Abstract: A building technique uses standard shipping containers as buttresses to support a truss system that may extend between the shipping containers to provide a roof. A sliding connector system attaches the trusses to the shipping containers to accommodate variations in separation of the shipping containers presenting a versatile framing system that is insensitive to site-related variations. The sliding connector system provides incremental predetermined fastening of the trusses to the shipping containers.

Abstract: An approved dynamic construction is used for effectively thermally insulating and sealing of a sating slat between a floor of a building and an exterior wall construction. The exterior wall construction includes a curtain wall configuration defined by an interior wall glass surface, including one or more aluminum framing members. In particular, a process is useful for assembling a fireproof system within a stick build exterior dynamic curtain wall façade, which includes glass, especially vision glass extending to the finished floor level below.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: A holder for supporting a threaded rod for being embedded in concrete, comprising a central portion including a first opening for receiving an end portion of a threaded rod; a ring portion; arm portions connecting the central portion to the ring portion, the arm portions including respective base portions; leg portions attached to the ring portion; and the central portion extending above and below the base portions.

Abstract: A method of making an insulated material comprises melting a phase change material to form liquid phase change material, combining the liquid phase change material with an insulating material, and forming a composite insulation material in response to the combining. The insulating material can be a porous material that comprises a plurality of pores, and the liquid phase change material is disposed in the plurality of pores. The phase change material can also be stored in a container and used as layer in an insulation system.

Abstract: A method of constructing a building is disclosed, including selecting a standard dimension less than a wide-load trucking permit limit and designing a building on a grid defined by the selected standard dimension. The building includes a plurality of prefabricated elements, wherein each prefabricated element has a width correspond to the selected standard dimension. The plurality of prefabricated elements includes a wall panel, a roof panel, a laterally resistive frame, and a rebar cage. The method includes fabricating each of the plurality of prefabricated elements at a manufacturing plant and transporting the elements by truck to a building site. The method includes constructing intersecting grade beam footings at the building site and pouring a slab between the intersecting grade beam footings. The grade beam footings include the rebar cage and have a uniform width and depth, the grade beam footings and the slab having contiguous upper surfaces.

Abstract: Single-piece hinged-clamps employed used in assemblies used to mount solar power modules to surface installation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamp with a right portion with a right notch having a right platform, a left portion with a left notch having a left platform, and a base portion with a flexible hinge is disclosed. The left portion also includes a threaded aperture extending downwardly from the left platform. In some embodiments, a method of securing a component with the clamp is disclosed in which a right member of a component is inserted into a right notch of a clamp, an applied force imparts movement of a left notch away from the right notch, and a buildup of potential energy in the flexible hinge during the application of the force moves the left notch in the opposite direction to engage the left member of the component.

Abstract: A temporary protective barrier system and method thereof for floors and stairs during construction and demolition. The system includes temporary stair tread covers, constructed of fluted plastic material, temporary stair riser protectors with top and bottom flaps creating an overlap between the riser covers and the stair tread covers, and a stair anchors configured to directionally secure the stair tread cover. Enclosed temporary tunnel modules are also provided in combination with the floor and stair barrier system to enclose the space and protect other exposed surfaces, such as walls. A method of installation and use of the system is also provided herein. Elements such as adhesives and grip tapes are included to prevent movement of the system from the surfaces on which it covers, and adhesive tapes seal the seams between these elements to thereby enclose the systems.

Abstract: Provided is a wall panel for forming a wall covering with multiple panels, including a centrally located core. The core includes a rear side, a decorative side opposite the rear side, and at least two sides including coupling parts for mutual coupling of several panels. The coupling parts are arranged to be coupled with an angling motion. A new panel is arranged to be angled into a panel already forming part of the wall covering. The coupling parts include at least one first coupling part and at least one second coupling part arranged on opposite sides of the core. The first coupling part includes a sideward tongue, an upper bridge portion for connecting the sideward tongue to the core and a downward groove, for accommodating at least a parts of an upward locking element. The second coupling part includes a groove.

