Abstract: A tuned mass absorber assembly comprises a mass structure, and a flexure system comprising first and second flexure sections (e.g., cross bar flexures) supported by, and extending in opposing directions from, the mass structure. The flexure system can comprise flexure section mounts situated at distal ends of the first and second flexure sections, respectively, and that are operable to mount the tuned mass absorber assembly to a structure subject to induced vibrations therein. A mass of the mass structure and a stiffness of the flexure system can be tuned to attenuate vibrations at a specific input frequency generated in response to induced vibrations of the structure. A system can comprise a vibration isolator attached to a chassis (e.g., of an airplane), and supporting a payload (sensors(s)) and isolating the payload from vibrations. A tuned mass absorber assembly can be mounted to the vibration isolator for attenuating vibrations at a specific input frequency that may affect the payload.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a displacement-controlled earthquake-resistant transformer employing a friction damper, including: a device body; an upper frame disposed in an upper portion of the device body to fix the device body; a lower frame disposed in a lower portion of the device body to fix the device body to a base while supporting the device body; and a friction damper unit disposed between the device body and the base to interwork with the device body and the base, and configured to buffer a vibration transmitted to the device body through the base fixed to a ground surface. According to the present invention, seismic energy is absorbed by using a frictional force of a damper in the event of an earthquake, so that damage that may be caused to the transformer by an earthquake shock is prevented.

Abstract: A construction steel platform system using a tuned liquid damper (TLD) and a tuned mass damper (TMD) for composite tuned damping is provided. According to the construction steel platform system using a TLD and a TMD for composite tuned damping, a composite damper is composed of the TLD and the TMD overlapping each other, and a construction steel platform is placed above the double dampers. By adjusting a hole diameter of a partition plate in the TLD, a liquid level in a water tank, a stiffness of a spring at an edge of a friction support and mass of materials of a top of the steel platform, the whole steel platform system can achieve composite tuned damping. The TLD and the TMD can be flexibly combined in series or in parallel according to requirements of actual wind and earthquake loads.

Abstract: A double-ring shaped strong magnet array nonlinear dynamic vibration absorber for vibration mitigation of suspender cables and design method thereof, which belongs to the field of structural vibration control. The installation positions and number are designed according to the demand of vibration mitigation, and usually one is installed at the midpoint of the suspender cable. The vibration absorber consists of the inner and outer magnet ring arrays, the additional weights, the universal wheels and a base. It feeds back the control force in the opposite direction of the motion of the suspender cable during the movement, so that the vibration energy of the suspender cable is transferred to the vibration absorber and thus less is returned to the suspender cable, and the energy dissipated through the friction between the universal wheels and the base, adding air dampers and other measures, etc.

Abstract: A building structure including a plurality of elements extending from a ground surface with at least a first of the elements connected to a second of the elements by a coupling member, the coupling member including a damping element for damping vibrations in the building structure and a means for limiting the deformation of the damping element when the relative movement exceeds a maximum displacement at which damage occurs to the damping element.

Abstract: A building structure including a plurality of elements extending from a ground surface with at least a first of the elements connected to a second of the elements by a coupling member, the coupling member including a damping element for damping vibrations in the building structure and a means for limiting the deformation of the damping element when the relative movement exceeds a maximum displacement at which damage occurs to the damping element.

Abstract: A stabilization system for a building includes a stabilization assembly configured to couple to a floor structure of a building. The stabilization assembly includes a track defining a track path, a weight slidably coupled to the track, and an actuator configured to move the weight along the track path.

Abstract: A sliding seismic isolator includes a first plate attached to a building support, and at least one elongate element extending from the first plate. The seismic isolator also includes a second plate. The first and second plates are capable of moving relative to one another along a horizontal plane. The seismic isolator also includes a lower support member attached to the second plate, with a biasing arrangement positioned within the lower support member. The elongate element(s) extend from the first plate at least partially into the lower support member, and movement of the elongate element(s) is influenced or controlled by the biasing arrangement. The seismic isolator also includes a damping structure with closed ends spaced apart from the first plate and the base of the seismic isolator. The damping structure is configured to contain a substance, such as a liquid, gas, silicone, and/or a combination thereof, and to expand longitudinally when it is compressed.

