Abstract: A method for building a floor in a structure, such as a house, is designed to utilize the heat stored in the earth.

Abstract: A shear wall construction and method for assembling the same is disclosed. A plywood sheet includes close laterally-spaced pairs of vertical studs or posts proximate each lateral end. A channel-defining member is fitted and fixed between the spaced studs. A tie member extends from the channel-defining member into a concrete foundation or other underlying building element. A track is also provided for sheathing a lower edge of the shear wall. Protrusions from the metal track aid in anchoring the shear wall to the concrete foundation.

Abstract: A connection is provided that consists of a cementitious or masonry member, a structural member supported by the cementitious member and a connector attaching the structural member to the cementitious member. The connector is partially embedded in the cementitious member. The connector consists of a substantially planar main body and first and second anchoring legs. The planar main body is divided into an upper attachment portion which protrudes from the cementitious member and a lower embedment portion which is embedded in the cementitious member. The first anchoring leg is attached to the body and is substantially embedded in the cementitious member. The second anchoring leg is spaced apart from the first anchoring leg and is substantially embedded in the cementitious member.

Abstract: A two-piece bracket adapted to resist forces in both tension and compression. The tension/compression bracket is formed from stamped, plate steel and is preassembled by clinching. The tension/compression bracket provides a range of adjustability of attachment to allow for a limited range of placement of other components that attach to the tension/compression bracket. In one embodiment, the tension/compression bracket includes a resilient resistance to tension forces. The resilient resistance is provided by a high spring constant coil spring. The resilient resistance provides a limited degree of movement under tension. The limited degree of movement is chosen by component selection to be non-damaging.

Abstract: The present application describes methods and apparatus for installing a load bearing pile 1 which is installed in the line of a perimeter wall, in particular to a perimeter wall consisting of a series of diaphragm wall panels.

Abstract: An assembly to secure a shear assembly and attached building wall to a building foundation in order to resist uplift forces and to transfer vertical weight loads to the foundation. The assembly provides a degree of motion perpendicular to the plane of the wall in order to accommodate misplacement of anchor structures set in the building foundation. The assembly is configured and is attached to anchor structures in such a way as to accommodate a variety of protrusions of the anchor structures from the building foundation. The assembly provides additional convenience of use by being substantially pre-assembled. The assembly is also adapted to interconnect structural members in multi-story buildings.

Abstract: A shear panel assembly including a shear panel in combination with a shear panel hold-down. The shear panel includes a frame and a panel diaphragm including a peripheral edge. The frame includes an upper horizontal frame member pivotally interconnecting the upper ends of first and second upright frame members. A lower horizontal is connected at the lower ends of the first and second upright frame members. The peripheral edge of the panel diaphragm is secured to an inner periphery of the frame within the depth of the frame. The shear panel system includes a hold-down having a base and at least one upright frame member engagement tab pivotally connected to and extending from the base for attachment to an upright frame member.

Abstract: A support for holding a fluid-impervious barrier and/or keyway form in position during the pouring of concrete is provided. The support carries the barrier and a pair of spaced legs for attachment to a corresponding pair of stable mounting points, such as reinforcement members, bars or the like. The support is positioned such that the barrier is at least partially covered by concrete during the pouring of a first member, such as a slab or footing, and then the remainder is covered when a second concrete member, such as a wall, is poured atop the first member. By placing a plurality of spaced supports at selected intervals, an elongated barrier may be reliably held in place during pouring. One or more forms may also be carried by the support during the pouring of the first concrete member for defining a keyway, either alone or in conjunction with the fluid-impervious barrier. Most preferably, each keyway form is held in place by a separate wing carried on each support.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces is made with a strap and a standoff base. The standoff base receives the anchor member, and bears upon the strap. The strap is connected to the first building structural member by means of the fasteners. The first building structural member bears upon the standoff base while being lifted above the anchor member by the standoff base.

Abstract: A novel prefabricated shearwall is disclosed with improved structural characteristics in terms of its ability to 1) transfer lateral loads to the foundation, 2) resist bending moments normally arising in conventional shearwalls between hold-down hardware and end posts or vertical framing members, 3) effectively diffuse stresses known to result in nail fatigue, and 4) reduce slippage between the bottom of the end posts and base in response to cyclic loadings. These superior properties result partly from its geometry in lower, or shear force transfer region, accompanied by thrust block/anchor rod assemblies to provide stiffness and strength over the lower portion of the end posts. Furthermore, specialized wrap-around connector plates that cover a portion of the bottom surface of these end posts also contribute to the enhanced prefabricated shearwall design.

