Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for lifting an assembled wall module into position for attachment to a building structure.

Abstract: A sealing connector cover for a tendon in an encapsulated post-tensioning reinforcement system includes a plurality of circumferential cover segments each comprising a circumferential part of a female connector housing at one longitudinal end, and a male connector housing at another longitudinal end. Each segment has a locking element to engage a corresponding locking element on a longitudinally corresponding segment. Each circumferential segment comprises a circumferential part of a locking element in the female connector housing configured to engage the male connector housing of a longitudinally adjacent sealing connector cover or a connector on an encapsulated anchor.

Abstract: In one aspect, a smart corner is provided that can be prefabricated. The smart corner comprises a rear side including a first hole, a first side including a second hole, a second side including a third hole, and a top. A wall frame is also provided. The wall frame includes a top plate, a bottom plate, studs, and four smart corners. A framing system is also provided comprising at least two wall frames. The at least two wall frames connect via the smart corners.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for installing field-assembled flooring systems that include isolation boards on a wall frame, a subfloor, or on both the wall frame and the subfloor. The underlayment can be a hybrid design that includes a combination of isolation panels and cementitious product. The field-assembled flooring systems can use mold-resistant isolation boards to reduce or eliminate the chances of the onset of mold and effects from water damage. The isolation boards can be installed on floors alone, on walls alone, or on both floors and walls to reduce the onset of mold and/or to reduce damage from water.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for installing field-assembled flooring systems wherein the underlayment is a hybrid design that includes a combination of structural board and cementitious product. The hybrid design is configured to reduce or eliminate the curing time requirement after pouring the cementitious product (e.g., gypsum concrete). The field-assembled flooring systems can reduce or eliminate the chances of the onset of mold due to high moisture levels by removing the cementitious product from the prone areas and replacing it with structural boards. The structural boards (e.g., cellulose fiberboards) can be installed in non-critical areas such as underneath cabinets, around the perimeter of the floor, under bathtubs, in non-walk-in closets, anywhere drywall reaches the floor, or the like.

Abstract: A vertical tie is for a load-bearing column of a building off-site structural module with a box-section structural member. The tie has a top tie assembly for engagement by a torqueing tool from above the column. There is a bottom tie assembly, which fastens to the module below. Torque which is applied to the top tie assembly is transferred to the bottom tie assembly by an interconnect tube. The top and bottom tie assemblies are configured so that the bottom tie assembly is adapted to engage with a top tie assembly of an underneath module, in one case by a nut engaging a spindle protruding up from the lower module. This allows modules to be tied together in the vertical direction in a simple, convenient, and safe manner by an operator on-site working on top of the upper module. Access to torque the tie does not require any side opening in the column and so its load-bearing properties are not affected.

Abstract: Foam wall structures and methods for making them are described. The wall structures include a frame, a sheet metal sheathing overlying a front surface of the frame, a foam panel overlying the sheet metal sheathing, and a foam layer disposed in a cavity defined by the frame and the sheet metal sheathing. Buildings that include such wall structures are also described.

Abstract: A modular perimeter frame system (10) is described for forming a perimeter frame (11) used in the construction of floors, walls and roofs of buildings. The modular perimeter frame system has a first modular sub-frame (16) having one or two blunt end portions (26, 28), and a second modular sub-frame (18) having one or two overhang end portions (36, 38). The blunt and overhang end portions are so dimensioned and shaped as to facilitate a continuous abutting engagement between at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the blunt end portion and at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the overhang end portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems that include structural supports and louvers, and may also include dampers, actuators and wiring in pre-assembled modules that may be transported to a building site, tilted up into place, and installed. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods and apparatus for providing pre-assembled modular structural louvered systems which include integrated vertical and horizontal structural supports, allowing for the elimination of some vertical and horizontal wall structures in a building by relying on the structural support provided in the modular louvered systems, thereby making more space available in the building for louvers and airflow.

Abstract: A substantially parallelepipedal construction block includes an upper face configured to be associated with the lower face(s) of one or two other similar construction block(s), a lower face configured to be associated with the upper face(s) of one or two similar construction block(s) and at least two vertical openings. The construction block also includes a front face, a rear face and two lateral faces with a recess which allows two beads to appear at the sides of the two lateral faces. The construction block is constituted by expanding foam and sand, and an insulation portion situated between the rear face and the front face. The insulation portion extends over the width of the construction block and is substantially parallelepipedal. The height and the length of the insulation portion is identical to the construction block.