Abstract: A resilient prestress-free steel structure includes the elastic centering beam and two pin-ended box column bases. The elastic centering beam includes two cantilever segment I-shaped steel beams, a middle segment I-shaped steel beam and buckling restrained high strength steel bars. The cantilever segment I-shaped steel beams are fixed to the two pin-ended box column bases, the middle segment I-shaped steel beam is connected between the two cantilever segment I-shaped steel beams, the buckling restrained high strength steel bars are symmetrically arranged. One end of each of the buckling restrained high strength steel bars is firmly connected with the web of each of the cantilever segment I-shaped steel beams, and the other end of each of the buckling restrained high strength steel bars is firmly connected with the web of the middle segment I-shaped steel beam. The resilient prestress-free steel structure is arranged in left and right symmetrical manner.

Abstract: A support member for a suspended drywall ceiling grid system includes a central web formed of two layers of sheet metal having first and second ends, a reinforcement bulb extending from an upper portion of the central web between the first and second ends, opposed flanges extending from a lower portion of the central web between the first and second ends, first and second end connectors integral with the central web and extending from the first and second ends of the central web, respectively, past the flanges, each of the opposed flanges having an upper surface and a knurled lower surface between the central web and a rolled edge portion, and each rolled edge portion having an initial region tilted downward and outward and extending into a curved region, wherein the curved region is rolled upward and inward and terminates in an outer edge toward the initial region.

Abstract: A structural frame for a building, comprising: adjacent first and second columns; at least one precast concrete floor slab having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners and a first elongated edge beam defined between the first and second corner indents, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns; and a first tendon assembly extending between the first and second columns and adapted to be tensioned to compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly including at least one left cable and at least one right cable located symmetrically on either sides of a vertical center plane of the first and second columns.

Abstract: A novel design of rails for a suspended ceiling, the rails including expansion absorbers. The absorbers are produced so that the rails can absorb an expansion while maintaining the integrity of the ceiling, so that the ceiling panels do not fall in the event of a fire. The rails maintain a significant load-bearing capacity despite the presence of one or more expansion absorbers over the length thereof.

Abstract: A modular rafter assembly is provided. The modular rafter assembly includes a plurality of different types of rafters having varying lengths and that are adjustable to varying pitches. The modular rafter assemblies disclosed herein utilize a plurality of rafters in varying lengths, widths, and using varying thickness plates to allow for differing load calculations. Each of the rafters also includes a pitch adjusting mechanism that allows adjustment of the pitch of the rafter depending on the desired roof pitch.

Abstract: A bearing clip for joining a truss to a bearing material is disclosed. The bearing clip includes a base portion, a vertical portion, and at least one wing. The base portion includes a back end, sides adjacent to the back end and a bottom surface. The vertical portion extends from the back end of the base portion in a first direction away from the bottom surface. The at least one wing extends from a side of the base portion at an obtuse angle and at least partially in the first direction.

Abstract: A structural bracket assembly for a residential or commercial trellis. The structural bracket assembly comprises an aluminum mounting plate securable to a vertical wall having a support member extending outwardly therefrom at an angle and terminating with an end plate. Plywood is fastened to the top and the bottom of the support member. Roofing material is fastened to the upper piece of plywood, and a soffit panel is secured to the lower piece of plywood. A frieze board is secured to the vertical wall beneath the lower piece of plywood to conceal the mounting plate, and a hollow rafter tail is secured to the soffit panel. In one embodiment, the rafter tail is spaced apart from a support bracket by a cross beam.

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: A shear beam-column connection includes a first beam, a first tapered bolt having a non-threaded portion and a threaded end portion, and a column including a first wedge slot block. The non-threaded portion of the first tapered bolt is fixedly secured, e.g., by welding, to the first beam. The wedge slot block includes a cavity for removably receiving the non-threaded portion of the first tapered bolt. The first wedge slot block is fixedly secured to the column, e.g., by welding. The first beam can be secured to the column by positioning the first beam adjacent the column such that the non-threaded portion of the bolt is inserted into the cavity. A nut can be threaded to the free end of the bolt to further secure the beam to the column.

Abstract: A modular configurable hospital system is provided. The system comprises at least one unit. The system is configured with at least one patient care unit, which comprises at least one of a patient care room and a ward. The patient care units are sealably configured into at least one patient care section, and arranged end to end. A support care section, having at least one support care unit, may be provided for providing space for working, storage and other services for those working in the system. The system may be sealably configured in numerous combinations to adapt to the immediate needs of the situation, and installed indoors and in the external environment. A method of operation of the system is provided.

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.