Abstract: Disclosed is a structural element including of interlocked resilient sheet material components, with each sheet operatively forming a component by being shaped to provide an elongate base with two opposing edges from which a first extension and a second extension respectively extend, with the second extension extending further from the base than the first extension, with the first and second extensions being provided with complimentary interlocking means operatively enabling the extensions of one sheet material component to be interlocked with the extensions of another sheet material component; with the extensions of four sheet components being interlocked, each at a right angle with at least one extension of another one of the sheet components, operatively for four sheet components to provide the structural element with an elongate open-ended core with a plurality of elongate open-ended ribs spaced around the core with each rib being longitudinally aligned with the core.

Abstract: A construction assembly and methods for making and using the same. The construction assembly includes a plurality of primary structure members each having an S shape including first and second portions respectively defining first and second level recesses. The primary structure members can be in a standing position with the first and second level recesses being respectively proximal to and distal from ground. The first portions can collectively surround and define first level space. The second portions can collectively surround and define second level space greater than the first level space. Advantageously, the construction assembly can provide an efficient space-generating solution. Because of the smaller floor area of the first level space, environmental hazards such as wind, flood or tsunami can exert smaller impact on part of the construction assembly proximal to the ground. Advantageously, the primary structure member can be lightweight, strong and easy to assemble.

Abstract: A multi-level precast composite concrete framing system includes a plurality of sets of precast composite concrete columns, with each set forming the vertical supports for the framing system between levels. The columns of the different sets are vertically aligned. The framing system includes at least one set of plurality of precast composite concrete beams forming the horizontal supports for one level. Each concrete beam includes at least one tie rod opening extending vertically through each beam at a location of each concrete column Each concrete beam further includes an access opening, which may be grouted after installation, providing access to each tie rod opening during installation. The framing system includes a plurality of tie rods each having a sleeve and opposed threaded pin ends threadingly received within each concrete column, wherein each column includes tie rods extending through the tie rod openings of at least two separate and adjacent beams.

Abstract: A latticing drop panel structure includes a plurality of columns (100 or 101) or walls, and a connecting member (210) including a concrete drop panel (219) having a cross-section area larger than that of the column (100 or 101) or the wall, wherein the connecting member (210) having four unit rods 212, surrounded around the drop panel (219) in a latticing form, wherein the unit rods (212) are parallel with the respective sides of the column and cross at the same level, whereby sagging displacement of the slab is reduced due to the existence of the drop panel.

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

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

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

Abstract: A blast protective barrier system, termed a blast wall, providing a security perimeter or boundary at and above a ground level definable in terms of an x, y, z coordinate system, includes several substantially ground level (xy plane) pile caps, each itself having a y-axis elongate length, a x-axis width, and a z-axis depth, the x-axis substantially defining the width of the barrier system. Each pile cap also includes an upper and lower xy plane surface, each of the upper surfaces including y-axis channels and each of the lower surfaces including several recesses. The system also includes a first, second and further modules having a plurality of opposing pairs of yz plane, the y-axis elongate concrete panels including opposing integral xz end cap elements having a high shock-absorptive structure for isolating each module from the effect of a blast upon an adjacent module.

Abstract: Reinforcing assemblies for use in structural concrete members, as well as reinforced concrete structures, are provided that are uniquely suited to deal with punching shear failure in structural concrete members such as slabs, beams footings and flat foundations. The reinforcing assemblies include a support base, comprising two elongate rebar members disposed substantially parallel to each other, and several shear-resisting rebar elements having two opposing ends and cast, or bent, in hairpin shape on a common plane in generally parallel orientation to each other and secured to the base. The reinforced concrete structures include a concrete member, having a first face and a generally opposed second face, and at least four reinforcing assemblies that are embedded and retained at prescribed locations within the concrete member by their base and by the opposed faces of the concrete member, and which comprise a support base and multiple hairpin-shaped rebar elements secured to the support base.

Abstract: Site cast or pre-cast columns aligned and braced by pre-cast pre-stressed floor beams are used to erect a concrete skeleton structure for a building. The ends of the horizontal beams are imbedded in the columns at floor levels to stabilize and complete the skeleton. The horizontal beams are pre-stressed and are cast with passages that permit insertion of continuous reinforcing tendons into a network throughout each floor level. The tendons are subsequently post-tensioned so to tie the beams together and to the columns to reinforce the skeleton. Slab drop-forms starting at the roof and progressing floor-by-floor downward allow monolithic post-tensioned floor slabs to be cast to tie the skeleton into a unitary structure. The beams are usually integrated (buried) into each monolithic floor slab, keyed, doweled and bonded with bonding agent at cold joints to become a part of the slab structure.

Abstract: In an element (40b) for introducing shear forces into a concrete body a loop element (43b) is arranged on a shear force mandrel (41b), which loop element has an arc section (47b) in proximity to the surface of the concrete. When the element (40b) is subjected to a shear force (arrow 53) the arc section (47b) transmits this force to the concrete core inside the arc only through tensile forces in the loop element (43b) or in the arc element (47b). To absorb the resulting moment a second arc element (57b) aligned in the opposite direction is advantageously provided behind the first arc element (47b).

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

Abstract: A nuclear steam supply containment system employing prefabricated component supports that are surrounded by steel concrete forms and anchored to the floor liner of a nuclear containment. The prefabricated component supports extend through the concrete forms and a reinforce concrete slab cap to a support elevation for the component. A second inner steel concrete form can be employed to form an annular concrete channel through which the supports extend. The center of the inner form can be filled with a sand-like substance, radiation absorber material or concrete grout.

