Abstract: A prefabricated, modular shelter system that utilizes a series of identical enclosures, each made from barrier panels connected to define the shape of a modifiable dodecagon prism. The top cover of each enclosure can be flat or peaked at the center. The lightweight components are easily transported, assembled, disassembled, and/or re-assembled. The design allows two or many enclosures to cluster together without interstitial triangle prism volumes forming among them. Interior space within a cluster of enclosures can be increased, decreased, or re-arranged by simple addition, removal, or relocation of enclosures. Though the enclosures are each identical in shape, they can create a limitless variety of spatial areas and configurations, thus adapting to varied uses and requirements.

Abstract: In an arcuate roof section including a series of rafters which each define an exposed end of the prescribed height, a device positionable along the exposed ends of the series of rafters to define an arcuate facia. The device comprises at least one facia member having an arcuate inner surface, an arcuate outer surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The inner surface of the facia member is configured to abut the exposed ends of the rafters such that the outer surface defines the arcuate facia. Additionally, the width between the top edge and the bottom edge of the facia member exceeds the height of the exposed ends. The facia member may be formed from a plurality of laminated wood members or formed from bonded particulate matter. Additionally, the facia member may be formed from a plastic material.

Abstract: A modular component shelter includes an adjacent side-by-side array of curved, interlocking, rigid panels. The panels curve upwardly and inwardly to a common vertex from a common base-level circumferential rim. The panels interlock between adjacent panels by means of raised interlocking ribs. The ribs extending in generally vertical planes along opposite side edges of each panel so as to form a first channel along a first side edge of each panel and second channel along an opposite second side edge of each panel. The first channel is shaped to snugly fit within the second channel along the length thereof. The first channel is releasably securable in the second channel.

Abstract: A foundation element comprises a rigid monolithic prefabricated frame (10) which includes at least two opposite containing side walls (12) and cross-members (14) interconnecting the two side walls (12) so as to form a casting through-cavity between these two walls (12). The frame (10) is intended to be located on the ground (G) with the interposition of adjustable support devices (22) and is intended to receive a hardenable fluid binder material (36) poured into its through-cavity and adapted to spread onto the ground (G) between this and the side walls (12) and to fill the cavity, encapsulating the cross-members (14) and the iron rods (34) or other connecting members for connecting a superstructure element (32). The invention also relates to prefabricated structures including prefabricated tunnels, with foundation elements formed by means of the said prefabricated frames (10).

Abstract: A class of undulated building structures constructed from sheets of suitable material and composed of sinuous curved faces meeting at constant angle at sinuous curved edges. The curved faces ensure a deformation-free (and hence a strain-free) surface, a critical feature for large-scale architectural constructions from sheet materials. The structures can be constructed by scoring a single sheet and folding the entire structure or from parts which are scored and folded. A variety of 2-dimensional scoring designs and a morphological technique for their derivation is disclosed. The technique enables the generation of symmetric and asymmetric 3-dimensional developable structures with combinations of convex and concave angle folds. The technique also provides the enabling feature for forming by various manufacturing methods. The structures can also be constructed from cast materials.

Abstract: A building construction element is used to form cast concrete interspaces in a concrete slab. The element has a bowl shaped portion which has a concave upper surface forming substantially a catenary as seen in vertical section. Supports are connected with the bowl shaped portion and extend downward relative to the bowl shaped portion.

Abstract: Prefabricated hut in modules, of the kind that has four sides, two similar sides, a lower one and an upper one, where the cross sections of the module, viewed from the inside, are concave in the areas close to the lower side and convex in the areas close to the upper side, with an intermediate area where there is a progressive change in curvature, which is situated closer to the lower side than to the upper side.

Abstract: The clarifier cover has a shape defined by a low profile circular segment of revolution around the central column of the clarifier, for maintaining the volume of gas thereunder minimum. In another aspect, the support structure of the cover is made of a plurality of ring trusses disposed in a circular array and defining a circle, concentric with the circular wall of the clarifier, and a radial array of outer trusses each having an outside end mounted to the wall of the clarifier and an inside end mounted to the plurality of ring trusses. A series of inner trusses are individually affixed in an overhung mode to one of the outer trusses, such that the loading applied to the central column of a clarifier by the cover structure is minimal or negligible. The trusses define an array of triangular frame sectors.

Abstract: Cladding for a domed structure bridges gaps between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding preferably utilizes adjustable cladding panels and bridges to bridge the gap between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding is particularly suited for doubly curved surfaces.

