Abstract: A 4-dimensional printing system and method for printing reinforced concrete may allow reinforced concrete elements to be printed freeform and/or fully automated without the need for formwork, molding, or labor. The printing system may include software and hardware systems. The software system may process 3D models of the reinforced concrete element desired into multiple layers. The software system may utilize the individual layer to control operation of the hardware system to print the desired reinforced concrete element layer-by-layer. The hardware system may provide a concrete nozzle, a reinforcement material nozzle, as well as dispensing mechanisms for printing the materials at the desired locations and/or at desired times for the individual layer being printed. The hardware system may also include motion control mechanism(s) that allow the position of the nozzles to be moved sideward, up and down, and towards or away relative to the element being printed.

Abstract: A seismic isolation system for underground structures comprises a periodic foundation and periodic arrays of piles in the soil or periodic piles that surround the underground structure. The periodic foundation may be a foundation of periodic materials. The periodic piles can substantially reduce the incoming seismic waves from the lateral direction. The periodic piles may be vertically arranged layers of periodic materials. The combination of the periodic foundation and periodic piles can result in total isolation for the underground structure. This total isolation may be of particular interest for underground facilities, such as underground nuclear power plants and structures with basements.

Abstract: A 4-dimensional printing system and method for printing reinforced concrete may allow reinforced concrete elements to be printed freeform and/or fully automated without the need for formwork, molding, or labor. The printing system may include software and hardware systems. The software system may process 3D models of the reinforced concrete element desired into multiple layers. The software system may utilize the individual layer to control operation of the hardware system to print the desired reinforced concrete element layer-by-layer. The hardware system may provide a concrete nozzle, a reinforcement material nozzle, as well as dispensing mechanisms for printing the materials at the desired locations and/or at desired times for the individual layer being printed. The hardware system may also include motion control mechanism(s) that allow the position of the nozzles to be moved side-to-side, up and down, and towards or away relative to the element being printed as desired during the printing process.

Abstract: A carbon nanofiber aggregate (CNFA) system and method provides self-sensing capabilities that can be used to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may include cement, aggregate, silica fume, high-range water reducer (HRWR), and/or carbon nanofibers. The metal meshes in the CNFA may be utilized to monitor the electric properties of the CNFA to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may be embedded in concrete structures to allow detection of strain, moisture, and temperature changes that may cause damage to structures. Several metal meshes may be embedded in the CNFA.

Abstract: Electric, self-heating concrete systems that uses embedded carbon macrofiber or nanofibers paper as electric resistance heating elements are disclose. The self-heating concrete systems may utilize the conductive properties of carbon macrofiber or nanofiber materials to heat a surface overlay of concrete with various admixtures to improve the concrete's thermal conductivity. The self-heating concrete systems allow concrete roadways or the like to be heated to above freezing temperatures in a freezing environment in a reasonable amount of time.

Abstract: A vibration dampener, including, a first beam comprising a first mounting end portion and a first peripheral end portion, wherein the first peripheral end portion comprises a tunable mass, and the first beam is configured to vibrate in tune with a vibrational frequency of a structure supporting the first beam at the first mounting end portion, a second beam comprising a second mounting end portion and a second peripheral end portion, wherein the second peripheral end portion comprises a ring disposed about the first beam, and a viscoelastic material disposed between the first beam and the ring, wherein the viscoelastic material is configured to dampen vibrational energy as the first beam vibrates toward the ring until the viscoelastic material becomes compressed between the first beam and the ring during the course of the impact.

Abstract: Periodic material-based seismic isolation systems and methods are a new and innovative means to mitigate the potential damage to structures due to earthquakes or the like. The periodic materials are arranged in a periodic way in one, two and three directions, which are defined as one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) periodic materials. With this periodic material, the pattern of the earthquake event energy can be completely obstructed or changed when it reaches the periodic foundation of the structural system. This may result in a total isolation of the foundation from the earthquake wave energy.

Abstract: Periodic material-based seismic isolation systems and methods are a new and innovative means to mitigate the potential damage to structures due to earthquakes or the like. The periodic materials are arranged in a periodic way in one, two and three directions, which are defined as one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) periodic materials. With this periodic material, the pattern of the earthquake event energy can be completely obstructed or changed when it reaches the periodic foundation of the structural system. This may result in a total isolation of the foundation from the earthquake wave energy.

Abstract: A carbon nanofiber aggregate (CNFA) system and method provides self-sensing capabilities that can be used to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may include cement, aggregate, silica fume, high-range water reducer (HRWR), and/or carbon nanofibers. The metal meshes in the CNFA may be utilized to monitor the electric properties of the CNFA to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may be embedded in concrete structures to allow detection of strain, moisture, and temperature changes that may cause damage to structures. Several metal meshes may be embedded in the CNFA.

Abstract: A vibration dampener, including, a first beam comprising a first mounting end portion and a first peripheral end portion, wherein the first peripheral end portion comprises a tunable mass, and the first beam is configured to vibrate in tune with a vibrational frequency of a structure supporting the first beam at the first mounting end portion, a second beam comprising a second mounting end portion and a second peripheral end portion, wherein the second peripheral end portion comprises a ring disposed about the first beam, and a viscoelastic material disposed between the first beam and the ring, wherein the viscoelastic material is configured to dampen vibrational energy as the first beam vibrates toward the ring until the viscoelastic material becomes compressed between the first beam and the ring during the course of the impact.

Abstract: Electric, self-heating concrete systems that uses embedded carbon macrofiber or nanofibers paper as electric resistance heating elements are disclose. The self-heating concrete systems may utilize the conductive properties of carbon macrofiber or nanofiber materials to heat a surface overlay of concrete with various admixtures to improve the concrete's thermal conductivity. The self-heating concrete systems allow concrete roadways or the like to be heated to above freezing temperatures in a freezing environment in a reasonable amount of time.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the health of a structure, e.g., a concrete wall, bridge, pillars, using a smart aggregate is disclosed. The smart aggregate includes a piezoceramic transducer(s) and associated communication links. The transducer is embedded into the structure prior to the manufacture of the structure. The disclosed system can monitor internal stresses, cracks and other physical forces in the structures during the structures' life. The system is capable of providing an early indication of the health of the structure before a failure of the structure can occur.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the health of a structure, e.g., a concrete wall, bridge, pillars, using a smart aggregate is disclosed. The smart aggregate includes a piezoceramic transducer(s) and associated communication links. The transducer is embedded into the structure prior to the manufacture of the structure. The disclosed system can monitor internal stresses, cracks and other physical forces in the structures during the structures' life. The system is capable of providing an early indication of the health of the structure before a failure of the structure can occur.

Abstract: A joint for the prefabricated concrete blocks of the quake-resistant pier developed for connecting the prefabricated reinforced concrete blocks employed in the non-plastic hinge zone of the earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete pier comprises mainly an upper prefabricated reinforced concrete block and a lower prefabricated reinforced concrete block, wherein a layer of resin binder is applied between the engaging concave and the engaging convex of the prefabricated reinforced concrete blocks, so as to connect the two prefabricated reinforced concrete blocks to withstand shear stress applied on the pier, and the two prefabricated reinforced concrete blocks are also connected firmly by pre-stressed keys to withstand bending stress applied on the pier. By connecting mechanisms, the present way of prefabricated construction can achieve the same earthquake-resistant capability as the traditional in situ construction.