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

Abstract: A wall plate for attaching a horizontal or sloping beam to a vertical or nearly vertical masonry wall is disclosed. The wall plate comprises a flat plate having a multiplicity of nail holes and at least two bolt holes therethrough, at least one anchor extending from a first side of the flat plate and fixed to it, and means for threadedly attaching at least two bolts to the flat plate from its other side. A method of attaching a horizontal or sloping beam to a vertical or nearly vertical masonry wall using the wall plate is also disclosed. A vertical nailable form is erected and the wall plate is nailed to the inside of the form. Concrete is poured into the form to a height above the anchors of the wall plate. After the concrete has hardened, the forms are removed. Two angle connectors are bolted to the wall plate and a horizontal or sloping beam is bolted to the two angle connectors.

Abstract: A pre-cast concrete form for cast-in-place beams and columns and a method of forming the same. The form includes a form body having a channel through a length thereof and a shear bonding key along the length, the channel being adapted to receive cast-in-place concrete therein to form a beam or column. The shear bonding key is integrally formed in the body and has a grooved portion and a ribbed portion for bonding the cast-in-place concrete to the form body. The form body may further include a reinforcing stirrup tie cast therein and extending into the channel, adapted to secure the form body to an opposed form body. The form body may include a plurality of shear bonding keys and reinforcing stirrup ties spaced apart along the length thereof.

Abstract: A steel floor structure includes steel columns, steel beams, surrounding frames around the columns and the beams, horizontal frames around the beams, connectors, anti-bend means, floor steel bars, reinforcing catch steel bars, various kinds of connect means, and net plates laid on outer surfaces of the structure and used as outer concrete forms to keep concrete inside. So the steel frame floor can be assembled quickly and have high structural strength and a good wholeness.

Abstract: A roof ridge vent for covering an opening at a peak of a roof. The roof ridge vent includes a top panel portion having first and second opposed lateral edges and having first and second opposed ends. The roof ridge vent includes a plurality of support members depending downwardly from the underside of the top panel portion, and the roof ridge vent also includes first and second lateral ventilation louvers respectively disposed adjacent the first and second opposed lateral edges. The vent also has first and second undulating sidewalls respectively downwardly depending from, and adjacent to, the first and second opposed lateral edges, with each of the sidewalls being non-planar and undulating along its said respective lateral edge such that the roof ridge vent may be flexingly rolled lengthwise into a spiral roll prior to installation and further may be unrolled lengthwise during installation over the peak of a roof.

Abstract: A pre-cast concrete form for cast-in-place beams and columns and a method of forming the same. The form includes a form body having a channel through a length thereof and a shear bonding key along the length, the channel being adapted to receive cast-in-place concrete therein to form a beam or column. The shear bonding key is integrally formed in the body and has a grooved portion and a ribbed portion for bonding the cast-in-place concrete to the form body. The form body may further include a reinforcing stirrup tie cast therein and extending into the channel, adapted to secure the form body to an opposed form body. The form body may include a plurality of shear bonding keys and reinforcing stirrup ties spaced apart along the length thereof.

Abstract: A method of seismically strengthening a structure having a concrete beam mechanically coupled to a concrete deck. The method comprises forming a continuous, substantially linear bore through the deck and the beam and then attaching the deck to the beam via a threaded fastener. The deck and the beam are compressed between an enlarged head and a nut of the threaded fastener. Additionally, the method comprises placing a fireproof cap on an end of the threaded fastener protruding from the nut.

Abstract: Resilient grout seal strips for sealing off a space formed between the bottom of a concrete panel and a support beam on which the panels are supported, concrete panels, decks, and support beams having resilient grout seals and methods for fabricating such panels, beams and decks are disclosed. The resilient seal strips have a first longitudinal edge adapted to be anchored on either the bottom of a precast panel or the top of a support beam adjacent the respective side edge thereof and extend substantially the length thereof, and have an opposed second longitudinal edge with a wide sealing portion therebetween adapted to engage the other of the panel bottom or the beam top adjacent the respective side edge thereof and form a sealing relation therewith.

Abstract: A method of constructing a suspended floor is described in which a plurality of beam-forming formwork assemblies are located in substantially parallel alignment, the beam-forming formwork assemblies are supported in support assemblies on a support base in stable equilibrium, a plurality of floor-forming formwork assemblies are located between the beam-forming formwork assemblies for support thereon, concrete is poured in said formwork assemblies, the concrete is allowed to set, and the formwork assemblies are removed from the set concrete for re-use.