Abstract: A modular building system and related methodology wherein extruded, elongate, plastic building components can quickly, and with no special tools or skills, be snapped and slidably fit together to form a wide variety of different building structures. The proposed system produces frameless buildings wherein surface closure structures, like walls, windows, doors and roof panels are bound into stability through building-wrapping banding structures that include upright, perimeter stabilizer bars, roof trusses, and in most instances, the underlying ground. Within a finished building, the closure structures effectively float and react with relative motion responses to different applied building loads.

Abstract: An improved structural reinforcement bar for use in poured concrete construction has an anchorage plate fixed to a rebar body through friction welding. The friction welded rebar body and anchorage plate result in a structural reinforcement bar with improved axially oriented tensile load transfer capabilities having minimal space requirements.

Abstract: A footing for use to support stanchions of sound-barrier walls is a one-piece monolithic element that includes a base having a plurality of prestressing cables therein. A stanchion is accommodated in a bore defined in either a sleeve included with the base or directly in the base. If a sleeve is included, the sleeve includes a plurality of prestressing strands or rebars. One form of sound-barrier wall includes adjacent panels on opposite sides of a stanchion whereby a panel must be lifted in order to tip the stanchion over so wind forces are safely accommodated. Another form of the footing includes projections that extend into the bore. Various forms of sound-barrier wall configurations can be accommodated by the footing.

Abstract: A landscape edging and border structure for providing inexpensive and easy-to-install decorative landscape edging. The landscape edging and border structure includes a plurality of blocks each having side walls, end walls and a bottom wall; and also includes a plurality of block anchor members each of which is securely attached to the bottom wall of a respective block with the block anchor members being adapted to penetrate a ground; and further includes a plurality of coupling members each being securely and removably fastened to two adjacently disposed blocks.

Abstract: A kit for reworking an improperly installed concrete foundation bolt protruding an insufficient distance above a wood frame structure sill plate includes a combination nut-sleeve having a continuous internal thread, and an elongate cap sized to cover the foundation bolt. The cap is placed over the external threads of the foundation bolt, and a conventional hole saw used to remove material surrounding the foundation bolt. The cap is removed and the nut-sleeve combination installed. The length of engagement of the foundation bolt external thread is effectively increased, solving the problem of the improperly installed bolt in an easy and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: An attachment system and method for coupling a wall and a floor together during and/or after construction, and for facilitating final orientation of the wall and floor, includes first and second members coupled to the respective wall and floor and pivotal about a hinge member. The wall and floor, and thus the first and second members, pivot between an assembly position, and a final position. In the assembly position, the wall or the floor is assembled, and the first and second members are coupled to the respective wall and floor. In the final position, the wall and floor are finally oriented with respect to one another.

Abstract: A moment resisting strap connection in a shear-resisting assembly for use in light frame building construction, particularly in shear walls, attached to a foundation. The improvement includes providing an elongated thin metal strap attached to a wood structural member such that the strap and wood structural member conjointly act compositely and transmit substantial shear and moment forces from the elongated structural member to the foundation. Further enhanced transfer of shear and moment forces from the wood structural member to the foundation is effected by providing sufficient fasteners such as screws between the strap, a holdown, and the wood structural member to stitch the elements together so as to stiffen them and thereby prevent bending of the end of the holdown.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall system for free-standing subdivision partitions, highway sound and visual barriers, privacy walls, or walls of a building having a plurality of prefabricated modular panels that are removably interconnected and installed. Each panel is essentially a factory-built sandwich having an expanded plastic foam core between two composite reinforcing wafers. Each wafer is comprised of an inner layer of fiberglass coated with an exterior layer of concrete reinforced with a grid of steel bars. The foam core has a pair of vertical cylindrical voids sized and spaced to mate with foundation columns pre-poured on site. The ends of each panel are reinforced with a steel sling lifting assembly embedded in concrete that includes removable eyebolts at the top edge whereby the panels can be attached to cables at each end for hoisting above the foundation columns and then lowering into place. A vertical groove or trough at each end of the panels receives a connector, such an expansion joint filler.

Abstract: A lateral force resisting system includes a rigid structural panel and holdowns. A foundation bolt placement template may be used to locate and support the foundation bolts during fabrication of the foundation and to further secure the frame foundation interface. The rigid structural panel may be a vertical truss or a rigid structural frame with a wooden panel covering one side and interconnecting the members of the rigid structural frame. The wooden panel may be made up of multiple panes to tailor the response of the panel to the lateral force load. The holdowns secure the rigid structural panel to the foundation bolts and may be either a folded strap and pin embodiment or self-tightening.

Abstract: A masonry retaining wall is constructed using a footer placed at or beneath a lower grade level with vertically extending post-tensioning rods extending therefrom. The post-tensioning rods are provided with upset ends and flange members close to a right angle bend to provide appropriate anchoring in the footer and to increase the pull out strength of the rod. A plurality of courses of masonry block are positioned on the footer with the vertically extending post-tensioning rods threaded through voids in the block. Flange members are positioned on the ends of the respective post-tensioning rods and nuts are used on the threaded ends thereof to apply a predetermined tensioning force to each of the post-tensioning rods.

