Abstract: Disclosed invention comprises innovations related to the fabrication process and the associated design of Prefabricated Link Slabs made using Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) for bridges hereinafter referred as PLS-UHPC. This disclosure is regarding methods of designing, manufacturing, and installing PLS-UHPC as connections between bridge spans. The invention includes the concept of installing PLS-UHPC which will provide numerous benefits such as faster construction in the field, and better maintenance of established systems.

Abstract: A combined structure of a column includes a plurality of main steel bars, a consecutive stirrup, and a plurality of tie bars. The plural main steel bars are arrayed to form an inner confined region and an outer confined region surrounding the inner confined region. Further, the consecutive stirrup proceeds with a consecutive turning and surrounding along the inner confined region and the outer confined region, and surrounds a region in the consecutive stirrup of the inner confined region so as to form a column core. As such, a complete confinement can be provided for the main steel bars, so as to effectively prevent the main steel bars from buckling, such that the performance of seismic resistance for the columns can be enhanced.

Abstract: Reinforcement element (10) for increasing the strength of self-solidifying pasty materials which is made of bendable filaments, that comprises a central portion (12) from which at least in three directions respective arms (11) extend out and each of the arms (11) have at least two spaced filaments (13), and the arms (11) have outer ends constituted by respective loops (14) made by the bending of the filament (13) of which the associated arm (11) is made, and in each loop (14) the distance between the filaments (13) is between the twice and twenty fifth times of the size of the filament (13), and the arms (11) are arranged in such a way that in any half space separated by any plane lead through the central portion (12) at least one of the arms (11) is arranged.

Abstract: A method for making a reinforced concrete structure and reinforcement agents are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining a mold for the reinforced concrete structure. A lattice is formed within the mold, where the lattice includes inter-locking ringed fibers and where each inter-locking ringed fiber is a fiber formed into a ringed structure that is inter-locked with at least one neighboring inter-locking ringed fiber in the lattice. The lattice is then encased by filling the mold with concrete. In some embodiments, the reinforcement agents are a plurality of ringed fiber-structures, each of which is coiled into a ringed structure that may or may not inter-lock with at least one neighboring ringed fiber(s)-structure.

Abstract: A method for making a reinforced concrete structure and reinforcement agents are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining a mold for the reinforced concrete structure. A lattice is formed within the mold, where the lattice includes inter-locking ringed fibers and where each inter-locking ringed fiber is a fiber formed into a ringed structure that is inter-locked with at least one neighboring inter-locking ringed fiber in the lattice. The lattice is then encased by filling the mold with concrete. In some embodiments, the reinforcement agents are a plurality of ringed fiber-structures, each of which is coiled into a ringed structure that may or may not inter-lock with at least one neighboring ringed fiber(s)-structure.

Abstract: A reinforcement for concrete elements, comprising at least one elongated string formed of a smaller number of single fiber filaments which, when embedded in a matrix, form a fiber string, the exterior surface of which being coated with a particle shaped material, such as for example sand. The reinforcement comprises at least one or more loops, formed by repeatedly winding of said fiber string and that said loop(s) preferably are closed or laid in a continuous wind, the ends of the loops or the wind function as an end anchor for the reinforcement in the concrete element. A reinforcement system based on the reinforcement is also described. In addition, a method for fabricating such reinforcement system and a method for using such reinforcement system is also described.

Abstract: A concrete casting method uses a vacuum to remove air from the concrete material, and further involves pouring the cement material over three-dimensional interlocking inclusions before curing. The inclusions may be generally polyhedral structures formed by an annular or disc-shaped central structure that defines a parting plane for an injection mold, and various structures extending transversely to the central annular or disc-shaped structure to form the generally polyhedral shape. Alternatively, the inclusions may be formed by a hub and radial structures, from which extend circumferential structures that define the polyhedral shape. Other inclusion structures take the form of wires or tubes with multiple coils. The inclusions may be used in a variety of concrete structures, including earthquake or tornado proof housing structures, cylindrical supports structures, and armored structure including ships and submarines.

