Abstract: A width-adjustable drop-in stair system for an in-ground vinyl liner swimming pool includes a first and second drop-in step components having first and second lengths. The first and second drop-in step components are arranged as parts of a stair step that attaches to opposing sidewall panels of the swimming pool. The second drop-in step component is engaged in nested relationship with the first drop-in step component at a nesting overlap distance that is established to configure the stair step with a defined width dimension corresponding to a distance between the opposing sidewall panels to which the stair step is attached. The defined width dimension is less than the first and second lengths in total. The first and second drop-in step components are fastened together so as to be statically secured as parts of the stair step.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to energy storage systems comprising manufactured architectural materials having electrical battery systems embedded therein. The manufactured materials are generally provided as architectural panels, such as panels useful for interior or exterior cladding for buildings, flooring, countertops, or stairs. The panels comprise at least one battery device or battery assembly that is over-formed by and/or bonded with the architectural material. In preferred embodiments, the panels are formed by flowing a viscous architectural material precursor around the battery device or assembly and curing the precursor so as to solidify the architectural material. The panels may be electrically connected in any number of various arrangements, which can be chosen based on the specific application for the energy storage system.

Abstract: The disclosure presents a composite column formwork which utilizes a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) stay in place container which incorporates horizontally coplanar support chairs bonded to the interior surface, closed ties bonded to the support chairs and a plurality of longitudinal rebar enforcements bonded to the closed ties. All of the components in a preferred embodiment are formed of a fiberglass material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for an adjustable conveyer system. The adjustable system may include one or more conveyor systems, a support structure for a first end of the conveyor system, a support structure for the second end of the conveyor system, and a lift system. The lift system may be actuated to cause the first end of the conveyor system to raise to a height that is higher or lower than the second end of the conveyor system. The adjustable system may be used to distribute packages to containers of various heights and sizes. In one example, the lift system may include a crank shaft. In another example, the lift system may involve a pulley system.

Abstract: A column reinforced with two reinforcement sleeves provides a low-cost, simpler method to form strong concrete columns for constructing buildings and other structures. The column includes a multi-axially braided reinforcement outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, which together provide sufficient structural support so that rebar can be eliminated from the column. Elimination of rebar saves cost and prevents the possibility of rebar oxidation which might otherwise undermine the structural integrity of the column and lead to catastrophic structural failure. The reinforcement sleeve is lightweight, easy to transport, and can be greatly reduced in size to facilitate transportation. The reinforcement sleeve and construction method can be utilized in many implementations and can be particularly useful for constructing buildings or other structures in geographic areas that are subject to earthquakes and/or corrosion, and where low cost is important.

Abstract: An armature for an electromagnetic actuator, the armature including an armature body, at least one electrically conductive member configured for cooperation with a magnetic field generator of an electromagnetic actuator, and a connection end configured for connection of the armature to an apparatus operable by an electromagnetic actuator. The armature body also having a cellular structure. The armature may form part of an electromagnetic actuator, which in turn may be a component in a switch device. The armature may be manufactured by an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A modular wall building system includes a plurality of course modules which can be connected to form a wall such as a wall of a building structure. A course module includes inner and outer wall panels connected by upper and lower panel connectors via connector pins which are received by receiving rails extending from interior surfaces of the inner and outer wall panels. The course modules include wall course modules, bottom course modules and top course modules. Door and window modules can be installed to the building structure by attachment to the course modules. The panel connectors include structural openings for receiving vertical structural members. The wall building system includes a bottom plate structure and tie down system for attachment of the wall structure to a foundation, and a top plate structure including truss connectors for attaching a roof structure. A method of forming a wall structure is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a concrete-filled steel tubular column-steel plate concrete ring beam joint, comprising: a concrete-filled steel tubular column, a steel plate concrete ring beam and reinforced concrete frame beams. The steel plate concrete ring beam comprises: a steel plate and a reinforcing cage, wherein concrete grouting holes are arranged in the middle of the steel plate; both the steel plate and the reinforcing cage are of a ring shape, and the ring-shaped steel plate and the reinforcing cage are coaxially arranged; the steel plate concrete ring beam is sheathed and fixed on the outer side wall of the concrete-filled steel tubular column; and an end of the reinforced concrete frame beam extends into the steel plate concrete ring beam, and stressed reinforcements of the reinforced concrete frame beam are connected to the steel plates. The steel plate concrete ring beam is of a centrosymmetric ring-shaped or eccentric ring-shaped construction.