Abstract: A flat ceiling includes a reinforcement for resisting shear forces. The reinforcement is arranged in a bearing area for the flat ceiling and includes several dowel strips arranged in a substantially radial position with respect to a ceiling support. The reinforcement includes a dowel rail and several vertical, parallel dowels that are spaced from one another along the rail. Each dowel has a shank and an enlarged head disposed on at least an end of the shank located opposite to the rail. The shanks located adjacent to the support having a larger diameter than the shanks located farther from the support.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

Abstract: A shear stud assembly is formed at the construction site by assembling double-headed shear studs with a channel system which engages one-headed end of the shear studs. The shear stud assembly may be positioned in a slab, beam, or horizontal element around columns or vertical elements for reinforcement with the studs hanging downwardly from the channel system through the normally congested steel reinforcing. Several forms of channel system are disclosed, each of which permit the length of the assembly and the spacing of the studs to be adjusted to fit, and yet still remain within the design parameters, all without the use of skilled labor or special tools.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

Abstract: A composite construction which has a beam part (1) and a slab part (2) bearing thereon, the construction comprising the following components: a) a metal mantle (3) of the beam part, the mantle being at the same time the casting form and being made up of an upwardly open profile; b) additional reinforcement components (7) which, together with the metal mantle, make up the reinforcement of the composite construction; and c) a cast component (8) which, when set and together with the metal mantle and with the additional reinforcement components left inside the casting, makes up the composite construction. The metal mantle (3) of the beam part (1) is a shaped profile the inner surface (10) of which has an embossed pattern.

Abstract: A system and method for widening a highway and supporting a sound wall is provided that includes a single row of caissons for providing the sole foundation of a breast wall and a sound, wall. The caissons include a vertically-oriented network of reinforcing steel, an upper portion of which is integrated into the steel reinforcing network of a cast-in-place breast wall. The sound wall is mounted on and supported by the top ends of the caissons and serves to obstruct the transmission of sound from the highway. The vertically-oriented reinforcing members of the caissons are spaced away from the center portion of each caisson in two opposing groups in order to maximize its bending strength in a direction orthogonal to the highway, which is the primary direction in which cut earth, compacted fill material, and winds apply bending moments to the breast wall and sound wall.

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 building method and system for the progressive construction of extensions in a dwelling, where the layout of the extension has been previously established. The system is composed of three stages. In the first stage, only the necessary foundations are built, a limited number of precast vertical wall reinforcements and a temporay roofing are installed. In the second stage, load bearing walls are erected and fixed to the initial vertical wall reinforcements with mortar keys that fill indentations in the precast elements, complimentary wall reinforcements are poured and lintels, doors and windows are installed. In the third stage, the temporary roofing is relocated at a second extension while in the first extension a permanent slab is built and the interior partitions and finishes are installed.

Abstract: A composite structural element comprises a steel structural shape whose web is provided with one or more steel plates secured thereto by welding or bolting and embedded in the concrete filling the channels between its flanges. The concrete may also include a reinforcement secured to the plate. With a relatively simple structure the system has increased load-carrying capacity even under fire conditions.

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 structure employing a tapered slab, which is formed of a two-dimensional continuous array of upside-down rectangular pyramids with their apexes placed at column centers and their bottom faces placed along an upper surface of a floor slab, is improved in that prestressing steel members are disposed under tension between the top portions of the respective columns and said prestressing steel members are anchored to the columns at the outer ends.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reinforcement of concrete slabs in the vicinity of columns where the slabs are subjected to large bending moments and shearing forces. The invention accordingly comprises a reinforcement for flat concrete slabs comprising a plurality of substantially vertical elongate reinforcing elements fixedly attached in spaced horizontal relation to support means, each element, at least adjacent one end thereof being provided with an enlarged portion which serves to act as an anchor when the reinforcement is embedded within the concrete slab. In their preferred form, the elements consist of thin transverse sections of an I-beam, the support being provided by at least one intermediate horizontal member to which each I-section is welded.

Abstract: A building structure including a beam of steel or rod reinforced concrete which is sheathed in a U-shaped cross section steel shell, a concrete column which is encased in a steel tube, diagonal bracings and connecting members thereof. The topside of the U-shaped steel shell is open to allow concrete to be filled therethrough. Steel rods are placed in the shell and a steel panel connecting member secures the opposed sidewalls of the shell. Steel bars extend from a floor slab into the beam shell through the aforesaid open topside, thereby rendering the beam integral with the slab. Frame-like steel members for confining reinforcing bars and/or shear connectors are disposed in the inside of the beam shell. A steel sleeve is also provided in the beam shell for defining a space for disposition of equipment. In addition, an opening is provided in the bottom wall of the beam shell so as to allow steel rods to extend from the wall into the beam shell, thereby rendering the beam integral with the wall.

Abstract: At both top and bottom of end portions of beams, welded steel plate connector assemblies having side straps are bolted to the beams, a bridge plate welded to the side straps and one or more threaded studs welded to the bridge plate and extending through and nuts tightened behind a facet plate of a separate polygonal hub assembly. The central hub assembly includes a polygonal tube and stiffening plates and gussets in the tube. A clearance between the connector assemblies and the central hub effects a joint where the beam remains in abutment with its facet of the hub for tension forces as well as compression forces. The beams have daps and/or kerfs, and also clearance grooves for the studs to permit the connectors to be slid from retracted positions to positions in which the studs extend through the bolt holes in the hub.