Abstract: A fire and/or water resistant expansion joint system for installation between substrates of a tunnel. The system includes a coating applied at a predetermined thickness to the substrates and a fire and water resistant expansion joint. The expansion joint includes a core and a fire retardant infused into the core. The core is configured to define a profile to facilitate the compression of the expansion joint system when installed between the substrates. The coating and the fire and water resistant expansion joint are each capable of withstanding exposure to a temperature of at least about 540° C. or greater for about five minutes.

Abstract: A framed forming panel system a plurality of lightweight framed foam panels secured to a plurality of load bearing members having a user defined spacing to form a panel wall; ceiling for floor with a fastening region lattice. Each lightweight framed form panel composed a channel formed in a frame to receive a lightweight panel of foam. Fixation of framed panels to load bearing members in opposition to one another allows the panel walls, ceiling or floor to function as a form to retain an insulative mass placed within the voids created by the opposing framed panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing unitary insulated wail panels, wherein the panels form a cavity for receiving expandable foam insulation, and form integral attachment means for attaching the panel to a building wall system. Unitary foam insulated panels having integral attachment means are further provided.

Abstract: A structural module (10) for use in water irrigation, water drainage, water retention and water filtering systems, comprises a load bearing base unit (10) and porous material (15), wherein the base unit has a top wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) spaced therefrom by one or more supporting elements (13, 20) so as to define a volume between the top and bottom walls. The base unit being provided with apertures (17, 18, 19) to permit the flow of liquid into and out of the volume. The porous material is a block (15) foamed polymeric material which occupies a substantial portion of the volume within the base unit and absorbs and retains water that passes through the apertures.

Abstract: A structural element (10). The inventive structural element (10) includes a frame (12) comprised of a plurality of studs (40) arranged in two rows, a first row (40A) disposed along a first side of the frame (12) and a second row (40B) disposed along a second side of the frame (12), and a foam core (18) disposed within the frame (12) between the first and second rows of studs (40). In an preferred embodiment, the studs (40) each include an exterior face (52), at least one interior face (54), at least one hollow interior cell (70), and at least one opening (74) through an interior face (54) adapted to provide access to a cell (70), and the foam (18) is adapted to fill the interior of the frame (12), penetrating within the hollow cells (70) of the studs (40) through the interior face openings (74).

Abstract: A disposable roof covering comprising a plastic substrate having a porous top surface, and a superabsorbent polymer located between the top surface and bottom surface of the substrate. The polymer absorbs water contacting the roof covering and allows it to evaporate over time to cool the roof structure and interior of the building. The invention provides a lightweight, low cost roof covering for cooling buildings. A method for cooling a roof structure by applying the disposable roof covering over the roof structure is also provided.

Abstract: A panel (10), in particular for making a structure which is resistant to bending, such as a floor (11) of a construction, in particular of a building, comprises at least a first and a second lightening block which are positioned side by side and a resistant element (12) between the lightening blocks which are positioned side by side. The resistant element (12) is a metal element for supporting the panel blocks.

Abstract: A roof paneling system includes a roof panel comprising an open-cell inorganic foam. The foam can decrease hydraulic conductivity of the roof paneling system, filter rainwater falling on the roof, and reflect excess heat. The open-cell inorganic foam preferably comprises a ceramic or glass, and has a porosity of at least about 20%, a mean pore size less than about 10 mm, and a thickness of at least about 10 mm. The foam can include a hydrophilic compound that further decreases the hydraulic conductivity of the foam. Optionally, the foam can have a reflectivity of at least about 20%.

Abstract: An annular duct insulation structure includes a substantially rigid annular insulation-retaining insert having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A viscoelastic insulation foam layer is disposed around the substantially cylindrical outer surface of the insert so as to result in a composite insulation structure of the foam layer and the insert. The foam layer is formed of at least one of (A) a compressed open-cell foam layer or (B) a compressed closed-cell foam layer in which at least a portion of the closed cells has been opened, wherein the foam layer has been compressed sufficiently to permit the composite insulation structure to be slipped into an annular duct without substantial friction, and wherein the foam layer decompresses so as to substantially fill a void between an inner surface of the duct and an outer surface of the foam layer of the composite insulation structure.

Abstract: An insulation system for a cavity of a building structure, including: a layer of plastic foam insulation present on a substrate of the cavity, and a layer of blown-in fiberglass insulation in substantial contact with the layer of plastic foam insulation, wherein the layer of plastic foam insulation is present between the substrate and the layer of blown-in fiberglass insulation.

Abstract: A roof/wall structure includes a substantially rigid substrate and a waterproof membrane adhesively joined to an outer surface of the substrate. The membrane includes a layer of thermoplastic or elastomeric waterproof material, a layer of cushion material bound to an inner surface of the layer of waterproof material, and a pressure sensitive adhesive bound to a side of the layer of cushion material remote from the layer of waterproof material and bound to the substrate.

Abstract: A product, system and method for reinforcing structural members is provided. The invention includes an elongated beam having a plurality of walls, each of the plurality of walls forming an internal cavity including an interior surface and an exterior surface; a reinforcing material preferably a flowable, strong, conglomerate construction material that hardens and gains strength when cured, such as a cementious building material (e.g., cementious grout or foam), disposed within the internal cavity, whereby the cured reinforcing material and walls form a strong, composite structural member. The invention further comprises a layer of sealant and/or protectant applied on the interior surface of the walls of the beam to prevent interaction between the reinforcing material and the walls (e.g. aluminum or metal or alloy). The invention further comprises one or more reinforcing rods (e.g. rebar) extending from a slab into the internal cavity.