Abstract: A wall assembly (10) comprising top and bottom caps (11) and (12) which are generally U shaped channels and these are secured to a floor (13) and a concrete slab ceiling (14) which comprises in this case the underside of a concrete floor of the next level in a multi-storey building. In these arrangements the ceiling (14) has to be arranged in relation to the wall (15) for deflection of the ceiling (14), consequentially, the track (11) is spaced from the underside surface (16) by a distance of typically 20 mm and a suitable compressible spacer arrangement (17) is located between the upper surface (18) of the track (11) and the underside surface (16). The spacer arrangement (17) may be any suitable infill and one example may be a fire rated double sided adhesive layered expandable/compressible tape or foam. This tape may be applied to the upper outer surface of the channel and its other side adhesively applied to the underside of the concrete.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an active inerter damper configured to be disposed on or in a building structure. The active inerter damper includes a base, a lead screw, a rotational mass block, a driving device and a controller. The lead screw is movably disposed above the base along an axial direction. The rotational mass block is engaged with the lead screw so as to be rotatable with respect to the base. The driving device is connected to the lead screw. The controller is electrically connected to the driving device, and the controller is configured to activate the driving device to move the lead screw along the axial direction so as to rotate the rotational mass block via the lead screw.

Abstract: A multidirectional adaptive re-centering torsion isolator is used for isolating buildings, tanks and bridges from earthquakes. The multidirectional adaptive re-centering torsion isolator includes a flat and/or articulated slider and four or more cylindrical energy dissipaters. The flat and/or articulated slider positioned on top of the column provides vertical load transmission, low friction and horizontal displacement capacity. The cylindrical energy dissipaters provide displacement, re-centering and damping in any of the horizontal directions.

Abstract: A member-to-member planar connection bracket that includes multiple repeated fuse element configurations that each provide a pre-determined inelastic load-carrying capacity and a reliable inelastic deformation capacity upon development of one or more inelastic hinge locations within the fuse elements. The fuse configurations are interconnected in series such that the total deformation accommodated between first end of the bracket and second end of the bracket is the sum of deformations accommodated by the individual fuse configurations. Multiple brackets are configured in laminar configurations and interconnected to create a connection assembly that provides increased strength or increased deformation capacity as compared to an individual bracket. The connection assembly is used to connect a first structural member and second structural member.

Abstract: A function-recovering energy-dissipating reinforced concrete shear wall comprising a reinforced concrete shear wall body, common steel bars distributed in vertical direction within the reinforced concrete shear wall body, common steel bars distributed in horizontal direction within the reinforced concrete shear wall body, high-strength reinforcing materials arranged on left and right sides of the shear wall, and four dampers arranged in an X-shaped cross mode between a front reinforcement fabric and a rear reinforcement fabric that are formed by common steel bars distributed in vertical direction and common steel bars distributed in horizontal direction; a cylindrical piston rod having a hinge hole is arranged at the end portion of each damper.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present foundation for onshore wind turbines comprise one solid cap structure, one tubelike upright cylindrical structure and a concrete corbel structure. All are constructed of high-strength cast-in-place reinforced concrete. The tubelike cylindrical structure has a purposely enlarged inner diameter than the wind turbine tower. The tubelike cylindrical structure has a wall thickness of 2 to 4 feet and embeds to the ground from 25 to 60 feet. The cap structure is constructed within the encompassed space of the tubelike cylindrical structure and seals the top of the tubelike structure. The anchor bolting system comprises anchor bolts, nuts, washers and embedment ring and is embedded in the reinforced concrete of the solid cap structure at the lower part and bolts the wind turbine tower flange to the solid cap structure.

Abstract: In some implementations, an endpoint device captures video data during a network-based communication session. The endpoint devices processes a stream of user state data indicating attributes of a user of the endpoint device at different times during the network-based communication session. The endpoint device transmits the stream of user state data over a communication network to a server system. The endpoint device receives, over the communication network, (i) content of the network-based communication session and (ii) additional content based on user state data generated by the respective endpoint devices each processing video data that the respective endpoint devices captured during the network-based communication session. The endpoint device presents a user interface providing the received content of the network-based communication session concurrent with the received additional content that is based on the user state data generated by the respective endpoint devices.

Abstract: A joint comprising: a tenon, a mortise for receiving the tenon, an aperture formed in one of the tenon and an interior wall of the mortise and a pin which extends from the other of the tenon and the interior wall of the mortise; wherein the aperture is a hole which is engaged by the pin in use such that the tenon is supported within the aperture, and the tenon is capable of vertical and horizontal motion within the mortise in a plane substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the pin, the motion being limited by the edges of the aperture.

