Abstract: A prefabricated ribbed panel for installation either in a horizontal, vertical or inclined condition, characterized in that said panel comprises a caisson block (1) made of an inert insulating material, defining a plurality of recesses (2) for housing therein a longitudinal reinforcement structure (10) which can be embedded in a first concrete casting (11) made at a concrete casting shop; a first finishing slab floor (13) with an electrowelded network (15) at panel joining regions being moreover provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the formation of structures utilizing fill materials capable of hardening, such as concrete. The methods and apparatus may include the employment of enhanced load-bearing capabilities, which may yield substantial efficiencies in time, labor, materials and costs attendant to fill material formation. The methods and apparatus may be particularly suited for use with manufacturing and prefabrication processes.

Abstract: The invention herein pertains to pavement marking patterns and the application thereof to roads, streets, walkways and the like. Various pattern designs for the markings are available to replicate layers of bricks, cobblestones, horizontal signage, logos and other components. The marking patterns are composed of two or more independent sections, the first section is a grid representing for example, the mortar joints in a brick wall. The second sections or inserts, for example represent bricks which are contained within the grid. As the first and second sections are generally formed from different colored, preferably thermoplastic materials, a hot melt adhesive spray is utilized on the bottom surface of the marking pattern to bridge the intersections between the first and second sections to maintain the integrity of the marking pattern for convenience during handling and application to a substrate.

Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: A self-furring wire lath has stiffening trusses. In a preferred embodiment the lath comprises a grid of intersecting transverse and longitudinal wires welded at their intersections. Stiffening trusses are formed at bent sections in the transverse wires by first longitudinal wires affixed at the shoulders of the bent sections and second longitudinal wires affixed on the bent sections. A barrier layer is disposed between the first and second longitudinal wires. A building paper backing may be affixed to the barrier layer. The lath reduces cracking and wastage of stucco while remaining easy to work with.

Abstract: A wall system employing channel-reinforced lightweight precast concrete wall panels. The precast wall panels include a concrete slab, a pair of spaced-apart elongated generally parallel metallic side channels, and a plurality of spaced-apart elongated generally parallel metallic attachment channels. The side channels and attachment channels are partially embedded in the slab and extend substantially perpendicular to one another. Each wall panel can be coupled to a support wall by extending self-tapping screws through metallic wall framing members and the attachment channels at locations where the framing members and attachment channels cross.

Abstract: A backerboard sheet is for moist areas and includes a core having opposing first and second major surfaces, at least one moisture-resistant face layer on at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the core; and wherein the core includes aerated concrete. The provision of aerated concrete for the core provides many key advantages over conventional backerboard sheets, such as gypsum greenboard or cementitious backerboard, for example. The at least one moisture-resistant face layer may include fibers, such as arranged in a woven mesh. The fibers may include at least one of glass, plastic, and metal. In addition, the at least one moisture-resistant face layer may further include a moisture-resistant material incorporating the fibers, such as a suitable resin, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite action system and a method for fabricating the same to meet OSHA safety requirements and allow for welding off the work site. An improved structural system achieves the desired composite behavior by providing one or more structural members, plates coupled with the structural members, transverse reinforcing members passing through apertures in the plates, and additional reinforcing members positioned parallel and transverse to the structural members to provide an interlocking composite action between the structural members, reinforcing members, and concrete.

Abstract: A structural member of this class basically consists of two spaced shell panels and an intermediate core. The shell panels may be made of metal or concrete or combinations thereof, or of other rigid materials having the required physical properties. The core is a triangulated wire frame composed of a plurality of zig-zag shaped wire trusses having their sets of top and bottom apexes anchored to associated sets of longitudinal and transverse chords and the respective proximate inside faces of the shell panels. The arrangement of the wire trusses is such that, in each group of three adjacent wire trusses, the middle one has its bottom apexes also connected to the bottom apexes of the wire truss located on one side of the middle wire truss and has its top apexes also connected to the top apexes of the wire truss located on the other side of the middle wire truss.

Abstract: A deck panel for reinforced concrete slabs is disclosed. The deck panel is formed by integrating a plurality of deck girders with a deck plate into a single structure. In each of the deck girders, a single lattice member is welded to upper and lower steel bars. The lattice member has a zigzag configuration with both a plurality of holding rib parts and a plurality of horizontal foot parts. The lattice member is positioned relative to the upper and lower steel bars in a way such that the holding rib parts, individually having a foot part, are alternately positioned on opposite sides of the upper and lower steel bars. A vertical fixing steel bar is welded to each end of the deck girder with both the top end of the fixing steel bar being welded to the upper steel bar and the middle portion of the fixing steel bar being welded to the lower steel bar.

Abstract: An exodermic deck for structural floors including bridge floors, road beds, pedestrian walkways, or the like, comprises a composite structure of a grid component and a top component. The grid component is preferably made of steel and includes a plurality of main bearing bars and a plurality of distribution bars oriented perpendicular to the main bearing bars. The top component is preferably made from reinforced concrete. The upper portions of either the main bearing bars or the distribution bars are embedded in the reinforced concrete component permitting horizontal shear transfer and creating a composite deck structure which maximizes the use of tensile strength of steel and the compressive strength of concrete. The top sections of the embedded bars have gripping surfaces for effecting mechanical locks between the grid component and the concrete component and increasing the horizontal shear transfer therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides a foundation raft for supporting a structure such as a low rise building on soil which is prone to heaving or settling. The raft has a pair of foundation slabs, of set cementitious material which are spaced apart by a plurality of upwardly extending webs. The webs are fast with the slabs. Each slab has a thickness A of 50-200 mm; the slabs are spaced apart by a spacing B of 100-1500 mm; and each web has a thickness C of 0.2-400 mm.

Abstract: The structural element for a building comprises an insulating panel and a concrete rib plate. The concrete rib plate has a plurality of base members and rib members and is cast on the insulating panel used instead of a form. The rib members are fastened in corresponding recesses of the insulating panel. The concrete rib plate has a planar reinforcement in the form of at least one steel mat and the rib members have corresponding rib reinforcing elements. The insulating panel is provided with a plurality of spacing retainers in the recesses and in the base members on which the steel mat and the rib reinforcing elements rest and which position and orient the steel mat and the rib reinforcing elements.

Abstract: An open web joist system and a composite concrete structure incorporating said open web joist system wherein the top chord comprises two spaced-apart angle bars held in spaced-apart relationship by bar stock of an open web member and a closure member for blocking the downward flow of concrete between the vertical legs of the top chord. Concrete is thus enabled to flow into the groove formed by the two angle bars at the top chord and serve as a keyway to prevent longitudinal movement of the concrete with respect to the joist members. Bolts are used to suspend spanner bars for holding concrete forms in place, and these bolts pass downwardly through an opening in the closure member to the spanner bars.

Abstract: A T-shaped construction element for use in combination with an open web joist to support spanner bars, and a composite open web joist and concrete slab construction which results from the use of that combination.

Abstract: A system for forming concrete structural elements including a plurality of runners forming a spaced array; a plurality of supports extending upwardly from and connecting intersecting runners; and a plurality of coffer plates secured in position over the supports by a plurality of anchor nuts capable of interacting with the concrete poured to form the structural element. The coffer plates initially act as a mold for the structural element being formed. Thereafter, the array of runners and supports are used to suspend finishing components (plumbing lines, eletrical conduit, electrical wiring and fixtures, ceilings, non-load-bearing walls, etc.) from the structural element without requiring alteration of the concrete forming the structural element.