Abstract: A concrete floor system includes the use of sheet metal pan or decking and sheet metal z-shaped closures sitting upon low profile open web steel joist providing a non-structural or structural concrete brake above the walls forming vibration damping and sound & fire barriers. The z-shaped closures have apertures formed through them which correspond to the end profiles of the joist shoes of the joists, and are fitted onto the joists before or after the joists are in place. The need for sound and vibration damping rock wool, foams and other similar material below the floor and between walls is eliminated.

Abstract: A shielding brassiere fabricated of a soft supple material such as cotton interwoven with stainless steel threads to shield and screen the breast from electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A element based wall construction, process of modular construction and apparatus for constructing structures of spaced concrete cylinders and beams and foam insulating blocks. The wall construction includes spaced, vertical concrete cylinders interconnected by horizontal concrete beams, reinforced by centrally located reinforcing bars, with a pilaster projecting inwardly beyond the cylinders and beams to support roof and floor joists or trusses, and insulating foam blocks occupying the spaces between cylinders and beams and projecting outwardly beyond the cylinders and beams to define channels for mounting plumbing and electrical conduits and wiring beneath the sheet rock or siding which abuts the foam block surfaces.

Abstract: Prefabricated vertical and horizontal support elements. The vertical support elements consist of columns which have breaches on the concrete at the floor levels. The horizontal support elements are made of supporting and rigidity beams, that have protruding elements which can be inserted in the cited breaches of the columns. Every protruding element of every beam is inserted between the vertical rods of the column into which it is assembled. The beams are held in place by other rods that are laid longitudinally. These rods are anchored to the beams by means of protruding steel rods or similar devices before the concrete is poured.

Abstract: The constructability of a concrete structure is facilitated by providing pre-assembled, modular frame units formed of steel or concrete beams and columns. Reinforcing bars have their opposite ends embedded in the beams that form each frame unit, but in most embodiments they are unattached to the columns because they extend through tubular debonding sleeves embedded within the columns. An elongate post-tensioning duct extends through each frame unit and an elongate tendon having opposite ends that may be placed under tension extends through the duct so that it compresses the frame unit. When a lateral load impacts against the frame unit, the reinforcing members that extend through the tubular sleeves stretch within the sleeves but their resilience urges the vertical columns to regain their vertical disposition when the impact passes. The elongate tendon that extends through the post-tensioning duct similarly urges the frame unit to regain its position of repose.

Abstract: An improved roll-form vent for buildings comprises a sequentially thermoformed polymeric vent which provides multiple venting air flow paths between the interior of a building and ambient atmosphere. The vent includes projections extending from a web and a plurality of vent openings that cooperate with screening to bar entry into the building of water, insects and foreign matter. A method of making the vent includes steps of providing a web of material of indeterminate running length, heating the web, sequentially thermoforming the web, cooling the web and rolling the formed vent for storage, shipment and use.

Abstract: A technique for applying high strength fiber fabric to strengthen beams and the connection between beams and either supported platforms or supporting vertical columns is disclosed. Fabric made of high strength fibers such as glass, boron, or carbon, is laid over the connection between a beam and a platform, or between a beam and a supporting column, and impregnated with an epoxy resin or other polymer matrix. The fabric may be additionally fastened to the structural member using adhesives, fabric fasteners, or bolts. The invention is particularly well suited for retrofitting bridges, freeway overpasses, parking structures, and the like to prevent failure during an earthquake.

Abstract: Pre-cast concrete wall modules including a relatively thin, web with inner and outer surfaces and two columns located on opposite sides of the web. Each wall module also includes at least two vertical columns and one horizontal beam extending generally normal to the columns. The columns are each located substantially near an end of the web, and the beam is located substantially near the uppermost portion of the web. The invention also includes a casting bed for forming the wall modules, and the method of forming the wall modules.