Abstract: A gusset anchoring assembly for anchoring the roof frame of a building to its foundation, such as a concrete slab and having a lower rod affixed to the foundation and an upper extension rod disposed adjacent the truss of the roof frame. A modified U-shaped bracket hangs from the gusset and is secured thereto by mechanical fasteners. The upper end of the extension rod is secured to a horizontal ledge formed on the bracket.

Abstract: A cantilevered structural support comprises a counterbalance and an elongate support member that is secured to the counterbalance. A cantilevered portion of the support member extends outward from the counterbalance. When one or more cantilevered structural supports are used to support a freestanding structure, the cantilevered portions of the support members are configured to support 40% or more of the footprint area of the structure.

Abstract: A foundation system for a manufactured home utilizing a plurality of elongated footings extending transversely of the home and support blocks which may be pushed along the footings into proper position for attachment to the structural beams of the manufactured home.

Abstract: An anchoring device not accessible from one of its sides can be produced by making a cavity (11) of a particular shape and using tendons (4), each of which has an end portion (41) of adapted shape. The cavity may be made in different ways, especially by concreting an anchor member (1) having an opening (12) at one end, the anchor member and the cavity it contains each having an adapted shape. After the anchor member has been concreted and the tendons inserted in the cavity, the cavity is filled with an embedding mortar in order to block the ends of the tendons therein.

Abstract: A foundation element in the form of a rigid monolithic prefabricated frame which includes at least two opposite containing side walls and cross-members interconnecting the two side walls so as to form a casting through-cavity between these two walls. The frame is intended to be located on the ground with the interposition of adjustable support devices and is intended to receive a hardenable fluid binder material poured into its through-cavity and adapted to spread onto the ground between this and the side walls and to fill the cavity, encapsulating the cross-members and the iron rods or other connecting members for connecting a superstructure element. Also provided are prefabricated structures including prefabricated tunnels, with foundation elements formed by means of the said prefabricated frames.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a connection, having an anchored, elongated tension member, a fastening member attached to the elongated tension member, a resisting member that receives the elongated tension member and an expansion device that receives the elongated tension member there through and is compressively loaded between the fastening member and the resisting member by operation of the fastening member on the elongated tension member. The expansion device is formed with a sleeve. First and second bearing members are received in the central aperture of the surrounding sleeve and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve. At least one of the bearing members is threadably connected to the sleeve. This bearing member can rotate in relation to the surrounding sleeve. A torsion spring connects the first and second bearing members and is located within the surrounding sleeve.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces is made with a strap and a standoff base. The standoff base receives the anchor member, and bears upon the strap. The strap is connected the first building structural member by means of the fasteners. The first building structural member bears upon the standoff base while being lifted above the anchor member by the standoff base.

Abstract: A moment resisting strap connection in a shear-resisting assembly for use in light frame building construction, particularly in shear walls, attached to a foundation. The improvement consists of providing an elongated thin metal strap attached to a wood structural member such that the strap and wood structural member conjointly act compositely and transmit substantial shear and moment forces from the elongated structural member to the foundation. Further enhanced transfer of shear and moment forces from the wood structural member to the foundation is effected by providing sufficient fasteners such as screws between the strap, a holdown, and the wood structural member to stitch the elements together so as to stiffen them and thereby prevent bending of the end of the holdown.

Abstract: A shear wall construction and method for assembling the same is disclosed. A plywood sheet includes close laterally-spaced pairs of vertical studs or posts proximate each lateral end. A channel-defining member is fitted and fixed between the spaced studs. A tie member extends from the channel-defining member into a concrete foundation or other underlying building element. A track is also provided for sheathing a lower edge of the shear wall. Protrusions from the metal track aid in anchoring the shear wall to the concrete foundation.

Abstract: A foundation element in the form of a rigid monolithic prefabricated frame which includes at least two opposite containing side walls and cross-members interconnecting the two side walls so as to form a casting through-cavity between these two walls. The frame is intended to be located on the ground with the interposition of adjustable support devices and is intended to receive a hardenable fluid binder material poured into its through-cavity and adapted to spread onto the ground between this and the side walls and to fill the cavity, encapsulating the cross-members and the iron rods or other connecting members for connecting a superstructure element. Also provided are prefabricated structures including prefabricated tunnels, with foundation elements formed by means of the prefabricated frames.

Abstract: Top plate tie-down arrangements are used for securing the roof of a structure against damage caused by high winds, earthquakes, and the like by anchoring the top plate of a wall to a foundation slab. An anchor for use in a top plate tie-down arrangement has a self-tapping thread on one end that allows it to be threaded into a hole drilled into the slab. The upper end of the anchor, which protrudes through a sill plate, is threaded to engage a connecting nut that ties the anchor to an elongated vertical fastener attached to the top plate. The lengths of various portions of the anchor and of the hole into which it is threaded are selected so that the sill plate is captured between the connecting nut and the slab.

