Abstract: Fire block devices for application to a wall component, a wall component with a fire block device and wall assemblies including the same. The fire-block device can be a wall component that includes a fire-resistant material strip that expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier. In some applications, the fire-block wall component is positioned to extend lengthwise along and across a gap between wallboard members. The fire-block wall component may have a central portion and a pair of side portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion. The fire-resistant material may be positioned on the central portion of the fire-block device. The central portion may be positioned within the gap such that the fire-resistant material expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier.

Abstract: A method of building insulated concrete walls by using concrete that exerts low hydrostatic pressure and a special stud that supports and secures simple rectangular shaped insulation boards used as stay-in-place forms on one side of the wall. The construction process begins with the vertical positioning of the studs and insulation boards on one side of the wall. Steel reinforcement is placed next to the insulation boards and low hydrostatic pressure producing concrete is cast against the reinforcement, the exposed part of the stud and the insulation board. As the concrete is placed it embeds the exposed part of the stud and when the concrete cures it causes the stud to be bonded to the concrete and sufficiently rigid to secure the insulation board and wallboard or other cladding that may be affixed to the stud.

Abstract: Thermally-isolating wall anchors and anchoring systems employing the same are disclosed. A thermally-isolating coating is applied to the wall anchor, which is interconnected with a wire formative veneer tie. The thermally-isolating coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The thermally-coated wall anchors provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.

Abstract: Thermally-isolating wall anchors and anchoring systems employing the same are disclosed. A thermally-isolating coating is applied to the wall anchor, which is interconnected with a wire formative veneer tie. The thermally-isolating coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The thermally-coated wall anchors provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.

Abstract: A wall system includes a first wall section a structural portion, such as concrete block construction. A second wall section mounts to the first wall section and includes insulating panels connected in an edge to edge relationship to form a continuous insulating layer. A third wall section of conventional finishing materials such as drywall, paneling or exterior finish layer mounts over the second wall section. Each of the insulating panels includes mounting elements at least partially embedded therein that provide for mounting the panels to the first layer and for mounting the third wall section to the second wall section. Each of the panels is lightweight and may be water impervious. The panels have ridges formed therein that define channels for routing wiring and other components. The panels also include complementary edges and complementary alignment features.

Abstract: A stud frame comprising a first side member (14), a second side member (16) and a plurality of sets of interconnecting members (18) extending from the first 5 side member (14) to the second side member (16). Each set includes a first interconnecting member (34) having a second end (42) connected to the second side member (16) offset longitudinally from a first end (40) thereof in a first direction, a second interconnecting member (36) having a second end (42) connected to the second side member (16) offset longitudinally from the 10 first end (40) thereof in a second opposite direction and a third interconnecting member (38) extending from the first end (40) thereof on one longitudinal side of the first side member (14) to the second end (42) thereof on an opposite longitudinal side of the second side member (16).

Abstract: Tie beam formation apparatus includes parallel opposed sidewalls defining a channel constructed to receive concrete for the formation of a tie beam. The sidewalls are disposed to become a fixed part of the tie beam. The apparatus further includes mounting structure attached to the sidewalls for holding the sidewalls in the channel defining position. The mounting structure is designed to hold the sidewalls on an upper surface of a block wall and to engage the sidewalls with the block wall at regular intervals. The mounting structure is further designed to allow a flow of concrete into openings in the block wall at spaced apart regular intervals.

Abstract: A built-up beam fabricated a plurality of profiled steel plates is disclosed. The built-up beam includes a first lower profiled steel plate including a bottom portion, a side-vertical portion bent upwardly and vertically from one lateral edge of the bottom portion, a supporting portion bent horizontally from an upper end of the side-vertical portion, and a first center-vertical portion bent vertically and upwardly from the other lateral edge of the bottom portion. A second lower profiled steel plate is arranged symmetrically about the first center-vertical portion of the first lower profiled steel plate and connected to the first lower profiled steel plate. The second lower profiled steel plate has a cross-section symmetrical or asymmetrical to the first lower profiled steel plate.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete wall system assembles rigid panels into two form walls in spaced apart relationship to securely hold poured concrete and reinforcing materials there between. The panels may include insulating foam. The panels are held securely side by side within a form wall by elongate connectors that have paired channels into which edges of the panels snugly fit. Each connector has brackets extending into the concrete space. Brackets are provided with perforations to receive tie rods. Each tie rod ties a bracket from one form wall to a bracket extending from the other form wall. This holds the space being filled with concrete together. The perforations are formed to resist releasing the tie rod once it has been inserted. Reinforcing steel is positioned by fastening to the tie rods.

Abstract: A modular architectural precast cladding system that is completely mortarless, and not subject to the inherent deficiencies of masonry materials and practice. Simple, rapid and uniform installation, with automatic alignment and self leveling features. A multi-purpose mechanical connector that is either cast-in-place at point of manufacture, or alternatively can be anchored later on the jobsite.

