Abstract: A one-piece moment frame connector is formed from a single piece of structural steel such as an I-beam or standard structural W-shape beam. Initially, a section, or blank, may be cut from a beam. The blank may be severed transverse to the length of the beam, so that the blank includes first and second flanges connected by a web. The web may be cut in the middle to form a pair of one-piece moment frame connectors, each having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate. The pair of moment frame connectors may be used in a single moment frame connection, one connector at the top and the other connector at the bottom. This ensures that the two connectors have the same internal composition and as such, the same response to lateral loads.

Abstract: A connector referred to herein as a knife plate, and the structural connections formed using the knife plate. The knife plate may have a first portion configured to affix to a first structural member, such as a vertical column. The knife plate may have a second portion configured to fit within a slot formed in a second structural member, such as a horizontal beam. The second structural member may be pinned to the knife plate using one or more dowels fit through the second structural member and the knife plate.

Abstract: A high strength moment frame connector system is used to connect beams and columns. The moment frame connector system includes a shear tab connected between the column and beam, and a pair of T-shaped connectors connected between the column and beam. Each T-shaped connector includes a first section affixed to the column and a second section affixed to upper and lower flanges of the beam. The first section includes a notch to prevent interference between the T-shaped connector, the shear tab and/or bolted connections for those components.

Abstract: A preassembled holdown post includes a holdown mounted within a milled recess near a base of the post. The holdown may be secured with screw fasteners inserted at an upward angle to relieve shear stresses within the fasteners. Additionally, the holdown may be assembled into the post prior to arrival at a building site. This provides a number of advantages to the building process, including quicker installation times and less opportunity for faulty construction.

Abstract: A method for installing fastener in a base material. The fastener has a shank having a first end and a second end defining a length, a head provided at the second end, and a thread provided on the shank which includes a leading edge and a trailing edge adapted remove portions of the base material when inserted into the base material. The method includes forming a hole having a diameter which is a nominal shank diameter of the fastener to be installed in the base material. The hole is then filled with an adhesive having a viscosity of 350 cP or less. Finally, the fastener is rotated into the hole such that the adhesive is forced into portions of the base material adjacent to the shank and thread when the thread is fully inserted into the hole.

Abstract: A connection is provided where a connector can act as a holdown or tension tie and transfer tension, uplift, or lateral load between an anchored member and an anchoring member. The connector is used in combination with separate anchor and fasteners. The anchor may be tied to a concrete foundation, another connector of the same type, a wood framing member, or structural member of a similar type, or other supporting or anchoring members.

Abstract: A marine environment wall protection system, comprises a composite panel having a similar shape to a steel wall to which the composite panel is configured to be attached; at least one non-corroding mechanical fastener having a first portion configured to be disposed in the steel wall, the first portion configured to receive a second portion, the non-corroding mechanical fastener configured to provide a space between the composite panel and the steel wall; and a sealant positioned between the composite panel and the steel wall.

Abstract: A connection and a method of making a connection between an outer member and one or more inner structural members of a structure such as a building, the connection having a compression strut having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion being supported by one of the one or more inner structural members, the outer portion being in contact with the outer member, a connector plate engaging the compression strut and the outer member and one or more tension fasteners attaching the connector plate to one or more of the one or more inner structural members.

Abstract: A lateral bracing system incudes a frame and a brace assembly. The brace assembly may include at least one diagonal brace affixed to the frame by gusset plates. The diagonal brace may be affixed to the gusset plates at one or both ends by a yield link assembly. The yield link assembly may include various numbers of stacked fuse plates, depending on the required design strength of the lateral bracing system. Each fuse plate may include first and second ends, bolted respectively to the diagonal brace and gusset plate, and a central yield region including one or more mechanical fuses. The mechanical fuses are configured to distribute the inelastic strains throughout the yield region.

