Abstract: A method for preparing a footing for a foundation of the type for emplacement of a prefabricated building over a pattern of footing excavations, including suspending a block of rigid, but dissolvable material within each footing excavation with a prescribed distance between the lower end of the block and the bottom of the footing excavation, and pouring an unhardened load-bearing material around the sides of and under the block. When the load-bearing material has hardened, the block is dissolved so that the footing is ready to receive a vertical support stanchion.

Abstract: An assembly to secure a shear assembly and attached building wall to a building foundation in order to resist uplift forces and to transfer vertical weight loads to the foundation. The assembly provides a degree of motion perpendicular to the plane of the wall in order to accommodate misplacement of anchor structures set in the building foundation. The assembly is configured and is attached to anchor structures in such a way as to accommodate a variety of protrusions of the anchor structures from the building foundation. The assembly provides additional convenience of use by being substantially pre-assembled. The assembly is also adapted to interconnect structural members in multi-story buildings.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming curved structures comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections, each section having a track portion, and a strap member adapted for slidably engaging the track portion of the sections such that the sections are movable to form a radius of curvature. A method of forming a curved structure comprises providing runners having a plurality of pivotally connected sections, each section having track portions, and each runner further having two strap members slidably engaging each of the track portions. The method also includes oppositely placing the runners in a curved position such that the runners are substantially aligned and attaching studs between the runners.

Abstract: An improved method of making a foundation for a wind turbine comprises: a) forming a pit, b) providing a cylindrical open-bottomed steel can, c) lowering the can into the pit, d) accurately aligning the steel can, e) concreting the steel can in position in the pit, and f) back-filling the interior of the can.

Abstract: A system and method for emplacing a mobile or modular construction of the type having a supporting structure provided thereunder including multiple stanchions having upper and lower portions, fasteners for attaching each of the upper portions of the stanchions to the supporting structure of the mobile or modular construction, and load-bearing footings embedding the lower portions of the stanchions, wherein the embedded stanchions provide permanent vertical support for the mobile or modular construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing members to a surface. The apparatus includes a mounting clamp, a mounting adaptor, a panel support member and a fastener. The panel support member and the mounting adaptor are slidably interconnected to one another. The mounting adaptor is fixedly interconnected to the mounting clamps using the fastener. The mounting adaptor may also include an area of reduced strength to permit the controlled failure of the apparatus in response to excess loading. The panel support member may be adapted to receive a panel. When installed on a surface, the apparatus obscures the view of mounting devices or equipment that may also be secured to the surface.

Abstract: According to existing methods of frame building construction, a concrete foundation is formed on which wooden floor joists are laid. Walls are constructed on the foundation and floor using wooden wall studs, and a roof is constructed on the walls using wooden rafters, beams and trusses. These methods require skilled carpenters and high quality wood materials, both of which are increasingly expensive. There is therefore a need for a system for framing houses or other buildings which uses prefabricated steel framing and which is quick and easy to construct. The invention provides a prefabricated system for framing a complete building on a foundation. Folding telescopic framing units are used for vertical partitions and horizontal floor panels.

Abstract: A wall positioning and bracing method is disclosed. The method comprises providing a device comprising first and second elongated members, each having proximal and distal ends, and being pivotally attached to one another at their proximal ends, such that the second elongated member is movable into an open position, coextensive with the first elongated member; affixing the device to the floor of a building under construction and to the upper end of a wall of a building under construction when the wall is lying flat on the floor of a building under construction; raising the wall so that the brace is in the open position and the first and second elongated members are coextensive, such that the wall is moved to a position perpendicular to the floor; and securing the members in the open position. The method permits a wall to be raised to and braced in a position perpendicular to the floor.

Abstract: An elongated floor channel includes a top flange configured to stably engage and support a partition and bottom flanges configured to engage a floor surface. The bottom flanges each define a horizontal row of discrete attachment points configured to receive brackets for connecting a furniture unit to the floor channel, whereby the furniture unit can be attached adjacent the floor surface in a selected off-module position along the floor channel. A method related to the above includes steps of providing a first floor channel having a first horizontal row of discrete attachment points and providing a spine partition having a second horizontal row of discrete attachment points.

Abstract: A system and method for securing an insulated concrete wall form to an existing support/bracing structure such as a strongback for keeping the form straight and plumb during construction. The attachment system uses a flexible member, such as a tensioning plastic strap, to hold the strongback against insulated panels of the insulated concrete wall form. Openings are cut through the insulated panels to provide a pathway for the strap. A horizontal anchoring bar is positioned in the insulated concrete wall form to secure the strap. The strap is threaded through one of the openings, wrapped around the anchoring bar and then threaded out through the other opening. The strap is wrapped around a strongback and the ends of the strap are secured using a crimp connector. A wedge may also be inserted between the strongback and the strap and pressed downwardly to adjust the tension of the strap and align the insulated concrete wall form against the strongback.