Abstract: A wall-forming system including a pair of spaced apart confronting sidewalls defining a wall cavity therebetween. Each sidewall is constructed from a plurality of insulating sheets and upright support members. Each sheet is disposed between a neighboring pair of support members. Each of the neighboring support members has an upright channel that receives an end wall portion of the sheet and thereby maintains the sheet upright. Each support member also includes a slot for receiving one end of a tie that extends between the first and second sidewalls through the wall cavity and connects the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The slot is defined between a pair of walls having a plurality of through-holes extending transversely therethrough and across the slot. The end of the tie disposed inside the slot has a through-hole aligned with one of the through-holes of the walls to receive a portion of a fastener therein.

Abstract: A thin brick and method of forming a thin brick having a generally rectangular base portion with a plurality of laterally extending tabs extending therefrom is provided. An outer perimeter edge of each tab and a respective opposite side of the base portion has a precise dimension. A decorative upper portion is integrally formed with the base portion and has a generally rectangular shape, sized and shaped to substantially match the size and shape of the base portion. The upper portion extending from the base portion has a thickness that is at least equal to a thickness of the base portion.

Abstract: A structural thermal framing and panel system for assembling finished or unfinished walls with multiple combinations for poured and nonpoured walls. The system includes a permanent structural framing stud which can be adjusted to different wall thickness, a plurality of permanent forms, wherein the pluralities of permanent forms are interchangeable with various other permanent panel forms with or without defined spaces for receiving filler. The framing stud substantially conforms to a portion of the pluralities of panel forms and resists bending in the panel forms. The framing stud is the main structural element in the wall. A structural framing system in combination with insulated panel forms with various defined spaces for receiving filler, and wherein panels may not be prefinished to form a rigid substrate.

Abstract: A method for calculating using a digital computer an approximation of properties of a concrete sandwich panel. The method allows for a manufacturer of concrete sandwich panels to design sandwich panels using a range of available components to meet architectural specifications.

Abstract: A prefabricated, supporting building structure element, such as wall elements (11), floor structures (47) or the like includes a reinforced concrete slab (13) having a plurality of discrete, parallel, horizontally separated, not mutually joined, longitudinally extended stiffening plate elements (15), each having a web (17) with a first longitudinal edge portion (21) embedded in the concrete, such that a considerable portion of the web (17) protrudes freely, substantially perpendicularly from a first side defining surface of the concrete slab (13). The longitudinal edge portion (21) exhibits a substantially wave shaped corbelling from the plane of the web (17).

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: In an element (40b) for introducing shear forces into a concrete body a loop element (43b) is arranged on a shear force mandrel (41b), which loop element has an arc section (47b) in proximity to the surface of the concrete. When the element (40b) is subjected to a shear force (arrow 53) the arc section (47b) transmits this force to the concrete core inside the arc only through tensile forces in the loop element (43b) or in the arc element (47b). To absorb the resulting moment a second arc element (57b) aligned in the opposite direction is advantageously provided behind the first arc element (47b).

Abstract: A precast composite building system usable for walls, roofs, and floors of buildings, comprising a concrete composite panel element having embedded steel I-beams, wire mesh, embed plates, and steel tension reinforcement bars interconnected vertically, horizontally, and angularly by columnar elements rigidly fixed to the supporting foundation, embedded into the panel elements affixed to a transverse steel beam so as to form a perimeter tie-beam connection structure to which additional floor, roof, and wall elements are attached, forming a unitary, superior, load-bearing structure.

Abstract: A box lintel includes an elongated, hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrally formed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formed partial upper walls extending inwardly from the side walls. A method of fabricating a box lintel is also disclosed which includes the steps of providing an elongated flat sheet of metal and bending the flat sheet of metal into a hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrally formed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formed partial upper walls extending inwardly from the side walls. The form is adapted to be positioned on upright masonry supports so as to span an opening and to be filled with grout/mortar and to receive one or more courses of masonry bricks on the upper walls.

Abstract: An improved structural framing system and associated method of construction is disclosed wherein an open web dissymmetric steel beam fabricated having a plurality of trapezoidal openings formed along the web thereof between a narrowed, thickened top flange and a widened bottom flange is horizontally disposed and supported between adjacent vertical columns erected on conventional foundations. The dissymmetric beam is preferably fabricated from a standard rolled, wide flange beam split longitudinally according to a specific cutting pattern to produce substantially identical open web beam sections having a single wide flange. A flat bar plate is then welded along the open web beam section to provide the top flange and thereby produce the dissymmetric beam for use in the present system.

Abstract: The invention provides a device that may be used to quickly lay bricks to form a wall at a construction site. The device permits multiple layers of bricks to be quickly aligned and laid to form a mortarless wall. Mortar may be subsequently applied to the laid wall from the front to form a finished wall. The aligning device forms an integral portion of the finished wall. In one embodiment, each support includes an elongated frame that is attached to vertical columns of the interior superstructure with a reinforced shelf extending between the columns. The shelf includes a flat, rear wall with a transverse platform that protrudes outwardly to support bricks placed thereupon. A restraining clip projects angularly beneath the platform edge toward the rear wall to prevent brick dislodgement. An improved brick having a downwardly protruding stud may be used instead of conventional bricks to partially support the weight of the brick wall.