Abstract: A vibration absorber which, in addition to a main mass which is fixed thereto and moved along a curved trajectory by a driving mechanism, comprises a substantially smaller variably adjustable rotating flywheel mass which is moved together with the main mass along the trajectory thereof, enabling the adjustment of the frequency of the absorber. The rotating flywheel mass is driven by a novel belt device independently of the driving mechanism. A rotating vibration absorber which, along with the main mass and the rotating flywheel mass, comprises its own damping unit, such as an eddy-current damping unit.

Abstract: A member-to-member planar connection bracket that includes multiple repeated fuse element configurations that each provide a pre-determined inelastic load-carrying capacity and a reliable inelastic deformation capacity upon development of one or more inelastic hinge locations within the fuse elements. The fuse configurations are interconnected in series such that the total deformation accommodated between first end of the bracket and second end of the bracket is the sum of deformations accommodated by the individual fuse configurations. Multiple brackets are configured in laminar configurations and interconnected to create a connection assembly that provides increased strength or increased deformation capacity as compared to an individual bracket. The connection assembly is used to connect a first structural member and second structural member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of energy dissipation and shock absorption buildings, and particularly relates to a self-recovering energy dissipation support with a shape memory alloy damper. The self-recovering energy dissipation support includes a core shape memory alloy damper and cross-shaped steel columns, wherein the shape memory alloy damper includes two sets of inner and outer sleeves. A sliding groove is arranged between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, so that the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve can slide relative to each other along a track. The two sets of inner sleeves are connected through pre-stretched shape memory alloy ribs I. The inner sleeves and the outer sleeves are connected through pre-stretched shape memory alloy ribs II. An outer end plate of the shape memory alloy damper is connected with the cross-shaped steel columns.

Abstract: A sliding seismic isolator includes a first plate attached to a building support, and an elongate element extending from the first plate. The seismic isolator also includes a second plate and a low-friction layer positioned between the first and second plates, the low-friction layer allowing the first and second plates to move freely relative to one another along a horizontal plane. The seismic isolator also includes a lower support member attached to the second plate, with a biasing arrangement, such as at least one spring member or at least one engineered elastomeric element, which can include one or more silicon inserts, positioned within the lower support member. The elongate element extends from the first plate at least partially into the lower support member and movement of the elongate element is influenced or controlled by the biasing arrangement.

Abstract: The performance of precast concrete cladding wall panel connection details is enhanced by incorporating a specific connection hardware, that allows precast panels to deform elastically to accommodate relative displacements due to building motion and/or energy associated with a seismic event. The connection hardware includes a crushing tube to at least partially absorb an impact due the seismic event.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a curable composition which has excellent patterning properties and makes it possible to obtain a cured film having excellent light blocking properties. Another object of the present invention is to provide a cured film, a light blocking film, a solid-state imaging element, and a solid-state imaging device. The curable composition contains inorganic particles, a polymerizable compound, and a polymerization initiator, in which the inorganic particles contain metal carbide-containing particles containing a carbide of an element in group 5 of the periodic table, and a content of the metal carbide-containing particles in a total mass of the inorganic particles is equal to or greater than 55% by mass.