Abstract: A method of applying a braze component to a honeycomb structure may comprise: applying at least a partial vacuum within a chamber, the chamber defined at least partially by a vacuum device and a cover, the honeycomb structure disposed within the chamber, the braze component disposed between the honeycomb structure and the cover; pulling the cover towards the braze component in response to applying the partial vacuum; and pulling the braze component into a plurality of hexagonal cells defined by the honeycomb structure in response to pulling the cover towards the braze component.

Abstract: A high strength, low density modular columnar structure. In the preferred embodiment, each module is a prism or cuboid having three or four vertical rectangular sides which meet in the module corners. The module ends perpendicular to the sides are the module faces. At least one face has a brace panel. The brace panels and the face are preferably the same shape, but off-set. A plurality of preferably triangular brace arms extends to the module corners. Each brace panel is preferably provided with a centrally located aperture. The lower face of each module is preferably provided with a lip, while the upper face is configured to receive the lip. A cylindrical column extends vertically through the center of each module, and a plurality of struts extends radially from each column. A stack of modules may be secured with a bolt run through the module apertures, an adhesive, or simply gravity.

Abstract: A multiple piece firebox for placement within the kettle of a fuel-burning cooking vessel comprising a base formed of a refractory material on the floor of the kettle supporting an upper chamber formed of a refractory material. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of mating side wall members define the upper chamber.

Abstract: An impact resisting column assembly of train station is provided. The column assembly includes: a column (2); an encasing steel plate (8) wrapping about the column (2); a rigid jacket (3) having a rectangular cross-section, fitted over the encasing steel plate (8) and spaced apart from the encasing steel plate (8); and mild steel energy dissipators (7) disposed between a first side (81) of the encasing steel plate (8) and a first side (31) of the rigid jacket (3), and between a second side (82) of the encasing steel plate (8) and a second side (31) of the rigid jacket (3), in which the first and second sides (81, 82) are parallel with each other and perpendicular to an extension direction of a railway (1) in the train station, and the first and second sides (31, 32) are parallel with each other and perpendicular to the extension direction.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an insulation system for thermal and acoustic insulation. The insulation system includes a cabin, an outer skin, a sound insulating unit, and a heat insulating unit. The sound insulating unit is designed to acoustically insulate the aircraft. The heat insulating unit is designed to thermally insulate the aircraft. The sound insulating unit and the heat insulating unit are arranged between the cabin and the outer skin.

Abstract: Seal a fenestration opening that contains a gap having a width of greater than 1.6 millimeters by providing a dispersion having the following components dispersed in an aqueous phase: (i) a film-forming polymer binder having a glass transition temperature in a range of ?100 degrees Celsius to ?20 degrees Celsius; (ii) a shear thinning rheology modifier at a concentration sufficient to cause the dispersion to have a Brookfield viscosity greater than 300,000 centiPoise as measured using spindle #3 at 0.3 revolutions per minute; and (iii) optionally, a filler; and then spraying the dispersion directly onto the building elements within the fenestration opening so as to form a continuous coating over the building elements and gap within the fenestration opening; wherein there is an absence of reinforcement or sealing material filling or spanning the gap prior to spraying the dispersion over the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tower construction with an annular cross section, comprising one or more component tubes arranged concentrically one on top of the other, wherein at least one component tube is composed of at least 3 tube segments, the tube segments of at least one component tube are pretensioned relative to one another by means of tensioning devices, hereinafter referred to as segment tensioning devices, and the component tubes have tensioning devices, hereinafter referred to as component tube tensioning devices, which act at least in the axial direction and extend over at least one horizontal joint, the tube segments and the component tubes composed therefrom form, at their butting edges, joints having gaps, the gaps of the joints are filled at least partially with a joint-filling material, and the joints between the tube segments of the same component tube allow a certain, substantially constraint-free rotation of the adjoining tube segments about the joint axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a unit-wall structure for a liquefied gas storage tank on land, which enables rapid and easy construction of a cylindrical wall of the storage tank by stacking a plurality of pre-produced unit-wall structures to overlap one another. The unit-wall structure includes iron rods arranged lengthwise and breadthwise therein, wherein the unit-wall structure has an arc shape so that a plurality of unit-wall structures are stacked to form a cylindrical wall of the storage tank.