Abstract: An adjustable support structure is used to support various types of roofs, such as flat, single slope and double slope roofs. The support structure includes a channel shaped post, a load beam assembly connected to the post at about its uppermost end, an adjustable bracket adjustably secured to the load beam assembly, and a purlin secured to the adjustable bracket, at a generally angular position relative to the load beam assembly, for supporting the roof. The adjustable bracket includes an upwardly oriented generally U-shaped seat which is secured to a downwardly oriented generally U-shaped saddle, such that the saddle is mounted snugly across the load beam assembly, and is adjustably connected thereto. An extender is adjustably secured to the post and to the load beam assembly. The extender includes a generally U-shaped seat, which supports; it is connected to the load beam assembly, such that the extender seat can be adjustably connected to the load beam assembly along the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A connector (10) is disclosed which serves the dual function of providing a threaded insert for threaded engagement with a lifting bolt to move the concrete casting and as a shear connection between the first concrete casting and a mating concrete casting. The connector (10) is cast within a first concrete casting (12). A threaded portion (18) is exposed at an edge of the casting which threadedly receives a lifting bolt. When the casting is being installed, an exposed reinforcing rod section (30) of the mating concrete casting is inserted within the threaded portion (18) and a grouting cavity (20) in the connector and the reinforcing bar is pressure grouted therein with epoxy, a metallic non-shrink grout or other suitable grout.

Abstract: A knot for connecting pillars and girders includes a first member adapted to be mounted on a pillar, and a plurality of second members which are each adapted to be connected to a respective girder. The number of second members is equal to the number of girders to be coupled with the pillar. The first member is made up of an upper plate and a lower plate that are coaxial and vertically spaced with respect to each other. These plates each have a number of sides equal to the number of the girders that converge onto the knot. The first member has a first coupling. The lower and upper plates are vertically coupled to each other by joining tongues which have second couplings. The second member has first and second horizontal plates which are vertically spaced from each other, and these plates are provided with a third coupling that couples with the first coupling of the first member. The first and second plates are joined by a transverse vertical plate and a longitudinal vertical plate.

Abstract: A column assembly having a plurality of floor-height columns which are erected vertically, one on top of the other, to define the floors of the building structure to be constructed. Each column comprises a plurality of reinforcement rods which are embedded in the column and extend outwardly from the ends thereof. The rods are cut at precisely equal lengths to extend precisely equal distances from each end of the column. Each rod is threaded in a precise manner with the thread beginning at the same orientation for each rod such that when the columns are stacked end-to-end, the rods are in perfect axial alignment with the thread of one rod continuously leading into the thread of the contiguous rod to which it is aligned. A threaded sleeve is threaded onto the rods extending from the lower end of the upper column and, after stacking of the upper column end-to-end onto a lower column, the threaded sleeve may be threaded onto the axially aligned and contiguous rods extending from the lower column.

Abstract: Concrete panels for making concrete decks or floors for spanning between structural supports; parts of such panels including shear connectors, thread formers, and resilient grout seals; tools for manipulating grout-seals; co-acting forms for making panels; interior and overhang panels and apparatuses and methods for fabricating and using such panels. The panels have a seal member device connected to a body member for sealing off a space between the panel and a structural support on which the panel rests.

Abstract: A concrete prefabricated basement having a number of underground units, each of which includes a bottom plate portion having a generally rectangular shape and a side plate portion, to form a rectangular box-shaped structure with an open top, the number of underground units being arranged side by side in a lateral direction of the underground units, and any adjacent two of the number of underground units being connected to each other, so that each of the underground units comprises a number of precast concrete blocks abutted one to another at parallel planes perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the underground units, the blocks being integrated with each other by a first connecter, and in which the blocks have a waterproof layer and a protective layer on the waterproof layer over the entire outer surface of the bottom plate portion and side plate portions of the blocks; and a method for constructing such a basement, as well as a house construction with such a basement.

Abstract: The invention provides a foundation raft for supporting a structure such as a low rise building on soil which is prone to heaving or settling. The raft has a pair of foundation slabs, of set cementitious material which are spaced apart by a plurality of upwardly extending webs. The webs are fast with the slabs. Each slab has a thickness A of 50-200 mm; the slabs are spaced apart by a spacing B of 100-1500 mm; and each web has a thickness C of 0.2-400 mm.

Abstract: A shearhead for reinforcing junctions between for example vertical columns and horizontal floors where at least the floor is formed in reinforced concrete. The shearhead is in the form of a hoop bar for extending around a column with a plurality of shear legs depending therefrom. Each shear leg includes a portion extending above the hoop bar, which portion forms a hook for coupling to reinforcement in the slab of concrete extending laterally from the column.

