Abstract: A wall panel may have a veneer layer, a middle layer made from magnesium oxide and an insulation layer made from a two-part rigid urethane pour foam. The insulation layer maybe chemically bonded to the middle layer. The veneer layer may include a poured substrate made from polyurethane or plastic. The veneer layer may further include aesthetic elements embedded in and bonded to the poured substrate. The aesthetic elements may include one or more of brick, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, natural stone, engineered stone, wood, ceramic, plastic, or vinyl. A finished surface of the aesthetic elements may extend above a top surface of the poured substrate. The poured substrate may include sand causing the top surface of the poured substrate to have an appearance of mortar.

Abstract: Various implementations comprise methods and apparatuses for constructing a concrete structure. An apparatus according to one implementation includes a structure comprising a pre-cast concrete component that includes at least one post-tensioning duct, a post-tensioning tendon extending through the post-tensioning duct, and a poured in place concrete surface disposed above and coupled to the pre-cast concrete component.

Abstract: Precast concrete column (1) for the support of structural modular floor, preferably dry assembled, comprising in its upper part a capital for the support (2) of beams (3), having the support capital (2) a square or quadrangular plan in such a way that four sides (21, 22, 23, 24) are defined for the support of the beams (3), in which each of the sides (21, 22, 23, 24) comprises concave recesses (4) of sides parallel to the axis of the beams (3) that define convex protrusions (5) which sides comprise bearing surfaces (6) such that when laying a beam (3), which ends are complementary to said recesses (4), the bearing forces have directions contained in a plane (41, 42, 43, 44) perpendicular to the axis of the beam (3), having said directions a horizontal component. The invention also refers to a beam complementary to this column and to slab segments, as well as to a structure provided with said columns, said beams and optionally also said slab segments.

Abstract: Storey ceiling construction having a first lower wooden support (5) for supporting a storey ceiling, a first upper wooden support (5) for supporting a further storey ceiling and a first support head (6) made of wood for introducing the forces of the storey ceiling into the first lower wooden support (5). The first support head (6) lies on the first lower wooden support (5). The first upper wooden support (5) is supported directly on the first lower wooden support.

Abstract: A modular building system for constructing a multi-story building includes prefabricated modular units. Each modular unit includes a horizontal slab for forming a floor/ceiling of the building, a joist extending horizontally along a first edge of the slab, the joist extending below the slab and extending horizontally beyond the first edge of the slab to form a receiving lip, columns positioned on top of the slab along the first edge, and connectors installed in cavities formed in the unit. A floor of the multi-story building is formed by arranging the modular units so that the slab of a first modular unit is positioned on the receiving lip of a second modular unit. An additional floor of the multi-story building is formed by arranging the modular units so that the joist portion of an upper modular unit is positioned on the columns of a lower modular unit.

Abstract: A modular building system for constructing a multi-story building includes prefabricated modular units. Each modular unit includes a horizontal slab for forming a floor/ceiling of the building, a joist extending horizontally along a first edge of the slab, the joist extending below the slab and extending horizontally beyond the first edge of the slab to form a receiving lip, columns positioned on top of the slab along the first edge, and connectors installed in cavities formed in the unit. A floor of the multi-story building is formed by arranging the modular units so that the slab of a first modular unit is positioned on the receiving lip of a second modular unit. An additional floor of the multi-story building is formed by arranging the modular units so that the joist portion of an upper modular unit is positioned on the columns of a lower modular unit.

Abstract: A plurality of pre-formed panels are provided. Each panel comprises construction boards held apart from each other by spaced apertured metal strength members (2) to form a sandwich construction. Each strength member is provided with at least one bar (10) extending beyond an edge of the construction boards. Each strength member has a bar receiving portion (63) associated with its end opposite the at least one bar. To construct a wall, a first such panel is first erected with its strength members (2) extending vertically and with the bars (10) projecting above the remainder of the panel. The void between the construction boards is then filled with a settable material. A second panel is located vertically above the first by slotting the bars of the first panel into bar receiving portions of strength members in the second panel. Thereafter, the void between the construction boards of the second panel is filled with the settable material.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for providing a window wall with flush slab edge covers. A window wall system can include a sill receptor configured to fixably attach to a top surface of a slab. The window wall system may include a head receptor configured to fixably attach to an underside surface of the slab. The window wall system can include a window wall panel including panel infill and a panel sill configured to detachably couple to the sill receptor. The window wall system may include a slab edge cover including cover infill. The slab edge cover can be configured to detachably couple to the window wall panel and the head receptor. In various embodiments, an exterior surface of the panel infill and an exterior surface of the cover infill are configured to flushly align when the slab edge cover is detachably coupled to the window wall panel.

