Abstract: A reinforced or prestressed concrete structure is strengthened and/or restored by attaching a strip-shaped tensional member thereto. Prior to attaching the tensional member, a central portion thereof is prestressed. Then, the tensioned central portion is bonded to a concrete surface of the concrete structure by a first adhesive having a high deformation modulus. Thereafter, the non-prestressed end portions of the tensional member are bonded to the concrete surface by a second adhesive having a low deformation modulus, whereby the second adhesive is substantially less deformable than the first adhesive.

Abstract: A wall and roof structure primarily for buildings that are partly under ground. In the roof structure, sheets of steel are placed in an upward concave position supported by beams and columns with compression members positioned between the beams. In the walls, a similar arrangement is used with sheets of steel in a concave outward position supported between the columns. This provides a free span suspension design with no columns or bearing walls needed inside the basic structure.

Abstract: A tension member, for use as a tendon or tether for a tension leg platform consisting of a plurality of carbon fiber filaments (6) gathered into a plurality of strands (5) in which the filaments (6) run against one another, around which strands there is arranged a sheath (16). The tension member comprises pressure-resisting spacers (7) having recesses (9, 11, 12, 14; 25, 26, 28, 31) wherein the strands (5) are laid singly so that they can move in the longitudinal direction unobstructed by each other and the spacers (7).

Abstract: An attachment system for use with a concrete form for securing an object within concrete as it cures is described. The attachment system comprises a sacrificial securing element and a tie rod with a first end and a second end. The first end removably engages the sacrificial securing element. Together, the tie rod and the sacrificial securing element jointly secure the object to the inside face of the concrete form. Moreover, the attachment system secures an object by using a single form and can be used when adding siding or exterior designs. In another aspect, a method of securing an object within a concrete wall using a concrete form is described. The method includes the steps of positioning the object in contact with an inner face of the concrete form and positioning a sacrificial securing element proximate the object and amidst a channel. The method also includes pouring cement within the channel and curing the cement to form the concrete wall.

Abstract: A hollow frame member is constituted by two face plates 11, 12 (21, 22) joined in a truss shape by ribs 13, 13A, 13B (23, 23A, 23B). End portions of one of the face plates 11 and 21 are positioned in the vicinity of an apex of the truss structure of the hollow frame member. End portions of the other of the face plates 12b and 22b have a projection extending toward the end portions of the face plates 11 and 21. The face plates 12b and 22b are joined by friction stir welding from an upper portion. Next, a connection member 30 is arranged between the ends of the face plates 11 and 21, and from an upper portion the friction stir welding is again carried out. Due to the presence of the ribs 13A, 13B (23A, 23B), the load during the friction stir welding time is easily supported. Since the truss structure is formed totally, a light weight structure with a high rigidity performance can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible frame for a loading dock shelter. The flexible frame utilizes open channels that are clinched together to serve as supports. The supports are used in side frames that form part of the flexible frame. Each side frame includes a back support, a front support, and in a preferred form, one or more lateral supports that are pivotally connected to both the front and back supports. At least one of said supports is formed from open channels which are secured together, preferably by clinching. The back supports of the flexible frame are mounted to a loading dock wall. The pivotal connection between the lateral support and the front and back supports allows the front support to move relative to the back support when a vehicle comes into contact with the side frame as the vehicle enters the loading dock shelter. The present invention also provides an improved method of making a flexible frame for a vehicle shelter and mounting the flexible frame to a loading dock.

Abstract: A reinforced truss includes a pre-existing top chord and a pre-existing bottom chord, a reinforcing top chord, first and second reinforcing chord heel plates, each of the reinforcing chord heel plates having a plate, a reinforcing truss bracket attached to a first end of the plate, at least one slotted aperture disposed on the plate and spaced to approximately match a pre-existing bolt pattern of the pre-existing truss, and a tie rod bracket. The ends of the reinforcing top chord are captured in the reinforcing truss brackets of the reinforcing chord heel plates. A tie rod is connected to the tie rod brackets of the first and second reinforcing chord heel plates. The slotted aperture allows for the tie rod to be adjusted, thereby adjusting the loading on the reinforcing top chord.

