Abstract: A shelter for protecting occupants from the effects of high velocity winds and explosive blasts includes a steel framework mountable on a foundation. The steel framework includes a floor structure and a roof structure spaced apart by vertical columns. Each of the floor structure and the wall structure includes panels mounted on joists wherein each panel includes a sheet of non-combustible material laminated to a metallic sheet. Each panel is mounted to the joists with the metallic sheet adjacent to the joists. The shelter further includes walls that include vertical studs secured to the floor structure and the roof structure. Outer wall panels are secured to outer surfaces of the studs. Each outer wall panel includes a sheet of non-combustible material laminated to a metallic sheet. Each outer wall panel is mounted with the metallic sheet adjacent to the vertical stud.

Abstract: A roof protection system and a method for constructing the roof protection system for an enclosure provide protection for inhabitants and equipment in the enclosure against projectiles and other falling objects that could impact and penetrate the top of the enclosure. The roof protection system includes roof protection sections wherein each section includes a frame with a plurality of spaces between support beams. A flexible bag of woven para-aramid fiber (e.g., Kevlar® brand fiber) is positioned in each space. Each bag is filled with a selected material such as sand, gravel, cement or other high-strength fill material. First and second outer panels of a non-combustible board laminated to a metallic sheet enclose the flexible bags. The roof protection sections are mounted on support structures so that sections span the top of enclosure and are spaced apart from the top enclosure.

Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. The wall is filled with an energy absorbing material. The lower ends of the vertical studs are connected to a lower track.

Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.

Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. A respective attachment clip is attached to a lower portion of vertical stud. Each attachment clip is attached to the building structure with an energy absorption pad that resists vertical and lateral movement of lower end of the respective vertical stud.

Abstract: A shear wall structure is formed on a building wall or section thereof designed to accommodate anticipated wind or seismic shear loads by initially securing one or more subsurface shear panels on the interior or exterior sides of the wood or steel framing studs. Each shear panel consists of a thin steel sheet (0.015? to 0.060? thick) laminated to a thin rigid sheet material such as medium density fiberboard ( 1/16? to ¼? thick). Subsequently, the shear panels are covered with a conventional interior (e.g., drywall panels) or exterior (e.g., plaster) finishing materials.

Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.

Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. The wall are filled with an energy absorbing material. The lower ends of the vertical studs are connected to a lower track.

Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.

Abstract: A shear panel for constructing underlayments for floors and roofs of buildings includes a first rectangular layer of fire-resistant material, such as cementitious board, bonded to a second rectangular layer of thin high-strength material, such as galvanized steel. The length of the second layer is longer than the length of the first layer. The additional length of the second layer forms a tab extending from one end of the panel. During construction, a first panel is attached to a set of beams (floor joists or roof rafters) with the tab spanning between adjacent beams. A second panel is positioned on the beams with at least a portion of the second panel overlapping the tab of the first panel. The overlapping portion of the second panel is fastened to the tab of the first panel to form a continuous shear diaphragm for the floor or roof.

Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.

Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.

Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.

Abstract: A shear panel for constructing underlayments for floors and roofs of buildings includes a first rectangular layer of fire-resistant material, such as cementitious board, bonded to a second rectangular layer of thin high-strength material, such as galvanized steel. The length of the second layer is longer than the length of the first layer. The additional length of the second layer forms a tab extending from one end of the panel. During construction, a first panel is attached to a set of beams (floor joists or roof rafters) with the tab spanning between adjacent beams. A second panel is positioned on the beams with at least a portion of the second panel overlapping the tab of the first panel. The overlapping portion of the second panel is fastened to the tab of the first panel to form a continuous shear diaphragm for the floor or roof.

Abstract: A shear panel for constructing underlayments for floors and roofs of buildings includes a first rectangular layer of fire-resistant material, such as cementitious board, bonded to a second rectangular layer of thin high-strength material, such as galvanized steel. The length of the second layer is longer than the length of the first layer. The additional length of the second layer forms a tab extending from one end of the panel. During construction, a first panel is attached to a set of beams (floor joists or roof rafters) with the tab spanning between adjacent beams. A second panel is positioned on the beams with at least a portion of the second panel overlapping the tab of the first panel. The overlapping portion of the second panel is fastened to the tab of the first panel to form a continuous shear diaphragm for the floor or roof.

Abstract: In a system and a method for erecting a structure, the walls of the structure are securely interconnected with a foundation, such as, a concrete slab or footing. The system includes a laminated shear panel formed by bonding a thin shear layer (e.g., a layer of sheet steel or other suitable high-strength material) to a surface of a non-structural layer. The thin shear layer has one dimension longer than the non-structural sheet so that a tab of the shear layer extends from one edge of the non-structural sheet. The shear panel is mounted on the exterior walls of a structure with the panel secured to the vertical studs of the wall and with the extended tab secured to the foundation. The shear panel binds the walls of the structure to the foundation to inhibit the walls from lifting or shifting during high wind conditions.

Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.

Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. A respective attachment clip is attached to a lower portion of vertical stud. Each attachment clip is attached to the building structure with an energy absorption pad that resists vertical and lateral movement of lower end of the respective vertical stud.

Abstract: In a system and a method for erecting a structure, the walls of the structure are securely interconnected with a foundation, such as, a concrete slab or footing. The system includes a laminated shear panel formed by bonding a thin shear layer (e.g., a layer of sheet steel or other suitable high-strength material) to a surface of a non-structural layer. The thin shear layer has one dimension longer than the non-structural sheet so that a tab of the shear layer extends from one edge of the non-structural sheet. The shear panel is mounted on the exterior walls of a structure with the panel secured to the vertical studs of the wall and with the extended tab secured to the foundation. The shear panel binds the walls of the structure to the foundation to inhibit the walls from lifting or shifting during high wind conditions.

Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.