Abstract: This invention relates to pole structures used for supporting transmission and distribution lines, lighting and communications systems, highway signs, traffic signals, and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to a new and useful design of a multi-sectioned pole, with at least one telescoping upper section made of metal or another similar lightweight material and a base section composed of concrete or similar material that can be directly embedded into the ground without the need for baseplate-type foundations, or other preparatory work.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a buckling restrained brace capable of absorbing vibration energy produced by an earthquake, wind power and the like, in a building and a steel structure. The buckling restrained brace of the present invention is accomplished by a buckling restrained brace 1 wherein a steel-made center axial member 3 is passed through a buckling-constraining concrete member 2 reinforced with a steel member 6, and an adhesion-preventive film 4 is provided to the interface between the steel-made center axial member and buckling-constraining concrete 5, the adhesion-preventive film showing a secant modulus in the thickness direction of at least 0.

Abstract: A column to structure attachment device and method is disclosed for securing a support column between a base structure and a beam structural member. The device includes a structural column having a first end and a second end with a void parallel to a longitudinal axis of the column such that the void forms a communication therethrough between the first end and second end. Also included is a first end adapter element that engages the column first end and a second end adapter element that engages the column second end. In addition, an element is provided for maintaining compressive loading on the column between the first end adapter element and the second end second adapter element and is operational to maintain the compressive loading under all anticipated external loading conditions acting upon the column to structure attachment device through the base structure and the beam structural member.

Abstract: A fastener assembly 10, in respect to forces which are subsequently applied, after the installation thereof, when forces is applied in one direction, this fastener assembly 10 is self adjusting incrementally, as needed in travel or actuation; yet when a force is applied in the opposite direction, this fastener assembly 10 is not self adjusting and there is no travel or actuation.

Abstract: A perimeter weighted foundation has a central pier pedestal and an enlarged base spaced outwardly and extending below the pedestal. The enlarged base includes an outer concentric perimeter wall section with a radially extending, disk-shaped spread section interconnecting the bottom of the pedestal section and the top of the perimeter wall section. The pedestal section includes vertically extending post-tensioning anchor bolts sleeved through substantially the entire height of the cylindrical pedestal in accordance with earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,586,417 and 5,826,387 and the spread section includes two layers of similarly sleeved post-tensioning bolts which extend through the bottom of the pedestal section and into or through the top of the perimeter wall section, thus tying together the enlarged base to the pier pedestal.

Abstract: A method impedes transverse relative displacements of a pipe (2) and at least one cable (3) which extends in this pipe (2), and doing so with a certain transverse play (4). The method has the steps of: selecting at least one portion (8), of a predetermined longitudinal dimension (L8), of pipe (2), and, then, with the cable (3) inserted in the pipe (2), locally constructing between the cable (3) and said pipe (2) at least one wedging element (9) adapted to suppress the transverse play (4) existing between the cable (3) and the pipe (2) in said at least one selected pipe portion (8).

Abstract: An end termination for a tension leg of non-metallic materials like composite material is disclosed. The tension leg is constructed of a number of strands which constitute the load carrying elements of the tension leg. The strands are twisted (laid) about the longitudinal axis of the tension leg by a predetermined laying length and in turn each strand is constructed of a plurality of rods of composite material having embedded strength fibres. The rods are in turn twisted about each other like in a wire rope. The strands terminate into a receiving body that forms fixing points for the respective strands. The end termination comprises an embracing element that is spaced apart from the receiving body and keeps the strands together. Intermediate the embracing element and the receiving body the strands extend less radial restriction and in a substantially natural direction towards and into apertures in the receiving body.

Abstract: A column to structure attachment device and method is disclosed for securing a support column between a base structure and a beam structural member. The device includes a structural column having a first end and a second end with a void parallel to a longitudinal axis of the column such that the void forms a communication therethrough between the first end and second end. Also included is a first end adapter element that engages the column first end and a second end adapter element that engages the column second end. In addition, an element is provided for maintaining compressive loading on the column between the first end adapter element and the second end second adapter element and is operational to maintain the compressive loading under all anticipated external loading conditions acting upon the column to structure attachment device through the base structure and the beam structural member.

Abstract: A guyed tower is used to support wireless communication equipment and/or other types of loads. The guyed tower is fixedly attached to a foundation, and a pole tower is erected within a middle region of the guyed tower. This pole tower is also fixedly attached to the foundation. The pole tower supports the guyed tower by absorbing bending moments that are applied to the guyed tower. Thus, the presence of the pole tower within the middle region of the guyed tower enables the guyed tower to support additional wireless transmission equipment and/or other types of loads.

Abstract: A concrete filled pole includes longitudinally aligned reinforcing rods secured to the casing along vertices of its polygonal cross-sectional shape so as to improve the flexural load carrying ability of the pole.

Abstract: A precast post-tensioned segmental pole system capable of supporting a load is provided. The pole system includes a plurality of pole segments that use connectors and strands to anchor them together. The strands extend within a cavity formed in the pole segments and are external to the wall structure of the pole segments. The strands may be coupled between both of the pole segments, or be anchored to a connector. The connector includes an upper piece that is coupled to one pole segment, and a lower piece that is coupled to the other pole segment. Upper and lower pieces interlock with each other to join the pole segments to one another. The strands are placed in tension so that pole system is capable of withstanding forces imposed by the load.

