Abstract: A device for forming an arcuate ceiling structure which is positionable between first and second opposed rows of vertical wall studs having at least one horizontal header extending therebetween. The device comprises a first ledger attached to the first row of wall studs and the second ledger attached to the second row of wall studs. At least one arcuate member is provided which has first and second longitudinal ends, an arcuate upper surface and an arcuate undersurface. The length between the first and second ends is such that when the arcuate member is positioned between the first and second ledgers, the first end will abut the first ledger, the second end will abut the second ledger, a portion of the upper surface will abut a header, and the undersurface will form an arcuate support surface to which a sheet of finishing material may be applied.

Abstract: A serpentine noise barrier wall containing abutting concrete panels wherein the end panels of the wall are seated on concrete pads and supported in an upright position by angle irons. Adjacent panels are joined together at the shared joint region by connector plates that are mounted in recesses formed in the adjacent panels and are drawn tightly in place by threaded fasteners. Concrete footings are used to support the upper panels of two abutting panels where a pronounced change in grade occurs.

Abstract: A Geodesic Hazardous Waste Containment Building provides a means for the long term isolation of toxic waste from the environment. The invention comprises a primary containment sphere, a surrounding secondary containment sphere and a means for protecting the contents of the building from natural disaster, specifically earthquake. The invention includes all of the advantages of geodesic construction providing the opportunity for cost-effective, modular construction with inexpensive building materials such as concrete. The invention further provides a double barrier of protection from environmental contamination. The invention also makes possible easy inspection for leaks and a means of controlling and containing leaks should they occur.

Abstract: A method and resulting wood frame that can be used to construct a wall. To create a curved wall, lines are scribed onto the floor to define the wall radius. The wood frame is constructed by first arranging a plurality of studs in a spaced apart arrangement. The studs have first and second surfaces along the longitudinal axis, which terminate at first and second ends that have bottom and top surfaces respectively. A flexible flat member is then attached to the first end of the studs. The flexible member has a base portion which is nailed to the first surface of the studs and a plurality of spaced apart tabs. Some of the tabs are immediately adjacent the bottom of the studs, while other tabs are located between the spaced apart studs. The attached studs are then lifted into place and the flexible member is bent until the curved member follows the scribed outline. The frame is then nailed to the floor through the tabs that are located between the studs.

Abstract: Plastic linings in the form of synthetic polymeric plastic resiliently flexible sheets are disclosed having matingly engagable connector structures along their opposing edges to permit mated engagement of adjoining sheets to form a continuous lining. The sheets have a uniform transverse cross section which extends from one end of the sheet to an opposing end of the sheet to permit extrusion of each sheet. Y-shaped engagement members are preferably provided to better secure the sheet to the surface of a concrete body of a concrete structural element being lined with the sheet. The matingly engaged connectors further provide a compression joint between mated, adjoining sheets. The sheets may also be bonded together along the joints to provide a fluid-impervious seal between the mated sheets. L-shaped synthetic polymeric plastic end members are further bonded to the sheet at corners of the concrete body where the sheets end to provide smooth, protected surfaces for coupling elements together.

Abstract: An above-ground swimming pool comprises a side wall including a plurality of interlocking wall panels, a lower rail, an upper or top rail, a pool liner provided along an edge with a mounting bead, and a mounting component integral with the top rail member for receiving the bead on the liner. The lower rail member is provided with a first longitudinal channel for receiving a lower end or edge of the sidewall and the top rail member is provided with a second longitudinal channel for receiving an upper end or edge of the sidewall. The sidewall includes a plurality of elongate panel sections each provided along opposite longitudinal edges with cross-sectionally C-shaped locking elements for forming a locking relationship with adjacent panel sections.

