Abstract: Resilient and flexible grout seal strips for sealing off a space formed between the bottom of a concrete panel and a support beam on which the panels are supported, concrete panels, decks, and support beams having resilient and flexible grout seals and methods for fabricating such panels, beams and decks are disclosed. The grout seal strips have a first longitudinal edge adapted to be anchored on either the bottom of a precast panel or the top of a support beam adjacent the respective side edge thereof and extend substantially the length thereof, and have an opposed second longitudinal edge with a wide sealing portion therebetween adapted to engage the other of the panel bottom or the beam top adjacent the respective side edge thereof and form a sealing relation therewith.

Abstract: A corner form assembly for forming inside corners of concrete structures. A pair of double bias form components, each of which has an acute angle between a side rail and the face sheet are arranged with the side rails in contact engagement to form a form assembly with an inside angle equal to twice the acute angle of the side rails. A reverse bias coupler is used to join the double bias form components with conventional wall form panels having 90° end rails. The corner assembly acts to release the forces imposed on the components by the poured concrete upon disassembly and so allows the components to be readily stripped from the poured wall.

Abstract: The ledger mould assembly is suitable for use with a wall form assembly of the type comprising a pair of spaced-apart parallel foam panels defining therebetween a cavity for the setting of a flowable material for building an insulated wall. The ledger mould is used to receive a hardening flowable material and integrally forming a ledger to the wall. The ledger mould assembly comprises an elongated mould made of foam having a planar front face spanning from top to bottom, a tapered bottom edge and at least one flared recess in the front face, opening outwardly and upwardly from bottom to top. Mounting means are provided for horizontally mounting the mould against either one of the foam panels with the bottom down and the planar front face of the ledger mould in contact with the planar outside face of the foam panel. This set-up allows flowable hardening material to be poured from the top of the mould into the flared recesses to form a ledger once it has hardened.

Abstract: The structural framing system comprises a steel beam that supports flooring components interconnected through the addition of a solidifying material such as poured concrete. A structural framing system is created by anchoring steel beams to vertical columns, spanning floor sections between the steel beams, pouring concrete into the interior of the beams and contacting the flooring components, and then forming a rigid joint between the steel beam, floor sections and columns through the addition of a bonding layer.

Abstract: A wall spine assembly for a modular office system comprises a plurality of individual panel assemblies. Each of the panel assemblies includes a vertical support structure and mechanically affixed lower panels in a rigid box-beam structure. Facing panels are removably attached to support brackets mounted on the vertical supports. A cavity exists between the facing panels and vertical supports to permit the lay-in of cabling through the office system. A crown member is provided on the top of the vertical support and is adapted to receive brackets for the mounting of accessories above a desk or other work surface attached to the panel. The panels, and especially the crown, permit the mounting of office components such as shelves, storage cabinets, lighting fixtures and the like anywhere along the horizontal length of the wall. A horizontally telescoping vertical end post is also provided.

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 precast concrete slab for forming a deck in a bridge superstructure has a chamfer on forward and trailing edges so that adjacent slabs can mate. The slab is reinforced with bars which protrude laterally from the slab on opposite sides and which, in use, extend over support beams. Selected bars are formed in a castellated shape of which inverted U-shaped portions extend above the surface of the precast concrete slab. Conveniently, the U-shaped portions anchor a concrete topping which is poured over the slabs at a bridge site and also provide locations for hooking a crane used to transport the slab at a site.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device enabling reinforced concrete elements (1, 2) to be linked by means of metal cables, certain portions of which are inserted into the just made concrete (1) while the cable portions which are not inserted protrude into the enclosure formed by the second contiguous concrete element (2). The first concrete element (1) presents a reinforcement which terminates in the area of contact with the second concrete element (2). In parallel or extension to said reinforcement of the first concrete element, pieces of metal cable (4) are inserted so as to provide either spaces for locating the cable free ends in the first concrete element, or passages in the enclosure formed by said first concrete element.

Abstract: A building assembly for efficiently and economically constructing walls and roofs for a building assembly that utilizes a prefabricated building panel. The prefabricated panels utilize miter-cuts when joined, form cores, interior and exterior walls, and roofs, when placed together. The walls are pre-formed, offsite according to the required size dimensions and then transported to the job site. The panels are made essentially of a expanded polystyrene panel having cores and channels. Each building panel also includes vertically disposed parallel voids that are approximately 4 in. in diameter, spaced approximately 2 to 4 ft. apart, and receive poured concrete and steel rebar to provide structural rigidity to the entire building assembly. The poured concrete includes rebars that protrude through the entire channel and coring system and are embedded in the slab, and which may be extended above the wall height to bend and overlap the roof for added structural support.