Abstract: A building structure provided with lateral walls comprising a thermoplastic polymer, which comprises: a plurality of vertical walls which are arranged on a plurality of levels, each of which walls comprises at least one first substantially continuous central panel made of a thermoplastic polymer and a pair of layers of cement plaster which are arranged on the opposite sides of the corresponding first central panel and form the opposite faces of the corresponding vertical wall, and a metallic structure for connecting at least the vertical walls of each one of the levels of the building structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure constructed using PC members and a method of constructing the structure. In the present invention, each of PC wall members (10) of PC walls (1) has connection reinforcing bars (11) at predetermined positions. Each of PC slab members (20) of PC slabs (2) has open reinforcing bars (21), which protrude from the PC slab member (20). Supporting molds (3) are mounted to the PC wall members (10) at positions just below the connection reinforcing bars (11), so that the PC slab members (20) are placed on the supporting molds (3), such that the connection reinforcing bars (11) are overlapped with the corresponding open reinforcing bars (21) in slab areas, and connection concrete (4) is cast at a construction site such that the connection reinforcing bars (11) and the open reinforcing bars (21) are embedded in the connection concrete (4), thus integrating the PC walls (1) and the PC slabs (2) with each other.

Abstract: A modular construction system and having a plurality of precast concrete caissons, and having a planar floor portion formed on each caisson, downwardly dependent caisson walls surrounding the floor portion, inward and outwardly directed wall surfaces on the caisson walls, with the floor portion and the inward surfaces of the walls together defining a downwardly open hollow space, rebars embedded in the caisson floor portion and in the caisson walls, and, precast concrete locking formations formed on the outwardly directed surfaces of the walls. Also disclosed is a method of precasting caissons, and a method of building construction using precast caisson, and poured in place beams and precast wall panels and poured in place frames.

Abstract: A modular construction system and having a plurality of precast concrete caissons, and having a planar floor portion formed on each caisson, downwardly dependent caisson walls surrounding the floor portion, inward and outwardly directed wall surfaces on the caisson walls, with the floor portion and the inward surfaces of the walls together defining a downwardly open hollow space, rebars embedded in the caisson floor portion and in the caisson walls, and, precast concrete locking formations formed on the outwardly directed surfaces of the walls. Also disclosed is a method of precasting caissons, and a method of building construction using precast caisson, and poured in place beams and precast wall panels and poured in place frames.

Abstract: A precast wall system and a method for constructing a high-rise building using the precast wall system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of interconnected precast panels. Each precast panel has a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of vertical bars disposed between and attached to the end plates and a cementitious material encasing the vertical bars and defining a plurality of sides of the respective panel. A first group of the interconnected precast panels are arranged vertically on a second group of the interconnected precast panels and the top end plate of each panel corresponding the first group is connected to the bottom end plate of a respective one of the panels corresponding to the second group. Methods for horizontally and vertically connecting the precast panels to each other are also disclosed.

Abstract: Room arrangements include at least two superposed prefabricated load-bearing room units. The room units have a ceiling, a floor and at least two walls that are made at least mainly of cellular board. Ships, buildings and methods for constructing a room arrangement are also provided, especially the construction of multi-storey rooms, for example, cabin compartments in ships or block of flats without middle decks or intermediate floors.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reinforced concrete or prestressed concrete part stressed by shearing forces with layers of reinforcement (22, 24) provided at its upper and lower sides. For shear protection at least one sheet metal reinforcing part (30, 32, 34, 36) is provided between these layers of reinforcement which mainly extends at right angles to a surface of the reinforced concrete part and mainly over the entire distance between the layers of reinforcement (22, 24) and crosswise to at least one crack (50) occurring in the reinforced or prestressed concrete part under transverse load.

