Abstract: A support assembly supports external veneer such as face-brick. A bracket mounts to a load bearing wall support structure. A shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the veneer. The mounting bracket may be a channel having a seat that includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The mounting bracket has an overhanging arm for engaging the part of a cross-wise running beam, such as an I-beam upper flange. The mounting bracket has an abutment for contacting a lower part of the beam, such as a lower flange of an I-beam. There is a fitting to secure the bracket to the beam.

Abstract: A new passive control building arrangement is provided for improving the seismic response of structures. The proposed control arrangement was incorporated to a 1/20 scale model of a steel structure. The SAP2000 software program was used to develop an analytical model of the constructed scale model. After using a series of experimental data to calibrate the analytical model, valuable information of the dynamic properties of the arrangement was obtained. Different configurations with distinct parameters of the control arrangement were analyzed in the program to evaluate the variables that affect the dynamic properties of the model. It was determined that the geometric configuration of the arrangement and the spring stiffness value of a spring used in the arrangement affect considerably the dynamic properties. Simulated earthquake tests were performed in two proposed alternatives of the control arrangement to evaluate their effectiveness in improving the seismic response of the scale model.

Abstract: A tower configured to be positioned adjacent to or as a part of existing electrical power utility structures, such as transmission towers, distribution towers, substation structures, etc., includes an outer structure having a lower end configured to be anchored to the ground, and an opposite upper end. An inner structure is positioned within the outer structure and is connected to the outer structure. The inner structure has a lower end configured to be anchored to the ground and an opposite upper end. A mast is movable within the inner structure between a lowered position and a raised position. The mast supports various electronic equipment, such as cellular antenna arrays, remote radio unit (RRU) arrays, microwave antennas, imaging equipment, acoustic sensors, tectonic or motion sensors, thermal sensors, chemical sensors, and/or nuclear sensors.

Abstract: A channel according to an embodiment includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an end wall. The first sidewall has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first locking portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion to lock a glass run. The second sidewall has a third end portion, a fourth end portion, a second locking portion located between the third end portion and the fourth end portion to lock the glass run, and a fixing portion located between the fourth end portion and the second locking portion and configured to be fixed to a door constituting member. The end wall is connected to the first end portion and the third end portion. The fixing portion is located farther away from the first sidewall as the fixing portion is located farther away from the end wall.

Abstract: An energy dissipation device includes a primary core module, a housing module, first and second outer plates, an energy dissipation unit, first and second preload tension members and a resilient compression unit. When the primary core module and the housing module are subjected to an external force, the first and second preload tension members stretched by the external force, and the resilient compression unit is compressed, such that relative movement between the primary core module and the housing module is generated. The energy dissipation unit generates a retarding force during the relative movement between the primary core module and the housing module, so as to dissipate the kinetic energy generated as a result of the external force.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a method and apparatus for protecting building-related elements from collision damages. The apparatus can be designed to withstand high-impact collisions such as those caused by errant operation of heavy equipment. The method and apparatus are intended to be applicable to buildings already constructed and do not have to be implemented or considered before or during building design. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus can protect downspouts of warehouse sprinkler systems from collision damage that could result in pipe eruption.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a first baseboard element, a second baseboard element, and a spline configured to couple with the first baseboard element and the second baseboard element. In another embodiment, a system comprises a first crown element, a second crown element, and a spline configured to couple with the first crown element and the second crown element. In another embodiment, a system comprises a crown spline, a baseboard spline, and a wall element configured to be coupled with the crown spline and the baseboard spline. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

Abstract: A slab filler, and method for implementing fillers in a two-way concrete slab for building structures, are disclosed. The filler comprises an upper keeper tray and a lower keeper tray, and a volumetric filling element. The upper keeper tray is attached to a top of the volumetric filling element and the lower keeper tray is attached to a bottom of the volumetric filling element. The filler comprises a plurality of indicators positioned on all corners of the keeper tray to indicate an amount or level of a concrete fed on the filler. The filler further comprises grooves at an end of the spacer, configured to securely hold one or more belts. Spacers and belts are configured to receive one or more rebar. Further, the volumetric filling element is a high-density material, where the filler is incorporated without upper keeper tray and lower keeper tray.

Abstract: The invention, according to an embodiment, is a foldable, adjustable, and lockable cover for a plurality of rungs of a ladder. The device renders a ladder prohibitively difficult to climb. In an embodiment, the device is attached to a ladder using a lock, such as a bike lock or padlock, at a top portion of the device, rendering it difficult to for an unauthorized user to climb the ladder to cut any lock holding the device in place and/or remove the ladder.

Abstract: A concrete slab underlayment product is used at an excavation area at which a concrete foundation slab is to be poured. The underlayment combines a vapour barrier layer with a set of foam insulation bodies. The vapour barrier layer spans fully over the entire set of foam insulation bodies, which are spaced apart from one another at least at lower ends thereof opposite the vapour barrier layer. This leaves drainage/air spaces open between the foam insulation bodies when laid in an installed position atop the floor of an excavated area. In use under a concrete slab, the vapour barrier layer forms a gas and moisture barrier, and the foam insulation bodies and the drainage/air spaces therebetween form a combination of void spaces, drainage channels and insulation blocks between the concrete slab and the floor of the excavation area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a weather strip which can be easily attached to a grille of an automobile without the need of a clip. The weather strip is a weather strip which seals a gap between a grille and a hood of an automobile and includes (i) an attachment wall to be attached to the grille, (ii) a sealing wall which comes in elastic contact with the hood, and (iii) an insertion section to be inserted into a through hole. The insertion section includes a rear locking portion and a front locking portion which are locked in the through hole.

