

Abstract: Wall panels are formed with horizontal edge faces. An edge portion integral with the panel projects from one of these edge faces. Another edge portion is recessed into the opposite edge face and is shaped to fit the projecting edge portion of another panel. A groove extends into each projecting and recessed edge portion to form a pair of grooves facing one another between the edge portions of successive panels. Sealing material, substantially filling the pair of grooves, completes the wall structures.

Abstract: The present prefabricated structural element is especially adapted for the formation of balconies or other cantilevered structures. To this end a floor slab section or main section is joined to a balcony or cantilevered section by reinforcing steel elements which are connected to or in both sections and which bridge a gap between the sections. The gap width between the sections is preferably narrower than the top width of a supporting member, such as a wall or header, so that the gap may be filled with poured-in-place concrete once the element is properly placed in the desired position on top of the header or other supporting structure.