Abstract: A reinforcing structure for a wooden building, having: a first anchor bolt that is horizontally inserted into a concrete foundation of the wooden building and fixed to the concrete foundation by an adhesive agent; a second anchor bolt that is horizontally inserted into a wooden beam of the wooden building and fixed to the wooden beam by the adhesive agent; a reinforcing steel bar that is arranged between the first anchor bolt and the second anchor bolt; a first fixing member that connects and fixes the first anchor bolt and the reinforcing steel bar with each other so that the first anchor bolt and the reinforcing steel bar are orthogonal to each other; and a second fixing member that connects and fixes the second anchor bolt and the reinforcing steel bar with each other so that the second anchor bolt and the reinforcing steel bar are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A structural brace may include a core member, which may include a first end, a second end, and a center portion. The center portion may include a cutout pattern disposed along a length of the center portion. In response to absorption of energy from seismic forces, the core member may provide plastic deformation and may be resistant to buckling. The structural brace may include a housing, which may surround at least the center portion of the core member. The structural brace may include a spacing material between the core member and the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of a foundation anchor and energy damper for vertical tanks or similar containers for liquids with a thin wall and continuous support, comprising an energy dissipation component centrally connected to a foundation anchor component by means of a linking component, the energy dissipation component comprising one or more superimposed and horizontally arranged energy dissipating plates with a rhombic shape truncated at the vertices thereof, wherein the shorter diagonal is normal to the wall of the tank and the side ends or vertices corresponding to the longer diagonal have quadrangular extensions for support on a load transmission component that is connected to the wall of the tank so as to transmit and distribute the forces developed by the one or more energy dissipating plates. Alternatively, the energy dissipating plates are trapezoidal with the longer parallel side tangential to the wall of the tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wall damper (100) connected to an upper floor and a lower floor, comprising of a top cap (108), a pair of cover plates (105), a pair of side members (107), and a base (110), interconnected to one another to form a framing structure to accommodate a pair of inner panels (101), a plurality of damping means (103), and a plurality of outer plates (104); characterised in that the pair of inner panels (101) connected vertically to one another by a joint (102); the top cap (108) having a slit (114) for receiving the pair of inner panels (101); the plurality of damping means (103) bounded to both sides of the pair of inner panels (101); the plurality of outer plates (104) bounded to the plurality of damping means (103); a plurality of stiffening members (106) disposed on a surface of each of the pair of cover plates (105); wherein the pair of inner panels (101), the plurality of damping means (103), the plurality of outer plates (104) and the pair of cover plates (105) are arranged

Abstract: An apparatus including a plurality of robot arm links movably connected to one another, where a first one of the robot arm links includes a frame, where the frame has a first end movably connected onto a second one of the robot arm links; and at least one vibration damper arrangement on the frame of the first robot arm link, where the at least one vibration damper arrangement includes at least one viscoelastic element connected to the frame of the first robot arm link by a connection such that, as the frame of the first robot arm link experiences vibrations, the at least one viscoelastic element dampens the vibrations in the frame of the first robot arm link based upon viscoelasticity and the connection of the at least one viscoelastic element to the frame of the first robot arm link.

Abstract: In a method for modernizing a building, a former stairwell of the building is converted such that an elevator shaft of an elevator system to be constructed can be provided in the former stairwell. The elevator shaft is provided in the former stairwell of the building such that stepless access is facilitated to specific floors of the building from an elevator car of the elevator system, which car can be provided in the elevator shaft. A new staircase is constructed outside the former stairwell. In addition, a former staircase is removed from the former stairwell. Furthermore, access bridges are disposed next to the elevator shaft in the former stairwell, thereby enabling flush access from the new staircase to the specific floors.

Abstract: A member-to-member planar connection bracket that includes multiple repeated fuse element configurations that each provide a pre-determined inelastic load-carrying capacity and a reliable inelastic deformation capacity upon development of one or more inelastic hinge locations within the fuse elements. The fuse configurations are interconnected in series such that the total deformation accommodated between first end of the bracket and second end of the bracket is the sum of deformations accommodated by the individual fuse configurations. Multiple brackets are configured in laminar configurations and interconnected to create a connection assembly that provides increased strength or increased deformation capacity as compared to an individual bracket. The connection assembly is used to connect a first structural member and second structural member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soil improvement foundation isolation and load spreading are provided. The systems and methods provided herein relate to isolation of structural foundations from soil improvement elements and distributing stress from high stiffness elements to lower stiffness materials. A shear load transfer reduction system may include one or more ground improvement elements for supporting an applied load. A shear break element may be positioned above one or more ground improvement elements. The shear break elements may be configured to have low interface shear strength. Further, systems and methods are provided for creating an engineered slip surface for reducing shear stresses between a laterally loaded foundation and a rigid foundation support element and wherein two slip pads are provided that form the engineered slip surface.

Abstract: A truss for use in a staggered truss system in provided. The truss includes at least one slip joint for allowing relative movement between the top chord of the truss and the bottom chord of the truss. The staggered truss system may be suitable for use in seismic regions.

Abstract: A damper frame includes a structural frame and a damper assembly secured to the structural frame. The damper assembly includes a damper support secured to the structural frame. A damper is secured to the damper support. A diagonal link is secured to the structural frame. A lever is secured to the damper support and the damper. The lever is pivotally connected to the diagonal link so displacement of the diagonal link is amplified and transferred to the damper. The damper support includes a laterally-extending cantilevered portion and the damper is secured to the damper support at the cantilevered portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a passive intumescent fire damper having a metal housing, an inner meltable liner and having a metal and intumescent laminate assembly surrounding the inner liner.