Abstract: A barrier structure includes at least one panel disposed to extend generally along a fence line, the panel having an engaging element for pivotal joining of the panel to a member of the structure (such as a post or another panel). The engaging element includes an arcuate surface that extends from a proximal region of the engaging element to a distal end thereof. The arcuate surface has a predetermined radius of curvature that exceeds the length of the engaging element between the proximal region and the distal end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved tank structures and apparatus for their construction. The walls of the prestressed tank are formed by inflating a membrane, applying one or more layers of rigidifying material outwardly of said membrane and then prestressing the walls by circumferentially wrapping prestressing material to minimize the tension in the rigidifying material when subject to loading. In another embodiment, wall forms are placed inwardly of said membrane to aid in the forming of the walls and circumferential prestressing. In the best mode of the invention, the walls are of reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic, or resin sandwich composite construction. This application focuses on seismic countermeasures which may also be used to protect the structure against earthquakes and other tremors, by the anchoring of the tank walls to the base and permitting the seismic forces to be shared by the seismic anchors.

Abstract: A circular base form is constructed from curved lengths of corugated steel bolted together and has apertured vertical brackets secured to the inside of the base form at spaced intervals around the inside of the form. Vertical anchor pins slide within the apertures of the brackets and are driven into the ground once the circular base form is positioned correctly. The upper edge of the base form is outwardly flanged horizontally and is successively leveled by transit or the like. As the sections are leveled, they are secured to the ground engaged anchor pins by ring bolts or the like until the entire form is leveled. Gravel and concrete is then poured into the form, preferably with reinforcing bars, mesh or the like and leveled flush with the top flange by means of screeding. When set, the lowermost wall section, the roof and then succeeding sections of the bin are assembled on the top flange of the base and are raised when each section is completed be means of a crane, hoist or the like.

Abstract: A prefabricated building structure having a dome-shaped configuration and which is made from a plurality of insulating panels is described. Adjacent panels are connected together by means of a locking device and supporting gasket located at the edges of adjacent panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressurized fluid storage tank (1) adapted to be disposed underground at a slight depth. The invention comprises a ring (2) forming the side wall of the tank and two horizontal circular walls disposed in said ring and forming respectively the bottom wall (4) and the top wall (9) of the tank (1). Tie rods (8) are disposed between the top wall (9) and the bottom wall (4), these tie rods (8) being adapted to take the stresses resulting from the pressure of the stored fluid on said bottom wall (4) and top wall (9), leakproofing means (10) adapted to make the tank impervious to the fluid stored lining the interior of the tank (1). The tank (1) according to the invention permits storage under excellent conditions of inconspicuousness and safety. The invention is more particularly applicable to the storage of pressurized fuel fluids.

Abstract: An enclosed structure for containing particulate solids includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed vertical posts. Circumferentially directed girts extending horizontally are affixed to the posts and corrugated metal cladding is attached to the girts. The vertical spacing of the girts varies and they are closer together near the bottom of the structure.

Abstract: A large container and a method for accommodating pourable, pasty and sludge-like materials are distinguished by the use of side walls (5) of textile material. Containers are especially suitable for draining and final depositing of mud and for casting concrete structures. Supporting structures (6, 7, 8) with which the textile material (5) can be held before the containers are filled can be removed after the containers are completely filled.

Abstract: The invention is a reservoir for placing in a fixed position on the ground, for example a swimming pool or a storage tank for liquid and/or solid (bulk) goods having little or no cohesion, for example crop products, coal, manure, spreading salt and the like, having at least a bottom and an upright wall connecting thereto which is resistant to outwardly directed pressure. The invention further provides to this end a reservoir of the type referred to above which displays the feature that the upright wall consists of a number of vertical piles placed in a closed configuration at intervals from one another, a vertical wire mesh arranged between these piles and a bottom element extending on the bottom, on which element an upright wall part is formed or arranged resting against the inner side of the said wire mesh.

Abstract: A system for forming structures, such as buildings, including the forming of a foundation slab, attaching flexible wall panels to the periphery of the foundation in a serial overlap configuration, installing prefabricated windows and doors, draping and attaching a membrane over the top of the wall panels, inflating the membrane upwardly to form a surface upon which to spray a foam substance, and spraying the foam to either the interior or exterior surfaces of the structure, including the roof membrane, so that an economical and energy efficient building can be provided at a low cost.