Abstract: A prefabricated building that is easily assembled from plastic components or elements. These elements are formed in a shape that has special joining configurations to allow the elements to longitudinally slide into respective receiving grooves on an adjacent element to form the building structure. The elements have a surface inclination so that when they are joined to adjacent elements they give the building a cylindrical outer shape. Other elements are joined together in a similar fashion to form vertical walls to form the front and back of the building and dividing walls.

Abstract: A vertically sectioned cylindrical accelerator for mounting pairs of wind turbines respectively on opposite sides thereof has a covering of twin-sheet thermoformed plastic panels which are smooth on the outside but carry a multiplicity of small cone-shaped projections on their interior surface. The panels are mounted on a structural member by a single central bolt for free expansion and contraction with variation in ambient temperature. The panels are manufactured in a twin-sheet thermoforming operation wherein one sheet is maintained with a smooth surface and the second sheet is provided with the cone-shaped projections, the two sheets being fused together to form an integral panel of lightweight and high strength characteristics.

Abstract: Prefabricated modular tower of the kind used as a support for wind generators and other applications uses reduced-thickness prefabricated elements which are reinforced with an internal structure of horizontal and vertical stiffeners, preferably made of reinforced concrete. The elements are tensioned both horizontally and vertically by flexible metal cables. The main advantages of the invention are that it enables fast construction of very high towers using a limited number of elements. The elements are not heavy and are easy to transport, all of which leads to savings in manufacturing, transport and installation costs.

Abstract: A basement wall is provided which includes a precast prestressed hollow core concrete panel. The panel has a plurality of horizontally extending voids and a plurality of horizontally extending tension cables. The panel has a lower portion extending below grade. The panel preferably has a layer of wire mesh positioned between the voids and the inner surface or between the voids and the outer surface. An end cap for the panel is also provided. The panel can have an impressed brick pattern on the above-grade outer surface and the panel can have a window opening, a brick ledge and/or a beam pocket.

Abstract: A precast panel for building reinforced concrete walls has a metal liner that forms a front surface of the panel. A concrete mass is disposed behind the liner. The panel has reinforcement structure within the concrete mass that can be used to provide continuity of reinforcement between adjacent panels. Edges on the concrete mass are recessed, facilitating the connection of a splice end on a reinforcing bar with a splice end on an adjacent panel. The liner, reinforcement structure, and concrete mass form a composite steel-concrete structure.

Abstract: A high-ductility material or a high-ductility covering material is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of a member, such as a column, of a structure so as to confine expansion of apparent volume accompanying rupture of the member, to thereby control rupture of the member. The high-ductility material is a fibrous or rubber sheet material. The high-ductility material is disposed in such a manner as to surround the member. Alternatively, the high-ductility material is spirally wound or rolled on the member.

Abstract: A tensioned structure such as a house is disclosed. The house includes at least one wall panel placed under tension by bending the wall panel from a flat form to a curved form. The tension provides rigidity and thus strength to the wall panel. In a preferred form, the house includes two tensioned wall panels with the concave faces of the wall panels confronting each other such that a generally circular residential house is formed. A counter to oppose the tension engages the wall panels. The counter may include a roof or rafter support network, a portion of the floor or floor support, the wall panels themselves where the end edges of the wall panels are engaged to each other, or stainless steel straps running about the wall panels. The wall panel may be include material such as oriented strand board, steel, cement, plastic, or organic material such as grass.

Abstract: A furnace binding and adjustment system for maintaining a refractory furnace hearth under compression utilizes a plurality of buckstays connected at their upper and lower ends by tie members. A fluid-pressurized tensioning device, preferably a hydraulics device, is provided at the ends of at least some of the tie members to permit some relative movement between the tie member end and the buckstay to permit adjustment of compressive forces applied to the refractory hearth. The use of multiple hydraulic devices permits simultaneous activation of the tensioning devices, and also permits the hydraulic pressure in the cylinders to be accurately adjusted and monitored from a remote location.

Abstract: A wall panel assembly comprising a curved, upwardly opening channel and a support member having a downwardly extending insert portion. The insert portion is inserted into the channel. A component is attached to the support member. In a preferred embodiment, a rail member comprises the channel and is removeably attached to a wall panel frame. In another aspect, the wall panel further includes at least a second channel and a second support member engaged with the second channel. The second support member being further attached to the component. In a preferred embodiment, one or both of the second support members include a rotatable cam member that releasably engages the component. A method is also provided for configuring a wall panel with an off-module component.