Abstract: An oscillation damper for damping unwanted oscillations in oscillation-sensitive systems, such as tall edifices and towers, especially wind turbines. The oscillation damper has a vertical spring mechanism and the oscillation characteristics, such as the frequency and amplitude, and thus the damping capabilities, can be adjusted across a wide range of values.

Abstract: The method for test data management may comprise receiving a test data characteristic; retrieving a master copy data from a master copy database; generating a secondary copy data, wherein the secondary copy data comprises a subset of the master copy data corresponding to the test data characteristic; generating a test copy data, wherein the test copy data is a copy of the secondary copy data; and transmitting the test copy data to a test environment. In this manner, the efficiency and resiliency of the system may be enhanced, and the test copy data may be improved so that the network may function according to approved parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seismic reinforcing device capable of conveniently conducting reinforcement of a structure, the device includes an upper support installed on an upper horizontal portion configured to connect columns, a lower support disposed under the upper horizontal portion, installed on a lower horizontal portion configured to connect the columns, and disposed in a diagonal direction with respect to the upper support, and a damper coupled to the upper support and the lower support and configured to absorb a shock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soil improvement foundation isolation and load spreading are provided. The systems and methods provided herein relate to isolation of structural foundations from soil improvement elements and distributing stress from high stiffness elements to lower stiffness materials. A shear load transfer reduction system may include one or more ground improvement elements for supporting an applied load. A shear break element may be positioned above one or more ground improvement elements. The shear break elements may be configured to have low interface shear strength.

Abstract: A system for damping seismic motions transmitted from a foundation to an architectural structure is disclosed. The system may include a stacked formation of elements including a washer, a sliding plate, and a damping member. The sliding plate may be fixedly connected to a base member of the architectural structure. During seismic motions, the washer may slide over the top of the sliding plate and the damping member may elastically deform. Accordingly, movement of the base member may trail movement of the foundation, and the acceleration experienced by the architectural structure may be reduced. A method of installing such a seismic damping system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sliding seismic isolator includes a first plate attached to a building support, and an elongate element extending from the first plate. The seismic isolator also includes a second plate and a low-friction layer positioned between the first and second plates, the low-friction layer allowing the first and second plates to move freely relative to one another along a horizontal plane. The seismic isolator also includes a lower support member attached to the second plate, with a biasing arrangement, such as at least one spring member or at least one engineered elastomeric element, which can include one or more silicon inserts, positioned within the lower support member. The elongate element extends from the first plate at least partially into the lower support member and movement of the elongate element is influenced or controlled by the biasing arrangement.

Abstract: The buckling-restrained brace that is capable of being fixed to connected portions of a structure using bolts, the brace includes: a plate member extending in an axial direction, and in which bolt holes for fixing the bolts are formed at end portions of the plate member in the axial direction; and a buckling-restrained member configured to restrain a center portion of the plate member in the axial direction to prevent the plate member from buckling, wherein the buckling-restrained member includes a pipe member surrounding the plate member from the outside in a radial direction, and a filler filling the gap between the pipe member and the plate member, and the plate member includes a fixing plate, a portion of which is embedded in the filler, and the remaining portion is protruded from the filler in the axial direction, and in which the bolt hole is formed at an end portion of the remaining portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: A truss hinge that includes a number of different labeled parts, where connections between the two different parts can constrain the truss to different angles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a stiffness control mechanism of a variable stiffness earthquake-isolation layer adapted to structural earthquake isolation and wind resistance, which comprises an upper flange plate connected to an upper structure, a lower flange plate connected to a base structure at the bottom, a pin key provided between hollow portions of the upper and lower flange plates, with the pin key movable up and down between the hollow portions of the upper and lower flange plates and the height of the pin key greater than the distance between the upper and lower flange plates, and a control means for fixing the pin key or controlling the pin key to move downward. The stiffness control mechanism of the earthquake-isolation layer of the present invention can automatically change stiffness of the earthquake-isolation layer, both effectively wind resistant and effectively earthquake resistant.