Abstract: A structural panel includes perimeter rails and parallel joists having top and bottom surfaces lying in common parallel planes. Between the joists and the rails are diagonal planar bridge members extending obliquely in zigzag manner such that an end of one of the bridge members butts an opposed end of a next one of the bridge members at a side face of the joist. Planar top cover sheets bottom cover sheet are adhesively bonded to the top and bottom surfaces of the rail members, bridge members and joists. When used in a modular building, the floor has sufficient stiffness for the module to be transported from an assembly location in finished condition with all interior and exterior cladding attached and with the walls are topped by finished sandwich ceiling panels. The roof structure spanning the assembled modules is built on at the installation location.

Abstract: A compressible seal for a loading dock includes a pliable heat shield that helps protect the seal from concentrated heat generated by a truck's taillight being pressed against the seal. The seal includes a compressible foam core protected by a tough outer covering. The heat shield is preferably placed against the foam core, just underneath the cover. The shield reflects heat away from the foam and helps disperse the heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot spots.

Abstract: A compressible seal for a loading dock includes a pliable heat shield that helps protect the seal from concentrated heat generated by a truck's taillight being pressed against the seal. The seal includes a compressible foam core protected by a tough outer covering. The heat shield is preferably placed against the foam core, just underneath the cover. The shield reflects heat away from the foam and helps disperse the heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot spots.

Abstract: A concrete form panel system includes a basic form panel of expanded polystyrene material having at least one slot formed in the top surface along its length, to divide the panel top surface into piers. A series of top hats are provided for selective attachment to the piers to increase the depth of the slots between piers, and thereby increase the depth of a joist formed by hardened concrete poured into the slot. Transverse slots may also be formed by separating top hats along their lengths. The transverse slots create transverse bracing between T-joists in a concrete deck. The form panels and top hats may also be used to create separate structural joists with attachment lifts, to permit connection of the joists to a subsequently constructed floor or deck system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vapor barrier for use in the thermal insulation of buildings which can be used, in particular, for thermal insulation procedures in new buildings or in the renovation of old buildings. The vapor barrier in accordance with the invention is thereby capable of achieving water vapor exchange under different ambient conditions. This is achieved by using a material which has a water vapor diffusion resistance which is dependent on the ambient humidity and which also has adequate tensile strength and tear resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading dock door seal for sealing the space between a loading dock door opening and a vehicle backing up to the opening and an elongated longitudinal pad member for use in the loading dock door seal. The elongated longitudinal pad member comprises a mounting face for mounting said pad member to a surface; a sealing face for sealingly engaging the rear edge of a vehicle which backs up to and abuts against the pad member; whereby the pad member is formed of a first compressible resilient material, having a first predetermined degree of flexibility and having at least one flexing zone therein, the at least one flexing zone permitting the forced movement of the sealing face relative to the mounting face and thus the surface, to accommodate the movement of a vehicle in abutting and sealing engagement with the pad member.

Abstract: The use is described of rigid foam cores in panels, especially doors, of the kind comprising a foam core (22) between two molded skins (8,10). The weather-resistance, especially the resistance to thermally-induced bowing, of such panels is improved by forming the panel of at least one vacuum-formed thermoplastics skin (8,10) adhesively bonded to a substantially open-cell, rigid foam core (22). If the foam has frangible cell walls, it can be conformed to accommodate the depressed zones of a molded overlying door skin (8,10) by crumbling under compression, with fracture of the cell walls to accommodate the zones. A preferred open-cell rigid foam is a phenolic foam reinforced with finely divided particulate filler.

Abstract: A structural panel for building structures such as residential houses or the like comprises a honeycomb or other cellular core sandwiched between two metal face sheets and surrounded by a metal frame. Frame members of the frame form mechanical interlocking connections with the face sheets of the panel. Side frame members of the panel define interlocking protrusions and channels for making interlocking joints between panels. A building structure employing the panels for forming floor and roofs includes brackets that extend into a gap between the side frame members of the panel at the panel joints and attach to the side frame members. The brackets are used for attaching the panels to other parts of the structure.

Abstract: A resilient, insulated door panel for a sliding door includes a resilient core protected by a compliant outer covering with a seal disposed about the perimeter of the panel. The panel has sufficient resilience to recover from an impact that temporarily deforms it, yet has sufficient rigidity to transmit a compressive force needed for effectively setting the seals. Much of the core is filled with air to not only provide effective insulation and resilience, but to also provide an extremely lightweight door panel that can be operated to travel rapidly along an overhead track. Some embodiments include relatively rigid backup plates that provide a solid foundation to which the perimeter seals can be attached. The backup plates are segmented so as not to completely restrict the flexibility of the door panel.

Abstract: A light weight foam block being substantially rectangular in shape, having horizontal and vertical pairs of tongues and grooves around its perimeter enabling it to interlock with horizontally and vertically adjacent blocks to construct a mine stopping wall.

Abstract: An insulating polymer foam sheet having two major sides and at least one groove in at least one of said sides. At least a portion of the foam sheet adjacent to the groove is compressible and resilient, and has a length and height the same as the adjacent groove. Each groove and compressible portion is of a width that permits the groove to receive and tightly fit around a support member in a frame building construction.

Abstract: A dock seal for sealing the interface between a vehicle and a loading dock, including a resilient member and a flexible material embedded in the resilient member. The dock seal can be made by applying a liquid material over the resilient member and curing the liquid material to form a flexible coating. The liquid material can be applied by spraying, pouring, dipping or brushing. A puncture-resistant material can be positioned adjacent the resilient member before curing the liquid material. In one embodiment, the resilient member is attached to a dock seal frame and mounted to the loading dock.