Abstract: A shock-absorption wall structure comprising a framework of elastic beams having a light steel frame covered with a certain number of base plates is disclosed. The base plates have at least two or more rows of parallel sheets in the upper/lower sides or left/right sides and a plurality of inclined sheets and/or rolling sheets to make paving slurry even and quick, and enable the slurry to evince a strong adhesive force. Each elastic beam includes a pair of truss bodies interconnected by number of long bolts and springs with each long bolt penetrating through a respective pair of truss bodies. The springs are accommodated within the truss body and then a cover plate is attached on one side of the elastic beam. By this arrangement, the internal stress of the wall arising from an earthquake or working vibration can be absorbed by each spring to prevent the wall from cracking or collapsing.

Abstract: A connecting assembly is disposed between a concrete column and at least one beam having upper and lower flanges. The connecting assembly has upper and lower first connecting members each having at least one through-hole through which at least one portion of the column is disposed so that both of the first connecting members are mounted on the column. Upper and lower second connecting members are mounted on the upper and lower flange portions of the beam, respectively. The upper and lower second connecting members are affixed respectively to the upper and lower first connecting members by screw engagements, whereby the column is connected to the beam.

Abstract: A precast concrete structure has a joint (Js) connecting together a span of two or more beams (Bx, By) supported on columns (c) in which the joint is disposed substantially at the point of contraflexure of the beams away from the support columns and includes two mating inclined faces one inclined face being formed at the end of each of the beam, the beams being connected without pretensioning across the joint.

Abstract: A column assembly having a plurality of floor-height columns which are erected vertically, one on top of the other, to define the floors of the building structure to be constructed. Each column comprises a plurality of reinforcement rods which are embedded in the column and extend outwardly from the ends thereof. The rods are cut at precisely equal lengths to extend precisely equal distances from each end of the column. Each rod is threaded in a precise manner with the thread beginning at the same orientation for each rod such that when the columns are stacked end-to-end, the rods are in perfect axial alignment with the thread of one rod continuously leading into the thread of the contiguous rod to which it is aligned. A threaded sleeve is threaded onto the rods extending from the lower end of the upper column and, after stacking of the upper column end-to-end onto a lower column, the threaded sleeve may be threaded onto the axially aligned and contiguous rods extending from the lower column.

Abstract: A shearhead for reinforcing junctions between for example vertical columns and horizontal floors where at least the floor is formed in reinforced concrete. The shearhead is in the form of a hoop bar for extending around a column with a plurality of shear legs depending therefrom. Each shear leg includes a portion extending above the hoop bar, which portion forms a hook for coupling to reinforcement in the slab of concrete extending laterally from the column.

Abstract: A prefabricated modular building is constructed of a plurality of panels which are readily assembled and locked together without the need for tools (other than material handling and earth moving equipment) at the assembly site. The building is constructed of sets of panels, most of the panels in each set being identical.All of the vertical panels are interlocked by sliding a built in flange on each panel into a built in channel member on an adjacent panel. The vertical structural beams of each panel projects above and below the panels and these projecting ends are received by corresponding spaced receptacles in the horizontal ceiling and floor panels. In addition, an earth barricade on the roof of the building plus wall extensions provide for the covering of the roof and sides of the building with earth.

Abstract: A method of forming a base for a building structure comprises forming a plurality of holes in the ground on which the structure is to be supported, each hole diverging upwardly and pouring a mould for a concrete support column formed in situ therein, the support columns supporting beam sections forming a ring beam on which the building structure can be built.

Abstract: Structural members for building structures comprise indented, truncated, V-shaped profiles which include flanges extending horizontally from the open tops thereof. Structural beam members comprise open-ended, elongated members, while structural column members are fabricated by joining counterpart surfaces of two of such profiles together at right angles. The structural members are nested together for transportation to building sites, where they are bolted together and floors formed by fastening corrugated panels to the beam flanges. Concrete is thereafter poured into the open profiles, and onto the deck panels to provide a floored framework for a building structure.

Abstract: A concrete reinforcement device includes a plurality of spaced vertical reinforcement rods 12, and tiers of horizontal connecting plates 10, 11 to space and interconnect the reinforcement rods 12, the connecting plates in each tier having a peripheral edge provided with spaced apart notches 15 which are engaged with the vertical reinforcement rods 12 respectively and connected firmly therewith by welding, the connecting plates 10, 11 in each tier confining a hole for the passage of concrete.