Abstract: A reinforced shrinkage compensating concrete slab has a major outer and inner faces defining a slab thickness and a centroid portion surrounded by a peripheral portion having outer peripheral edges defining a bulkhead length and width. A first plurality of reinforcing bars is embedded within the concrete slab on a plane which is substantially parallel to the major outer and inner faces. The first reinforcing bars extend in a first array having a first dimension defining a first on-centers-each-way orientation. A second plurality of reinforcing bars is embedded within the peripheral portion of the concrete slab in a second array which is a substantially intersecting and coplanar construction in relation to the first reinforcing bars. The second plurality of reinforcing bars are restricted to the peripheral portion and aligned with the expansive and shrinkage forces on a second dimension defining a second on-centers-each-way orientation so that the expansive and shrinkage forces are restrained.

Abstract: An improved, lightweight, portable, and self-contained concrete form for fabricating tilt-up concrete walls is provided. The form includes a frame made from metal frame members jointed at their ends with the frame members forming the sides of the frame. Optional structural anchors may be attached inside the frame members. The frame members may be channel shaped with their channels facing inwardly. The reinforcing mat comprising a array of crisscrossed rebars is disposed within the frame and is held in place with a plurality of brackets on the ends of at least some of the rebars and welded to respective frame members. The rebar mat is sized to be positioned in the mid portion of the frame and the brackets on the ends of the rebars are slid outwardly into and attached to the frame members by spot welding. The brackets are then spot welded to the ends of their rebars to form a rigid, lightweight concrete frame.

Abstract: Concrete and mortar composites can be made with two or more sizes of fibers therein. The different sized fibers can be used to adjust the toughness and reliability of the composite material. The different sized fibers can also be used to increase the deflection of concrete or mortar compositions. The variable length of fibers provide for smaller fibers to exist in corners for more strength in smaller spaces. Different mixes of sizes of fibers can also adjust the stiffness of a concrete or mortar composite material. The fibers can be made from a variety of materials, lengths, shapes, aspect ratios or diameters. The fibers can make up variable portions of the composition. Mixing different aspect ratios of fibers together can be used to prevent clumping or balling of the fibers. Mixing of different modulus of elasticity fibers in different ratios can add to the toughness and strength of the composite.

Abstract: The object of this patent is an advance in the state of the art in the technique of manufacturing rods (2) aimed to be folded for the production of hangers (4) for the civil construction, the reinforced structures in particular, because it prevents the polygons generated in the folding of the hangers (4) form having non-co-planned edges as they are produced, which brings large savings to the process. The formation of hangers (4) with non-co-planned edges brings costs and delays to the civil construction, which are avoided with the use of the rod with octagonal core purpose-built for civil construction, object of this patent. Although the core of the rod with octagonal core purpose-built for civil construction is octagonal, according to the FIG. 8, its specific section is an octagonal structure, formed due to the corrugated material with which the rod (2) is made, according to FIG. 9.

Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braidingand, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.

Abstract: The present invention refers to stirrups for reinforcement of load bearing structural elements, and in particular for reinforcing concrete load bearing building elements, such as columns, shear walls, beams, slabs, footings, lintels, piles. The invention refers also to a method for reinforcing structural elements as well as to these elements. A stirrup for reinforcing load bearing elements according to the invention consists of a plurality of consecutive windings (7a, 7b) disposed along the longitudinal direction of the stirrup, so that the stirrup has a spiral form, whereby the windings of the stirrup form a plurality of discrete cages (5a, 5b) to house the main reinforcement bars (1a, 1b) of the load bearing element. The stirrups may be used for the reinforcement of load bearing elements of various cross sections such as orthogonal, T-shaped, L-shaped, Z-shaped etc.

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: Rear-ventilated cladding is provided with intumescent compositions in the region of the rear ventilation.

