Abstract: An apparatus for orienting an accelerometer on a post-tensioned rod is provided. The apparatus includes a first open channel having a first sidewall forming a substantially half cylinder shape along at least a portion of a length of the first open channel, and a first axis along a length of the first open channel. The apparatus further includes a second open channel having a second sidewall forming a substantially half cylinder shape along at least a portion of a height of the second open channel, and a second axis along a height of the second open channel. The apparatus further includes a stopper wall having an inner surface disposed internal to a top end of the second channel. The inner surface of the stopper wall is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The first and second channels are contiguous.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for non-destructively estimating the thickness of buried concrete without excavation. An example method may include placing one or more first accelerometers at a plurality of vertical positions below the surface of the ground at an approximate first distance from a vertical edge of the buried concrete each time. The method may further include, for each position in the plurality of vertical positions, generating a dispersive wave in the buried concrete and determining a time of arrival of the dispersive wave at the one or more first accelerometers. The method may further include estimating the thickness of the buried concrete based on at least the times of arrival of the dispersive waves at the one or more first accelerometers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for non-destructively estimating the thickness of buried concrete without excavation. An example method may include placing one or more first accelerometers at a plurality of vertical positions below the surface of the ground at an approximate first distance from a vertical edge of the buried concrete each time. The method may further include, for each position in the plurality of vertical positions, generating a dispersive wave in the buried concrete and determining a time of arrival of the dispersive wave at the one or more first accelerometers. The method may further include estimating the thickness of the buried concrete based on at least the times of arrival of the dispersive waves at the one or more first accelerometers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for non-destructively estimating the thickness of buried concrete without excavation. An example method may include placing one or more first accelerometers at a plurality of vertical positions below the surface of the ground at an approximate first distance from a vertical edge of the buried concrete each time. The method may further include, for each position in the plurality of vertical positions, generating a dispersive wave in the buried concrete and determining a time of arrival of the dispersive wave at the one or more first accelerometers. The method may further include estimating the thickness of the buried concrete based on at least the times of arrival of the dispersive waves at the one or more first accelerometers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for non-destructively estimating the thickness of buried concrete without excavation. An example method may include placing one or more first accelerometers at a plurality of vertical positions below the surface of the ground at an approximate first distance from a vertical edge of the buried concrete each time. The method may further include, for each position in the plurality of vertical positions, generating a dispersive wave in the buried concrete and determining a time of arrival of the dispersive wave at the one or more first accelerometers. The method may further include estimating the thickness of the buried concrete based on at least the times of arrival of the dispersive waves at the one or more first accelerometers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for non-destructively estimating the thickness of buried concrete without excavation. An example method may include placing one or more first accelerometers at a plurality of vertical positions below the surface of the ground at an approximate first distance from a vertical edge of the buried concrete each time. The method may further include, for each position in the plurality of vertical positions, generating a dispersive wave in the buried concrete and determining a time of arrival of the dispersive wave at the one or more first accelerometers. The method may further include estimating the thickness of the buried concrete based on at least the times of arrival of the dispersive waves at the one or more first accelerometers.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting an accelerometer on a post-tensioned rod is provided. The apparatus includes a first open channel having a first sidewall forming a substantially half cylinder shape along at least a portion of a length of the first open channel, and a first axis along a length of the first open channel. The apparatus further includes a second open channel having a second sidewall forming a substantially half cylinder shape along at least a portion of a height of the second open channel, and a second axis along a height of the second open channel. The apparatus further includes a stopper wall having an inner surface disposed internal to a top end of the second channel. The inner surface of the stopper wall is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The first and second channels are contiguous.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system that implements a benefit product that provides a guaranteed income amount for a participant, the benefit product generates the guaranteed income amount by participating in a plurality of guaranteed income products (GI products). The system may comprise: (1) an income aggregator portion; (2) a savings recordkeeper portion that maintains an investment account associated with the benefit product, the investment account into which the payments to the benefit product pass; and (3) at least one income recordkeeper portion, each income recordkeeper portion administering one or more GI products, each income recordkeeper portion: determining, based on an attributable allocation to a particular GI product, a guaranteed income associated with such particular GI product, each guaranteed income being an amount, attributable to the particular GI product, that is payable to a participant.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system that implements a benefit product that provides a guaranteed income amount for a participant, the benefit product generates the guaranteed income amount by participating in a plurality of guaranteed income products (GI products). The system may comprise: (1) an income aggregator portion; (2) a savings recordkeeper portion that maintains an investment account associated with the benefit product, the investment account into which the payments to the benefit product pass; and (3) at least one income recordkeeper portion, each income recordkeeper portion administering one or more GI products, each income recordkeeper portion: determining, based on an attributable allocation to a particular GI product, a guaranteed income associated with such particular GI product, each guaranteed income being an amount, attributable to the particular GI product, that is payable to a participant.

Abstract: A system and method comprises a defined contribution module for periodically receiving contributions and for accumulating value over a period of time by investing at least one of the contributions, the accumulated value being capable of: (1) being withdrawn at any time and reinvested, and (2) being paid out after a predetermined period of time; and wherein select investment options comprises investment products and at least one designated defined benefit investment option module for: (1) receiving at least one investment payment from the defined contribution module, the investment payment comprising at least one of the contributions and/or the accumulated value, (2) for paying out a guaranteed minimum income payment for life, after the predetermined period of time, based on a retirement income formula, and (3) increasing the income payment for life for excess performance over the formula.