Abstract: A method of forming a wall unit having a veneer face is disclosed. Initially, a pair of side wall panels and a pair of end panels are mounted substantially upright. Stones or other suitable material are set sequentially in a horizontally disposed course using at least one of the panels. Additional courses of stones or other material may then be stacked upon the initial layer until the desired height is attained. The interior volume of the apparatus is left substantially empty, and is then filled with a binding material. The binding material binds the courses' components together and integrates the individual courses into a single cohesive unit. The wall and end panels are removed and the unit is removed for subsequent installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an above-ground storage tank having a leakage protection lining for storing media posing a hazard to water, and to a process for equipping and particularly refitting an existing above-ground storage tank with a lining protecting it against leakage. The lining can be mounted permanently and vacuum tight on the walls of the tank. A medium-resistant foil almost completely covers the tank bottom and extends up into the lower zone of the inner side of the tank wall. This foil is secured around the outer limitation of the tank bottom by a clamping device. An insert covers the tank bottom and extends up to the clamping device.

Abstract: A horizontal arch is a structural element formed from a series of compression members which are arranged side-to-side in a curve array, and compressed together under the application of loading perpendicular to the plane of the curve of the horizontal arch. The vertically downward loading of the members may also result from structures suspended from the tops of the members of the horizontal arch structure. The object of the invention is to provide a structural element with horizontal cohesiveness for inclusion in self-supporting frameworks for the exterior of structures and exoskeletal structures.

Abstract: An arcuate structure containing at least sixty six-sided building blocks, and said six-sided building blocks are independently able to provide means for connecting one of said six-sided building blocks to at least one of said six-sided building blocks. The outside face of the six-sided block has a substantially rhomboidal shape, and is substantially parallel to the inside face of the six-sided block. The right edges and the left edges have equal lengths and form equal angles with the inside face and outside face. The left and right sides of the six-sided block are congruent with each other, are in the shape of a parallelogram, and contain two recesses and two projections within their borders.

Abstract: An arcuate building structure containing at least three five-sided building blocks, at least three six-sided building blocks, and said five-sided and six-sided building blocks are independently able to provide means for connecting one of said five-sided building blocks to at least one of said six-sided building blocks. The top side of the six-sided block has a substantially triangular shape, and is substantially parallel to the bottom side of the six-sided block. The front side of the six-sided block has a substantially trapezoidal shape with a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge. The right edge and the left edge have equal lengths and form equal angles with the bottom edge. The back side of the six-sided block has a substantially triangular shape with at least two sides equal in length to each other. The left and right sides of the six-sided block are congruent with each other, are in the shape of a parallelogram, and contain a recess and projection within their borders.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silo or tank with a lining by using preformed wall sheets comprising, along the edges thereof, edge zones provided with bolt holes for connecting the wall sheets to each other with slight overlap, wherein wall sheets are used prefabricated with a coating layer applied to the inside of the wall sheets under controlled conditions by spraying, spreading or the like, which coating layer covers the entire inner surface of the wall sheet, but leaves free the edge zones of two connecting edges; that the prefabricated wall sheets are then brought to the building site and connected to each other in such a manner that in each case a coated edge zone of a wall sheet lies on the inside on a free edge zone of another wall sheet; that at least on the inside the seams between the wall sheets are provided with a cemented joint and the heads of the bolts or the like are likewise provided with a layer of coating material.

Abstract: A ladle brick leveling set for high temperature molten metal ladles in which specially shaped refractory bricks are disposed in a slightly sloping geometrical configuration so as to compensate for a sloping bottom of a high temperature molten metal ladle. The bricks are disposed in two partial rings each of which is essentially a mirror image of the other so that the height of the leveling set varies substantially uniformly from a high point where the two mirror image portions join to a low point 180 degrees of arc displaced therefrom where the two portions again join. Each of the refractory bricks has a slight taper in height so that the ends of each brick are the same height as the juxtaposed ends of the adjoining bricks.

Abstract: A curved panel for use in furniture. The curved panel includes a sheet which in a free state is flat. A plurality of pins are secured to opposite ends of the sheet. One or more members are provided for engaging the pins to maintain the sheet in a curved state. The curved panel can include two spaced apart sheets and a frame defined by a plurality of curvable rails or spaced apart blocks and non-curvable rails that extend about a perimeter of the sheets. The frame is positioned between the sheets so that the curvable rails or spaced apart blocks and sheets are curved about an axis of curvature. Each curvable rail includes a slotted rail having a plurality of ribs defining slots therebetween. A plurality of pins are secured to the non-curvable rails and pass through holes defined in one of the sheets so as to maintain the sheets in a curved state. The curved panel can also be formed by a sheet having pins secured thereto, where the pins are received by template guides to maintain the sheet in a curved state.

