Abstract: The present disclosure relates to stair systems and methods for allowing stair movement between building levels while maintaining the structural integrity of the stair system for safe egress passage. The systems and methods of the present disclosure allow for independent movement of the surrounding building walls, landings, floor slabs, and/or any other portion of the surrounding building structure or stair system. The embodiments of the present disclosure are suitable for use in both new constructions as well as in existing constructions for retrofit applications to allow for movement between levels, landings, or within stairwell structures. The present disclosure reduces stair damage during building movement whether it is from wind, thermal, or seismic activity, and/or any other type of suitable force or experience, as the present disclosure allows for directional movement, or a combination thereof, including tension and compression, lateral, or vertical movement.

Abstract: A greenhouse has a roof including a plurality of substantially parallel crossbeams, at least two longitudinal sections which are mounted to the crossbeams and extend at a distance from each other in transverse direction of the crossbeams, a transparent foil which is mounted to the longitudinal sections at respective foil attachment locations thereof so as to form a cover between the longitudinal sections. The roof also includes a displacement mechanism for displacing one of the longitudinal sections with respect to the other between a non-foil-stretching position and a foil-stretching position. The distance between the respective foil attachment locations is larger in the foil-stretching position than in the non-foil-stretching position. The displacement mechanism can be operated and is lockable at an upper side of the roof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a below grade, blind side, dual waterproofing membrane assembly incorporating a sheet membrane with adhesive to fully bond to concrete/shotcrete, and a method of making and using same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a dual membrane system that acts as a barrier, and prevents, and blocks water and moisture, from passing from one side of the structure to the other side. The innovative barrier layer system can be used along a wall, a floor, a ceiling, or along any structure which requires water or moisture proofing. The invention can be most effectively used between a concrete or shotcrete layer and the surrounding earth, such as, along an area that has a high water table or ground moisture or hydrostatic pressure that may creep into a foundation or a wall.

Abstract: A method for producing a sustainable building without the use of heavy equipment. Such a building may include an adjustable foundation to eliminate the need to flatten the building surface below. The frame may be constructed by using hand tools to assemble pre-rolled galvanized steel rods. A pre-cut perforated galvanized steel sheet can then be laid on the frame and sheathed with a pre-mixed mortar that may be created by mixing materials easily found in impoverished countries, such as natural lime, river sand, white clay, and fly ash. The roof may be layered with a thin solar film to allow for the incorporation of solar cells to harness solar energy and may further include a rainwater collection mechanism to allow for the roof to also collect clean rainwater.

Abstract: A connector assembly, having an upper connector coupled to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors. Also, disclosed is a hoistable connector assembly, a lifting frame assembly, a coupling system for modular frame units, a method for assembling a module unit using the connector assembly, and a modular frame unit and building having the connector assembly.

Abstract: A set of subfloor panels including a joint configured to be glued is provided. The joint includes a tongue at a first edge of a first panel and a tongue groove at a second edge of a second panel. The tongue and the tongue groove are configured for positioning of the first panel relative to the second panel in a vertical direction, wherein a lower lip of the tongue groove extends beyond an upper lip of the tongue groove. An element protrudes from the lower lip and an underside of the first edge includes an element groove. The element and the element groove are configured for positioning of the first panel relative to the second panel in a horizontal direction. The lower lip includes a first impact surface, and the first edge includes a second impact surface. The first impact surface is configured to cooperate with the second impact surface.

Abstract: Frames and processes of manufacture using single-wall frame sections coupled to other single-wall frame sections or double-wall frame sections using a connecting key are provided. The connecting key can be metallic, polymer, ceramic, a laminate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A rebar safety cover may include a cylindrical body, a cap coupled to the cylindrical body, a locking support coupled to at least one of the cylindrical body and the cap, and a locking tab coupled to the locking support. The cylindrical body may define a hollow channel having a first central axis. The locking tab may have an opening extending from a first surface to a second surface of the locking tab and having a second central axis. The locking tab may be configured for moving relative to the cylindrical body from a first position in which a first angle is defined between the first central axis and the second central axis to a second position in which a second angle is defined between the first central axis and the second central axis, with the second angle being less than the first angle.

Abstract: Provided is a method for temporarily covering an opening in a component of a wind turbine, including the steps: positioning a cover including an inflatable torus and a tarpaulin, whose circumference is attached to the torus, over the opening such that the torus extends around the outer circumference of a wall whose inner circumference delimits the opening and that the tarpaulin extends across the opening, and inflating the torus to attach the cover to the component.

Abstract: Modular building units comprise, prior to installation at a construction site, a floor, a ceiling, and a plurality of walls which together define a habitable interior, wherein at least one wall is a reinforced wall capable of spanning a spanning distance of at least 50 feet without underlying support. In some embodiments, reinforced walls comprise one or more reinforcing structures. In some embodiments, the spanning distance is at least 60 feet; in some, at least 70 feet; and in some, at least 80 feet. In a further aspect, a method of building construction comprises the steps of: a) constructing a modular building unit according to the present disclosure at an assembly site; b) transporting the modular building unit to a construction site; and c) installing the modular building unit at the construction site, optionally across a unsupported span of at least 50 feet.

