Abstract: A rapidly-erectable lightweight load resisting system for the construction of buried arched bridges, tunnels or underground bunkers, has a plurality of lightweight arched tubular support members which are formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material and are substantially oriented in a vertical plane. The lightweight tubular support members are connected by at least one or more lateral force resisting members which are positioned in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane of the tubular support members, and which are capable of transferring vertical loads to the tubular support members and of providing lateral-load capacity to the load resisting system. The tubular support members are fitted with one or more holes near the top which allows them to be filled with a suitable material to provide additional strength or stiffness.

Abstract: A removable arch form assembly for use in forming a masonry arch of a plurality of masonry elements on a substructure comprises a flexible arch form having a substantially rectangular shape, first and second end clips engaging an arched structure about which the masonry arch is to be formed, at least one intermediate clip positioned on the arched structure between the end clips and at an elevation differing from the end clips, the end clips and the at least one intermediate clip removably receiving the flexible arch form and retaining the form in an arched orientation.

Abstract: A structure assembled from a combination of stackable modules, each module assembled from multiple prefabricated, transportable blocks. The blocks are typically reinforced cast concrete formed in reusable molds. Module framing blocks may include arched corner blocks, key blocks that interlock with a pair of corner blocks, and optional center blocks. Other structural elements include roof, floor, and wall components that interlock with the framing modules. Modules may be stacked or nested to form structures including buildings, elevated roadways, and parking garages. Utilities may be provided through optional conduits formed in the corner elements. The framing supports raised floor modules for ease in mechanical system installation and modification. The roof elements support usable terraces and rainwater collection. The blocks are demountable and reusable. The modules are self-supporting during erection, and may be assembled without fasteners.

Abstract: An overfilled arch bridge system includes a composite arch which has a precast layer and a cast-in-place layer. The system further includes means for reducing bending moments within the overfilled arch. The means include customizing the arch end geometry and prestressing the arch prior to or during loading. The system can be used in connection with the overfilled arch system disclosed in co-pending patent application titled “Top Arch Overfilled System” filed by the same inventor on Mar. 22, 2002.

Abstract: A decking system, decking components and an installed deck for use on a support structure. The decking system comprises hollow profile planking units having anchor flanges on opposite edges that cooperate with an anchor structure to form a deck or platform. The flanges and the anchor units are shaped and configured to closely interact and form an installed platform structure. The planks comprise an extruded thermoplastic wood fiber composite having an internal structure sufficient to withstand installation, engineering forces placed on the installed platform, weathering and use. The anchor structures have a shape that conforms to the anchor flanges on the decking profiles to hold the deck in place.

Abstract: An overfilled, pre-cast reinforced concrete arch bridge for supporting one pathway above a second pathway in which the projections of the pathways intersect at an oblique angle. The bridge includes a plurality of identically shaped arch elements that are offset from each other to form a staggered orientation whereby a skewed bridge is formed without specially shaped arch elements. Cover elements can be used to prevent migration of soil or water into the bridge and various forms of arch elements can be used in the bridge.

Abstract: An underground structural work, particularly for forming tunnels, underpasses, carparks or the like, includes a pair of containment structures which extend along two opposite sides of the work. These structures include pile elements capable of carrying a deck of the work formed by substantially vaulted deck sections which extend transversely of the containment structure. In at least some of the pile elements there is incorporated a prefabricated supporting element which includes an elongate reinforcement and a concrete body anchored to the reinforcement. Each deck section includes prefabricated elements of concrete defining a pair of side portions and a central portion which can be interposed between them. Between the lateral portions and the concrete bodies are formed free spaced to allow casting in situ of concrete for mutual anchoring.

Abstract: A rapidly deployable protective enclosure is constructed from a flexible membrane surrounding a framework of inflatable support members each individually coupled to a central fluid distribution system. Each inflatable support member is individually repairable or replaceable from within the enclosure without effecting the structural integrity of the remaining framework. A system is provided to make the enclosure air tight, and air tight passage between modularly connected enclosures is also provided.

Abstract: A monolithic cast bridge broadly includes a unitary, monolithic structure (12) having a pair of spaced haunches (14, 16) a span (18) having upper and lower surfaces (20, 22) and a pair of axially extending webs (24, 26). Haunches (14, 16) define support-engaging undersides (28, 30) which are provided for supporting the bridge above a support level (48). The lower surface (22) of the span (18) extends upwardly from each of the haunches (14, 16) to present a maximum rise relative to the haunch undersides (28, 30) at a midpoint (50) of the span (18). The webs (24, 26) are spaced and substantially parallel with respect to each other, and respectively include lower surfaces (52, 58). The lower surfaces (52, 58) are substantially flat and correspond to the haunch undersides (28, 30). A pair of reinforcement cables (64, 66) are advantageously positioned within respective webs (24, 26), and are configured for reinforcing the structure (12) along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A suspended deck system uses prefabricated deck block modules as the working surface. Each block comprises a series of lateral beam bars in closely spaced, mutually parallel relation, having their ends secured by tie members splined in place. In one embodiment the deck blocks are of square plan-form, having wooden beam bars of substantially square section, with eased edges, having their ends tied by a thin, elongated wood spline. The block thickness and the length of the beam bars are selected to ensure the necessary bending strength when simply suspended by their ends in a loaded condition, as part of a suspended platform. In the case of a wooden decking the deck blocks are supported upon a framing of joists and cross-braces having rabetted upper edge recesses into which the deck blocks fit in flush-fitting relation. The blocks may be positioned in an alternating pattern, giving a visual parquet effect.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of a composite structure made from a profile plate and concrete. The relatively lightweight steel profile plate is placed at the building site. At the building site the concrete is sprayed on the surface of the profile plate to form the composite structure. The profile plate can be sprayed with concrete, layer by layer, with each layer being allowed to at least partially set between sprayings. Thus, the inherent load-bearing capacity of the structure increases as the layers are applied and the weight of the structure increases.