Abstract: Buckling restrained braces may include a core rod and a buckling restraining tube concentrically surrounding at least a majority of a longitudinal length of the core rod. The buckling restraining tube may be configured to inhibit buckling of the core rod upon compressive loading of the core rod. An end plate assembly may be attached, and longitudinally movable with respect, to an end of the core rod, the end plate assembly being located at a longitudinal end of the buckling restrained brace. A sleeve member may concentrically surround an end of the buckling restraining tube, the sleeve member affixed to the end plate assembly. A spring may be located laterally between the core rod and the sleeve member of the end plate assembly and longitudinally between, and in contact with, an end of the buckling restraining tube and a portion of the end plate assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a system to protect and monitor production and non-production oil and gas wells. The present invention provides an oil or gas well and field integrity system for a well which passes through at least one subterranean formation containing pressurized formation fluids. The system comprising at least one oil or gas well located within a designated oil or gas field; and at least one bund wall formed within a target zone of the at least one subterranean formation, each bund extending along at least a portion of a perimeter surrounding the oil or gas field or along at least a portion of a section surrounding one or more oil or gas wells within the oil or gas field to assist in maintaining hydrostatic pressure on at least one side of the bund wall within the target zone thereby reducing the possibility of subsidence within the oil or gas field.

Abstract: Seismic damage reducing system for partitions. A seismic protective structure (100) for forming part of a board partition (190) and for limiting damage to the board partition (190) when a given level of seismic stress is appearing, is described. The seismic protective structure (100) comprising a breaking mechanism (107) introduced near an upper corner and/or lower corner of board partition (190), wherein the breaking mechanism (107) is adapted for, when a given level of seismic stress is appearing, intentionally causing damage of the board partition (190) thereby releasing stress from the remainder of the board partition (190).

Abstract: Provided is a retrofitting structure for existing building that does not require the addition of a foundation specific to the retrofitting structure, can implement seismic retrofitting at any floors only of the existing building, and hardly causes a large drawing force resulting from eccentric bending moment that may act on the seismic retrofitting structure. A retrofitting structure 100 for existing building includes: a reinforcing frame 10 including a frame member 11 and a vibration control member 12 interposed in the frame member, the reinforcing frame being provided on an outer wall surface of an existing building B having an overhang T on the outer wall surface so as to surround the overhang T; and a vertical truss member 30 and a horizontal truss member 20 configured to couple the reinforcing frame 10 and the outer wall surface.

Abstract: Computerized online engineering tool system for specifying the various components of a holdown system that assemble a run comprising a tie rod in a frame wall structure from the foundation up through the walls to the top floor, and bearing members and tension devices securing the tie rod to the wall. The system comprises a user's computer for connecting to a server which includes a database of drawing elements and hardware component parts; the server including a program operably associated with the database; and the program including the steps of i) allowing a user to login into the server; ii) allowing the user to select options for the run; iii) providing the user a data input and calculated data page for the load at each framing level and rod size sufficient to handle the load; and allowing the user to download a shop or installation drawing of the run generated using the drawing elements and hardware component parts from the database.

Abstract: An anti-vibration device including first and second rigid strength members interconnected by an elastomer body, the first strength member includes a base and at least three branches extending from the base along a first direction toward the second strength member, the three branches including two external branches and one central branch. The second strength member includes a transversal portion and at least two branches extending along the first direction from the transversal portion, respectively between the external branches and the central branch of the first strength member. The elastomer body extends transversally to the first direction between the external branches of the first strength member and has four legs extending respectively between the branches of the first strength member and the branches of the second strength member.

Abstract: A brace apparatus for mounting between two structural components of a support infrastructure to absorb vibrational energy imposed on the support infrastructure. The brace apparatus comprises: (i) an elongate piston component having one end engaged with a piston plate and the other end configured for demountable pivotable engagement with a first structural component, (ii) a sleeve component for receiving the piston component therein, said sleeve component having a back cap for receiving the piston component therethrough and a front cap configured for demountable pivotable engagement with a second structural component, and (iii) a plurality of equidistantly spaced-apart tie rods housed within the sleeve component wherein one end of each tie rod is secured to the outer surface of the front cap and the other end is secured to the outer surface of the back cap, the tie rod slidingly inserted through an orifice provided therefore in the piston plate.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a slab foundation comprises a narrow, vertical moisture barrier assembly spaced outside and surrounding the perimeter grade beam of the slab foundation by a predetermined distance, and extends to preferably five feet below surface grade. The narrow trench for the barrier is preferably less than three inches wide. A membrane formed of a synthetic composition forms a moisture barrier against one wall of the narrow trench, and is held in place by back fill. The moisture barrier is intended for use in expansive soils that are subject to shrinking and swelling.