Abstract: A connector and a method of providing a framing component for building construction are disclosed, the connector including a first member having opposite plate members with a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion is pivotally connected to the bottom portion, and a second member having a base member with attachment members, wherein the second member is attached at an angle of 14-50 degrees to the first member. The method is a method of providing a framing component for building construction, the method including the steps of providing the connector, connecting a top chord to the top portion of the connector, and connecting a bottom chord of a wooden joist to the bottom portion of the connector, wherein the connector connects the top chord and the bottom chord in such a way to allow for the top chord and bottom chord to stay in intact.

Abstract: A moment frame is disclosed for a sloped roof construction. The moment frame includes a lateral bracing system having a high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating energy generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.

Abstract: A sealant spreader device fills voids around a drilled hole with sealant in glued-in-rod (GIR) structures. A liquid sealant may be applied to the base of a drilled hole. A sealant spreader device is then inserted to the base of the drilled hole, through the sealant. The sealant spreader device is then withdrawn while rotating. The sealant spreader device includes winged sections having contours which force the sealant radially outward toward walls of the hole, into any voids around the circumference of the drilled hole, and leaves a thin layer of sealant around the circumference of the drilled hole.

Abstract: A modular adhesive insert for a construction anchor allows for controlled dispersion of adhesive in a pre-formed bore, and multiple insert screens to be attached to each other to create many sizes of screens. The insert comprises an end cap and also includes an abutment structure. The insert includes a housing with a first end and a second end, the first end including a first set of connection structures, the second end including a second set of connection structures, the housing including a plurality of shutters between the first end and the second end, each of the shutters adapted to vary a size of an opening associated with each said shutter.

Abstract: A connector is provided to attach a supported member to a supporting member, with the supported member being in sloped and skewed relation to the supporting member. The connector has back members attached to side members. A seat member attaches to the side members through a hinged connection. The seat member interfaces with the bottom face of the supported member and can be disposed at a sloped angle. A pair of seat side members extend from the seat member.

Abstract: One or more collars are configured to center a rod within a drilled hole in glued-in-rod (GIR) structures. The one or more collars fit over an end and/or along a length of the rod that gets inserted first into the drilled hole. The one or more collars may include splines or other features extending from a base of the collar. The features contact walls of the drilled hole to center the rod in the hole, while at the same time allowing fluid such as glue to pass around the collar as the collar and rod are inserted into the hole.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end defining a length. The fastener includes a thread provided on the shank, the thread including a first region adjacent to the first end and a second region between the first region and a head at the second end, the thread includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, each edge forming an angle with a surface of the shank, the leading edge forming a non-normal angle with the surface of the shank and the trailing edge forming an angle about normal to the surface of the shank. The fastener may include an arcuate detent region in the shank between respective turns of the thread, the detent region having a length, the length decreasing from the first end toward the second end between the respective turns. The fastener may include a plurality of flutes positioned along a length of the shank.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end defining a length. The fastener includes a thread provided on the shank, the thread including a first region adjacent to the first end and a second region between the first region and a head at the second end, and a pilot thread. The pilot thread may have first second and third revolutions with different heights and widths which are designed to remove various portions of material from a pre-drilled hole into which the fastener is to be inserted.

Abstract: A system for shaping a workpiece, which may be in the form of a structural framing component, includes a tool with first and second indenting blades for indenting the workpiece as driven by a blade control apparatus. The workpiece is supported at the tool by one or more workpiece support modules that are each selectively and removably securable to the tool. A base plate is provided at the tool for removably securing the workpiece support modules to the tool without having to detach the tool from a platform of substructure. The workpiece support modules may therefore be quickly replaced to coordinate with workpieces of various size and shape.

Abstract: A structural fuse is disclosed including a fuse base and a fuse plate extending from the fuse base. The fuse plate may include a reduced diameter yield section configured to yield at loads on the structural fuse above a threshold. The reduced diameter yield section includes a pair of slots on either side of the yield section, which slots receive a pair of spacers. The spacers are integrally formed as part of the fuse plate, and remain attached to the fuse plate during fabrication of the structural fuse.