Abstract: A skin-panel sub-frame panel having spaced, upper, lower and lateral edges, designed to occupy an upright plane adjacent the outside of a plural-story building frame, with a vertical dimension which is substantially the same as inter-floor story-height in the frame. The sub-frame includes (a) an elongate beam component defining the sub-frame's upper edge, and (b) plural interconnect-accommodating site structure sets formed in and distributed along the length of that component organized with (1) a first, upwardly facing set, and (2) a second inwardly facing set, which sets define orthogonally intersecting interconnect planes. Each first set accommodates a position-stabilizing, load-transferring inter-sub-frame interconnection between a pair of vertically next-adjacent sub-frames, and each second set accommodates a similar interconnection between a sub-frame and building infrastructure which is located within the mentioned building frame.

Abstract: A multi-media workstation having a master rail system for permitting horizontal adjustment of the various components of the workstation. The workstation generally includes a console having a work surface and a master rail system for supporting various audiovisual equipment. The master rail system includes a rail extrusion connecting at least two frames and having a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of its surfaces. The various components of the workstation each include a finger engaged in the longitudinal slot of the rail extrusion, wherein the component is able to be horizontally translated along a length of the rail extrusion.

Abstract: A building structure comprising a support structure having upper portion extending to adjacent a floor structure above the support structure and adapted to receive stand-off fasteners there along, a plurality of stand-off fasteners each having a lower portion and an upper portion, where the lower portion of the stand-off fasteners comprises a self-drilling end portion and an adjacent thread-forming portion and, when installed into the upper portion of the support structure, at least a portion of the upper portion of each stand-off fastener extends significantly above the upper portion of the support structure, a cementitious wall structure formed above the upper portion of the wall structure with the upper portions of the stand-off fasteners encapsulated in the cementitious wall structure.

Abstract: Wall and floor connection arrangements. In various embodiments, a first a joist rim is coupled to the flanges of at least some vertically extending studs such that an upper rim flange of the first joist rim is substantially coplanar with a portion of an upper track of the wall. A second joist rim is coupled to another lateral flange of at least some of the vertically extending studs such that an upper rim flange of the second joist rim is substantially coplanar with a portion of the upper track and the upper rim flange of the first joist rim. A plurality of first joists may be coupled to the first rim and plurality of second joists may be coupled to the second rim. A floor deck may be received on the upper track as well as the upper flanges of the first and second joist rims.

Abstract: A system of building concrete homes and apartment buildings. The system creates a structure that is well insulated and that is very practical and economical to build. The system uses standard components such as wall ties, concrete forms, rigid foam insulation, and concrete, all of which are readily available in the market today. The system creates a building that is insulated and thermally broken at its structural connections such that use in temperate and colder climates is possible. Presently concrete construction finds only limited use for the construction of single family and multi-family housing. The system is economical to construct when compared to wood frame housing.

Abstract: A concrete building structure is formed or a concrete unit having a closed trapezoid shape of four interconnected sidewalls. The unit is formed of interconnected pre cast concrete sections or cast-in-place sidewalls. A pair of units may be arranged in an abutting side-by-side pair configuration. A plurality of units may be arranged in various configurations, inner and outer concentric rings and in a multi level tiered arrangement. Hallways are formed between adjacent units and may be covered by a deck.

Abstract: Wall element 2, especially for constructing a partition wall, for example in an exhibition, has a first connecting device with a least one first connecting element 12 to establish a connection with at least one other wall element 2?. the first connecting device is configured such that one wall element 2 can be connected with another wall element 2? without tools. The wall element includes an essentially frame-like basic body 18 and a second connecting device for releasable connection of at least one flat face element 30, 32, 34 to the basic body. the second connecting device is configured so that the face element 30, 32, 34 can be connected-with the basic body 18 without tools. The wall element 2 allows the partition walls to be largely assembled without tools. This saves time and assembly costs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling separate series or stacks of structural or shear walls of a multistory building are disclosed. The method comprises constructing a plurality of stacks of shear walls and attaching a rigid coupling member to the top of at least two of the stacks of shear walls between the stacks such that the walls are connected to the rigid coupling member and move together with the coupling member. The apparatus is a rigid coupling member, which may be a beam, such as an I-beam or rectangular beam, made from poured concrete and reinforcing steel. The coupling member may also be a wall of poured concrete and reinforcing steel. The attached rigid member acts to connect the tops of independent stacks of shear walls typically used to build multistory buildings, thereby creating a flexural moment at the top of the building that helps the building resist lateral loads.