Abstract: A construction element has a thickness substantially less than at least one of its other dimensions. In terms of weight, the construction element is comprised of more than 50% plastic and less than 50% pieces of metal band. The pieces of metal band are single pieces, flat, bent into a three dimensional configuration, and randomly oriented and embedded in the plastic. The pieces of metal band are shorter than the construction element is thick.

Abstract: Improved structural members including solid and hollow core beams, poles, columns and enclosure structures formed of a cement-based slurry infiltrated fiber composite material. The improved structural members are produced by first placing a plurality of individual short fibers or fiber mats of organic or inorganic materials into a form to create a bed of fibers substantially filling the form and having a predetermined fiber volume density and then adding a cement-based slurry mixture into the form to completely infiltrate the spaces between the fibers. Existing structural members may be retrofitted with jackets of the cement-based slurry infiltrated fiber composite material. The cement-based slurry mixture includes a composition of Portland cement or blended cement, fly ash, water, a high-range water reducer (superplasticizer), and may also include fine grain sand, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, chemical admixtures, and other additives.

Abstract: A construction element has the dimensions of formwork panel sheets of elemental concrete formwork and a thickness substantially less than at least one of its other dimensions. In terms of weight, the construction element is comprised of more than 50% plastic and less than 50% small, thin pieces of metal. The pieces of metal are distributed statistically evenly in the plastic, shorter than the construction element is thick, and preferably made of aluminum. The thermal transfer coefficient of the construction element is at least that of wood/plastic casting boards.

Abstract: Reinforcement fiber made of metal for the reinforcement of concrete, consisting of a wire piece, which is deformed near both ends over a certain distance. The wire piece, is undeformed between the ends and the deformed part. The two extremities of the reinforcement fiber are not deformed over a distance of 1 to 5 mm. The reinforcement fiber is provided with a profiling consisting of a large number of small notches or grooves. The grooves are provided at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the reinforcement fiber. The length of the reinforcement fiber lies between 10 and 70 mm, and the fibers have a length-thickness ratio of between 40 and 70. The ends of the reinforcement fiber are bevelled at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and are slightly flattened. The transition from the deformed part to the undeformed part is provided with a slight bulge.

Abstract: A metal fiber for reinforcing cement-based materials comprises an elongated, substantially straight central portion and sinusoid shaped end portions. The sinusoid at each end portion has an optimum amplitude A.sub.o,opt defined by:A.sub.o,opt =[k.sub.1 (.sigma..sub.c).sup.k.sub.2 ][.sigma..sub.u.sup..alpha. .epsilon..sub.f.sup..beta. ][A.sub.f /P.sub.f ]wherek.sub.1 = 2.025.times.10.sup.-2,.sigma..sub.c =compressive strength of the cement-based material in MPa,k.sub.2 =3.19.times.10.sup.-1,.sigma..sub.u =ultimate tensile strength of the metal in MPa,.alpha.= 6.60.times.10.sup.-1,.epsilon..sub.f =ductility of the metal in percent, and.beta.= 3.20.times.10.sup.-1,A.sub.f =cross-sectional area of the fiber in mm.sup.2, andP.sub.f =perimeter of the fiber in mm.The sinusoid further has a wavelength L.sub.s defined by:L.sub.s =(L.sub.f -L.sub.m)/2whereL.sub.f =length of the fiber,L.sub.m =length of the central portion,and wherein 0.5 L.sub.f <L.sub.m <0.75 L.sub.f.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reinforcing element for reinforcing a solidified fluid mass such as concrete or refractory comprising an elongate shank having a slot extending along at least a portion of the length of the shank. The slot increases the surface area of the shank and increases the aspect ratio of the element to more firmly bond the element in the mass. Anchoring portions are provided at the ends of the shank and have a width greater than the diameter of the shank.

Abstract: An element for reinforcing concrete comprises a framed structure having a plurality of rods formed in a polyhedral shape defining a plurality of junctions. At least one junction extends into the framed structure of another of the elements.

