Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a damaged host pipe, such as a culvert or other conduit. A trough is positioned over the invert of the host pipe and a longitudinally successive series of ribs are positioned and expanded against the interior of the damaged host pipe and against the trough, the rib having one or more segments and a pair of circumferentially successive flaps hinged together. With a hydraulic jack or other appropriate pushing device, a pushing force is applied against the hinged flaps until the hinged flaps are locked in an installation position. Grout, such as a cementitious grout is then installed in spaces between the trough and the host pipe. Alternatively, the ribs extend transversely beneath the trough, but not beyond the longitudinal edges of the trough, and the trough is anchored to the host pipe.

Abstract: A formwork for constructing an arched structure comprises a first end panel and a second end panel. A plurality of longitudinal members extends between the first end panel and the second end panel. The longitudinal members are arranged in an arched formation and the longitudinal members slope between the first end panel and the second end panel. The formwork may have rollers disposed along lengths of the longitudinal members.

Abstract: A formwork for constructing an arched structure comprises a first end panel and a second end panel. A plurality of longitudinal members extends between the first end panel and the second end panel. The longitudinal members are arranged in an arced formation and the longitudinal members slope between the first end panel and the second end panel. The formwork may have rollers disposed along lengths of the longitudinal members.

Abstract: A bunker comprising an exterior pyramid or cone structure made from an energy-absorbing material and an interior hollow spherical structure. The bunker may further comprise a sloped enclosing structure disposed around the exterior pyramid or cone structure. The energy absorbing material may be a solid, liquid or gel, and may be a compressible material. The combination of an outer pyramid or cone structure and an inner spherical structure is very stable. Persons or materials are housed in the inner hollow structure, and are protected from the impact of projectiles such as bombs or shells, or from other dynamic loads, by this combination of two strong geometric shapes with an energy-absorbing material in between.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the correct alignment of forms structures for the pouring of concrete walls, the device has guide elements and assists the operator in the correct positioning thereof and fastening thereof on the layouts that it is customary to mark out on the foundation template for the raising of walls; it is a body of a single piece, produced form a plastic resine. The configuration of the device of the invention allows an operator manually or using a pneumatic gun to fasten a plurality of devices, in order to align the center “walls” so that they are parallel to one other, such that the planned thickness of the wall, corresponding to the width of the device, can be guaranteed in the section included between the guide devices. On account of its design and the material which it is produced, the device functions suitably with the form, the concrete and the reinforcing steel.

Abstract: A pier-repairing and reinforcing panel is used in a method of repairing and reinforcing a pier. The panel includes locking members, locking ribs, reinforcing ribs, and clips. The method includes the steps of: installing a watertight caisson around a pier and removing water from the gap between the caisson and pier. Impurities are removed from the pier's surface, and a plurality of panels are installed around the pier while sealing the junctions of the panels. A plurality of reinforcing steel bars are arrayed in the gap between the pier and panels, and the panels are then affixed to the steel bars or the pier using anchor bolts. The gap between the pier and the panels are then filled with concrete. The pier is effectively repaired and reinforced while separating the reinforced concrete from water, thus protecting the concrete and steel bars for a desired lengthy period of time.

Abstract: A conformable modular support/enclosure wall system incorporates a skin formed of modular sheet sections bolted to a skeleton or framework constructed of elongate rib elements that can be fastened, e.g. bolted, together in various relationships including end-to-end, side-to-end and side-to-side configurations. The rib elements are provided in a variety of lengths and wall arrangements and each element has a generally trapezoidal cross-section, with a similar trapezoidal appearance in side elevation. The rib elements include transverse slots and apertures as well as axial apertures all configured to receive bolt fasteners within a range of angular orientations relative to the axial and transverse axes of the ribs. The flexible sheet sections of the skin bear arrays of openings in the form of elongated slots arranged in coordinate grid patterns, with the slots alternately aligned with the x and y axes of the same or independent coordinate grids.

Abstract: A method of repairing and reinforcing a pier using stones. The method includes installing a watertight caisson around a pier and removing water from the gap between the caisson and pier prior to repairing the pier. The method can also include removing impurities from the pier's surface; arraying a plurality of reinforcing steel bars around the pier; laying stones outside the arrayed steel bars while fixing the stones to the steel bars or the pier, and filling the gap between the pier and the stones with concrete.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly for forming concrete or another moldable composition. A plurality of elongate elements, such as PVC pipes, are stacked in rows in gravity-stable arrangement to form a contour, such as an arch. The radius of the arch may be controlled by arranging the pipes as desired. Particulate matter, such as sand, may be used between the stacked pipes. Also, an anchor assembly can be used to secure one or more of the pipes to the earth. After the pipes are stacked and a bed of sand has been placed thereon, a waterproof cover is laid over the top of the stack, and layer of concrete is spread. After the concrete is set, the pipes, the cover and the anchor assemblies are removed. The removal will be expedited by washing the sand from the stack. Once removed, the pipes and anchors can be reused indefinitely.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly for forming concrete or another moldable composition. A plurality of elongate elements, such as PVC pipes, are stacked in rows in gravity-stable arrangement to form a contour, such as an arch. The radius of the arch may be controlled by arranging the pipes as desired. Particulate matter, such as sand, may be used between the stacked pipes. Also, an anchor assembly can be used to secure one or more of the pipes to the earth. After the pipes are stacked and a bed of sand has been placed thereon, a waterproof cover is laid over the top of the stack, and layer of concrete is spread. After the concrete is set, the pipes, the cover and the anchor assemblies are removed. The removal will be expedited by washing the sand from the stack. Once removed, the pipes and anchors can be reused indefinitely.