Abstract: A lateral bracing system for one or two story frame structures utilizing a sheet member having a first portion with first and second opposite edges spanning a pair of vertical supports in the structure. The sheet member includes a second portion which imbeds in the concrete foundation or pier. The sheet member may includes flanges to aid in the connection between the sheet member and the separated studs. The sheet member may extend from the foundation of the structure to the first and second stories of the structure to provide shear strength in the structure.

Abstract: A system and method for transiently connecting modular elements of a self movable robot. The self movable robot is known as metamorphosing robots, polymorphic robots, shape changing robots, or morphable structures. The modular elements can act together to build a structure to perform a given task. Each modular robotic module contains a mechanism allowing for communication and transfer of power between adjacent modules, and defining a robot whole to be all the modules in one connected component.

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 construction panel for use in the erection of buildings comprising a panel of castable construction material of predetermined thickness, and having first and second sides; a plurality of structural members, reinforcing the panel on one side, at least some of the structural members comprising a generally linear edge, and a generally zig-zag edge, and a web extending between the linear edge and the zig-zag edge, the zig-zag edges defining apexes, and root portions; the apexes, being embedded in one side of the panel thereby securing at least some of the structural members to the panel; recesses formed in the web extending substantially from the apexes to the root portions; and, generally triangular indentations formed in the web throat portions adjacent to but spaced from the recesses. Also disclosed is a method of constructing a level portion of a building.

Abstract: Resilient grout seal strips for sealing off a space formed between the bottom of a concrete panel and a support beam on which the panels are supported, concrete panels, decks, and support beams having resilient grout seals and methods for fabricating such panels, beams and decks are disclosed. The resilient seal strips have a first longitudinal edge adapted to be anchored on either the bottom of a precast panel or the top of a support beam adjacent the respective side edge thereof and extend substantially the length thereof, and have an opposed second longitudinal edge with a wide sealing portion therebetween adapted to engage the other of the panel bottom or the beam top adjacent the respective side edge thereof and form a sealing relation therewith.

Abstract: The joint of concrete building elements includes a system of connecting pins (2), formed by rows of mutually parallel bars, the central parts of which cross the area end sections, concreted in mutually joined building elements. The connecting pins (2) are arranged in a brush system in at least one row in particular, however, into a group of mutually parallel rows of the connecting pins (2) arranged one over the other. The system of connecting pins (2) is concreted, in part of its length, into the contact surfaces of the supporting column head (1), from which the protruding second sections of the length of connecting pins (2) are concreted in the ceiling structure, particularly in the ceiling slab (3) and/or in ceiling girders (4).

Abstract: A method for anchoring a specialized structural member having an internal cavity to a foundation to resist uplift forces imposed on the structural member. Structural members having interior cavities with external openings are anchored to foundations by way of an anchor member embedded in the foundation and received and enveloped by the internal cavity. The anchor member is connected to the structural member by a plurality of fasteners. The anchor member is formed to provide multiple point-to-point contact with the structural member.

Abstract: A weight supporting device combined to a concrete footing form for assembling and filling concrete blocks and the footing form simultaneously is provided. Two symmetrical sidewalls combined with interlock fasteners provide strength to suspend on the form an entire wall of concrete blocks before and during the filling of the cells of the blocks and the form.

Abstract: Sealing device for sealing a joint (2) formed between two sections (3, 4) to be concreted, whereby the sealing device is embedded in the sections (3, 4) so that it is positioned at a right angle to the abutting ends (5, 6) of the joint (2) opposite the concreted sections (3, 4), whereby the sealing device is formed as a thin-walled, strip-shaped joint rail (1) made of rigid plastic and its dimensional shape and its wall thickness are so dimensioned that it is self-supporting.The rigid plastic is preferably a thermoplastic plastic, in particular HDPE, which is dimensionally stable in a temperature range of -20.degree. C. to +80.degree. C.