Abstract: An environmental enclosure structure formed of a cement-based slurry infiltrated fiber composite material is used above ground or underground to enclose, protect, and safely contain; hazardous materials, telecommunications equipment, volatile explosives, and the like. The preferred enclosure structure is a box-like enclosure formed of a cement-based slurry infiltrated fiber composite material which is produced by first placing a plurality of individual short fibers or fiber mats of organic or inorganic materials into a form to create a bed of fibers substantially filling the form and having a predetermined fiber volume density and then adding a cement-based slurry mixture into the form to completely infiltrate the spaces between the fibers. The cement-based slurry mixture includes a composition of Portland cement, fly ash, water, a high-range water reducer (superplasticizer), and may also include fine grain sand, chemical admixtures, and other additives.

Abstract: A concrete structure having at least one concrete insert element is disclosed. The insert element has a surface with a layer of aluminum or aluminum alloy and, upon setting of the concrete, the layer of aluminum or aluminum alloy reacts at least partially with the free lime and oxygen in the concrete to form calcium aluminate, thus providing a particularly intimate and firm bond between the insert element and the concrete.

Abstract: A panel having several concrete layers and further including a sufficient number of elongated members disposed between the adjacent layers so that the brittle characteristics of the concrete panel are minimized. Inexpensive spacing material is provided to minimize the use of concrete, maintain the weight low and improve its handling characteristics. Utility conduits are provided built in as typically found in building structures as well as reinforcing bars as the architectural design requires. The panels are designed for their ready assembly on site.

Abstract: A fiber for reinforcing concrete comprises a length of metal wire having a substantially straight central part and offset anchoring parts at its opposite ends, each of which includes an initial straight portion parallel to the central part and offset laterally therefrom, a final straight portion coaxial with the central part, and two opposed oblique portions connecting the initial straight portion to the central part and to the final straight portion, respectively.

Abstract: A secondary containment structure formed of a slurry infiltrated fiber concrete composite is used above ground or underground to enclose material storage containers and to safely contain any materials leaked from the container. The structure is a hollow configuration having a bottom wall, at least one side wall, and a removable top wall. The interior volume of the structure exceeds the volume capacity of the container which is enclosed therein. The bottom wall is sloped to facilitate drainage of any liquid leaked from the container and the top wall may have covered apertures to allow access to the container.

Abstract: A building kit including lightweight, extruded components made of environmentally acceptable, i.e., organic and mineral, materials. The lightweight components are made of: a) untreated chopped straw, grain chaff, rice husks, rock fibers and/or glass fibers, b) binders, namely cement, lime and/or gypsum, and c) mineral additives. The components include air chambers and reinforcing members and are connected using I-beams, adhesives, nails, etc.

Abstract: A discontinuous drawn steel wire fiber for incorporation in a fiber composite, in particular a cement material, the fiber being made from a length of steel wire which is shaped so that the fiber is contained in a plane and, in said plane, is in the configuration of a loop which is convex and closed, wherein it has the configuration of an oblong loop whose ends are delimited by curvilinear wire portions, said curvilinear wire portions being interconnected by rectilinear wire portions, and wherein the two end portions of said length of wire are disposed side by side and in opposite directions, said end portions extending between said curvilinear wire portions to form one of said rectilinear wire portions.

Abstract: A multidimensional structural reinforcing element is disclosed, the element designed for inclusion within a matrix of soil, concrete, stone, and other materials to improve the index properties of the matrix. The elements have a hub portion with arms extending radially therefrom. The arms may include additional structural elements such as cubes or spheres on the distal ends thereof and the surface of the elements may be roughened to increase the surface area and the gripping function of the elements relative to the matrix material.

Abstract: A relatively simple, inexpensive building block for use in self-supporting walls includes a rectangular parallelepipedic body formed of a mixture of three parts by weight cement to two parts by weight wood fiber. Vertically extending grooves and in some cases cylindrical holes are provided in the blocks for defining vertical passages extending the height of the wall for receiving reinforcing rods and/or concrete for strengthening the wall.