Abstract: Doorway or passageway arches and a mold and method for making doorway arches, wherein the arches comprise pre-fabricated plaster, two sides that are substantially perpendicular to each other, a concave arcuate side extending between the sides and flanges extending outward from each side for securing the arch to adjoining walls defining a comer, and the mold comprises a base, at least two perpendicularly disposed slots, at least one slidably insertable and removable board for each slot, a mold projecting upward from said base and having a convex side extending between opposing ends of said boards, flanges disposable along the boards and a volume for receiving a hardening agent, such as plaster.

Abstract: An elongated, curved framework with a variable degree of curvature. The framework comprises plural link members, joint units connecting the link members together, and elements for bending the link members at the joints. A desired number of link members can be connected together to provide a desired length of elongated, curved framework. Inside the joint unit is located a bolt-engaging member, and the joint unit and the bolt-engaging member are joined together by a bolt. The bolt is engaged with a nut. Rotating the bolt in one direction causes the link members to bend at the joint in one direction. Rotating the bolt in an opposed direction causes the link members to bend at the joint in an opposed direction. Three pins can be used to enable the link members to withstand load well.

Abstract: A method of constructing curvilinear structures utilizes an armature mast, an armature boom having a vertically and horizontally pivotable arm terminating in a reinforcing rod (rebar) tying guide, and associated hardware. The tying guide is aligned with a piece of vertical rebar, and a separate piece of horizontal rebar is placed adjacent and generally perpendicular to the vertical rebar for securing thereto. The tying guide is then moved to engage an adjacent piece of vertical rebar, and the horizontal piece is bent inwards for securing thereto. As the armature boom is moved about the mast and progressively raised, further vertical and horizontal pieces of rebar can be brought into juxtaposition and secured, thus generating a non-planar grid of rebar. An impermeable layer is placed over the grid, and a hardening material is applied to form a rigid shell. Further outside and inside base layers may be applied, and further outside and inside surface layers may be applied.

Abstract: A system for constructing concrete culverts is disclosed wherein reusable outer form and rebar supporting assemblies are set in place in an excavation and are used to form outer portions of the floor and outer walls of the culvert. Forming the outer walls of the culvert is facilitated by anchoring the lower regions of the form assemblies in the outer region of the floor as it is being poured by means of concrete anchors, which remain set in the concrete but are removable from the form assemblies. As a particular feature of this invention, the form assemblies are each provided with a protective wall spaced from the form assembly and adjacent walls of the excavation, forming a protective space where workers may work while being protected from collapse of walls of the excavation.

Abstract: A pattern for defining the profile of an arch is produced from a unitary block of material or materials having the required structural strength to support the arch materials during construction and sufficient ductility or resilience at its surface to accommodate irregularities present in the arch materials. The pattern may be produced from a single block of polystyrene material whose upper profile corresponds to the desired underside of an arch to be constructed using the pattern and whose undersurface is generally flat.

Abstract: A hybrid laminar flow nacelle for housing an engine of an aircraft includes an outer annular cowl having a leading lip and radially spaced and axially extending annular outer and inner forward surface portions which merge at the leading lip. The nacelle incorporates a suction bleed system between the surfaces and a tailored outer surface geometry shape for producing reduced friction drag laminar flow over the outer cowl at cruise operation of the aircraft and producing separation-free flow over the inner surface of the cowl at off-cruise operation of the aircraft.

Abstract: Molding forms for precast concrete portal assemblies are described. The molding forms include adjustable form surfaces for precasting different shaped portal assemblies from the same basic mold. The molding forms herein are particularly designed for molding portal assemblies for use at either or both end of box culverts which provide passages extending under a longitudinal embankment at skew angles rather than transversely perpendicular to the embankment access.

Abstract: The cambered truss header is embodied in a shoring apparatus for pouring substantially horizontal concrete building sections. The truss header extends between and is supported on end runners which may be carried on floor-supported legs or on hangers mounted on upright building sections. A truss header may consist of a truss span having a top chord member, a bottom chord member, and a plurality of like brace members interconnecting the chord members. The brace members form an open web pattern wherein adjacent brace members are reversely inclined with the plurality of apices being connected to the top chord members a spaced apart distance greater than the spaced apart distance between the apices of the bottom chord member. The truss header is thus provided with a camber which tends to assume a horizontal position in response to a load placed on the truss header by the horizontal concrete building section.

Abstract: A collapsible arch forming assembly comprising a flexible member and two tension line lengths with one tension line length threaded through even number guides, counted from one end of the flexible member and the other tension line length threaded through the odd number guides. Tensioning the tension line lengths arches the flexible member into the arch and this may be done by a winch assembly or inserting spreader bars at the guides to deflect the free one of the first and second tension line lengths at that position. The spreader bars may be replaced by, for example, mechanical jacks or fluid pressure actuated jacks particularly for such applications as using the arch forming assembly as formwork upon which concrete is poured.

Abstract: A system for casting cement uses a plurality of lightweight forms made from a ladder-like, aluminum member covered on one side by a sheet of transparent plastic. The forms may be assembled and erected in any desired and suitable shape or configuration. As cement is poured, its surface may be viewed through the transparent plastic to find and correct surface blemishes. A series of connector and optional connection points enables the system to be used in many alternative ways.

Abstract: Apparatus for modular concrete constructions. The apparatus comprises a carriage and a concrete form. It also comprises the combination of a concrete form detachably mounted on a portable carriage the former of which can be set in place and positioned for pouring. The carriage can then be detached from the concrete form, removed for further service and later reunited with the form for transport to a new pour position, as desired. The concrete form per se is comprised generally of a support structure atop which is provided a pour form. The pour form is constituted of a central span and, preferably, a pair of upwardly faced troughs located on opposite sides of the central span. The central span of the pour form can range from flat to highly contoured. The troughs are each provided with a plurality of bottom openings, these being formed between removable panels.