Abstract: A floor system includes a pair of joist rim assemblies each having a web defining a first surface. The web also includes a mounting portion defining a second surface offset from the first surface. The joist rim may also include a prong defining a slot along with the web. A joist connector bracket is received within the slot and is connectable to the mounting portion of the web. A joist extends between the pair of joist rim assemblies and is connected to the joist connector bracket of each joist rim assembly.

Abstract: A floor system includes a pair of joist rim assemblies each having a web defining a first surface. The web also includes a mounting portion defining a second surface offset from the first surface. The joist rim may also include a prong defining a slot along with the web. A joist connector bracket is received within the slot and is connectable to the mounting portion of the web. A joist extends between the pair of joist rim assemblies and is connected to the joist connector bracket of each joist rim assembly.

Abstract: A system and method of constructing multi-story buildings having poured-in-place concrete floors for the upper floors, wherein a set of lower posts is erected, the lower posts having horizontal upper plates on their upper ends each with a centrally disposed aperture. Decking is supported by horizontal beams and defines a form to receive the concrete. The upper plates are masked and concrete is poured and screeded using the upper plates as screed guides, such that the upper surface of the concrete is generally flush with the upper surface of the upper plates. After removal of the masking, a set of upper posts having lower plates with centrally disposed pins are mounted atop the lower posts with the pins inserted into the apertures. The lower plates and upper plates are then welded to joint the lower and upper posts. The cycle is repeated for additional floors.

Abstract: A reinforcing holder against vibrations for mounting on orthogonally joined architectural structural members for a wooden building so it can withstand vibrations from an earthquake. The reinforcing holder comprises a first reinforcing base member 1 which is formed on a steel plate bent by 90° and secured to a first architectural structural member and a second reinforcing member 2 formed of a steel plate bent by 90° which is arranged symmetrically with the first reinforcing base member 1 through a hinge 4 and secured to a second architectural structural member. The second reinforcing base member has absorbing members 3, each having rubber elasticity and being mounted at plurality of locations thereof, for securing to the second architectural structural member with the absorbing members 3 interposed.

Abstract: A building structure formed from modular building elements, which include first modular building elements (1,9) having socket beam interconnection means (2), second modular building elements (13,14,15) and socket beams (7, 11) having first modular building element interconnection means (6); whereby a socket beam (7,11) forms an interconnection with at least one first modular building element (1,9) and at least one second modular building element (13, 14, 15) associates with a socket beam (7,11) and first modular building element interconnection, a socket beam (7,11) and at least one first modular building element (1,9) and at least one second modular building element (13,14,15) forming a configuration unit, the configuration unit being repeatable one atop the other, and being repeatable in a side-by-side fashion, a first modular building element associating or abutting with adjacent first modular building elements, a second modular building elements associating or abutting with adjacent second modular buildin

Abstract: An elementary module (21) having at least one beam, (11) made of a composite, and a longitudinal element, (22) made of an insulating material, right through which at least one channel (23) for housing the beam (11) passes. Also, a building structure provided with a thermal bridge break formed from such elementary modules (21).

Abstract: A system of building concrete homes and apartment buildings. The system creates a structure that is well insulated and that is very practical and economical to build. The system uses standard components such as wall ties, concrete forms, rigid foam insulation, and concrete, all of which are readily available in the market today. The system creates a building that is insulated and thermally broken at its structural connections such that use in temperate and colder climates is possible. Presently concrete construction finds only limited use for the construction of single family and multi-family housing. The system is economical to construct when compared to wood frame housing.

Abstract: A cooling tower is provided for industrial process cooling as well as air conditioning systems. The cooling tower includes a base that has a bottom for supporting the base on a substrate and a plurality of support posts extending away from the bottom. The main body includes a top wall with at least one fan aperture and a plurality of side walls extending downwardly from the top wall. The side walls are dimensioned and configured to telescope onto upper ends of the support posts. Thus, areas beneath the main body and between the support posts define inlets for accommodating airflow generated by the cooling fan mounted in the top wall.