Abstract: A slab bolster element includes a frame member having a male connector at a first end and a female connector at an opposite second end. The male connector includes a substantially solid insertion body with a surface having a transverse locking groove. The female connector includes a receptacle body configured to receive the insertion body of a complementary male connector, and a resiliently flexible locking tab positioned and configured to resiliently deflect to allow the insertion of the insertion body of another slab bolster element into the receptacle body, and to resiliently engage with the transverse locking groove of the insertion body when the insertion body is received within the receptacle body. The resiliently flexible locking tabs can be oriented any direction to mate with similarly shaped male connectors, and material can be strategically removed from standoffs and connectors to minimize the use of materials.

Abstract: A clip insulation for a furring channel clip, the clip insulation having a substantially planar bed portion having two opposed ends, the bed portion adapted to at least cover a portion of an outer surface of the clip, a plurality of projections extending from the bed portion, and two opposed skirt portions, each skirt portion extending from an end of the bed portion, each skirt portion adapted to attach to an end of the clip.

Abstract: A foundation system (1) and method of installing the foundation system. The system including plurality of modular slabs (3, 3A, 3B) mountable onto a gravel layer (2); and at least one horizontal isolating slab (5A, 5B, 5C) and a vertical edge portion (4) positioned with respect to the modular slabs (3A, 3A, 3B) for creating a receptacle wherein concrete is poured thereon.

Abstract: A vented and water control system has improved drainage and integrated ventilation air space. The system includes a vented and water control panel located between sheathing panel and an exterior cladding panel, having a front surface; and a rear surface having a ventilation and drainage pattern integral thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a rain gutter and a downspout has a first portion which rests in the rain gutter and includes apertures extending between an exterior and an interior of the insert to allow water to flow from the rain gutter into the interior of the insert when the insert is resting in the rain gutter. The insert further includes a second portion extending downward from the first portion. The second portion includes an interior in fluid communication with the first portion to allow the water to flow from the interior of the first portion through the second portion and into the downspout. The apparatus also includes an adapter plate having an aperture to receive the second portion of the insert such that the second portion of the insert can extend through the adapter plate into the downspout when the apparatus is in the rain gutter.

Abstract: Apparatus for interconnecting wooden members that includes a V shaped pair of flanges that are fixed to an L shaped bracket which bracket is adapted to be attached to one wooden member and where the flanges are adapted to be inserted into V slots on a second wooden member.

Abstract: A double-steel tube concrete beam-column joint with internal FRP bar connectors is provided. The double-steel tube concrete beam-column joint includes double-steel tube columns, I-beams, a joint connector, an internal support member and external ring plates. Each double-steel tube column includes an internal steel tube and an external steel tube. The joint connector includes an internal connecting tube and an external connecting sleeve which are both circular steel tubes. The internal support member is a columnar structure and has two ends regularly formed with bolt holes in a circumferential direction. Each external ring plate comprises a horizontal portion and an annular portion perpendicular to the horizontal portion. Upper and lower double-steel tube columns are connected through the joint connector and the internal support member, the two ends of the internal support member are inserted into an upper internal steel tube and a lower internal steel tube, respectively.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a secure holding spacer unit to be used when assembling permanent stay-in-place formworks, also known as “permanent stay-in-place molds”, which are commonly used for the construction of concrete structures by putting together two boards or panels held together by a series of holding spacer units that are securely attached or hold to the surfaces of the cement panels by fastening means that pass through the width of the panels. The holding spacer units are selectively distributed within the internal cavity of the formwork and are attached to the panels, and are designed so that the panels remain permanently attached to the units of the spacers, to restrict the outward movement of said panels when pouring the concrete mix in the unit, which results in a permanent formwork with smooth exterior surfaces.

Abstract: It is known to secure a panel 1 within a trough 3 by placing one edge of the panel 1 within the trough 3 and filling the trough with resin 21. Once hardened, the resin 21 holds the panel 1 in place securely. However, panels 1 thus secured cannot be removed easily if damaged. The present invention provides a barrier 11, 13 for preventing flow of liquid resin 21 along a length of a trough 3, and for receiving a panel 1 thereon. A panel 1 may therefore be secured within a trough 3 with a reduced amount of resin 21.

Abstract: A tile that may be used as a covering on a floor, wall, or other surface comprises a top section, a protective section, a vinyl layer, an optional core layer, and an exposed portion formed along at least one of its sides and structured to represent an imitation but highly realistic looking grout line. The exposed portion may be formed on at least a portion of the top section. The vinyl layer is generally disposed between the top section and the core layer. The vinyl layer generally comprises a solid vinyl material comprising polyvinyl chloride and stone dust. In some embodiments, the exposed portion is also formed across a middle section of the tile, and may further include an interconnecting mechanism to facilitate installation. The exposed portion may also be formed at least one a portion of the top section above the interconnecting mechanism.