Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: A plurality of sleeve members for receiving and maintaining a dowel bar therewithin can be provided so that the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve members can comprise (a) at least one hollow interior compartment for receiving and supporting said dowel bar, and (b) at least one aperture for receiving a bracket member. The dowel bar can have a tapered configuration and a pair of end sections. The dowel bar can be located within the hollow interior compartment for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. The dowel bar can move in a lateral and/or longitudinal path within the hollow interior compartment and exerting interactive forces in response to the expansion and contraction of the concrete.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly system, a concrete dowel slab joint system, a method for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs, and a concrete slab including a plurality of concrete dowel slab joint systems are provided. The concrete dowel slab joint system comprises the sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. The sleeve assembly is designed so that the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. A pair of bracket members, located on an underlying surface, support the sleeve assembly and the dowel bar above the underlying surface.

Abstract: A concrete dowel slab joint system is provided for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. It includes a sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. In this is way, the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve assembly comprises an elongate sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and defines a hollow interior compartment, (b) at least one closed end, and (c) a sleeve member. Preferably, at least one collapsible spacer member is located within the hollow interior compartment. The spacer member is collapsible by interactive forces exerted by the dowel bar moving in a lateral and/or longitudinal path within the hollow interior compartment in response to the expansion and contraction of the concrete.

Abstract: A concrete dowel slab joint system for maintaining adjacent sections of concrete in alignment during contraction and expansion of the concrete, and for transferring shear stresses and bending moments across a joint formed between adjacent concrete slabs. It includes a sleeve assembly for receiving and maintaining the dowel bar therewithin. In this is way, the dowel bar does not transmit substantial shear stresses to the concrete during the contraction and expansion of the concrete. The sleeve assembly comprises an elongate sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and defining a hollow interior compartment, (b) at least one closed end, and (c) at least one collapsible spacer member located within the hollow interior compartment. The collapsible spacer member engages and positions the dowel bar at a lateral distance from the inner surface of the elongate sleeve body and at a longitudinal distance from the closed end.

Abstract: The locating of structural members disposed within the interstices of a concrete member can be accomplished by employing at least one indicator capable of showing the position of the structural member. The indicator also can show the directional location of the support members. The indicator of the present invention generally connects to a post member. This post member provides vertical support for the indicator system. A clamping assembly is attached to the post member and connects the structural member to the indicator system for fixing the location of the structural member. The clamping system can also identify the location of the structural member, and the indicator can then be provided to show the directional line of the structural member. Typically, the post member is sized to a predetermined length so that the longitudinal dimension of the indicator system corresponds to the thickness of the concrete member.

Abstract: A masonry veneer tie system is provided for connecting a masonry veneer wall, including courses of bricks joined together by mortar material, to a supporting structure. The masonry veneer tie system includes a masonry veneer tie device comprising a masonry veneer tie body and a masonry tie element. The masonry veneer tie body includes means defining an aperture for inserting means for fastening the masonry veneer tie to the supporting structure at a predetermined fastening point. The masonry tie element is provided for connecting the veneer masonry tie device to the masonry wall by attachment within the mortar material. The maximum cross-sectional dimension of the masonry tie element is less than the thickness of the mortar material.