Abstract: A tank construction having a floor formed of interconnected panels. The tank includes a generally cylindrical shell which is supported on a footing and a floor encloses the lower end of the shell. A sump is located centrally of the floor and the floor consists of a plurality of generally pie-shaped panels which extend between the sump to the shell. Bolts connect the inner edge of the panels to the sump, as well as connecting the side edges of the panel together and connecting the outer edges of the panels to a foundation angle which supports the lower end of the shell of the tank. The lower ends of anchor bolts are embedded in the footing and the upper ends of the anchor bolts are located on the outside of the shell and are secured to generally hat-shaped anchor chairs that are mounted on the outer surface of the shell.

Abstract: In its preferred embodiment, the improved frame-supported membrane has a membrane of light-gauge, corrosion resistant nickel alloy construction, this membrane being suspended within a base-supported frame. The membrane-to-frame hanger is designed for easy installation and provides for radial expansion of the membrane relative to the frame, yet restrains the membrane against implosive force and earthquake shear. For some installations, the improved frame-supported membrane may constitute the chimney without need for there being further provided a circumferentially surrounding masonry chimney column. In any event such a masonry chimney column if provided may serve primarily merely as a wind shield for the improved frame-supported membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stack, particularly an atmospheric cooling tower. The stack comprises a shell with double curvature and a bearing structure or seating for the shell; the shell is dissociated from the seating and presents in its lower part a rigid peripheral ring via which it rests on this seating. The invention is more particularly applicable to the production of atmospheric cooling towers.

Abstract: A liquid storage container, such as a swimming pool, has a vertical wall of flexible sheet material with its ends joined to make an endless loop the bottom part of which is inserted in an endless groove in a concrete foundation. The groove is formed by casting in the concrete an endless base strip, preferably metal, and a former strip of rubber or like material fitted about the base strip and extending above it, concrete within the bounds of the base strip being level with the top of the base strip, concrete outside the former strip being at the higher level of this strip which, when the concrete has set, is stripped away to leave the groove, the base strip forming its inside face, its higher outside face being a shoulder assisting the insertion of the wall bottom. A sealing strip is force-fitted between the inside face of the groove and the inserted bottom of the wall.

Abstract: A multi-purpose elevated water storage facility includes a water tank which has a fluted portion. The pillar supporting the tank can also be fluted. A box girder can be used to connect the tank fluted portion to the pillar and to a bottom portion of the tank, and additional usable space can be defined above a water storage portion of the tank.

Abstract: A conventional tower silo is converted to a limited oxygen feed storing silo with the use of an air impervious liner and a floor supporting a bottom unloader. The liner has plastic liner sheets attached to the inside surface of the silo side wall with fasteners, as adhesives and nut and bolt assemblies. Supports mounted on the silo side wall under the roof carry the upper end of the liner. In one form, a plurality of springs connected to the supports and liner yieldably support the upper end of the liner in the silo. An inside wall surrounding base aggregate supports the floor independently of the silo side wall. The floor has a radial trough accommodating the bottom unloader.

Abstract: A thin-walled deep grain storage tank with improved sidewall discharge system involving a plurality of successive flat plates periodically mounted to the inside of a pair of vertical, parallel I-beam and/or Z-bar sidewall support members with openings for grain flow between successive plates, and a sidewall discharge means at the base of the tank. In this manner an internal chute is formed capable of staged discharge from successive top strata of stored grain. Such a system is useful in alleviating the problems associated with the build up of excess eccentric sidewall pressure during grain discharge without significantly altering the design and construction parameters and their associated economics.

Abstract: Structure for the construction of swimming pools, characterized in that it consists of: rigid vertical sections (3) each comprising at least one outer face (5) and one inner face (8) provided with an opening (7), at least one relatively flexible base band (1) comprising at regular intervals means of securing the said outer faces (5) in such a way that only small spaces remain between these successive faces (5), assembly sections (4) or keys which are relatively deformable transversally and capable of fitting on the lateral ends (9) of the said inner faces (8) to fix together and fill in the varying space between these ends of two successive sections (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leveling a storage structure. A plurality of pairs of anchor bolts project upwardly from the footing of the structure and each pair is positioned in radially spaced relation. A support bar is connected to the threaded upper ends of each respective pair of bolts, and through threaded adjustment, the bars can be leveled in a radial direction, as well as leveled so that all of the bars lie in the same horizontal plane. Foundation angles are bolted to the support bars and carry a series of foundation sheets which comprise the lowermost tier of the storage structure. The bolts connecting the foundation angles to the support bars extend through slots in the lower flange of the angle, as well as slots in the bar to provide an adjustment for the foundation angle in a circumferential, as well as radial direction. By proper adjustment of the bolted connections, the foundation sheets can be properly leveled to insure the plumb condition of the storage structure.