Abstract: Concrete fender pile having prestressing members (19, 20) of elongated, high-strength fiber composite elements (21) with a low modulus of elasticity which, during a ramming impact (p), permit a large elastic deflection of the fender pile (14) and are insensitive to aggressive environmental effects.

Abstract: The invention concerns the reinforcement of a moldable material by means of fibers composed of a filiform body with, at each end, an anchoring device consisting a body in the shape of a solid of revolution, with transversal dimensions exceeding filiform body diameter.

Abstract: A foam-cement building having the walls, roof and/or floor formed from a plurality of self supporting foam building blocks of varying density with a strong thin continuous structural and architectural coating on the surface of the blocks, the coating being formed from cement, reinforced with a fiberglass mesh and fiberglass roving strands, the blocks being interconnected by a mechanical key system or splines to form a monolithic structure.

Abstract: A new structure is provided comprising a cast body having enclosure, pedestal and anchor sections cast integrally of high steel fiber reinforced concrete. The enclosure section has walls forming a primary security compartment. A door movable between open and closed positions is mounted on the cast body. The door also is cast of high steel fiber reinforced concrete. The door and walls of the cast concrete body have thicknesses of at least 3 inches and resist torch and tool attack measures for at least 15 minutes. High security is provided for paper notes and valuable documents present in the primary security compartment either deposited into said primary security compartment or to be dispensed from said compartment.

Abstract: Fibers and plastic materials reinforced with these fibers which have a diameter that varies along the fiber axis are provided. The fibers increase the strength of the material by reducing fiber pull out from the plastic matrix. The variation in diameter results in an undulating surface on the fiber which locks it into the matrix.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced concrete comprising two kinds of short fibers, one being a short fiber having a Young's modulus higher than that of concrete, the other being a short fiber which has a Young's modulus lower than that of concrete and showing good adhesiveness to concrete. The both fibers are mixed in a predetermined ratio and dispersed in a concrete matrix. A reinforcing material for concrete is also disclosed which material consisting of such fibers as mentioned above.

Abstract: A prefabricated building unit is formed as an integrally moulded body of fibre-reinforced concrete. The body has a wall, a beam extending along the top or bottom of the wall, and a floor or roof extending from the beam perpendicularly to the wall at the bottom or top thereof respectively. The beam is reinforced by reinforcing bars extending there along and an elongated reinforcing member extending helically around the reinforcing bars.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making reinforced concrete products wherein arrays of reinforcing rods are distributed and imbedded automatically during the introduction of concrete into a form. A novel reinforcing wire cutting-ejection mechanism is provided to throw off cut wire into concrete deposited in the form at any spacing and pattern desired. Novel hollow reinforced concrete poles having high tensile strengths are produced automatically in one embodiment.

Abstract: Reinforcing material for hydraulic substances such as cement, mortar, concrete or the like and a method for producing it. The reinforcing material consists essentially of an elongated product of a synthetic resin having protrusions on its surface and which was obtained by extruding and subsequent stretching. The method comprises mixing a polyethylene having a melt index of not more than 0.01 at 190.degree. C. under the load of 2.16 Kg with a polyethylene having a melt index of more than 0.01 thereby to obtain a polyethylene mixture having a melt index of 0.01 to 10, melt-extruding the polyethylene mixture under such conditions as to give an extruded product having a jagged surface and stretching the extruded product, whereby the reinforcing material having protrusions on its surface is obtained. Hydraulic substances with the reinforcing material incorporated therein is useful for production of concrete panel, concrete pipe, concrete channel, tetrapod, sleeper, tunnel, etc.

Abstract: A precast modular panel suitable for forming at least a portion of a wall or other part of a building, and associated methods of constructing said panel, the panel comprising lightweight, high strength, water resistant concrete achieved by a unique combination of lightweight aggregates and structural additives, said concrete therefore exhibiting high structural strength and high insulative properties. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the panel comprises a layer of lightweight high strength concrete possessing high insulative properties combined with a layer of lightweight concrete particularly selected to enhance the composite insulative properties of the panel. The panel may be constructed with a minimum of labor and with maximum utilization of available forms and the like and may carry provisions for its ready connection with other similar panels, and with other building structures.