Abstract: A spacing web frame assembly for a molded construction form for use in forming a reinforced concrete wall including a pair of inner and outer vertically-oriented attachment studs and a reinforcing wire truss assembly having ends attached to the inner and outer attachment studs to provide a predetermined spacing distance between the inner and outer attachment studs. The studs are visible to the outside when the molded foam panels are attached thereto and the concrete is then added to form the walls. The studs may be formed of either wood or metal, depending upon the type of attachment fasteners desired to be driven into the studs.

Abstract: A spacing web frame assembly for a molded construction form for use in forming a reinforced concrete wall including a pair of inner and outer vertically-oriented attachment studs and a reinforcing wire truss assembly having ends attached to the inner and outer attachment studs to provide a predetermined spacing distance between the inner and outer attachment studs. The studs are visible to the outside when the molded foam panels are attached thereto and the concrete is then added to form the walls. The studs may be formed of either wood or metal, depending upon the type of attachment fasteners desired to be driven into the studs.

Abstract: Pre-formed building studs and a form utilizing such studs for receiving a flowable, hardenable material, for example cementitious material including concrete, for forming building structures such as foundations, walls, floors, roofs, etc. The studs allow passage of the cementitious material therethrough when poured into the form. The form comprises a hollow wall that includes two opposing form panels connected to preformed, flow-through studs, forming fluidly connected sections between each stud. As the cementitious material fills the hollow wall, each section is fluidly joined, allowing the cementitious material to harden and cure to form an integrated solid wall. Each stud includes two elongated parallel members having a flow-through web structure extending between the elongated members. By selecting form panels that are thermal insulators and waterproof, the resulting structure has improved moisture resistance and thermal insulation properties, both during and after the curing process.

Abstract: A structural connector for a sandwich construction unit. The connector is made of material having a low heat conductance such as a fiber-composite material. The connector extends between two parallel spaced panels and also extends the entire length of the panels between structural members such as a floor and a ceiling. The edges of the connector are attached to the panels by suitable means such as a fluid bonding material.

Abstract: An improved structural framing system and associated method for constructing same wherein a specially configured dissymetric steel beam is horizontally disposed and supported between adjacent vertical columns erected on conventional foundations. The dissymetric beam is fabricated having a compressed, block-like top flange formed opposite a substantially flattened bottom flange and integrally connected thereto by an intermediate web. Standard hollow core sections of precast, prestressed concrete plank spanning perpendicular to the dissymetric beam are disposed on either side of the beam and together assembled thereto so that the web of the beam is disposed centrally between facing edges of the plank sections with the bottom flange of the beam supporting the lower surface of the plank and the top flange substantially aligned with the upper plank surface.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and product of in situ attachment of insulation panels to poured concrete walls as the walls are formed. Polymeric F-shaped strips are attached to novel tie bars by spring clip retainers, and receive the edges of insulation panels to hold them against the forms so that uncured concrete is poured between the forms and against the panels. After the concrete is cured, the forms are removed, leaving the spring clips and tie bars in the concrete, and resulting in a concrete wall having insulation panels and secured strips, the strips also serving to receive dry wall fasteners.

Abstract: A method of constructing modular wall and floor units, and modular manufactured buildings from such units, is disclosed. The use of a metal-compatible cementitious building material and a unique technique for panel formation allows for the simple and simultaneous formation of wall or floor panels and integration of those panels with the reinforcing and supporting frames to form "half sections" of modular building walls and floors. These half sections can then be readily provided with in-wall and through-wall services at the factory in a manner which permits the workers to have clear access to the appropriate sections of the building for easy installation of such services. Upon completion of the installation of services, the corresponding half sections can be joined to form fully integrated and framed units and buildings including walls, floors or ceilings with a minimum of effort.

Abstract: A poured concrete insulated deck structure comprising a series of parallel sub-purlins having horizontal flanges extending outwardly at the lower portion of the sub-purlin, a temperature resistant, moisture permeable formboard resting on flanges between adjacent sub-purlins, the formboard having secured to its upper surface rigid synthetic polymer foam having spaces vertically therethrough providing communication from the upper side of the formboard to the upper side of the foam, spaces having an area of more than about 5 percent of the area of the formboard, and poured concrete adjacent the upper side of the foam and extending through the spaces contacting the upper side of the formboard, the concrete completing drying by escape of moisture through the formboard. The structure of this invention results in a unitized structure affording high strength, high insulation properties, fire resistance, design versatility and economy.

Abstract: A construction material in sheet form having at least two water barriers including a water-impermeable foamed intermediate layer, a mineral-based interior layer, and a prefinished, weatherable, water-impermeable non-asphaltic outer layer, with adjoining layers firmly adhered. Sheets of the construction material having a foamed intermediate layer and mitered edges exposing the foamed layers are joined by the steps of positioning the sheets with the mitered edges abutting opposite sides of the stem of a bulb-T rafter, the sheets being supported by the cross-member of the bulb-T rafter, forming a foam filler in the cavity created by the abutted mitered edges, and sealing the cavity with weatherable tape. A roof deck for use with bulb-T rafters, the roof deck constructed of the aforementioned sheets joined by the aforementioned method is also shown.