Abstract: A large volume, thermally insulated tank is formed by constructing the tank sidewall in superimposed sections. Each section is constructed without the use of external support forms by laying a first outer course of thermal insulating material and then forming a first inner course of refractory material spaced therefrom. The cavity between these two courses is then filled with cementitious material, and the process is repeated until a tank wall of the desired height is completed. The resultant tank wall will have an outer layer of light, thermal insulating material, an inner layer of refractory material and a core of cementitious material joining the two layers.

Abstract: An induced draft cooling tower includes a unitary, seamless shell fabricated from a rust-free, plastics material. The cooling tower operates on the counterflow principle whereby a fluid to be cooled is directed downwardly through a block of cellular packing disposed within the tower, while cooling air is drawn upwardly through the cellular packing and is exhausted at the top of the tower. A fan is mounted atop the tower for purposes of drawing air through the tower. The shell includes a polygonal lower portion for easier formation of air inlets and for attachment of plumbing fixtures. The shell is fabricated from an inexpensive, relatively weak plastics material; however, due to the configuration of the shell, the tower possesses favorable strength characteristics and avoids the need for any supplementary structural supports made of very strong material such as steel or fiberglass reinforced polyester.

Abstract: A bulk material storage bin and a floor structure for such a bin for storing grain or like bulk commodities. The floor structure of the bin has downwardly converging side walls preferrably having a smooth surface. In a preferred embodiment, the floor structure is conical in shape with a downwardly directed apex. As bulk material is emptied from the storage bin, it travels down the side walls of the floor to the apex where it is conveyed outwardly. Piles of residual bulk material are not accumulated along the floor structure.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical tank is insulated by affixing thermal insulation panels on the side walls thereof using generally helically disposed tension elements such as wire to maintain the panels in position at least during installation.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic tank and method for producing the same, in which a steel plate base is provided for minimizing the bottom deflection of the tank under hydrostatic pressure when buried under ground. The base has a plate member with an annular flange extending outwardly from the top surface thereof. A plastic cup is disposed within the area surrounded by the flange, and an epoxy adhesive is injected between the cup and the steel plate and flange to adhere the cup to the steel. The side wall of the cup extends past the edge of the flange. The base assembly is then mounted on a mandrel and the fiberglass side wall is formed over the steel flange and the exposed side wall of the cup, and extends from the steel base to the desired height of the tank.

Abstract: Cryogenic insulation seal for a concrete container, having an inner cryogenic liquid tank, comprising a concrete floor slab, a vertical concrete wall moveably supported on the concrete floor, and insulation positioned within the container adjacent the horizontal floor slab and the vertical concrete wall, and including a metal, e.g. steel, liner positioned around the inner surface of the container, adjacent the inner surfaces of the floor slab and the concrete wall and supporting the insulation, and forming an inner seal around the container. The steel liner is inclined from the vertical at a corner above the floor slab and is attached to the vertical concrete wall at a predetermined height above the floor slab, forming a gap between the liner and the concrete vertical wall at the corner, and permitting inward lateral motion of said vertical wall with respect to the floor slab at such corner, while permitting the steel liner and the insulation supported by the liner to flex and maintain a seal at the corner.

Abstract: The cylindrical shaped helically wound storage bin is comprised of a roof unit and a side wall structure each of which is separately formed and assembled together in the field. The wall structure and the roof unit are each formed from a continuous metal ribbon member. The ribbon member of the roof unit is helically wound and continuously interlocked in a stepped dome shape with the interlocking connection of the adjacent sides of the metal ribbon constituting riser portions of the steps and a reinforcing member for the roof unit. The metal ribbon of the bin wall structure is helically wound and continuously interlocked along the adjacent sides thereof in a cylindrical shape with the interlocking connection forming a continuous rigid reinforcing rib that projects outwardly from and extends spirally about and over the full height of the side wall structure.