Abstract: A coupling is provided between two structural elements, each comprising at least one part having tensively strong gauze formed for instance of metal such as steel, which parts can be registered in interlaced relation and which can be mutually coupled in this interlaced and registered situation by an elongate coupling element. A very practical embodiment is that in which the one part has at least two hook-like or loop-like protrusions which can be placed through the other part, wherein the elongate coupling element can be placed through these protrusions to thus block rearward displacement.

Abstract: A construction panel for use in the erection of buildings comprising a panel of castable construction material of predetermined thickness, and having first and second sides; a plurality of structural members, reinforcing the panel on one side, at least some of the structural members comprising a generally linear edge, and a generally zig-zag edge, and a web extending between the linear edge and the zig-zag edge, the zig-zag edges defining apexes, and root portions; the apexes, being embedded in one side of the panel thereby securing at least some of the structural members to the panel; recesses formed in the web extending substantially from the apexes to the root portions; and, generally triangular indentations formed in the web throat portions adjacent to but spaced from the recesses. Also disclosed is a method of constructing a level portion of a building.

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: A building structure has an outer shell including sidewalls and an integrated roof projecting upwardly therefrom. The sidewall and roof include an inner plurality of supporting studs with a mesh member secured abutting the inner side of the studs. A plastic outer wall is formed from a plurality of polystyrene panels. The panels are located in abutting relation and interconnected to each other and to the studs to define a plastic wall and defining a concrete receiving space. T-bars are located between abutting panels and abut the exterior of the panels. A tie-rod connects the T-bars to the studs to support the insulating wall in spaced relation to the mesh. The panels are recessed to form columns within the wall and roof structure. Reinforcing bars are located within the columns. Wet concrete is deposited into the concrete space and thereby integrally interconnected to the inner wall unit and to the outer insulating wall to form a continuous integral wall and roof.

Abstract: A structural element for thermal insulation between two concrete structural components. An insulating body having metal reinforcing rods extending therethrough is to be attached to the concrete structural members with the rods extending within each member along either side of the insulating body. The rods running diagonally through the insulating body and extending along upper and lower edges of the insulating body so as to lie within upper and lower portions of the concrete structural members. Fire protection plates may be attached along upper and lower surfaces of the insulating body.

Abstract: Prefabricated vertical and horizontal support elements. The vertical support elements consist of columns which have breaches on the concrete at the floor levels. The horizontal support elements are made of supporting and rigidity beams, that have protruding elements which can be inserted in the cited breaches of the columns. Every protruding element of every beam is inserted between the vertical rods of the column into which it is assembled. The beams are held in place by other rods that are laid longitudinally. These rods are anchored to the beams by means of protruding steel rods or similar devices before the concrete is poured.

Abstract: Adjacent reinforced, preformed wall panels are joined to one another by a wet-knit joint. The confronting edges of the wall panels are formed to have an undulating pattern of alternating convex, concave segments having ends of reinforcement bars extending from the concave segments. The reinforcement bar ends are connected to an arrangement of elongate bars and a zig-zag reinforcement bar, that knits the wall panels together. The wet-knit joint is completed by the introduction of concrete, or other pourable material, that, when cured, creates a strong connection between the wall panels.

Abstract: A method of construction of a multi-storey building which comprises precasting side slab walls (3) with a plurality of cavities (6). The pre-casting includes incorporating shaped lengths of steel bars (8,9) so that one or more lengths pass through each cavity (6). Tie elements (20, 30, 40 or 50) inter-engage with the bar (9) and are secured to the slab floor slab (4) by a concrete or other topping (5), which together form the floor unit (2). The ties can be secured to the bar by a pin (11) once the tie is engaged with or about the bar (9), but may perform this function without a pin. The ties can be one of a number of embodiments.

Abstract: An improved structural system for supporting a building includes prefabricated light weight steel framed bearing wall panels supporting hollow core concrete slabs which are joined with grout. The invention presents improved devices for attaching exterior finishing to exterior bearing walls without requiting a studded non-bearing exterior wall, improved attachment devices for connecting upper level and lower level bearing walls, improved design of bearing walls to eliminate the need for bearing plates between studs and tracks, and an improved splice member for aligning reinforcing bars. The exterior finish mounting device includes a deck stud channel which is mounted to a reinforcing bar by a channel clip and secured in grout by a gusset plate with a hole in it. The exterior finish is attached to the stud channel by screws which are also secured in the grout. Flat metal straps welded to the tops of double studs eliminate the previously used threaded members with angled bearings, nuts and washers.

