Abstract: The precast reinforced concrete construction elements with pre-stressing connectors provide beam-column connections which are post-tensioned through a combination of active and passive pre-stressing tendons. The active pre-stressing tendons improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the beam-column connections under service loads, as well as during application of external forces and stresses, such as during earthquakes. The passive pre-stressing tendons are lightly pre-stressed and only become effective during progressive collapse of the building. Specifically, the passive pre-stressing tendons become stressed only during downward movement of a joint due to the loss/damage of a column, thus providing resistance against further downward movement of the joint and thereby resisting the progressive collapse.

Abstract: A concrete-filled steel tubular column for high load capacity, usually required in tall buildings, includes an outer longitudinally extending generally vertical tubular shell and an inner longitudinally extending perforated tubular steel shell disposed within said outer longitudinally extending vertical tubular shell and coaxial therewith. Further, a plurality of relatively small diameter vertically extending perforated tubular steel members are disposed around said inner longitudinally extending tubular shell between said outer longitudinally extending tubular steel shell and said inner longitudinally extending steel shell with axes parallel to said coaxial axes. The concrete-filled steel column wherein said inner steel shell is centrally disposed within the outer longitudinally extending vertical tubular steel shell and wherein the volume between the outer steel shell and the inner shell is filled with high strength concrete.

Abstract: A shape modification of a wall-like column includes the preparation of the column by chamfering the corners and roughening the sides of cement segments thereto. The process requires a simple formwork in the form of generally circular PVC pipe segments which are cut to required shapes which are arcuate such as the segments of a circle, oval or even elliptical. After those forms formed from the PVC pipe affixed around the reinforced concrete column are then filled with grout/cement. A plurality of vertical steel strips are attached to the column by steel rod-like shear studs that extend through previously drilled passageways passing through the reinforced concrete column and segments. The reinforced concrete column is then strengthened by increasing the area of cross section and more importantly by confining the column and attached segments by FRP materials. In addition, the vertical strips with steel studs contribute to the column strengthening.

Abstract: An interlocking masonry block system for the construction of load bearing and non-load bearing walls includes a plurality of generally rectangular shaped building blocks wherein each block comprises a pair of opposite longitudinally extending sidewalls each of which includes an interior rectangular shaped vertical rib. The block also includes a central section disposed between the sidewalls in an abutting relationship therewith. Further, the central section defines one or two diagonally oriented rectangular vertical passageway extending through the central section at an angle of between about 30° and 45° and preferably at an angle of about 38°. The central section also includes one to three vertical extending recesses corresponding to and mating with the vertical ribs on each side thereof. The central section and the pair of sidewalls also define up to four rectangular shaped vertical passageways for utility pipes and/or electrical conduits.

Abstract: A concrete-filled steel tubular column for high load capacity, usually required in tall buildings, includes an outer longitudinally extending generally vertical tubular shell and an inner longitudinally extending perforated tubular steel shell disposed within said outer longitudinally extending vertical tubular shell and coaxial therewith. Further, a plurality of relatively small diameter vertically extending perforated tubular steel members are disposed around said inner longitudinally extending tubular shell between said outer longitudinally extending tubular steel shell and said inner longitudinally extending steel shell with axes parallel to said coaxial axes. The concrete-filled steel column wherein said inner steel shell is centrally disposed within the outer longitudinally extending vertical tubular steel shell and wherein the volume between the outer steel shell and the inner shell is filled with high strength concrete.

Abstract: An interlocking masonry block system for the construction of load bearing and non-load bearing walls includes a plurality of generally rectangular shaped building blocks wherein each block comprises a pair of opposite longitudinally extending sidewalls each of which includes an interior rectangular shaped vertical rib. The block also includes a central section disposed between the sidewalls in an abutting relationship therewith. Further, the central section defines one or two diagonally oriented rectangular vertical passageway extending through the central section at an angle of between about 30° and 45° and preferably at an angle of about 38°. The central section also includes one to three vertical extending recesses corresponding to and mating with the vertical ribs on each side thereof. The central section and the pair of sidewalls also define up to four rectangular shaped vertical passageways for utility pipes and/or electrical conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a specimen consisting of a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bar in tension while embedded in hardened concrete and subjected to long term environmental exposure. The apparatus includes a steel channel defined by two longitudinally extending parallel steel plates and a pair of unitary plates with one unitary plate at each of the channel. Each of the unitary plates include a U-shaped opening while a forward one of the unitary plates also defines four threaded openings and four bolts passing therethrough for increasing strain on the specimen. A pair of steel tube grips attached to the FRP bar with epoxy are also provided.

Abstract: An integral dual module geopolymer building block includes an inner foam module for insulation and an outer dense tile surface on an outer side of the inner foam module for weather protection. The outer porous module comprises a geopolymer paste including sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide flakes dissolved in the sodium silicate to form an activated solution and adding calcined kaolin clay to the activated solution to form a geopolymer paste. A first relatively dense tile layer has a thickness of about 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. A second geopolymer layer made from a second mass of paste mixed with hydrogen peroxide forms a geopolymer foam having a thickness of between 5 cm and 15 cm.