Abstract: A process for producing a composite element comprising a plurality of sheet members 64 rigidly secured to a support 65 with their rear main faces in contact therewith, characterized in that the sheet members, which have a perceptible reflectance, are placed on a jig 61 in one or more predetermined orientations relatively to one another, and a fluid, settable substance is applied to the thus arranged sheet members 64 e.g. by pouring from a ladle 66 and is caused or allowed to set at least partially while the sheet members 64 remain on the jig 61 to form at least part of a substantially rigid support structure 65 for the sheet members 64.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present device includes a perimetrical shield or flashing secured between the lower edge of the wall and the conventional outwardly facing angle iron base secured to the floor. Shield is bolted or riveted between the wall and the angle iron and extends over and preferably slightly below the lower perimetrical edge of the floor of the bin. Another embodiment includes the shield situated between the wall and an inwardly facing perimetrical angle iron which is easy to manufacture and is less likely to provide moisture ingress. A further embodiment includes the shield being formed as an extension of the wall and being shaped to extend over and slightly below the perimetrical edge of the floor and to be bolted either to the floor or to the angle iron.

Abstract: Structural elements such as X-type or V-type support posts for structures such as cooling towers are each prefabricated on the ground in the position which would be occupied on the theoretical assumption that, after erection, the post had been lowered to the ground in a movement of pivotal displacement about its foot. An articulated coupling is interposed between the foot of the post and the foundation footing of the structure. On completion of the prefabrication process, the post is lifted at one end by means of a hoisting machine and moved upwards in pivotal motion about the pivot-pin of the articulated coupling. After reaching its final position, the foot of the post is embedded in a concrete block cast on the foundation footing.

Abstract: A cooling tower self-supporting vertical shell essentially circular in horizontal section and wider at the base than at the top,said shell comprising a series of courses set one above the other with each adjacent upper course supported by the course beneath it,most of the courses from at least near the bottom to the shell top portion constituting a frusto-conical shell with vertical flutes, andthe diameter of the bottom of each course being about equal to the diameter of the top of the course beneath it.

Abstract: A tank adapted to withstand the horizontal displacement forces and overturning moments which act upon the side walls thereof under earthquake conditions is disclosed. The tank includes a base and cylindrical side walls and a plurality of tendons are provided each of which is attached to the cylindrical side wall at one end and to an anchor fixedly positioned in the concrete base. Each of the tendons is stressed and the stress in the tendon acts downwardly and in some embodiments radially outwardly on the tank wall and substantially restrains the wall from horizontal displacement and protects the side walls from the stresses developed due to the overturning moment. Steel-wall and prestressed concrete wall tanks, particularly for cryogenic liquids, can be adapted according to the invention.

Abstract: A sheet for constructing the wall of a substantially cylindrical silo. This sheet has a substantially rectangular periphery and is slightly cylindrically curved according to the radius of the wall of the silo to be constructed. The sheet comprises first and second straight edges opposite one another and first and second curved edges also opposite one another. The sheet is provided with rows of bolt holes adjacent the four edges. The first straight edge and the first curved edge are provided with a flange, both flanges being positioned at the same side of the sheet and extending approximately perpendicularly to the sheet surface, the second straight edge and the second curved edge having no flange. The flange on the first straight edge ends at a distance from the second curved edge.

Abstract: A swimming pool wall is formed of interconnected panels extending a substantial distance along the pool wall and upward for only part of the height of the wall which is formed of at least 3 tiers of panels. The panels are formed of resin material to have an inward facing wall and flanges extending outward along top, bottom, and end edges. The top and bottom flanges have mating tongues and grooves extending along the length of each of the panels to interlock the tiers together, and the flanges are connected to hold the tongues and grooves together. The flanges at the ends of the panels are interconnected and arranged so that the end joints in one of the tiers are located in central regions of panels in an adjacent tier. A strengthener is fitted into a tongue and groove relationship with the lowermost of the bottom flanges to extend across end edge joints for strengthening the bottom tier.