Abstract: In a wall construction comprising a pair of top plates, a bottom plate and plurality of parallel joists connected between the top and bottom plates, a wall brace is secured in a plurality of aligned saw kerfs to increase the load carrying capability of the wall structure. The brace includes a substantially U-shaped base portion and a pair of side flanges extending normal to the base portion such that the brace is substantially T-shaped in cross section. The brace is specifically designed so that the moment of inertia about the major axis (an axis aligned in the direction of the base) is greater than the moment of inertia about the minor axis (an axis aligned in the direction of the flanges). The preferred construction of the wall structure assures that failure of the brace upon overloading of the wall structure is caused to occur within the plane of the wall.

Abstract: A low-cost composite structure, having near isotropic mechanical properties, produced by molding a matrix material with a reinforcing fiber element. The reinforcing fiber elements are comprised of three or more fibers to form a three-dimensional figure. In the preferred embodiment at least one fiber is oriented in each of the mutually perpendicular planes similar in appearance to a child's jack. The matrix material may be any material which provides a suitable bond with the reinforcing fiber elements.

Abstract: A reinforcing material for hydraulic substances such as cement, mortar, concrete or the like consists essentially of an elongated product of a synthetic resin having protrusions on its surface and which was obtained by extruding and subsequent stretching. The material produced by a method comprising mixing a polyethylene having a melt index of not more than 0.01 at 190.degree. C. under a load of 2.16 Kg with a polyethylene having a melt index of more than 0.01 thereby to obtain a polyethylene mixture having a melt index of 0.01 to 10, melt-extruding the polyethylene mixture under such conditions as to give an extruded product having a jagged surface and stretching the extruded product, whereby the reinforcing material having protrusions on its surface is obtained. Hydraulic substances with the reinforcing material incorporated therein are useful for production of concrete panels, concrete pipe, concrete channels, tetrapods, sleepers, tunnels, etc.

Abstract: A method of lining a tunnel wall comprises the pumping of concrete between a support and the tunnel wall, the concrete being selected from the concretes of concrete group BII of German Industrial Standard (DIN) 1045 and containing as an additive, steel pins, rods or wires having a length of 35 to 50 mm and a diameter of 0.8 to 1.2 mm. Approximately 100 kg/m.sup.3 of concrete is constituted by the steel pins or wires.

Abstract: An anchoring fibre of metal to be used in concrete, having a flattened end and a transversely extending projection on the end. The flattened end may be either rectangular or triangular in planform, and the projections may be either pyramidal or a flange. The body may have protuberances extending therefrom.

Abstract: The invention is a building structure of material which uses a water-activated binder, such as cement-mortar or concrete, and of a form having one thickness dimension much smaller than the other two dimensions perpendicular thereto. The structure includes a substrate sheet extending along a surface substantially perpendicular to the thickness dimension and a layer of the water activated binder material having a multiplicity of short metal wire reinforcing elements distributed therein.

Abstract: Fibre reinforced composites of cementitious materials or gypsum are reinforced with pre-combined mixtures of strong reinforcing fibres e.g., glass or steel, and water absorbent fibres, e.g., cotton. Examples of composites are cement pipes, wall boards, etc.

Abstract: A concrete paving stone having single flags held together with a number of concrete ribs between adjacent stones such that the ribs will resist breaking during ordinary handling but will break upon the application of vibration after the paving stone is laid on a level sand bed to thereby provide a number of unconnected flags.

Abstract: A structural element of concrete is selectively reinforced over that part of the surface where, when the element is loaded, tensile stresses can occur which might exceed the tensile strength of the concrete. The reinforcement comprises a relatively thin, integral external layer preformed from a cement composition reinforced with fibres disposed in a random two-dimensional distribution essentially parallel to the surface of the layer, the latter extending over the whole area of said part of the surface liable to tensile stress.