Abstract: A prefabricated modular sun deck is disclosed, comprising a floor seated on a frame and preferably including a railing. The deck is easily erected and disassembled into modular sections capable of transport. The frame includes a levelling feature which facilitates levelling of the deck when erected, and periodic relevelling as required, without the need for sunken piers or other permanent supports.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced mounting blocks pivotally support an arcuate shield therebetween projecting above the mounting blocks defining a concave surface in confronting relationship relative to a support web directed between the boxes. A first of said mounting box is arranged to include a radio, with a second arranged to provide for a timer mechanism to permit timing of a sun bathing event, with the shield affording protection of a facial surface of an individual relative to sun rays. A modification of the invention includes a spray medium directed onto an individual's face to enhance cooling during a sun bathing event.

Abstract: An improved decking system is provided for an exterior deck extending from one side of a building. The exterior deck has a header around its periphery, a railing on the header and a plurality of joists spaced apart in parallel relationships between the header. The improvement consists of a plurality of plastic flooring members extending in slightly spaced apart parallel relationships transversely across the joists.

Abstract: A brick cladding assembly including a metal strip from which there is punched a plurality of mounting flanges, the mounting flanges receive "brick" tiles which have side slots which receive the mounting flanges in order to secure the tiles to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A structural system for use in bridges, buildings and other structures. The system supports part of its load by tension action and part of its load by arch action. Cables are stretched and anchored between end supports. Lateral compressive elements are placed over the cables and fit over grooves across the bottoms of the elements. The grooves vary in depth. The cables are near the bottom of the elements at the center span and near the top of the elements at the end supports.

Abstract: A bridge is made from a plurality of precast arcuate spans of reinforced concrete disposed side by side between concrete facia. The facia project upwardly to an elevation above the crown of the spans. Elongated rods join the spans to each other and to the facia.

Abstract: The front wall of an overfilled reinforced concrete arch is built from two prefabricated reinforced concrete elements, that are connected in the center by an on-site cast joint, which transmit the vertical loads acting upon them only to the foundation of the underpass, while the horizontal loads, brought about by the earth pressure from the overfill, are transmitted only at the outer edges to the wing wall and to the arch foundation, on one hand, and on the other hand to the arch from the apex portion. In the apex portion, these forces are transmitted from the front wall to the arch by means of metal rods, that transmit only horizontal stresses.

Abstract: A tension-band bridge having one or more main openings (2) and possibly subsidiary openings (3), comprises a tension band (4) gripped between abutments (5) and possibly taken over supporting pillars (6). The traffic route over the bridge is disposed on a saddling (7), which bends in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, in the region of the main openings (2), while the tension band (4) can be travelled over directly in the region of any subsidiary openings (3) which may be present. The saddling which bends in the longitudinal direction of the bridge preferably consists of a latticework construction (10, 11, 12) which is rigid in the transverse direction of the tension band (4) and which is connected, in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, by means of diagonal struts (13) in each of which shock absorbers (14) are disposed.

Abstract: An arch is formed of prefabricated reinforced concrete shells connected at the arch apex by an on-site cast concrete joint is built as a skewed underpass structure. In order to avoid complicated edge elements or a costly lengthening of the underpass, the individual reinforced concrete shells are formed to have their horizontal projection (in the horizontal projection of an assembled underpass) define a parallelogram which includes at least one acute angle which correspond to the acute angle formed by the intersection of the axis of the overpass traffic route with the axis of the underpass traffic route. Thus, edge elements are not necessary. An apex joint is formed of on-site cast concrete. Reinforcement rods extend into the apex joint and are arranged in an asymmetrical manner so that all elements can be designed and reinforced in the same manner with the reinforcement rods in the joint meeting directly.

Abstract: A prestressed steel support structure and method of erecting the same having bearing supports and containing at least one tension element having at least one hollow profile member extending in a catenary configuration between support locations and within which there is arranged at least one prestressing cable. The hollow profile member is provided with a filler and the prestressing cable forms a connection with the hollow profile member by means of such filler.

Abstract: In a method of constructing a reinforced concrete bridge a supporting arch s erected which comprises a cocked center part of which forms a supporting reinforcement intended to be incorporated in the concrete of the final bridge structure. Shuttering is placed in position on the arch and the concrete poured to embody the supporting reinforcement and constitute the deck of the bridge. The resultant deck is formed by a ribbed slab, by girders connected by a slab, or by at least one box. After the concrete has hardened the remaining exterior part of the arch is removed, and if required additional reinforcement may be embodied in the concrete.