Abstract: A dual channel drainage seal for enclosing a joint between a slab and a foundation sidewall of a subterranean area. The drainage seal includes and lower channel and an upper channel stacked over the lower channel. The lower channel is affixed on top of the slab and against the sidewall to form and enclosed channel for retaining and routing radon and/or water seepage at the joint to a sump pit. The upper channel is open on top and configured to capture and route water seepage from the sidewall above to the sump for discharge, thereby protecting the interior portions of the slab from radon and water damage.

Abstract: A rodent protection insert for a structure opening including a flexible polymer foam sheet having a protective mesh sheet carried on a front side which moves independently of the foam sheet. A securing member maintains a mechanical connection between the flexible polymer foam sheet and the mesh sheet. An airflow port is disposed in the flexible polymer foam sheet that includes a removable plug for controlling airflow through the airflow port. A perimeter edge of the flexible polymer foam sheet compresses against and conforms to interior wall surfaces within a structure opening when mounted to form an airtight seal against the interior wall surfaces and hold the foam sheet in place. The protective mesh sheet engages the interior wall surfaces when the flexible polymer foam sheet is compressed in the structure opening so that the protective mesh sheet stabilizes and supports the flexible polymer foam sheet within the structure opening.

Abstract: A connection node assembly for use in connecting an upper prefabricated building module to a lower module. Hollow vertical edge supports of the building modules have top and bottom connection parts. A connecting bolt can be passed through the top part of an upper vertical support in the upper building module and seated within the bottom part of that vertical support with the shank extending downward. The shank engages a threaded aperture in a connecting nut secured within the top part of a corresponding lower vertical support in the lower building module. Diaphragm plates sandwiched between the upper and lower vertical supports are used to tie horizontally placed modules together.

Abstract: A railing system coupled to a base comprising: a plurality of first railing supports and a railing. The railing support includes a bracket and at least one rebar configured to couple the bracket with the base. At least a majority of the rebar is disposed substantially horizontally in the concrete base. The railing includes a panel, a plurality of bracket couplers, and a panel coupler configured to couple the panel and the bracket coupler. The bracket coupler is configured to be at least partly inserted in the inner space of the bracket. The panel is oriented vertically next to the concrete base.

Abstract: To provide a connection structure between partition walls and a floor slab, and a method for constructing the connection structure, in which a wall material facing a vertical compartment is accurately attached to studs, without any deformation of runners and damage of the connection structure even if pressing forces are applied from the studs to the runners. A connection structure 100 configured to connect a first partition wall 30 and a second partition wall 40 to a floor slab 20 is provided. The first partition wall 30 and the second partition wall 40 are connected to the floor slab 20, and separate a vertical compartment 10 from an upper floor room 13 and a lower floor room 15 that are located adjacent to the vertical compartment 10 and above and below the floor slab 20. A lower runner 31 configured to accommodate a lower end of a first stud 32 is placed on the floor slab 20.

Abstract: A haunched component-based steel support structure for a foundation pit, including an enclosing purlin beam, a support beam located on an inner side of the enclosing purlin beam, and a triangular support arranged on the enclosing purlin beam. A first edge of the triangular support is fixedly arranged on the enclosing purlin beam. An end of the support beam abuts against a second edge of the triangular support to be supported on the enclosing purlin beam, and a haunched component is arranged between the enclosing purlin beam and a third edge of the triangular support. A first side of the haunched component is connected to the third edge of the triangular support, and a second side of the haunched component is connected to the enclosing purlin beam.

Abstract: A connecting member, an ALC batten mounting node structure, and a prefabricated mounting method are provided. The connecting member includes a connecting part, a first pipe clamp, and a second pipe clamp. The connecting part includes a first connecting segment and a second connecting segment, the first pipe clamp and the second pipe clamp are respectively perpendicular to the first connecting segment, and symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the first connecting segment, and the second connecting segment is bent towards one side of the first connecting segment.

Abstract: Hybrid buildings, hybrid building systems and methods of constructing hybrid buildings are disclosed. First and second building sections forming part of such buildings are also disclosed. One such hybrid residential building (1600) comprises a first building section (1610) and a second building section (1620). The first building section is an on-site construction at a final location for the building and comprises a lower storey (1611) defining an internal volume (1613) that provides a lower living space (1615) within the building, and an upper storey (1617) defining an internal volume (1619) that provides an upper living space (1621) within the building. The second building section defines an internal volume (1623) and is transportable to the final location in a substantially assembled form. The first and second building sections are connected at the final location to form the building.

Abstract: A top-down construction method for a multi-storey basement with a full steel structure is provided, including: S1, constructing a diaphragm wall permanent structure; S2. conducting an open excavation, then constructing a first layer structural beam and slab; S3. conducting an underground excavation on an underground second layer earthwork, then constructing structural beam and slab and vertical shear wall on underground first layer; S4. excavating earthworks from an underground third layer to an underground N?1 layer, and constructing structural beams and slabs and vertical shear walls; S5. conducting the underground excavation on an underground N layer earthwork, and constructing a two-span structural steel beam; S6. conducting the underground excavation on earthworks of bottom plate layer, constructing remaining structural beams and slabs and vertical shear wall; S7. conducting the underground excavation on earthworks of bearing platform and water collection well; S8.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a foundation pit based on a steel edge-arch structure, including: an enclosing purlin beam, the steel edge-arch structure, a plurality of support beams and a plurality of triangular supports. The support beams are located at an inner side of the enclosing purlin beam. The triangular supports are arranged on the enclosing purlin beam. End portions of the support beams are supported on the enclosing purlin beam through the triangular supports, and abutted on side edges of the triangular supports. The steel edge-arch structure is located between two adjacent triangular supports. The steel edge-arch structure includes two first haunched members and a bracing beam provided therebetween.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed for use in forming a joint between a first surface and a second surface. The connector comprises a housing. The connector also comprises a tendon. A portion of the tendon can protrude from the housing through a seal. The seal is configured to sealably cover an open end of the housing such that the tendon can move through the seal and laterally sideways across the open end together with at least a portion of the seal. Also disclosed is a connector system for use in forming a joint, and a method of installing a connector to form a joint, between a first surface and a second surface. The connector system and method comprises and makes use of the housing and the tendon.