Abstract: A fenestration wall assembly includes a fenestration frame extending along a perimeter of the fenestration wall assembly. The fenestration frame includes a socket core having a first module socket configured to interchangeably receive service modules therein, and a second module socket configured to interchangeably receive service modules therein. The interchangeably received service modules include at least first and second service modules. Each of the first and second modules includes respective first and second module profiles. A panel having a panel profile is surrounded by the fenestration frame. The panel profile is isolated from the first and second module profiles.

Abstract: A window with multiple elements which are suitable for installation in a building exterior wall as part of designing and/or retrofitting building facades is disclosed. The building structure comprises one or more movable members movably attached to a frame member where the frame member is secured in a wall opening. The building structure may further comprise a sash member attached to the one or more movable members. The connection of these members may be such that an enclosure is created when the building structure is in an extended or open position.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a level flooring surface includes a plurality of groups of leveling blocks, wherein each of the plurality of groups has a defined height different from the others of the plurality of groups of leveling blocks and a defined color different from the others of the plurality of groups of leveling blocks. Each of the leveling blocks has an adhesive layer so that the leveling blocks can be fixed to a surface. The leveling blocks are selectively adhered to a surface in a grid-like pattern so that upper surfaces of each of the leveling blocks are substantially planar with a pre-identified zero-level elevation so that a level flooring surface can be installed based on visual confirmation of elevation levels along the grid-like pattern.

Abstract: An assembled slab-type steel-wood composite joint, includes a steel-wood composite column, square wood beams, connecting assemblies for connecting the steel-wood composite column and the square wood beams, and wood slabs connected to and supported by the steel-wood composite column, the square wood beams and the connecting assemblies. The steel-wood composite column includes a hollow cross-shaped outer square wood column, and square blocks are integrally formed on the outer square wood column; and a steel sleeve is inlaid in the outer square wood column, an inner wood column is inlaid in the steel sleeve, column vertical steel bars penetrate through the inner wood column, horizontal steel bars penetrate through the square blocks and are fixedly connected to the steel sleeve, and threads are arranged at the ends of the horizontal steel bars.

Abstract: A clearspan structure including component systems, and methods of forming a clearspan structure including component systems, for mitigating hazards to personnel or equipment from explosions, fires, toxic material release, and other hazards in hazardous locations. The exemplary clearspan structure is also capable of withstanding environmental conditions such as snow loads and wind. The exemplary clearspan structure is, for example, a tent or fabric structure which includes a plurality of frame members forming a support system for the clearspan structure, and fabric roof portions and walls for enclosing the clearspan structure.

Abstract: A prefabricated steel-wood composite joint includes square pipe columns, steel-wood composite beams, and a beam-column connecting assembly for connecting the square pipe columns and the steel-wood composite beams. Each square pipe column includes connecting corner columns and connecting side plates. Each steel-wood composite beam includes a top flange, a bottom flange and wood webs for connecting the top flange and the bottom flange. The beam-column connecting assembly is a central column connecting assembly or a corner column connecting assembly. By a special structural design, the composite joint realizes effective beam-column connection without a welded connection and a bolted connection and has tenacity and good seismic performance. The components of the composite joint can be prefabricated in a factory, are high in precision and are assembled on site, so that construction is easy and convenient, procedures are simplified, and the construction period is effectively shortened.

Abstract: A supporting structure (102) for a wall or a roof partition (104; 120) of a building structure (100), comprises an internal core structure (114) extending in a longitudinal direction, and first and second external covering profiles (106) for at least partially covering the core structure (114). The covering profiles (106) define inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces (108) facing one another, with slits (116) being formed at the inwardly facing surfaces (108). The core structure comprises at least two bands of material (114) which are mutually offset.

Abstract: Transportable and rapidly deployable air supported structure systems and related methods are disclosed. The air supported structure systems include at least one transportable container. The systems also include a flexible outer membrane configured to couple to a base in a substantially air-tight manner. The systems further include at least one air handling mechanism contained within the at least one container configured to force air between the outer membrane and the base to form an enclosure therebetween via internal air pressure. The systems are configurable between a packaged state with the outer membrane contained within the at least one container, and a deployed state with the outer membrane being coupled to the base and the at least one air handling mechanism forming the enclosure via the internal air pressure. The at least one container may form a portion of the base and/or provide for ingress and egress with the enclosure.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to multifunctional flashing devices suitable for installation of lap siding. Flashing devices include a flashing section, a removable supporting section, and one or more alignment features configured to facilitate positioning of the flashing devices adjacent to an installed course of lap siding. The flashing devices may be fastened to a building substrate adjacent to an installed course of lap siding, at locations corresponding to butt joints of an additional course of lap siding. The supporting sections of the flashing devices are configured to retain and support additional cladding elements in position for installation. When the additional cladding elements have been fastened to the building substrate, the supporting section may be removed from the flashing section.

Abstract: A cladding clip comprising a lateral base, a head coupled to the lateral base, and a flexible lip upstanding from the lateral base and laterally spaced from the neck along the base is disclosed. The flexible lip is hooked so that a lateral part of the lip extends laterally spaced from the base.