Abstract: A vertical structural connection assembly allowing a modular construction to be made with a plurality of modular units without any required welding on-site. A pin on top of each column of the modular units allows construction crews to easily stack the units one on top of one another. A cantilever plate is included within the connection assembly which is configured to couple to a cantilever beam, thereby providing a means for a corridor, balcony, overhanging roof, or other construction element to be added to the modular construction. A tie connection attaches on the face of the modular units via a welded bolt or outrigger, and/or placed on adjacent connection assemblies between stacked modular units. The tie connection maintains the horizontal connection while allowing adjacent modular unit to move up and down independently, for example, during a seismic event, while still maintaining a horizontal distance there between.

Abstract: An aquaculture system comprising a water retaining aquaculture vessel with a bottom wall and side walls along with an air lift system being provided for aerating the water. Particulate material is removed from the bottom of the vessel through conventional extraction apparatus. In addition, a plurality of discrete open-cell foam substrate members are provided with substantial surface contact area for substantially continuous circulation through the aquaculture vessel, with the substrate members comprising an open cell foam member having a density of between about 1.1 to 1.7 pounds per cubic foot, and fabricated from a matrix material having a specific gravity of between about 1.8 and 2.2. The surface area as well as the bulk of the foam substrate members have typically between about 25 and 100 individual cells per inch. The aquaculture vessel is provided with water recirculation as well as introduction of oxygen into the water through recirculation or recycling of the foam substrate members.