Abstract: A prefabricated flashing product for an opening in an exterior surface of a structure includes a generally planar flange shaped to conform to the exterior surface, the flange extending outwardly from an entire perimeter of an aperture therein that corresponds to the opening, and a return that seals to the flange about the aperture and extends substantially perpendicularly therefrom toward an inward direction of the opening. The flange and the return are monolithically formed of a waterproof material. A method of integrating a fenestration product into an opening of an exterior surface of a structure includes inserting the flashing product described above into the opening, and inserting the fenestration product at least partially into the aperture of the flashing product.

Abstract: A system and method for finding dents on an automobile is described herein. The system, in one embodiment, can be a booth that has a support structure, a plurality of wall sections, a roof, and interior surface defined at least in part by the wall sections and the roof, and a first geometric repeating pattern on a first region of the interior space. The method in one embodiment, can be receiving an automobile within the booth described above, illuminating the booth to cause the first geometric repeating pattern of the booth to reflect off a surface of said automobile; and identifying presence of defects using a reflected pattern, the reflected pattern a reflected image of the first geometric repeating pattern on the automobile.

Abstract: A masonry veneer support assembly for mounting masonry veneer to supporting wall structure has a shelf angle, and first and second shelf angle mounting brackets. Each shelf angle mounting bracket has an upwardly extending back that mounts to the supporting wall structure, and a web extending forwardly away from the wall structure. The web has first and second shelf angle mounting seats formed therein. The first shelf angle mounting seat is upwardly spaced from the second shelf angle mounting seat. Hangers in the form of two-part separable brackets are provided to permit masonry veneer to be mounted underneath the shelf angle, thereby concealing it from view.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insulated panel for facilitating post-tensioning of the insulated panel, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the insulated panel may include a frame, a first layer, a second layer, a second layer, a third layer, a fourth layer, and a fifth layer. Further, the frame may include a frame-end arranged in an arrangement forming an interior space. Further, the first layer of a building material is disposed in the interior space. Further, the second layer of an insulating material is disposed on the first layer. Further, the third layer of a cable is disposed on the second layer. Further, the fourth layer of the insulating material is disposed on the third layer. Further, the fifth layer of the building material is disposed on the fourth layer. Further, at least one of the first layer and the fifth layer may be cured for producing the insulated panel.

Abstract: The method includes dispersing copper or other material ions through the water receiving area of a gutter guard for the prevention of moss or mold growth. The method includes the utilization of thread(s) sewn into or embroidered onto or otherwised affixed to or immediately preceding the water receiving areas of a gutter guard, such thread(s) being comprised of moss killing materials. The thread(s) comprise only a portion of the water receiving area, so if corrosive elements form and wash over the water receiving area, they will be in sufficient amounts to kill moss but not in so great an amount as to clog any water receiving apertures. The method includes the utilization of staples or other objects comprised of copper or other moss killing materials fastened to or adhered or welded to the body or water receiving areas of a gutter guard or areas immediately preceding such.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel sheathing for making wall and roof structures in which the panels (e.g., wood boards, oriented strand boards, plywood, etc.) are pre-coated at a factory, before installation at the building/construction site, using a polymeric barrier coating having specific water permeability, self-sealing properties with respect to penetrated metal fasteners (e.g., nails) in accordance with ASTM D7349 (modified using 1.5-5.0 inches water depth in hydrostatic head testing over sample of coated panel in which a steel nail is driven to within ? inches of being flush with the panel and conditioning the test specimen for 24 hours at 23° C. prior to hydrostatic loading), as well as anti-blocking properties whereby the coated panels can be transported in stacked configuration without sticking or disintegration of the polymeric barrier coating.

Abstract: A tile replacement flashing is used with a tile hook. A bottom tile replacement flashing is shaped for placement on a lower portion of a location where a tile is removed from a roof. A top tile replacement flashing is shaped for placement on an upper portion of a location where the tile is removed from the roof. The top tile replacement flashing includes an elevated region at a lower portion of the top tile replacement flashing, the elevated region. The bottom tile replacement flashing is shaped so that after attachment of the bottom tile replacement flashing on the roof, the tile hook can be attached to a rafter of the roof, the attached tile hook extending over an upper portion of the bottom tile replacement flashing and having a portion that, past the upper portion of the bottom tile replacement flashing, extends upwards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lightweight concrete building structure using pre-stressed lightweight structural beams 46 with a lightweight floor panel (48) spanning between beams (46). In a particular arrangement, the parking system using building structure (10) may be about less than half the weight than traditional parking building structures. In accordance with one arrangement of the particular embodiment of the invention, the building structure comprises floor structures having one or more structural beams, and one of more lightweight panels for attachment to the structural beam, wherein the floor structure is defined by joining together the one or more lightweight structural beams and the one of more lightweight panels. This particular arrangement is particularly useful because it permits defining a floor structure capable of sustaining relative large loads (such as a multitude of vehicles) using lightweight floor panels.