Abstract: The invention concerns a cylindrical thermal protection sheath for covering a length of an elongated structural element, comprising a sandwich-like composite insulation system which has a thermal conductivity lower or equal to 0.11 W/m.° C. at 800° C. and a thickness lower than 50 millimeters.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cable anchorage comprising at least one axial channel for accommodating an elongated element with a sheathed portion and an unsheathed end portion, wherein the channel between a first channel end, proximal to a running part of the elongated element, and a second channel end equipped with immobilising device, a seal element in the channel, a stop element having an end facing said seal element which defines a shoulder, so that an axial displacement of the of the elongated element with respect to the stop element in said channel is possible up to the abutment of the end of the sheathed portion against the shoulder, creating thereby an abutment position of the elongated element in said channel.

Abstract: A method and a device for damping relative motion between structural elements (4a, 4b, 5), and in particular for damping oscillations in a stay cable of a building or a civil engineering structure. A damping device is disclosed which provides motion damping by means of frictional engagement (1a, 1b) between friction surfaces composed of low-friction polymeric material (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b). The polymeric material preferably includes a dispersed lubricant. The use of low friction polymers results in a constant damping which is effective over a broad range of displacements and forces.

Abstract: A cable anchorage anchors a cable, for example a stay cable having multiple strands (50), against a longitudinal tension force. The anchor block (11) of the anchorage includes multiple channels, through which the strands (50) are individually threaded. Once in position and tensioned, the space around the strands (50) in the anchor block (11) is injected with a liquid, such as a polyurethane, which subsequently sets to form a tough elastic bedding material (51) within the anchor block (11). The elastic bedding material (51) has a durometer at 23° C. in the range 10 to 70 Shore, so as to form bedding cushion extending substantially around the strand (50) in the strand-channel (6) along a bedding region (54) of strand-channel (6), the bedding cushion reducing the bending stresses in the strand (50) by absorbing bending stresses along the bedding region (54).

Abstract: A cable anchorage is described for anchoring a cable, for example a stay cable comprising multiple strands (50), against an axial tension force. Each strand (50) is individually sealed in an individual channel (6) of the anchorage against moisture ingress, and each strand (50) may be removed and replaced individually. A tight-fitting elastic annular seal (26) is fitted into a recess (27) in the channel. The annular seal (26) is inserted from the anchor block end (1) of the anchorage.

Abstract: A crane apparatus and method are described for lifting a heavy load such as a wind-turbine generator unit 46 on to a wind-turbine tower 1. The crane is designed to climb up cables 3 attached to the top of the tower, carrying with it the cables 45 and lifting gear 31 which will be required for the main lifting operation. The crane comprises a pair of jib-frames 20 with boom arms 26, 27 which can be retracted during lifting and then deployed to a pivotable, loadbearing position once the crane is mounted at the top of the tower 1. Hydraulic strand jacks 31 and heavy-duty strands 45 are preferably used for the heavy lifting. In a preparation step, a load-bearing bracket assembly 13, 14, to which the jib-frames 20 will be secured, is hoisted up and fitted to the top of the tower 1. Once the lifting operations are complete, the crane assembly and the bracket assembly 13, 14 are lowered from the tower 1 and removed from site.

Abstract: A crane apparatus and method are described for lifting a heavy load such as a wind-turbine generator unit 46 on to a wind-turbine tower 1. The crane is designed to climb up cables 3 attached to the top of the tower, carrying with it the cables 45 and lifting gear 31 which will be required for the main lifting operation. The crane comprises a pair of jib-frames 20 with boom arms 26, 27 which can be retracted during lifting and then deployed to a pivotable, loadbearing position once the crane is mounted at the top of the tower 1. Hydraulic strand jacks 31 and heavy-duty strands 45 are preferably used for the heavy lifting. In a preparation step, a load-bearing bracket assembly 13, 14, to which the jib-frames 20 will be secured, is hoisted up and fitted to the top of the tower 1. Once the lifting operations are complete, the crane assembly and the bracket assembly 13, 14 are lowered from the tower 1 and removed from site.

Abstract: Damping arrangement for low, medium and high-rise structures (1) using bidirectional damping means (5) such as visco-elastic Gensui damping devices, placed between two parallel elements of the structure (1), such as a core (2) and a perimeter column (3), or between two cores. Oscillatory or other flexural or shear deformations of the structure (1) are damped by damping axial movements between the two elements (2, 3), and simultaneously damping orthogonal movements between the two elements (2, 3). Outriggers (6, 7, 8) are used to enhance the axial damping moment, and the bidirectional damping means (5) may be installed in pairs, working in opposition to each other to damp dynamic shear or flexural forces in the orthogonal plane.