Abstract: A relatively low cost, easy to install reinforcement coupler to be interconnected between a pair of opposing reinforcement steel bars that are either embedded in and protrude outwardly from adjacent precast concrete structures or form part of the reinforcement of a prefabricated reinforcement element or cast in place concrete member. An eyelet is welded to the protruding end of each reinforcement steel bar. A pair of steel coupler plates having bolt holes formed through each end thereof extends between opposite sides of the reinforcement steel bars so that the eyelets of the reinforcement steel bars are sandwiched between the coupler plates and the bolt holes at the ends of the coupler plates are axially aligned with respective ones of the eyelets. A threaded bolt is then inserted through the bolt holes in each of the ends of each of the pair of coupler plates as well as the eyelets disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Here is a method of construction of a multi-storey building comprising the following steps: positioning precast side slab walls on the site; each slab wall defining outer and inner wall surfaces with the inner wall surface being inclusive of a plurality of inwardly-extending cavities; positioning one or more precast floor slabs each being of appropriate dimensions for a respective floor of the building; each floor slab having secured thereon or therein one or more retaining means; engaging each retaining means in an adjacent cavity to position the floor slab as required; and securing the so-engaged retaining means such that the respective floor slab is secured relative to the side walls.

Abstract: A insulating foamed polymer wall panel comprising a sheet of foamed polymer having sizable dimensions to form a substantial part of a wall when assembled. Adjacent wall panels are coupled using splines which, together with the side edges of the panels, form the sidewalls of a cement channel between the panels. The panel has connecting slots for receiving the splines and a plurality of edges, each top and side edge having a longitudinally extending groove to accommodate the fill of cement therein. The grooves provide tongue-and-groove connections between the cement post and adjacent wall panels once the cement has set, thus locking the latter into place.

Abstract: A first concrete element has a connecting member, and the connecting member of the first concrete element has a hole extending therethrough. A second concrete element has a connecting member, and the connecting member of the second concrete element has a threaded hole. A bolt is inserted through the hole of the connecting member of the first concrete element and is threadably secured into the threaded hole of the connecting member of the second concrete element so as to join the first and second concrete elements together. The connecting member of the second concrete member may be ductile so that earthquake energy may be dissipated in order to prevent significant structural damage in the presence of an earthquake.

Abstract: Method for connecting precast concrete units which do not have projecting reinforcing bars by heating the concrete placed into the connecting point electrically in order to shorten the curing period.This method comprises the steps of covering the end surfaces of the precast concrete units with sheet-type wire nettings which have the same shape and size as that of the cross section of the precast concrete units, fixing the wire nettings in their position with nonconductive spacers, connecting the wire nettings to the terminals of an electric power source in order to heat the concrete as it becomes an electric resistant material and shorten the curing period.

Abstract: A method of jointing members and a jointing structure capable of simplifying the jointing operation and facilitating jointing of members firmly together without exposing jointed portions on jointing surfaces of the members. A recessed portion is formed in the jointing surface of one member and a bag body made of a flexible material is attached to the jointing surface of the other member wherein the jointing surfaces of both members are brought into contact with each other while the bag body is inserted into the recessed portion and a filler is introduced into and fills the bag body so as to expand the bag body into a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral shape of the recessed portion. Tensile strength is generated in the bag body that has been expanded by the fillers in the jointing direction, whereby both members can be firmly jointed with each other while they are fastened by the filled body bag.

Abstract: A prefabricated panel is disclosed which has high structural strength and simplifies the fabrication of buildings on site. The panels cooperate with structural grid type members to provide infill for the grid while, more importantly, significantly contributing to the overall structural stability of the building. The structural grid type members, in a preferred embodiment, are of a cement material and can be poured in place in cavities preformed in the panels. The panels can be prefabricated and, in a preferred embodiment, for interior and exterior finish materials are part of the panels.

Abstract: To erect concrete structures, precast concrete beams are formed, columns having void spaces therein are erected and angle irons are temporarily mounted to said columns at beam level wherein said beams may be temporarily supported. At least one beam is positioned orthogonal to a column near the void in the column supported by the angle iron and cast-in-place concrete fills the void between the ends of said beams and said columns. In another embodiment, the columns are solid and the beams have openings of such a size as to fit around the columns so that they can be lowered to the proper beam height about the column and fastened, with the other ends of the beam being joined to adjacent beams.

