Abstract: A structural fuse-brace with a joint assembly may be incorporated into the frame of a building or other structure subject to seismic activity or extreme winds to protect the structure from damage. The joint assembly includes elastic members that are placed under tension when plates of a plate assembly are displaced. This tension biases the plates to return to their original positions.

Abstract: An annular flange element for connection of tubular elements includes an inner periphery arranged around a central axis, an outer periphery arranged around the central axis, and an outer flange part extending radially outward toward the outer periphery. The outer flange part includes an outer section of a rear side and an outer front side with an outer front surface for connection to a cooperating structure. The annular flange element includes an inner flange part extending radially inward toward the inner periphery. The inner flange part includes an inner section of the rear side and an inner front side with an inner front surface for connection to the cooperating structure. The annular flange element includes an attachment part extending from the rear side in a direction opposite the inner and the outer front surface. The attachment part is adapted for secure attachment to a tubular element.

Abstract: A multi-stage buckling-restrained brace device. The device comprises the parallel cores system, load-transfer system, and restrainer system. The parallel cores system consists of the energy dissipation component, placed between the two supporting plates. The load-transfer system consists of the first and second supporting plates, which are spaced along a specific direction. The restrainer system consists of the restraining component, which prevents buckling of the energy dissipation component under compression. The restraining component includes a first sliding plate, a second sliding plate, a first connecting component and a second connecting component, while the energy dissipation component includes a first core plate and several high-stage core plates. The first sliding plate is fixedly connected to both the first core plate and the first supporting plate, and the second sliding plate is fixedly connected to both the first core plate and the second supporting plate.

Abstract: A device that can be mounted inside a window frame for protection during hurricanes and tornadoes instead of hanging plywood. The “XFrame” has two adjustable metal rods (able to adjust the length of the bars to fit in a window frame). The two bars may be bolted together in the middle and adjustable at an angle, such that a user can adjust both the length of the bars and the angles to make them fit into virtually any size window frame. The user may adjust the bars to fit approximately inside the window frame and then engage the tension mechanism to lock them in place tightly.

Abstract: A method for connecting an edge metal flashing to a roofing membrane, the method including the steps of: providing a roof assembly including a roof substrate, an edge metal flashing, and a roofing membrane, wherein a portion of the roofing membrane is trapped between the flashing and substrate and wherein the membrane is a water impermeable liquid applied membrane; applying a reactive adhesive layer to a portion of an upper major surface of the flashing; applying an epoxy resin layer on top of the reactive adhesive layer; and applying a water impermeable liquid applied membrane on top of the epoxy resin layer so that the applied water impermeable liquid applied membrane also covers a part of the water impermeable liquid applied membrane. The method provides an edge metal flashing connection system which is easy to apply and provides the required long-term watertightness.

Abstract: A modular foundation system comprises a concrete reinforced matrix having embedded pre-tensioned components and a recessed tension bolster region adjacent the lower surface of the foundation at each end, and a pair of lifting safety bars partially embedded in the foundation within the recess and terminating at the end of the foundation.

Abstract: The system allows a user to construct a dome while masking the dome within a structure built with traditional wood building materials. The system may include a membrane material that defines the walls and roof of the dome. The system may also have brackets that are placed into the roof formed by the membrane material. After foam has been sprayed, a user may insert wires into the foam. The wires are positioned so as to receive rebar to add structural stability to the dome. A robotic sprayer applies shotcrete to inner walls of the dome, over the foam, wire, and rebar. A traditional roof may be coupled to the completed concrete dome using the brackets that have been embedded throughout the initial construction of the dome.

Abstract: An angle-adjustable post assembly for supporting a rail panel on a stairway includes a post portion that is a generally hollow rectangular tube and a pivot rod that extends laterally from the post portion. The pivot rod is cylindrical to allow pivoting adjustment to position the post portion in a vertical orientation for multiple incline angles. The angle-adjustable post assembly also includes a base portion defining a plurality of first through holes, each of which is configured to receive a first fastener. A top bracket with an arcuate portion that is sized and shaped to correspond to the circumference of the pivot rod defines a pair of second through holes, each configured to receive a second fastener.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a joint support that includes a support strip having first and second elongate flanges, the first and second elongate flanges having an inside surface, an outside surface, an inner edge, and an outer edge. The joint support further includes a first auxiliary flap including an inner portion attached to the inside surface of the first elongate flange and an outer portion that extends laterally beyond the outer edge of the first elongate flange. The joint support further includes a second auxiliary flap including an inner portion attached to the inside surface of the second elongate flange and an outer portion that extends laterally beyond the outer edge of the second elongate flange. The joint support further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive substance disposed on at least a first portion of an inside surface of each of the first auxiliary flap and the second auxiliary flap.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting modular wall vertical frame members meeting at a corner junction comprises a first vertical frame member a second vertical frame member; and a connector member. Each vertical frame member has a mount for mounting a wall panel. Each vertical frame member has a pair of interlocking members positioned inwardly of the mount. The connector member has a body structure with a pair of legs with latches thereon extending therefrom. The legs with the latches extending to form a general V-shape. The legs with the latches are configured to be received in latch receiving spaces of the vertical frame members in a latching engagement to secure the vertical frame members in a corner junction relationship. The body structure of the connector member includes a head configured to be received between portions of the vertical frame members to support the corner junction relationship.

