Abstract: A comprehensive dry flood proofing solution to mitigate inland flooding risk for existing or new homes and small buildings. This family of integrated systems of the present disclosure each leverage the building's structure to offer practical and affordable flood protection for those buildings constructed with slab-on-grade foundations. This family of solutions includes pluggable weep holes, entry door/garage door/window protectors, wall appurtenances and penetration protection, house wrap and debris barrier system for wall protection and sewage anti-backflow protection. The components of the solution are reusable, easy to deploy, and do not detract from the building's permanent appearance. Furthermore, the solution allows for ingress/egress during flood events and can protect the building from standing water incursion up to 24? above slab elevation.

Abstract: A plank and plank system for covering a wall or other surface is provided. Each longitudinally extending plank comprises a generally planar front façade and a back member. The back member comprises multiple plateaus interspersed with channels. Each plateau provides a flat surface that will be adjacent to the wall/surface when the plank is installed and onto which, optionally, a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape may be applied. The channels provide a predetermined location and predetermined holding capacity to regulate the location and amount of construction adhesive to be applied by a user. In an aspect of the invention, the channels also provide a degree of flexibility that allows the plank to adhere securely to the wall and that allows the depth of the plank to be greater than conventional wood wall covering panels.

Abstract: A vibration and sound deadening treatment applied to the exterior of downspouts or other gutter pieces which quiets any sound generated when water or other weather contacts the downspout. When placed on the exterior of the downspout, especially near turns in the spout, sound generated by rain and water moving through the downspout is dampened by reducing or removing completely the vibrations generated by the rain and water. This prevents the need to place anything inside of the downspout that may wind up clogging the spout and drain.

Abstract: A steel beam and a supporting arrangement for supporting a steel beam at console, the steel beam including a base plate, two web parts, and an end plate at each end of the steel beam. The base plate, the two web parts and the end plates delimit a space. At least one of the ends of the steel beam includes a console supporting slot extending from the at least one end of the steel beam. The console supporting slot is laterally at least partly limited by side plates inside the space of the steel beam, and by the side plates are attached to the end plate and to the base plate.

Abstract: An inflatable structure has a top wall, a bottom wall vertically spaced from the top wall, and a vertical baffle having a top edge connected to the top wall, and a bottom edge connected to the bottom wall. A pair of top diagonal support baffles connect the vertical baffle to the top wall, each of the pair of top diagonal support baffles being connected to the top wall on opposite sides of a top edge of the vertical baffle, and spaced a distance from the top edge of the vertical baffle. A pair of bottom diagonal support baffles further connect the vertical baffle to the bottom wall, each of the pair of bottom diagonal support baffles being connected to the bottom wall on opposite sides of bottom edge of the vertical baffle, and spaced a distance from the bottom edge of the vertical baffle.

Abstract: Offshore structure comprising a pile of a foundation and at least one offshore element, mounted on the pile, forming a slip joint, wherein between an inner surface of the offshore element and an outer surface of the pile: —a coating, especially an anti-fouling coating is provided, increasing friction between the said two surfaces and/or preventing corrosion of one or both of said surfaces and/or —at least two spaced apart areas are provided with a substance, forming a seal between the said outer surface and the said inner surface, near an upper end of the pile and the off shore element and between a lower end of the off shore element and the pile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural beam for use in a building, the structural beam comprising a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; at least two spaced apart wall members each wall member extending parallel with the longitudinal axis, abase member spanning between the at least two spaced apart wall members, wherein the base member and each wall member cooperate to form a trough for receiving cement, wherein each wall member includes: a first ledge extending outwardly away from the trough and; a second ledge extending outwardly away from the trough; wherein the first ledge and second ledge cooperate to form a channel dimensioned for receiving a part of an insulation member.

Abstract: A slatwall panel assembly that exhibits exceptional strength for holding heavy objects and unprecedented durability for long-term, indoor and/or outdoor use, including: (a) a top starter panel; (b) a first slatwall panel; (c) an optional additional slatwall panel; (d) a bottom finishing panel; (e) wherein the top starter panel is securable to an upper portion of the first slatwall panel; and (f) wherein the bottom finishing panel is securable to a lower portion of the first slatwall panel or a lower portion of the optional additional slatwall panel.