Abstract: A building structure formed from modular building elements, which include first modular building elements (1, 9) having socket beam interconnection means (2), second modular building elements (13, 14, 15) and socket beams (7, 11) having first modular building element interconnection means (6); whereby a socket beam (7, 11) forms an interconnection with at least one first modular building element (1, 9) and at least one second modular building element (13, 14, 15) associates with a socket beam (7, 11) and first modular building element interconnection, a socket beam (7, 11) and at least one first modular building element (1, 9) and at least one second modular building element (13, 14, 15) forming a configuration unit, the configuration unit being repeatable one atop the other, and being repeatable in a side-by-side fashion, a first modular building element associating or abutting with adjacent first modular building elements, a second modular building elements associating or abutting with adjacent second modul

Abstract: A system for forming a safe room including a plurality of preformed concrete wall panels and a roof panel. Each panel includes an extension portion and a top beam which together define a shelf. The wall panels are interconnected to define a generally continuous perimeter shelf. The roof panel is positioned within the room perimeter and is set upon and secured to the generally continuous shelf.

Abstract: A building frame resistant to earthquakes, gale-force wind loads, fire, insects and rot includes a peripheral frame wall constructed of rectangular steel tubing. Side wall frame modules bolted together along adjacent edges, and end wall modules bolted together along adjacent edges and to the ends of the connected side wall modules form the peripheral frame wall. Diagonal bracing is built into selected side and end wall modules as required for the desired degree of wind resistance. Trusses made of various size tube such as 2×3 inch rectangular steel tubing for supporting a roof, including a hip roof, on the peripheral wall, are assembled and welded in a welding shop and the prefabricated trusses and wall modules are trucked to the building site. Multiple stories may be erected and fastened together by anchor brackets arranged bottom-to-bottom above and below the second and higher floors. The building frame is secured to a foundation by attaching the anchor brackets to anchor bolts set in the foundation.

Abstract: A frontage element including a support and a panel, the panel including at least two fixing parts fixed to the support and a generally plane wall extending between the two fixing parts. At least one of the fixing parts is set back from the plane of the wall and is deformable so that the wall is free to move parallel to itself relative to the support if the temperature of the panel is modified.

Abstract: Pre-cast concrete panels bodies for constructions in building industry and a method of construction of structure using the pre-cast panel bodies is disclosed. The pre-cast concrete panels bodies includes pre-cast beams (3) at an upper edge and at least one bore (6) extending longitudinally from one end to the other. The bore is adapted to receive starter bars (16) reinforcement steel bars (19), wires, pipes or concrete. The upper edges of the panel bodies include cornices (4) casted simultaneously with the casting of the panel body. All the pre-cast concrete panels and pre-cast concrete slabs (26) are interlocked together by the introduction of steel bars (28) through links (8) extending from the pre-cast concrete panels, adding wires mesh (38) and top bars (40) on the pre-cast concrete slab and pouring concrete over the steel bars, wire mesh and top bars to provide a sturdy structure.

Abstract: “L”-shaped brackets for connecting floor joists of houses to a structural band board and deck ledger board so that the deck ledger board will be supported by the weight-bearing floor joists of the houses. The brackets are “L”-shaped, having one short leg, one long leg, and at least one triangular brace connecting the legs. Each leg contains a plurality of holes for the passage of through bolts. The short legs abut the band board and the through bolts pass through the short legs of the brackets, the band board, and the ledger board. The long legs abut the weight-bearing joists and the through bolts pass through the long leg of one of the backet, one of the weight-bearing joists, and the long leg of one of the brackets on the opposing side of the weight-bearing joist.

Abstract: A horizontal joint between upper and lower building panels, as well as a building wall including such a horizontal joint, in which a liquid diverting arrangement includes a gutter with first and second ends and at least one aperture disposed between these ends. Also contemplated are a method and apparatus for forming at least two building panels, in which the panels have different reveal dimensions, and a method and apparatus for forming a building panel in which a first reveal portion is registered while a second reveal portion has been formed at a preselected distance therefrom. Further contemplated are a method and kit for customizably assembling a building wall, in which panels having different thickness dimensions can be interchangeably connected with one another, as well as a method and kit for customizably assembling a building wall, in which on or more decorative profile panels and one or more structural building wall panels can be interchangeably connected with one another.