Abstract: Installation systems and methods for fenestration units configured to be set into a rough opening (RO) from interior side of a building structure or wall. The fenestration units may include a retention system coupled to the frame and operable to exert a retention force on the fenestration unit to maintain positive engagement of the fenestration unit with the rough opening framing and resist extraction of the fenestration unit from the rough opening upon insertion of the fenestration unit in the rough opening from the interior side of the rough opening.

Abstract: A storage shed for storing items such as grain, equipment, implements and/or machinery, the storage shed including: a floor; one or more spaced apart walls mounted on the floor; a roof; wherein the walls and roof and floor provide a storage volume and are sealed together to inhibit ingress of vermin and to maintain a selected ambient pressure inside the storage volume, and a pressure relief valve operatively connected to the floor, roof or wall to relieve internal pressure in the storage shed.

Abstract: A composite flooring system includes a cross-laminated timber (CLT) subfloor including a plurality of drop holes, a plurality of isolators disposed on top of and attached to the CLT subfloor, a sprinkler main of a sprinkler system disposed between the plurality of isolators, a plurality of sprinkler drops attached to the sprinkler main which extend through the drop holes of the CLT subfloor, a plurality of metal inverted tracks attached to a top surface of the plurality of isolators, and an upper flooring attached to a top surface of the metal inverted tracks.

Abstract: A shimming assembly comprising a base that defines a raised contact surface and a pivot pin defining a rotation axis of the shimming assembly, the base including a base inclined surface, and a slider that is slidably coupled to the base such that the slider is slidable along the base inclined surface in response to a user-applied sliding force, the slider being coupled to the base such that the slider is rotatable about the rotation axis defined by the pivot pin in response to a user-applied torque to transition the shimming assembly from an active configuration to a stowed configuration.

Abstract: Hybrid roof cover systems comprise a metal panel field and a membrane field joined by metal standing seam transition roof panels. The metal transition panel comprises an upstanding side, a planar portion, and a polymer layer. The upstanding side defines a first lateral edge of the metal transition panel. The first lateral edge is symmetrical with a lateral edge of an adjacent roof panel in the metal panel field. The first lateral edge is adapted to form a sidelap between the metal transition panel and the adjacent roof panel in the metal panel field. The planar portion extends from the first lateral edge to a second lateral edge of the metal transition panel. The polymer layer is bonded to an upper face of the planar portion of the metal transition panel and is adapted to bond to the membrane sheet in the membrane field of the hybrid roof cover system.

Abstract: A concrete slab resting on at least two supports, the concrete slab comprising conventional concrete and a combined reinforcement of both draped post-tension steel strands and fibers, said post-tension steel strands having a diameter ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm, having a tensile strength higher than 1700 MPa, said fibers being either steel fibers and being present in a dosage ranging from 10 kg/m3 to 75 kg/m3 or being macro-synthetic fibers and being present in a dosage ranging from 1.5 kg/m3 to 9.0 kg/m3, whereby the concrete slab and the supports are fully connected, partially connected or fully disconnected.

Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.

Abstract: An inflatable shelter features a built-in air mattress at a base thereof that defines a ground footprint of the shelter. An inflationally erectable canopy features inflatable ribs with wall panels interspersed therebetween. An interior tent space is delimited between the inflated base mattress and overlying canopy. Some of the ribs cantilever outwardly from the base when inflated, creating one or more inflationally erectable overhangs that expand the covered area of the shelter beyond the base footprint thereof. A shared on-board inflation device inflates both the mattress and rib structure, whose inflatable interiors are fluidly isolated to allow user setting or tuning of the mattress pressure independently of the rib structure's inflation level. A power supply of the inflation device includes electrical ports for connection of chargeable devices, lighting, and other accessories. Arching rib pars meet with a central lengthwise rib, providing structural integrity and a spaciously elongated tent space.

Abstract: Framing and panel fastening devices, systems and methods. The fastening devices include an interface portion comprising an inner side and an outer side opposing the inner side, the outer side comprising a first touch fastening component of a touch fastener. The devices further include first and second side wall portions extending in a thickness direction from the inner side of the interface portion. The interface portion extends laterally between the first and second side wall portions to form an inner channel configured to receive and couple to at least a front face portion of a framing member therein. The systems comprise at least one of the fastening devices and at least one building panel with a back face that comprises a second touch fastening component coupled thereto. The first and second touch fastening components configured to removably couple together when operatively engaged.

Abstract: A ventilated facade cladding system has a plurality of horizontal tracks, a plurality of hanging clips, a plurality of brackets, a plurality of bracket clips and a plurality of mullion profiles. The horizontal tracks are adapted to be mounted sequentially to a wall. The hanging clips are positioned and slidable on the horizontal track. The bracket is positioned between the hanging clips. The bracket clip is attached to the bracket and slidable through a clip gap. The mullion profile is mounted vertically between the brackets and the bracket clips.