Abstract: An alignment tool and method that is easy to use during the installation of a base of a commercial storage rack over bolts extending up from a warehouse floor. The alignment tool comprises a cylindrical body having a first conically shaped upper end and a second lower end having a bolt receiving hollow opening therein. The opening extends up into said cylindrical body along a longitudinal axis of the body. The method includes placing the opening down over the bolts, with the conical top facing up, to protect the bolts and align the base as it is lowered over the bolts. The alignment tool can be easily removed, prior to bolting the base to the floor, such as with a removal tool through a hole in the alignment tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a duct support assembly. The duct support assembly can include a frame structure and a duct support. The duct support can be configured to be installed in a floor assembly between a first beam portion of a first wall frame and a second beam portion of a second wall frame and to provide a duct exit from the frame structure. The duct support can be configured to transfer a tension and/or compression load. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of using a duct support to provide a duct exit from a frame structure. The method can include positioning the duct support in a floor assembly between a first beam portion of a first wall frame and a second beam portion of a second wall frame.

Abstract: An anchoring system for anchoring curtainwall units may include an anchor base structure to be attached to the floor slab, a vertical anchor structure and a horizontal anchor structure. The vertical anchor structure may be connected to a lower portion of the upper row curtainwall unit and bear a load of the upper row curtainwall unit on the anchor base structure, thereby fixing a distance between the floor slab and the lower portion of the upper row curtainwall unit while allowing horizontal motion. The horizontal anchor structure may be configured to be connected to an upper portion of the lower row curtainwall unit, and to use the anchor base structure to secure the upper portion of the lower row curtainwall unit against horizontal motion while allowing vertical motion.

Abstract: A tile system comprises at least two tiles and at least one elongate support. Each tile is generally rectangular in shape and has a first edge, and a second edge, the second edge being generally opposite the first edge. Each elongate support has an attachment portion and a support portion. Proximate the first edge each tile is provided with a groove, the groove being configured to receive the support portion of one of the elongate supports and a portion of an adjacent tile proximate its second edge.

Abstract: A utility pole system that provides for easy temperature inspection of the fiberglass reinforced plastic utility pole. The system may include utility pole and a sleeve arranged around the pole, and a temperature sensor positioned underneath the sleeve.

Abstract: A multi-story building that includes a vertical support core and a plurality of floor plates is described, wherein fabrication of the building includes, in one embodiment, assembling each of the floor plates at or near ground level, and lifting each of the floor plates to a design level on the vertical support core. A system and device for securing one of the floor plates to the building includes employing a vertically-oriented lock-in bracket.

Abstract: The present invention includes a lintel support to aid in lintel repair and/or reinforcement. The lintel support has a body with a top, a bottom, and a height extending therebetween; at least one claw at the top; and a bracket at the bottom. In use, points are dug out of a mortar line above the lintel and the claws of the lintel support are positioned into those points. With the claws so positioned, the bracket will be below the failing lintel. A support beam is placed under the bracket and a jack lift provides uplift at the mortar line where the claws are positioned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fire-protection-collar element (10) for forming a fire-protection collar (35) for closing through-passages in walls (38), ceilings and/or floors in the event of a fire. The present invention also relates to a method for forming a fire-protection collar (35) for closing through-passages in walls (38), ceilings and/or floors in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A beam-column node structure of the steel prefabricated building is provided. The structure includes inner sleeves and driving components. The inner sleeves are slidably embedded in the transverse sleeves of the cross beam or node member; the driving components are used to drive the inner sleeves to move from one of the cross beams and the transverse sleeves embedded with the inner sleeves to the other. The inner sleeves are partly located in the crossbeams and partly in the lateral sleeves, and then the internal connection between the crossbeams and the lateral sleeves can be realized by the fasteners.

Abstract: A building block comprises a rigid housing defining a chamber and plant fibers contained within the chamber. A construction system comprises a plurality of such building blocks, selectively stackable to form a wall. A method of construction comprises obtaining a plurality of such building blocks, inserting plant fibers into the chamber, and stacking the plurality of building blocks to form one or more walls.

Abstract: A firestop collar for sealing of openings, especially of line penetrations, that pass through walls or ceilings, has a frame and a block of optionally intumescent material disposed therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a geothermal insulation system (10) for the insulation of an external surface (16) of a building (12), characterised by comprising: internal insulation panels (24), first internal spacers (22) attaching the internal insulation panels (24) onto the external surface (16) of a wall (14) of the building (12) in the mounted state such that an internal air chamber (20) is left between the internal insulation panels (24) and the external surface (16) of the wall (14), external insulation panels (34), second spacers (32) attaching the external insulation panels (34) onto an external side of the internal insulation panels (24) in the mounted state such that an external air chamber (30) is left between the external insulation panels (34) and the external side of the internal insulation panels (24) and an upper region (31) of the external air chamber (30) is in air communication with an upper region (21) of the internal air chamber (20), a soil-air heat exchanger (44) recessed into the soil,