Abstract: A method of constructing a tower structure by assembling a set of coaxial telescopic sections 2, 3a, 3b in position on site and then raising the assembled sections using hydraulic crawler jacks 8 and tendons 5. The telescopic sections are assembled or constructed in situ, starting with the inner section and then each subsequent section around the outside of the previously constructed sections. Each individual tower section may be cast in situ or assembled from multiple pre-fabricated segments. This method permits the construction of very tall structures while obviating the need for very large cranes. It also removes the design constraints on the height of the individual telescopic sections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are proposed for incremental casting of concrete cantilever bridge sections. The main trusses which form the load-bearing frames of the apparatus are angularly splayed so that they are positioned outwards of the main load bearing webs of the to-be-constructed section of the bridge, while still being supported on the webs of the already-constructed section of the bridge. In this way, the region above and below the construction space is kept free for improved access.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement (202) for a building element comprising tension members. The sealing arrangement (202) is arranged to seal off an internal part of the building element. The sealing arrangement (202) comprises: (a) a first pressing element (500) of rigid material; (b) a transition pad (501) of deformable material; (c) a sealing pad (503) of elastic material; and (d) a second pressing element (505; 507) comprising a rigid layer (507) for pressing the transition pad (501) and the sealing pad (503) against the first pressing element (500). The transition pad (501), the sealing pad (503) and the second pressing element (505; 507) are provided with holes for the tension elements to pass through. When operationally in place, the first pressing element (500), the transition pad (501), the sealing pad (503) and the second pressing element (505; 507) are pressed together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strand guiding device that comprises a curved body having a first end and a second end. The strand guiding device further comprises at least one channel extending from the first end to the second end inside the strand guiding device, the channel being arranged to be traversed longitudinally by a strand of a cable, and further arranged to hold the strand in place when under tension. The body of the guiding device is filled with a protective material for protecting the strand from corrosion and allowing later removal of the strand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement (202) for a building element comprising tension members. The sealing arrangement (202) is arranged to seal off an internal part of the building element. The sealing arrangement (202) comprises: (a) a first pressing element (500) of rigid material; (b) a transition pad (501) of deformable material; (c) a sealing pad (503) of elastic material; and (d) a second pressing element (505; 507) comprising a rigid layer (507) for pressing the transition pad (501) and the sealing pad (503) against the first pressing element (500). The transition pad (501), the sealing pad (503) and the second pressing element (505; 507) are provided with holes for the tension elements to pass through. When operationally in place, the first pressing element (500), the transition pad (501), the sealing pad (503) and the second pressing element (505; 507) are pressed together.

Abstract: A method and system are described for tensioning structural strands 1 of a tendon in a duct. Each strand 1 is fitted with its own load cell 22, so that the individual tension values in each individual strand 1 can be measured during the tensioning of the strands 1. The load cells 22 may be removed after tensioning, or left in situ to enable ongoing monitoring of the tension in the strands 1. The load cells 22 may be calibrated simultaneously by tensioning the strands 1 to an equal tension using individual jacks 10, then normalizing the signals from each load cell 22 to the known equal tension value. A further calibration to a global strand load measurement may also be performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strand guiding device that comprises a curved body having a first end and a second end. The strand guiding device further comprises at least one channel extending from the first end to the second end inside the strand guiding device, the channel being arranged to be traversed longitudinally by a strand of a cable, and further arranged to hold the strand in place when under tension. The body of the guiding device is filled with a protective material for protecting the strand from corrosion and allowing later removal of the strand.

Abstract: A gliding bed for a concrete slab comprises a first film and a second film wherein the first film can be brought into contact with a foundation of the concrete bottom slab and the second film can be brought into contact with a bottom side of the concrete slab by pouring concrete onto the second film and which films are tightly connected to each other at edges. In order to minimize friction between the concrete slab and the foundation, at least one gas- and liquid-permeable layer formed from a fleece and/or a textile fabric, a woven fabric or a knitted fabric is provided between the films.

Abstract: A method and a device for damping relative motion between structural elements (4a, 4b, 5), and in particular for damping oscillations in a stay cable of a building or a civil engineering structure. A damping device is disclosed which provides motion damping by means of frictional engagement (1a, 1b) between friction surfaces composed of low-friction polymeric material (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b). The polymeric material preferably includes a dispersed lubricant. The use of low friction polymers results in a constant damping which is effective over a broad range of displacements and forces.

Abstract: A method for determining the passivating properties of a mixture containing cement and water. Taking three elements that are referred to as first-third electrodes. Fixing at least one electrode on a support such that the electrodes are electrically insulated reciprocally and the mixture is able to come in contact with a face on each electrode. Applying between the first and third electrodes a direct current, referred to as first direct current, of predetermined intensity value and predetermined polarity, resulting in electrolytic reactions on the third electrode for a first duration, and then measuring voltage between the second and third electrodes. Storing the measurement for the variation of said voltage, comparing the variations in the voltage with predetermined data defining at least whether or not a mixture has passivating properties, and determining at least whether or not the mixture has such passivating properties.

Abstract: Damping arrangement for low, medium and high-rise structures (1) using bidirectional damping means (5) such as visco-elastic Gensui damping devices, placed between two parallel elements of the structure (1), such as a core (2) and a perimeter column (3), or between two cores. Oscillatory or other flexural or shear deformations of the structure (1) are damped by damping axial movements between the two elements (2, 3), and simultaneously damping orthogonal movements between the two elements (2, 3). Outriggers (6, 7, 8) are used to enhance the axial damping moment, and the bidirectional damping means (5) may be installed in pairs, working in opposition to each other to damp dynamic shear or flexural forces in the orthogonal plane.

Abstract: In a load-bearing construction (1) having at least one load-bearing element (2), the load-bearing element (2) has at least one cavity (5) in which at least one rod (4) is disposed, the total cross-sectional area of all rods (4) each arranged in a cavity (5) being smaller than the cross-sectional area of this cavity (5), and the remaining volume of the cavity (5) being filled with a material (6). The rod (4) is displaceable along its length relative to the load-bearing element (2) when the load-bearing element (2) is deformed, the rod (4) being non-displaceably fixed at only one point relative to the load-bearing element (2) and being designed such that it dissipates energy upon the occurrence of a relative displacement with respect to the load-bearing element (2).