Abstract: The method of forming hollow concrete articles such as tanks which are cast in a mould around reinforcing metal, the mould being shaped to form a bottom and including an upstanding integral ridge which forms a mould for the inner lower portions of a wall subsequently formed on such bottom after the bottom is cast, characterized by an interlocking ridge at the join and by the absence of reinforcing metal at such join.

Abstract: A wall-base joint for a concrete tank is constructed by providing in a base a groove larger than the width of a tank wall, placing the wall in the groove to leave a groove portion on each side of the wall, prestressing the wall with a first compressive force, filling the inner (with respect to the center line of the base) groove portion with concrete and curing it to form a first plug therein, prestressing the wall further with a second compressive force to counteract a fraction of the bending moments produced by the liquid in the tank when it is full, and filling the outer groove portion with concrete and curing it to form a second plug to lock the inner plug into permanent compression.

Abstract: Safety wall for a storage tank containing liquids which are dangerous to the environment, such as liquid natural gas, acrylonitrile, ethylene, hydrocyanic acid compounds etc., which wall, made of concrete, surrounds the storage tank with an interspace and is freely mounted on a supporting floor, while it is tensioned circumferentially by means of tensioning wires which do not bond to the concrete.

Abstract: Storage tank for liquids presenting a danger to the environment, such as liquid natural gas, ethylene, propylene and the like. The tank comprises an inner tank and a concrete outer tank, an insulating material, the wall of the outer tank being a rigid prestressed concrete wall adjoining other structural parts.

Abstract: An expansible bottom structure for a fiberglass reinforced plastic tank allows a lower portion of the tank side wall structure to expand radially outwardly without significant deformation of its original shape.The improvement includes a fiberglass reinforced plastic batten having an upper portion bonded to the cylindrical side wall of a tank, a lower portion bonded to the bottom of the tank, and an intermediate arcuate transitional portion adapted to flex under tension to a less arcuate position. Such permissible flexure of the batten transitional portion enables the tank side wall structure to expand radially outwardly under hydrostatic load, while preserving substantially undeformed the desired shape and characteristics of the lower portion of the side wall structure. The batten provides the sole fluid-containing connection between the side wall structure and the tank bottom.

Abstract: A tower structure and a method of erecting same wherein said structure comprises a series of rings stacked in end to end relationship with sealing means between adjacent rings to form a tubular section, anchor means are provided exterior and interior of said section and stabilizing means connect said section at spaced locations along its length to said anchor means.

Abstract: A concrete storage tank for storing large quantities of fluids, grains or other materials and including a circular tank sidewall formed of a plurality of vertically elongated wall elements having a generally Y-shaped transverse cross-section, a slab floor, a slab roof, a perimeter footing, a perimeter tie beam, and a central tower for access and for housing pumping equipment. In one method of construction the wall elements are formed in place while in an alternative method of construction, the elements are prefabricated at a remote location and then moved into place.

Abstract: A tower structure wherein said structure comprises a series of rings stacked in end to end relationship with sealing means between adjacent rings to form a tubular section, anchor means are provided exterior and interior of said section and stabilizing means connect said section at spaced locations along its length to said anchor means.

Abstract: A modular floor structure of modular components for use in a building, such as a grain storage bin or the like, in which a plurality of floor sections are formed of planar material with there being a number of different perimetric contours for various ones of said floor sections including a basic section providing, by interconnection therebetween, a major part of the floor area. The floor sections are supported above the ground or other surface by support members positionable beneath overlapped parts of adjacent floor sections and the support members as well as floor sections have structure permitting insertion of fastening devices to lock said floor sections to each other and to the subjacent support member.

Abstract: A double shell tank construction method is disclosed which comprises the steps of assemblying outer shell bottom and side plates, assemblying within the assembled outer shell an upper roof and an inner roof into a unitary construction, lifting the assembly of the inner and outer roofs to a predetermined height along the inner wall of the assembled outer shell, constructing a ring-shaped concrete, inner bottom plate foundation and arranging and disposing bottom heat insulation members within the ring-shaped foundation, assemblying an inner shell bottom plate over the ring-shaped concrete foundation and the bottom heat insulating members, and assemblying an inner shell by using the assembled outer shell.