Abstract: A wind resistant concrete building is disclosed. The building includes a concrete base section and a wall section that has a plurality of discrete concrete wall panels. Each wall panel interengages and extends substantially perpendicularly from at least one other wall panel to reinforce the wall section. Each pair of interengaging wall panels are fastened together and the wall section is secured to the base. A precast concrete roof section including at least one roof panel mounted to the wall section and the roof section is attached to each of the wall panels.

Abstract: A method of building multistory structures having poured concrete slabs. Vertical structural columns and other nonstructural members penetrating the finished floor slabs are terminated at each floor below the level of the finished slab. The slab is then poured, covering the terminated structural and nonstructural members with a thin layer of concrete, and leaving an upper slab surface unencumbered by upward projections. The entire slab is then screeded by a screeding machine in one pass. In an alternative embodiment, the screeding machine makes more than one pass, but the upper surface is still unobstructed. The thin layer of concrete is readily discerned by coloration differences, and is chipped away and removed. All penetrating members are then extended. The process is repeated until all slabs are completed. The novel method is usable with both steel and poured concrete columns.

Abstract: Glazed masonry building unit is provided for constructing a stanchion or turning a corner. The front face of each such masonry building unit is glazed with a resinous composition and is intended to be exposed. the front face comprises a planar portion, a first angled segment that intersects the planar portion at one end thereof to thereby form an obtuse angle, and a second angled segment that intersects the planar portion at the other end thereof to thereby form an obtuse angle. Also provided is a stanchion constructed of a plurality of the glazed masonry building units. Moreover, there is provided a mold for producing the glazed masonry building units.

Abstract: A wet connection method for the precast concrete units capable of performing the connection of the units in a shorter time by electrically heating the concrete placed in the connection part. This method comprises the steps of connecting the reinforcing bars of the units to each other with a second conductive member of a conductive wire or net member in a space defined by the reinforcing bars, winding a conductive liner member around the connected reinforcing bars in order to provide a first conductive member, electrically connecting terminals of an electric power source to the first and second conductive members in such a manner that the polarities of the terminal and the conductive member are opposite to each other and applying electric power to the conductive members in order to cause the concrete placed in the connection part to be heated and rapidly cured. The present connection method shortens the curing time of the concrete and the term of work.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete building (10) has vertical walls (16) formed of prefabricated modules (24) which may be assembled offsite and then transported to the construction site for installation and application of concrete. The prefabricated modules (24) are supported between lower and upper channel-shaped support members (30, 40) and are spaced from each other a sufficient distance for a concrete column (54) therebetween. A backing member (50) is secured between adjacent modules (24) and vertical reinforcing rods (42) are provided adjacent backing member (50) in the space between the modules (24) for the concrete columns (54). Concrete is applied pneumatically against the backing member (50) to fill the space between the modules (24) to form the concrete column (54).

Abstract: The present inventive building and the construction method thereof uses a joined-and-filled-in-situ casing system from which to provide the foundation, exterior walls and interior walls of a structure using materials that are high strength, extremely durable, highly insulating and fire-retardant. The present inventive building and the construction method thereof provides a solution to the excessive wastes generated during conventional construction methods by utilizing construction materials that are recycled by being shredded and used as insulating fill. The present inventive building and construction method thereof incorporates an improved electrical wiring system that is particularly suited to the above casing system. The inventive wiring system provides an improved gang-box and wire conduit means that is much easier to install than convention wiring methods. Live wires are encapsulated in a substantially fire-proof medium, and the location of wiring within walls is consistent and hence predictable.

Abstract: A knot for connecting pillars and girders includes a first member adapted to be mounted on a pillar, and a plurality of second members which are each adapted to be connected to a respective girder. The number of second members is equal to the number of girders to be coupled with the pillar. The first member is made up of an upper plate and a lower plate that are coaxial and vertically spaced with respect to each other. These plates each have a number of sides equal to the number of the girders that converge onto the knot. The first member has a first coupling. The lower and upper plates are vertically coupled to each other by joining tongues which have second couplings. The second member has first and second horizontal plates which are vertically spaced from each other, and these plates are provided with a third coupling that couples with the first coupling of the first member. The first and second plates are joined by a transverse vertical plate and a longitudinal vertical plate.