Abstract: A building element adapted to provide thermal insulation between two building parts such as a floor or ceiling slab and a balcony slab is described. The element comprises: an elongate insulating body; a plurality of reinforcing elements passing through and projecting on either side beyond the insulating body so as to be disposed in use within and serve to reinforce each of the two building parts; at least one through apertured formation extending transversely through the insulating body so as to be able to receive in use a post-tensioning tendon member. A building system including at least one such building element, a building structure incorporating such a building system and a method of building are also described.

Abstract: A post-tensioned tube foundation for supporting a structure subject to high upset forces is described herein. The post-tensioned tube foundation includes an outer CMP, an inner CMP, and a tubular concrete base positioned between the inner CMP and the outer CMP. The outer CMP includes an inner surface that defines a cavity extending between a first open end and an opposite second open end. The outer CMP is positioned within an excavated hole defined along a ground surface. The inner CMP is positioned within the cavity of the outer CMP such that an annular space is defined between the inner CMP and the outer CMP. The tubular concrete base is positioned within the annular space defined between the inner CMP and the outer CMP. A plurality of bracing beams extend radially outwardly from the tubular concrete base.

Abstract: An improved door rail system for holding a panel, such as a glass panel, is presented. The door rail system includes a core rail and clamping rails having a wedging geometry so that when the clamping rails are actuated with respect to the core rail, clamping force is applied to the glass panel to secure the panel within the core rail. The improved door rail system accommodates panels of varying thickness, features the use of modular side covers and incorporates a door to door jamb adjustment device allowing for angular adjustments.

Abstract: A subterranean hotel is provided which includes, in one embodiment, a first row of subterranean atrium hotel rooms, a second row of subterranean atrium hotel rooms, a first row of patio hotel rooms, and a second row of patio hotel rooms. The atrium hotel rooms and the patio hotel rooms may be located at least in part below the ground surface (i.e., below a grade) on at least one subterranean floor level. The subterranean hotel may include an intermediate atrium that abuts with the atrium hotel rooms such that the first row of the atrium hotel rooms may be spaced from the second row of the atrium hotel rooms by the intermediate atrium.

Abstract: An elongated structural barrier is provided including a base, a first panel extending upward from the base, a first sealer wall extending downward and transversely to the base, a second panel joined with the first panel and extending upwardly, a lower wedge extending upward from the base adjacent the first sealer wall, and a core compartment bounded by the lower wedge and the panels, with an open face defined above the lower wedge and offering a view into the core compartment. The lower wedge can include a flange to produce a first cavity of the compartment, in which an intumescent core can be positioned and configured to expand into a second cavity of the compartment when it swells. A second flange can oppose the first flange to further secure the core in the first cavity, and can form a bloom gap therebetween. A related method of use also is provided.

Abstract: Building blocks include a tongue and groove on each block that allow the blocks to be placed in a way that interlocks the tongue and groove of one block with the corresponding groove and tongue, respectively, of another block facing the opposite direction. In a first embodiment, the same building block that has a decorative front face is used for both sides of the wall, resulting in a wall with opposed finished surfaces. In a second embodiment, a first plurality of blocks that have a decorative front face are used for one side of the wall, while a second plurality of blocks that have a thicker and non-decorative face are used for the other side of the wall, with the first and second plurality of blocks interlocking back-to-back via their respective tongues and grooves. Both types of blocks can be made using the same concrete form.

Abstract: A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material that provides controlled transition between a privacy or scattering state and a visible or transmittance state. To make electrical connections with electrode layers that control the optically active material, the privacy glazing structure may include an offset pane arrangement. The structure may include first and second panes that contain an optically active material. The two panes may be sandwiched by two laminated outer panes. In some examples, the first and second panes are recessed relative to the laminated outer panes along their side edges to define recesses in which electrical connection features are positioned.

Abstract: A modular building unit for construction of a building comprises a structural frame 40 suitable for interconnection to another modular building unit in construction of the building; and a stud frame wall 80/82 internal to and fixed to the frame. The modular building unit is suitable for handling as a shipping container for transport.

Abstract: Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), owing to its superior mechanical and durability properties, presents a unique opportunity for innovative use in unbonded post-tensioned floor systems. In unbonded post-tensioned (PT) slabs and beams, the use of cast-in-place steel confined UHPC Bond Anchors (UBA) can be used to anchor steel prestressing strands for better durability, increased strand ductility, cost-effectiveness, and ease of installation. A conical, steel confining device is used as part of the UBA. The device resists hoop tension and eliminates splitting cracks in the UHPC during prestress transfer. It also helps to reduce the anchorage length. High average bond stress helps reduce the UBA length, and consequently, the material consumption. The bond stress at the strand-UHPC interface can be increased by intentionally roughening or indenting the strand.