Abstract: A connector assembly is described for concrete structural elements, such as concrete crypt modules for mausoleum structures. The connector assembly includes a top corner member connectable to a concrete structural element with a horizontal top plate extending along the top of the structural element and a vertical edge plate extending down one side of the structural element. The vertical edge plate has an inwardly stepped portion extending downwardly from the top of the structural element and terminating in a horizontal shelf portion and the horizontal top plate has a recess adapted to extend into the concrete. One edge of the recess and the top end of the vertical edge plate have opposed interlock projections. The assembly also includes an interlock plate means having projections for engaging the opposed interlock projections and one edge of the plate means has a downwardly projecting flange terminating above the corner member shelf portion.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete building structure (10) and method of forming, including first forming a steel framing form (18) of cold formed channel shaped structural steel members of a thickness between 1/32 inch and 3/8 inch including vertical framing members (19,20,21,22) and horizontal connecting members (30A-30E), then connecting a backing form (74) by connectors (76) to flanges (26) on only one side of the vertical framing members (19-22), and only adjacent the lower side of the horizontal connecting members (30A-30E) spaced at least 3/4 inch from the steel framing members. Concrete is then applied pneumatically against the backing form (74) for the vertical side walls (12) with the channel shaped framing members (19-22) comprising the primary steel reinforcing and with opposed flanges (26,27) being covered outwardly by concrete at least 3/4 inch in thickness. The steel framing for a roof of a relatively large span is shown in FIGS.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for joining two building units one of which is load-bearing and the other load-imposing. A conventional solution for joining e.g. a column and a beam is to form a sideward projection in the column for supporting the beam. This kind of projection complicates considerably the casting of the column and remarkable shearing forces are formed therein. In the invention these drawbacks are eliminated by fastening to the building units anchoring means which do not project from the column, at least not from the side surfaces thereof, and by positioning them in the building units in such a way that points at which the anchoring means extending from one building unit to the other are fastened to the building units are positioned in a completed joint at a distance from each other in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An arrangement joins concrete beams and columns for building structures. Adjacent parts of columns and beams to be joined are provided with imbedded joint fittings which can be engaged with each other for joining the beams and the acolumns when erecting the building structure. Each joint unit comprises the following parts: (a) a support casing or box which is imbedded in the end of the beam the box being open and flush with the transverse end surface of the beam, (b) a complementary support casing or box imbedded in the column for each beam, the box being open toward the side surface of the column and running flush therewith, and (c) a separate mountable and removable bridge element positioned in a support box in the column and in a support box in a beam and forming a bridging element between the column and the beam in the joint therebetween.

Abstract: The specification relates to an arrangement in an intermediate floor or the base floor of a building, producing a duct system for electrical or HEPAC installations. At the end of the cored slabs (1) there is produced, by means of a supporting component (3), a transverse duct which communicates with the cores (6) of the cored slabs. The duct may also be formed by means of a channel beam which adjoins the end surfaces (5) and has openings in alignment with the cores (6). The transverse duct is preferably covered with a separate cover (4).

Abstract: A column/beam joint structure, made of steel members, in which a reinforcing member formed into a flat plate or into a strip shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the flange is interposed between a flange having a vertical plane constituting the column and a base plate constituting a connector fixedly fitted to an end of a beam. The flange, the reinforcing member and the connector are integrally joined together via a connecting fastener member.

Abstract: A precast concrete beam is supported at its end by columns via the agency of retractable hanger arrangements preferably located in cavities at the upper ends of the beam. Each hanger arrangement includes a hanger member which is movable in the cavity from a retracted position within the cavity through a hanger eye device to an extended position in which the hanger member engages the eye device at an upper central portion of the hanger member and in which the hanger member extends in cantilever manner into a recess defined in the adjacent column. In its extended position, the hanger member has its opposite ends supported on bearing plates located in the cavity and in the recess. The hanger eye device is structurally tied into the beam for carriage and transfer to the beam of the support forces for the beam and of forces arising from loads applied to the beam in use.

Abstract: A precast reinforced concrete exterior wall panel is connected in a building between supporting columns by connectors which enable the panel to carry lateral shear loads in the building. As precast, the panel includes encased but not embedded steel straps which extend end to end in the panel for carrying loads applied to the panel ends via the connectors. The connectors include face abutting mating moieties. The mating faces of each moiety defines a regularly repeating grid pattern of projections and recesses so arranged that the moieties are engageable in face abutting relation with the projections of each engaged in the recesses of the other at any of a plurality of discrete relative positions of the moieties. When so engaged and clamped together, the connector moieties cooperate to carry shear loads across the plane of the mated faces. One moiety is connected to a panel strap end and the other is embedded in or affixed to an adjacent column.