Abstract: A construction beam includes a tubular housing preferably formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer filled with a solid filler material such as concrete. The Poisson's ratio of the tubular housing is less than the filler material to provide confinement of the filler material. One or more reinforcing rods or cables may be embedded in the filler material and prestressed prior to setting the filler material to control cracking of the filler material and to allow for an increased moment of inertia and stiffness. The resulting construction is particularly strong, lightweight and essentially impervious to environmental conditions.

Abstract: A wooden beam (1) has several sections which are subjected to a transversal tension and which affect in particular the areas in which there are recesses or openings (3). Rod-shaped elements are provided in the form of screws (4) which are introduced in such a way that they extend crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the beam (1) in order to absorb this transversal tension. These screws are screwed in from the top side (5) or the underside (6) of the beam (1) and each extend over part of the height (H) of the beam (1) only and are therefore directly associated with the area (2) that is subjected to transversal tension.

Abstract: In an element (40b) for introducing shear forces into a concrete body a loop element (43b) is arranged on a shear force mandrel (41b), which loop element has an arc section (47b) in proximity to the surface of the concrete. When the element (40b) is subjected to a shear force (arrow 53) the arc section (47b) transmits this force to the concrete core inside the arc only through tensile forces in the loop element (43b) or in the arc element (47b). To absorb the resulting moment a second arc element (57b) aligned in the opposite direction is advantageously provided behind the first arc element (47b).

Abstract: A fastener assembly 10, in respect to forces which are subsequently applied, after the installation thereof, when forces is applied in one direction, this fastener assembly 10 is self adjusting incrementally, as needed in travel or actuation; yet when a force is applied in the opposite direction, this fastener assembly 10 is not self adjusting and there is no travel or actuation.

Abstract: A perimeter weighted foundation has a central pier pedestal and a base extending outwardly from and below the pier pedestal. The base includes an outer perimeter wall section and a radially extending, disk-shaped spread section interconnecting the bottom of the pier pedestal and the top of the perimeter wall section with the top surface of the spread section being positioned substantially below the top of the pier pedestal. The pier pedestal includes vertical post tensioned anchor bolts in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,586,417 and 5,826,387. The spread section includes two layers of sleeved post tensioned bolts which extend through the bottom of the pier pedestal, through the spread section and into the top of the perimeter wall section to post tension the perimeter wall section, the spread section and the pier pedestal.

Abstract: A shear wall panel is utilized in building walls to reduce the tendency of the wall from moving relative to a foundation during periods of external forces (e.g. earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes). The shear wall panel includes a top and a bottom horizontal support, a first and at least a second parallel and vertical support, and a third vertical support parallel to the first and second vertical supports. The top and bottom horizontal supports are parallel to one another and are located proximate the top and bottom of the wall respectively. The first and second vertical supports each have a first and a second end secured to the top and bottom horizontal supports respectively, and are perpendicular to the top and bottom horizontal supports. The third vertical support includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connector. The first end portion passes through the bottom horizontal support and is secured to the foundation.

Abstract: A precast post-tensioned segmental pole system capable of supporting a load is provided. The pole system includes a plurality of pole segments that use connectors and strands to anchor them together. The strands extend within a cavity formed in the pole segments and are external to the wall structure of the pole segments. The strands may be coupled between both of the pole segments, or be anchored to a connector. The connector includes an upper piece that is coupled to one pole segment, and a lower piece that is coupled to the other pole segment. Upper and lower pieces interlock with each other to join the pole segments to one another. The strands are placed in tension so that pole system is capable of withstanding forces imposed by the load.

Abstract: A device (1) is disclosed for anchoring one end (2A) of a stay (2) to a base (3), this end (2A) of the stay (2) comprising at least two strands (2B) which diverge from its longitudinal axis (2C) in such a way as to come to be anchored in the device (1), these strands (2B) each being made up of a core wire (2D) and a protective sheathing (2E), the device itself being intended to be positioned and immobilised in translation in a bore (3A) provided in the base (3), this device (1) comprising a first rigid unit (4), which:

Abstract: A foundation pile, has at least one tensioning tendon which is elongated. A tubular wall forms a hollow conduit located around the at least one tendon so that a space remains between the tensioning tendon and the hollow conduit. A structural tubular element is located around the hollow conduit and composed of a non-metallic material. A tubular layer of a composite material is located around the structural tubular element and connected with the latter. A friction coating applied on an outer surface of the layer of composite material.

Abstract: A guyed tower is used to support wireless communication equipment and/or other types of loads. The guyed tower is fixedly attached to a foundation, and a pole tower is erected within a middle region of the guyed tower. This pole tower is fixedly attached both to the foundation and to the guyed tower. Bending moments are transferred from the guyed tower to the pole tower via the collar that is disposed about the guyed tower. Thus, the presence of the pole tower within the middle region of the guyed tower increases the load capacity and stability of the guyed tower.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismically retrofitting pre-existing household brick chimneys is described to meet current building codes. Vertical steel rebar and horizontal chimney anchors are inserted into the chimney and a polymer concrete is poured between the liner and the brick masonry thereby bonding to the chimney, the vertical steel rebar, and the horizontal chimney anchors. The horizontal chimney anchors are coupled at one end to the external face of the chimney and at another end to the interior frame of the house. Holes are vertically drilled into the masonry of the chimney base in order to anchor the steel rebar at one end. Holes are drilled through the chimney and into the interior of the house at an appropriate point to properly anchor the pre-existing chimney to the house. A polymer concrete that has similar heat properties to other fireplace components is poured into the chimney around a chimney liner in order to reinforce and provide resiliency.