Abstract: A swimming pool is formed of a plurality of multi-wall sections, each multi-wall section comprises a preformed plastic or resin and has an inner wall and an outer wall, with the inner wall and the outer separated to define an air space therebetween. The assembled pool walls are spaced a width w at a base of the swimming pool and taper to a width y at an intermediate height of the swimming pool between the base and a top of the swimming pool, wherein w>y. At the top of the swimming pool, the walls are separated a width x, wherein x>y. The swimming pool comprises an all plastic or resin construction, and may either be employed as an above-ground pool or an in-ground pool.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a building, particularly in the context of a nuclear installation. The building is formed with an outer shell and an inner shell which form an intermediate space therebetween. A sealing element is disposed in the intermediate space. The sealing element is gas tight, it envelopes the inner shell, and it is largely freely movable perpendicularly to the surfaces of the shells defining the intermediate space. Pressure fluctuations, particularly pressure waves, originating on the inside of the building are received and equalized by the sealing element, while the gas-tightness of the sealing element is largely assured.

Abstract: A wall, particularly a wall of a containment for a nuclear plant, a pool or a cavern, includes a bearing wall. A sealing element is disposed on at least one surface of the bearing wall and covers the bearing wall. A protective wall covers the sealing element. The protective wall is frictionally connected to the bearing wall. The protective wall may be formed of a plurality of parts. The frictional connection may be made by anchors as well as by prestressing or by adhesive bonding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat insulation covering for a spherical storage tank such as an LNG tank or the like for storing an extremely low temperature liquid. The covering is constructed by using elongated panel-like heat insulating panels. A plurality of slit parts having a U-shaped cross section are formed along the longitudinal direction of a foam-resin heat insulating panel formed in an elongated panel-like configuration. In the slit part, a heat insulating material is inserted. The material has a sufficient expandability under extremely low temperatures. The heat insulating panel can be deformed along the curvature of the surface of the spherical tank. The heat insulation covering of the spherical tank is formed of the heat insulating panels which have an elongated configuration. With such a structure, only a few kinds of heat insulating panels need be prepared, which is favorable in terms of cost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a curved wall glass block assembly (100) by stacking vertical tiers (102) (103) (104) etc. of horizontal rows of individual glass blocks (101) on top of a plurality of successive tier base support units (10) comprising a plurality of tie members (20) operatively connected to at least one curved track member (40); wherein each tie member (20) is dimensioned to support one of the individual glass blocks (101).

Abstract: A method of and wall sheet for building up a silo with lining and a method of manufacturing wall sheets for such a silo. The wall sheets are pre-formed wall sheets, comprising a base sheet and a sheet of lining material, bonded thereto in a slightly staggered manner. The lining material covers a number of bolt holes of the base sheet and already fitted in the covered bolt holes are fastening means, secured against rotation and also covered by the lining material. After the wall sheet has been mounted, free edge strips of the layer of lining material fall over uncovered edge zones of adjacent wall sheets. Connecting sheets of lining material are welded together along the edges, and, if necessary, the overlapping strips are bonded to the subjacent wall sheets.

Abstract: A tank of generally oval configuration created by the use of a plurality of curved, precast concrete panels of uniform size and rectangular configuration. Each panel is constructed utilizing a diaphragm liner either made of corrugated structural material or else of rubber-like material. The diaphragm liner of corrugated structural material possesses a degree of arcuate curvature, so as to be concave on one side and convex on the other. Both types of liners are intended to receive concrete poured to a desired depth on the convex surface of the liner, with the outer surface of the concrete then contoured to a finished condition to form the exterior surface of the tank made from the panels. One or more horizontally disposed ducts are installed in the concrete prior to hardening, placed in accordance with a consistent pattern.

Abstract: A building structure which contains a hexagonal building unit and a pentagonal building unit joined together by a plug. There are six triangularly-shaped building blocks in the hexagonal unit, and the base angles of these building blocks is from about 60.6 to about 60.8 degrees. There are five triangularly-shaped building blocks in the pentagonal unit, and the base angles of these building blocks is from about 54.5 to about 54.7 degrees.