Abstract: A shape modification of a wall-like column includes the preparation of the column by chamfering the corners and roughening the sides of cement segments thereto. The process requires a simple formwork in the form of generally circular PVC pipe segments which are cut to required shapes which are arcuate such as the segments of a circle, oval or even elliptical. After those forms formed from the PVC pipe affixed around the reinforced concrete column are then filled with grout/cement. A plurality of vertical steel strips are attached to the column by steel rod-like shear studs that extend through previously drilled passageways passing through the reinforced concrete column and segments. The reinforced concrete column is then strengthened by increasing the area of cross section and more importantly by confining the column and attached segments by FRP materials. In addition, the vertical strips with steel studs contribute to the column strengthening.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a specimen consisting of a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bar in tension while embedded in hardened concrete and subjected to long term environmental exposure. The apparatus includes a steel channel defined by two longitudinally extending parallel steel plates and a pair of unitary plates with one unitary plate at each of the channel. Each of the unitary plates include a U-shaped opening while a forward one of the unitary plates also defines four threaded openings and four bolts passing therethrough for increasing strain on the specimen. A pair of steel tube grips attached to the FRP bar with epoxy are also provided.

Abstract: A rectangular shaped interlocking building block comprises a pair of exterior sides and an upper and a lower longitudinally extending horizontal faces and a pair of opposite vertical ends and wherein said building blocks include a pair of side members and wherein each of said side members includes a vertically extending exterior rib on an inner side thereof; a generally rectangular intermediate section is disposed between said side members in an abutting relationship and wherein the intermediate section defines a rectangular shaped vertical recess between the side members and a recess that extends between a bottom of one of said side members and the top of an adjacent block. The rectangular rib and vertical recesses are constructed and dimensioned so that one rib fits loosely but closely within the recess and the intermediate section includes a pair of elliptical shaped vertical passageways.

Abstract: A rectangular shaped interlocking building block comprises a pair of exterior sides and an upper and a lower longitudinally extending horizontal faces and a pair of opposite vertical ends and wherein said building blocks include a pair of side members and wherein each of said side members includes a vertically extending exterior rib on an inner side thereof; a generally rectangular intermediate section is disposed between said side members in an abutting relationship and wherein the intermediate section defines a rectangular shaped vertical recess between the side members and a recess that extends between a bottom of one of said side members and the top of an adjacent block. The rectangular rib and vertical recesses are constructed and dimensioned so that one rib fits loosely but closely within the recess and the intermediate section includes a pair of elliptical shaped vertical passageways.

Abstract: A concrete filled tubular steel column includes a longitudinally extending vertical tubular steel shell and an inner tubular steel member disposed at the center of the steel shell. A plurality of spaced vertical steel plates extend from the inner members toward but not abutting the steel shell. In addition a plurality of horizontally disposed perforated pipes extend outwardly from the inner member and have a plurality of meltable polymer plugs or caps to prevent plastic cement from flowing into or closing the openings. In the event of fire the plastic or polymer plugs or caps melt and allow gases and smoke to flow into the pipes and up through the inner member and out therefrom at the top of the column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hard surface cleaning compositions, and their use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hard surface cleaning composition providing hygiene to a hard surface, whilst being easily positioned onto a hard surface; even a wet surface. The present invention provides a hard surface cleaning composition, which is at least partially transparent or translucent, characterized in that it comprises a surfactant system forming a liquid crystalline phase in the presence of water and biocide material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to self adhesive hard surface cleaning blocks, and their use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a detergent block that can be easily positioned onto a hard surface; even a wet surface. It is a further object of the invention to provide a detergent block that rinses away in a number of flushes, and does not leave behind any residue that cannot be easily removed with e.g. a toilet brush. We have found that a hard surface cleaning block comprising surfactants forming a liquid crystalline phase upon contact with water meet the objects of the invention.

Abstract: A mild toilet bar composition contains C8-C18 mono and diacyl isethionates in a specified ratio in a first preferred embodiment of the invention and a specified ratio of calcium and magnesium diacyl isethionates in a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Both toilet bars provide substantial lather, mild cleansing, low mush and wear rate levels during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toilet cleaning blocks, and their use, in particular toilet cleaning blocks providing hygiene to a hard surface, wherein such a block is at least partially transparent or translucent appearance, in a solid, semi solid, or gel form. Accordingly the present invention provides a toilet cleaning block, which is at least partially transparent or translucent, and comprising a biocide and a carrier composition comprising soap, humectant and solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hard surface cleaning compositions, and their use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hard surface cleaning composition providing hygiene to a hard surface, whilst being easily positioned onto a hard surface; even a wet surface. The present invention provides a hard surface cleaning composition, which is at least partially transparent or translucent, characterized in that it comprises a surfactant system forming a liquid crystalline phase in the presence of water and biocide material.

Abstract: A liquid or flowable cleansing composition is described that contains high levels of anionic and nonionic surfactants and that show a substantial increase in viscosity upon dilution with water. The cleansing composition also contains water soluble EO/PO block copolymer(s).

Abstract: A liquid or flowable cleansing composition is described that contains high levels of anionic and nonionic surfactants and that show a substantial increase in viscosity upon dilution with water. The cleansing composition also contains water soluble EO/PO block copolymer(s).