Abstract: A column assembly having a plurality of floor-height columns which are erected vertically, one on top of the other, to define the floors of the building structure to be constructed. Each column comprises a plurality of reinforcement rods which are embedded in the column and extend outwardly from the ends thereof. The rods are cut at precisely equal lengths to extend precisely equal distances from each end of the column. Each rod is threaded in a precise manner with the thread beginning at the same orientation for each rod such that when the columns are stacked end-to-end, the rods are in perfect axial alignment with the thread of one rod continuously leading into the thread of the contiguous rod to which it is aligned. A threaded sleeve is threaded onto the rods extending from the lower end of the upper column and, after stacking of the upper column end-to-end onto a lower column, the threaded sleeve may be threaded onto the axially aligned and contiguous rods extending from the lower column.

Abstract: A precast insulated concrete panel and a method of forming same and a building structure incorporating such panel is described. The precast insulated concrete panel is comprised of an outer insulating skin formed by a rigid layer of insulating sheet foam material connected to a concrete inner wall layer cast on the inner surface of the insulating material. The inner surface of the insulating material has connecting cavities formed therein so that the concrete flows into the cavity and connects to the rigid insulating material through integral plugs of concrete which are set formed with the connecting cavities. Connectors are also formed in the concrete and in the insulation to connect and manipulate the panels and to attach outer finishing building materials to the insulation. These panels may be utilized in a tilt-up construction method and connect to floor slabs to form building structures of more than one storey.

Abstract: Concrete panels for making concrete decks or floors for spanning between structural supports; parts of such panels including shear connectors, thread formers, and resilient grout seals; tools for manipulating grout-seals; co-acting forms for making panels; interior and overhang panels and apparatuses and methods for fabricating and using such panels. The panels have a seal member device connected to a body member for sealing off a space between the panel and a structural support on which the panel rests.

Abstract: A building system utilizing outwardly projecting legs on a horizontally or vertically extending purlin to connect with standard stirrups on conventional columns in a rebar assembly. The stirrups are force-fit within the legs of the purlins extending outwardly from the surface of adjoining wall sections such that the rebar and the wall sections are connected in a uniframe construction without welding and a metal form can be fitted around the connection to form a channel into which concrete may be poured to form a unitary structure.

Abstract: There is described a prefabricated module comprising a three-dimensional armature formed by welded wires, and flat elements from light and/or heat-insulating material, retained on either side of the armature to form at least one continuous panel. One and the same module may be used either for bearing structures extending vertically, or for bearing structures extending horizontally, and having retaining means for the armatures.

Abstract: A building method and system for the progressive construction of extensions in a dwelling, where the layout of the extension has been previously established. The system is composed of three stages. In the first stage, only the necessary foundations are built, a limited number of precast vertical wall reinforcements and a temporay roofing are installed. In the second stage, load bearing walls are erected and fixed to the initial vertical wall reinforcements with mortar keys that fill indentations in the precast elements, complimentary wall reinforcements are poured and lintels, doors and windows are installed. In the third stage, the temporary roofing is relocated at a second extension while in the first extension a permanent slab is built and the interior partitions and finishes are installed.

Abstract: A column assembly having a plurality of floor-height columns which are erected vertically, one on top of the other, to define the floors of the building structure to be constructed. Each column comprises a plurality of reinforcement rods which are embedded in the column and extend outwardly from the ends thereof. The rods are cut at precisely equal lengths to extend precisely equal distances from each end of the column. Each rod is threaded in a precise manner with the thread beginning at the same orientation for each rod such that when the columns are stacked end-to-end, the rods are in perfect axial alignment with the thread of one rod continuously leading into the thread of the contiguous rod to which it is aligned. A threaded sleeve is threaded onto the rods extending from the lower end of the upper column and, after stacking of the upper column end-to-end onto a lower column, the threaded sleeve may be threaded onto the axially aligned and contiguous rods extending from the lower column.

Abstract: A channel shaped cap support strip for a cap strip of a tiled counter top is formed with a plurality of projecting tongues that are embedded within the adhesive that overlies the horizontal surface of the counter, with the body of the cap support strip channel being nailed to the vertical surface of the front of the counter. The tongues, embedded in the adhesive that holds the tile in place, hold the upper part of the cap support strip securely tied to the counter top and prevent flexing and cracking of the tile cap strips.