Abstract: Proposed is a double-walled formwork element comprising two large-area panels suitable for use as mould shuttering, particularly in the concrete construction industry. The two panels are joined to each other by force-locking, liquid-tight and gas-tight engagement, and form between them a cavity. The invention secures the two layers of shuttering against slippage and ensures the discharge of any leak liquid produced. The invention also enables shuttering systems to be assembled cheaply and simply for constructions of various shapes.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and process for the reinforcing of concrete, wood, or steel columns, beams, or structures. The apparatus includes pre-made reinforcing layers constructed of engineering materials having a high tensile strength and a high modulus that are attached, via an adhesive, or fitted to the element in question to create a reinforcing shell exoskeleton thus increasing the column's compressive, shear, bending, ductility, and/or seismic load carrying capacity.

Abstract: A plastic liner for protecting concrete manhole interior surfaces from corrosion wherein the liner includes provisions for creating a strong mechanical lock between the liner and the interior surfaces. A side of the liner which includes the provisions has a plurality of raised hollow projections with spaced sections. The mechanical lock is created when concrete is poured against the side of the liner with the projections. The concrete at least partially enters the hollow portions and fills spaces between the projection sections. The projections also intersect to enhance the mechanical lock by preventing bulging. Liner sections cover essentially all of the manhole interior surfaces. Forming a liner section by rotationally molding the plastic and cutting gaps into the projections is also disclosed.

Abstract: An arcuate building structure containing at least three five-sided building blocks, at least three six-sided building blocks, and means for connecting one of said five-sided building blocks to at least one of said six-sided building blocks. The top side of the six-sided block has a substantially triangular shape, and is substantially parallel to the bottom side of the six-sided block. The front side of the six-sided block has a substantially trapezoidal shape with a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge. The right edge and the left edge have equal lengths and form equal angles with the bottom edge. The back side of the six-sided block has a substantially triangular shape with at least two sides equal in length to each other. The left and right sides of the six-sided block are congruent with each other, are in the shape of a parallelogram, and contain a recess within their borders.

Abstract: A building facade material includes a plurality of elongate stone strips held in an abutting relationship on a flexible mesh when in a plane with the flexible mesh enabling the strips to be adhered to a curved surface, with a V-shaped area between strips suitable for grouting, between adjacent elongate stone strips. The elongate stone strips have a thickness which enables the strips to be ground to an arcuate contour without exposing the flexible mesh. A color-matching settable material is provided for grouting the V-shaped areas between the elongate strips. The method for applying a stone facade includes the steps of adhering a plurality of abutting elongate strips of stone attached to a flexible backing over a curved surface, grouting the groutable spaces with a settable material and thereafter grinding the entire composite into a smooth, arcuate, non-seamed, solid-stone appearing arcuate surface or column.

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 containment structure (1) for storage of nuclear fuel or liquids which have been in contact with nuclear fuel includes a concrete wall (3) and a concrete floor (2) with a corrosion resistant liner (5) fixed to and in contact with the walls and floor except at the junctions of the walls and floor at which the liner is curved to provide "soft corners" (7) to permit movement of the liner relative to the concrete walls and floor.The term "soft corner" as used in the context of the present specification denotes a region providing a gap or empty space or collapsible or compressible material, eg foam, between the stainless steel liner and the concrete walls and floor. Any collapsible or compressible material employed needs to be stable to the radioactive environment and for this reason it is preferred that a gap or empty space is employed.

Abstract: A plastic liner for protecting concrete manhole interior surfaces from corrosion wherein the liner includes provisions for creating a strong mechanical lock between the liner and the interior surfaces. A side of the liner which includes the provisions has a plurality of raised hollow projections with spaced sections. The mechanical lock is created when concrete is poured against the side of the liner with the projections. The concrete at least partially enters the hollow portions and fills spaces between the projection sections. The projections also intersect to enhance the mechanical lock by preventing bulging. Liner sections cover essentially all of the manhole interior surfaces. Forming a liner section by rotationally molding the plastic and cutting gaps into the projections is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved wall construction system for refractory furnaces is disclosed. The system includes an outer support structure into which are incorporated a plurality of connecting pin receiving sleeves or apertures. The system further includes a plurality of regularly-shaped bricks which have engaging members and receiving cavities on the ends of the bricks and on the upper and lower surfaces of the bricks. The engaging members and receiving cavities are adapted to interlock the bricks relatively to each other to preclude lateral movement. The system further includes a plurality of anchoring members which are adapted to be received between an engaging member and a receiving cavity of adjacent bricks. The anchoring members further extend out from the bricks and include a connecting pin shaped and sized to engage within the apertures in this first support structure in order to anchor the brick wall system to the outer support system in use.