Abstract: A system and method comprises a defined contribution module for periodically receiving contributions and for accumulating value over a period of time by investing at least one of the contributions, the accumulated value being capable of: (1) being withdrawn at any time and reinvested, and (2) being paid out after a predetermined period of time; and wherein select investment options comprises investment products and at least one designated defined benefit investment option module for: (1) receiving at least one investment payment from the defined contribution module, the investment payment comprising at least one of the contributions and/or the accumulated value, (2) for paying out a guaranteed minimum income payment for life, after the predetermined period of time, based on a retirement income formula, and (3) increasing the income payment for life for excess performance over the formula.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with a plurality of guaranteed minimum retirement income payments is disclosed. The system comprises a variable immediate annuity module to receive an income generating payment and to output a guaranteed minimum retirement income payment amount wherein the periodic retirement income payment amount is greater than, equal to, or less than a guaranteed minimum periodic retirement income payment amount if the income generating payments received are received according to a predetermined payment schedule, and wherein the predetermined guaranteed minimum periodic retirement income payment amount is defined by the user.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system that implements a benefit product that provides a guaranteed income amount for a participant, the benefit product generates the guaranteed income amount by participating in a plurality of guaranteed income products (GI products). The system may comprise: (1) an income aggregator portion; (2) a savings recordkeeper portion that maintains an investment account associated with the benefit product, the investment account into which the payments to the benefit product pass; and (3) at least one income recordkeeper portion, each income recordkeeper portion administering one or more GI products, each income recordkeeper portion: determining, based on an attributable allocation to a particular GI product, a guaranteed income associated with such particular GI product, each guaranteed income being an amount, attributable to the particular GI product, that is payable to a participant.

Abstract: A system and method comprises a defined contribution module for periodically receiving contributions and for accumulating value over a period of time by investing at least one of the contributions, the accumulated value being capable of: (1) being withdrawn at any time and reinvested, and (2) being paid out after a predetermined period of time; and wherein select investment options comprises investment products and at least one designated defined benefit investment option module for: (1) receiving at least one investment payment from the defined contribution module, the investment payment comprising at least one of the contributions and/or the accumulated value, (2) for paying out a guaranteed minimum income payment for life, after the predetermined period of time, based on a retirement income formula, and (3) increasing the income payment for life for excess performance over the formula.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with a portable benefit based on a formula the result of which indicates the exact guaranteed minimum periodic income that the user will receive no matter how long the user lives and the potential for an increase in the periodic income. The system comprises a defined contribution module for periodically receiving at least one of a sponsor contribution and a participant contribution and for accumulating value over a period of time by investing at least one of the sponsor contribution and the participant contribution or any portion(s) thereof in any number of select investment options, the accumulated value being capable of being withdrawn at any time and reinvested in any other select investment options being paid out after a predetermined period of time The guaranteed minimum income payment may be based on a retirement income formula.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a display to provide content navigation is provided. In an aspect, a plurality of graphical cascades are created, where at least one of the graphical cascades is provided for menu navigation, and another of the graphical cascades is provided for actual generation of content. New menus automatically open in the foreground of a cascade.

Abstract: A process and a system for providing a user with a plurality of periodic retirement income payments is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of receiving an input including two of a retirement date, a minimum retirement income amount and a defined premium payment amount for payment over a plurality of preset payment intervals. The process also includes the steps of calculating the other one of the retirement date, the minimum retirement income amount and the defined premium payment amount for an accumulation period defined by the retirement date and a current age of the user; receiving a premium payment amount from the user during the accumulation period; investing the received premium payment amount in an account in a manner consistent with one or more predefined objectives during the accumulation period to realize a retirement income amount.

Abstract: A process and a system for providing a user with a plurality of periodic retirement income payments is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of receiving an input including two of a retirement date, a minimum retirement income amount and a defined premium payment amount for payment over a plurality of preset payment intervals. The process also includes the steps of calculating the other one of the retirement date, the minimum retirement income amount and the defined premium payment amount for an accumulation period defined by the retirement date and a current age of the user; receiving a premium payment amount from the user during the accumulation period; investing the received premium payment amount in an account in a manner consistent with one or more predefined objectives during the accumulation period to realize a retirement income amount.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an investor the ability to purchase an option to exchange a future value of an asset or a portfolio of assets, regardless of future performance or value, for at least one non-cash settlement instrument outcome on a future date, where the outcome of such option is contingent on (1) a payment of an option fee, and/or (2) maintaining the portfolio of assets in accordance with at least one guideline or benchmark required for the delivery of the guarantee outcome other than cash. The method comprising the steps of determining delivery of a non-cash guaranteed outcome based on an assessment of an underwriting strategy associated with an asset or portfolio of assets; and determining an option payment amount and at least one guideline required for the delivery of the non-cash guaranteed outcome.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with a portable benefit, within a qualified or non-qualified defined contribution plan, based on a formula the result of which indicates the exact guaranteed minimum periodic income that the user will receive no matter how long the user lives and the potential for an increase in the periodic income based on excess investment performance over the formula of the designated defined benefit investment options is disclosed.