Abstract: A brace for a multi-section manufactured home comprising left and right sections; each section having a beam having an upper end including a lateral flange supporting a floor structure, and a medial side; the floor structures meeting at a mating seam distal from each beam, generally comprises left and right brackets joined by a steel strap, a tensioning bolt for the strap, a vertical post, and a horizontal compression member. Left and right brackets include an outer hook for beam attachment by hooking over the lateral flange of left and right beams respectively. The strap is attached to a take-up bolt on one bracket for adjusting strap tension. The post is supported by the midsection of the strap and supports the left floor structure and the right floor structure across the mating seam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning mild steel reinforcing bars within a precast, moment resisting frame of a building. The apparatus includes a hand-receiving access component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame so as to permit convenient access to the reinforcing bars that are slidably carried within bar receiving passageways formed within the concrete beams. Additionally, the apparatus includes a bladder-receiving component that can be installed within the concrete beams that make up the building frame in a manner to permit an expandable bladder to be conveniently positioned within the cable receiving passageways formed in the beam. When in position within a cable-receiving passageway, the expandable bladder spans the interface between the beam and the column and effectively prevents grout from entering the cable passageway during the grouting step.

Abstract: A metal beam includes a top flange; a bottom flange; and an intermediate web joining together the top flange and the bottom flange. The bottom flange includes an upper deck and a lower deck joined at their inner sides to the intermediate web in parallel spaced relation to each other to form a double-deck structure. The space between the upper and lower decks is occupied by tensioning elements embedded in concrete for prestressing the beam. The top flange is of smaller width but of substantially greater thickness than the bottom flange lower deck. In one described embodiment, the intermediate web is of a single wall construction; and in a second described embodiment, it is of a double-wall construction and also receives tensioning elements and concrete for prestressing the beam. Also described is a building structure in which the metal beams are used for supporting horizontal floor panels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning steel reinforcing rods within a precast, moment-resisting frame of a building. The apparatus includes a uniquely configured hand-receiving component that can be embedded within the concrete beams that make up the building frame to permit access to the steel reinforcing rods that are slidably carried within rod receiving passageways formed within concrete beams. The apparatus also includes a uniquely configured-bladder receiving component that can be embedded within the concrete beams that make up the building frame and is so constructed and arranged as to permit as expanable bladder to readily be positioned within the cable receiving passageways formed in the beam during the grouting of the interfaces between the beams and the columns.

Abstract: A prefabricated building component, e.g. for incorporation in a wall, a floor, a roof or another building component, comprises a frame formed by lengths of lumber with heat insulating foam material provided in spaces between the lumber so as to form a heating insulating barrier. To reinforce the frame against racking forces, a reinforcement sheet of fiber reinforced composite material is provided on the barrier and the lumber at least one side of the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seismic load transmitting system based on impact mechanism for a multi-span continuous bridge, comprising impact assemblies connected to a superstructure of the bridge for colliding with movable support piers according to a longitudinal displacement of the superstructure of the bridge caused by a seismic load and transmitting the seismic load from the superstructure of the bridge to the movable support piers; and impact receiving assemblies installed in the movable support piers for receiving an impact force generated when the movable support piers become collided with the impact assemblies and transmitting the seismic load transferred from the superstructure of the bridge through the impact assemblies to the movable support piers, wherein the seismic load generated in the superstructure of the bridge is transmitted not only to the fixed support piers but also to the moving support piers due to the collision between the impact assemblies and the impact receiving assemblies; and wherein the cont

Abstract: In a wooden panel element (1) for ceiling structures or for bridge construction there is provided a plurality of boards (25) standing on edge perpendicular to the plane of the panel element (1) and running along the entire length thereof, which boards are joined together by screw fastenings. The individual boards (25) are joined together at least partly by screws (27) driven at an acute angle to the surface thereof, each of these screws (27) passing through two successive boards (25). Also provided close to the upper edge (30) and the lower edge (31) of the boards (25) are screws (28) driven at right angles to the surface (26) of the boards (25).

Abstract: The present invention is a prestressing system for wood elements and structures and a method from prestressing wood beams. In its most basic form, the system for prestressing structures comprises a plurality of members arranged in a predetermined configuration, at least one non-metallic prestressing tendon, having a material stiffness less than that of steel, disposed in such a manner as to fasten together the members, and stressing means attached to at least one end of the prestressing tendon to exert a tensile force on the tendon and an equal and opposite compressive force drawing the members together. In the preferred embodiment, the tendons are manufactured from fiber reinforced plastic and the members are arranged in side by side relation to form a deck. The deck includes a series of aligned holes through the members, through which the prestressing tendons pass and are secured and prestressed.