Abstract: A method of interfacing mechanical and concrete components of a pump comprising a concrete volute entails simultaneously placing two metal rings in recesses provided in a suction orifice and in a well of the volute of the pump. This is done using a jig having two molding surfaces spaced from each other by a predetermined axial distance and placed at a position near the rings. Each of the rings is embedded in a hardenable resin which is molded by the two molding surfaces on the jig. This forms two annular resin blocks having molded surfaces. These molded surfaces are used as respective support surfaces for a sealing ring and for a cover in which the rotor of the pump is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A metal "U" shape channel form is used to form a concrete beam, and has two laterally opposed outwardly extending horizontally disposed flanges with two supporting areas arranged in a stepped fashion for selectively supporting a metal deck or both a metal deck and plywood between the span of adjacently arranged channel forms used to form a slab therebetween, which slab may be composite in that the formed slab integrally includes a metal deck. A "U" shape shoring head of complementary shape to the channel form is mounted on a shoring frame to hold the channel form in place for the pouring of the concrete, and a shoring head can be used with a structural member arranged to support the metal deck of variable spans for slabs of variable dimensions in the available space.

Abstract: A combined structural wall and concrete form system, and form bracket apparatus are provided in which a wall frame acts as the side walls of a poured concrete form, while supporting the form in place. A plurality of brackets are transversely attached to the wall frame adjacent the position of the column form to support form ties for locking the remaining form walls in place to complete a concrete column form and structural wall combination. The header of the wall frame portion acts as the bottom wall of a concrete beam form, while the same brackets as used for the column form can be attached along the top portion of the wall frame for locking beam forms and form ties in place to support the side walls of the concrete beam form. A top bracket formed with angle iron and straps supports the top portion of the side walls of the beam form.

Abstract: A concrete slab is connected to a column passing therethrough. Embedded in the slab are insert parts each having a first recess. The slab also carries a ridge-like reinforcement which includes bars that project through the first recesses and into second recesses carried by the column. The recesses correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the bars and tightly engage same.

Abstract: A building framework is provided characterized by an assembly of ridge beams (2-3-4) and rectilinear concrete stringers (1-5) forming with rectilinear half-trusses (6 to 13) a network supported by concrete posts (14 to 19) some at least of the nodes of said network and, advantageously, one node out of two along each beam, not comprising the post, the terminal portion of each of the half-trusses which such a node without post comprises resting in a trough integral with one face of the beam whereas, at each of the nodes which comprises a post, the head of this latter (18) is provided with two vertical rabbets disposed in the form of a cross in which are engaged respectively the terminal portions of the half-trusses and the beam which extends to said node, continuity elements being provided in the terminal portions of the half-trusses and in the beam to provide the mechanical connections at the locations of the nodes.

Abstract: A method of achieving earthquake reinforcement in existing buildings by piling hourglass-shaped concrete blocks within a beam pillar frame structure of a wall. The blocks are piled by staggering by half one pitch of the layer of concrete blocks and by filling the whole area within the beam pillar frame. The blocks are provided with stud plates that are welded to supporting bands which are in turn connected to the frame.

Abstract: Precast or poured columns are erected in a plurality of rows. Precast concrete beams are placed on temporary supports between the columns in each row. The beams are slightly shorter than the distance between the columns and are not supported by the columns. Precast concrete floor slabs are placed between the precast beams of adjacent rows, with the ends of the slabs partially overlapping the beams. Temporary forms are placed around the upper portions of the columns and under the end portions of the beams and the adjacent floor slabs. Concrete is then poured to form monolithic concrete members extending over the upper sides of the beams and filling the spaces between the ends of the slabs and also the spaces between the ends of the beams and the ends of the columns for uniting the beams, slabs and columns. After sufficient curing of the poured concrete, the forms and the temporary supports are removed.

Abstract: A method for providing earthquake reinforcement for existing buildings by applying pre-compressive or pre-tensile stresses. In a first embodiment, a compression brace is provided on the beam pillar structure of the building in a diagonal direction to the structure so as to apply a pre-compressive stress to the compression brace. In another embodiment, a tension brace is provided on the beam pillar structure of the building so as to apply a pre-tensile stress to the tension brace in order to reinforce the building against an earthquake.