Abstract: Cladding for a domed structure bridges gaps between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding preferably utilizes adjustable cladding panels and bridges to bridge the gap between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding is particularly suited for doubly curved surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to building structures of the type comprising arched frame members supporting panels of flexible materials such as weather resistant fabric. Problems accompanying the use of separate panels extending between frame members are overcome by providing connecting members on the frame members, and panels having means for attachment to the connecting members and flaps of flexible material adjacent to but spaced from the side margins of the panels, the connecting members slidably engage the means for attachment and have a channel to receive the flaps. The flaps are secured in the channel to provide weatherproof connections between the panels.

Abstract: A camouflage shelter (1) has a collapsible self-supporting subframe (3), which is assembled from a lattice of poles (4), which are coupled in an articulated manner at their ends and form scissor-like pairs. The poles (4) are rotatably connected at their intersections (7). The camouflage shelter (1) has a camouflage net (8) arranged loosely over outer bearing points (5) of the subframe (3) and consisting of a polyester mesh with a perforated structure, incorporated metal fibers and a coating which contains absorbent pigments.

Abstract: A sports stadium or building complex is covered by a huge fiberglass fabric dome that is supported by an inflatable dual-membrane bladder on a hollow compression ring with a diameter of 800 to 1200 feet. A central vertical spreader having upper and lower tension rings connected to the membranes of said bladder is supported from above or below by separate suspension cables in a position above the compression ring. Containment cables limit the expansion of and shape said bladder to provide a closed pressurized air space of narrow lenticular cross section and can include 40 or more radial ceiling cables and the same number of radial hold-down cables of the same length.

Abstract: In an arcuate roof section including a series of rafters which each define an exposed end of the prescribed height, a device positionable along the exposed ends of the series of rafters to define an arcuate facia. The device comprises at least one facia member having an arcuate inner surface, an arcuate outer surface, a top edge and a bottom edge. The inner surface of the facia member is configured to abut the exposed ends of the rafters such that the outer surface defines the arcuate facia. Additionally, the width between the top edge and the bottom edge of the facia member exceeds the height of the exposed ends. The facia member may be formed from a plurality of laminated wood members or formed from bonded particulate matter. Additionally, the facia member may be formed from a plastic material.

Abstract: A support structure including a first and a second upper ring member. The support structure further includes a lower circular foundation of a diameter greater than the diameters of the first and second upper ring members. A plurality of initially straight and elongated structural members extend from each of the upper ring members. Extending from each of the ring members are an equal number of structural members. The structural members extend radially at angular intervals on both the upper and lower rings. Each of the structural members have a first and a second lateral end. The structural members are secured at their first lateral ends to either the first or second upper ring members. The structural members are further secured at their second lateral ends to the lower foundation. Thereafter, the structural members are manipulated to create a lattice formation comprised of S-shaped, elastically-modified structural members.

Abstract: The bow module portable modular structure of the present invention includes: (a) a rigid, spaced apart, parallel array of arches, each lying in a vertical plane and spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, wherein each arch is formed of a unitary generally semi-circular bow member having rigid bracing members mountable thereto within a perimeter of the bow member, and (b) a rigid, spaced apart, substantially parallel array of cross-bracing bows mountable to the array of arches so as to be generally perpendicular to each arch, the array of cross-bracing bows radially spaced apart about a center of curvature of each arch in the array of arches.

Abstract: A split-sphere observatory enclosure includes an antrum and a rotor including an oculus. The oculus is covered by an oculus window, which is rotatably mounted to the rotor. As an instrument housed by the enclosure moves to track an object or point across the sky, the oculus window is rotated to maintain a fixed orientation with respect to the instrument.

Abstract: A horizontal arch is a structural element formed from a series of compression members which are arranged side-to-side in a curve array, and compressed together under the application of loading perpendicular to the plane of the curve of the horizontal arch. The vertically downward loading of the members may also result from structures suspended from the tops of the members of the horizontal arch structure. The object of the invention is to provide a structural element with horizontal cohesiveness for inclusion in self-supporting frameworks for the exterior of structures and exoskeletal structures.

Abstract: Reversibly expandable structures are formed from loop assemblies comprising interconnected pairs of polygonal shaped links. Each loop assembly has polygon links with at least three pivot joints and at least some of the polygon links have more than three pivot joints. Additionally, these links lie essentially on the surface of the structure or parallel to the plane of the surface of the structure. Each polygon link has a center pivot joint for connecting to another link to form a link pair. Each link also has at least one internal pivot joint and one perimeter pivot joint. The internal pivot joints are used for connecting link pairs to adjacent link pairs to form a loop assembly. Loop assemblies can be joined together and/or to other link pairs through the perimeter pivot joints to form structures.

Abstract: A suspended deck structure is a framework from which a ceiling and/or floor deck is suspended, and which may be employed in single story and multi-story constructions. A suspended deck structure allows the interior floor and/or ceiling decks to move within the framework horizontally relative to the framework from which it is suspended to compensate for the effects of movement of the framework.