Abstract: A connection is created between a first member and a second member. The connector used to join the first and second members includes the following members: an attachment member, a plurality of fasteners that are received by the attachment member, and an anchor member that is also received by the attachment member. These members can be arranged in the following manner with respect to the first and second members. The fasteners are received by the attachment member and anchored in the second member. The fasteners are driven into the second member through the attachment member, thus the heads of the fasteners are closer to the attachment member than the leading tips of the fasteners. At least one of the fasteners lies at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the second member.

Abstract: A hold-down for securing first and second support members in a portion of a building to an anchoring device extending from another portion of the building. The hold-down may include a first flange having securement apertures therethrough configured to receive fasteners adapted to secure the first flange to the first support member. A second flange may have securement apertures configured to receive fasteners adapted to secure the second flange to the second support member. A base may connect the first and second flanges and have an aperture sized and positioned to receive the anchoring device therethrough. The first and second flanges may be configured to be loaded substantially exclusively in tension by the anchoring device.

Abstract: A foundation element comprises a rigid monolithic prefabricated frame (10) which includes at least two opposite containing side walls (12) and cross-members (14) interconnecting the two side walls (12) so as to form a casting through-cavity between these two walls (12). The frame (10) is intended to be located on the ground (G) with the interposition of adjustable support devices (22) and is intended to receive a hardenable fluid binder material (36) poured into its through-cavity and adapted to spread onto the ground (G) between this and the side walls (12) and to fill the cavity, encapsulating the cross-members (14) and the iron rods (34) or other connecting members for connecting a superstructure element (32). The invention also relates to prefabricated structures including prefabricated tunnels, with foundation elements formed by means of the said prefabricated frames (10).

Abstract: A tower support structure for supporting communications equipment or other types of equipment above the ground is provided. The structure includes a foundation, a tower having a number of tower sections is supported by the foundation. The tower includes main bracing systems and sub-bracing systems extending between the tower columns. A cable support structure is anchored to the ground and is also connected to the tower.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved wall for resisting lateral forces imposed on a building that incorporates the wall. Specifically, this invention relates to a wall in a light-frame building having within it a sub-component specifically designed to resist lateral forces imposed on the building such as those caused by an earthquake or by wind loading. The wall is formed with a bottom plate that rests on the underlying structural component of the building. A plurality of vertically-disposed studs connect to the bottom plate, and a top plate is supported by and connects to the vertically-disposed studs. A shear-resisting assembly connects to the top plate and the underlying structural component. The shear-resisting assembly has top and bottom struts and first and second chords and a planar shear resisting element connected thereto.

Abstract: A wall plate for attaching a structural beam to a masonry wall is disclosed. The wall plate has a flat plate having at least two bolt holes and an absence of nail holes therethrough. At least one anchor is fixed to the flat plate and extends from one side of it. Means are welded to that side which have at least two threaded apertures therethrough, where each aperture is aligned with a bolt hole. There is a removable covering over the means.

Abstract: The present invention is a channel-shaped connector for connecting a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces. A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a back member formed to interface with the fasteners for attaching the back member to the first building structural member, a first side member connected to the back member, a second side member connected to the back member, and first and second anchor receiving members. Both the first and second anchor receiving members extend laterally between the first and second side members, and both the first and second anchor receiving members are connected to the first and second side members.

Abstract: A pole assembly includes two parts—a hollow stub foundation and a hollow pole, which telescopes over the stub foundation and rests on the ground. The stub and the pole preferably are adhered together. The stub preferably has a roughened outer surface at least in its upper portion to help it adhere to the inner surface of the pole when the two are assembled together. The stub has access openings to facilitate running wiring through the stub into the pole, and the pole preferably has an access opening that is aligned with an opening in the stub when the pole is installed on the stub to provide access for connecting wiring running inside the stub to wiring running inside the pole.

Abstract: Top plate tie-down arrangements are used for securing the roof of a structure against damage caused by high winds, earthquakes, and the like by anchoring the top plate of a wall to a foundation slab. An anchor for use in a top plate tie-down arrangement has a self-tapping thread on one end that allows it to be threaded into a hole drilled into the slab. The upper end of the anchor, which protrudes through a sill plate, is threaded to engage a connecting nut that ties the anchor to an elongated vertical fastener attached to the top plate. The lengths of various portions of the anchor and of the hole into which it is threaded are selected so that the sill plate is captured between the connecting nut and the slab.

Abstract: An anchoring device not accessible from one of its sides can be produced by making a cavity (11) of a particular shape and using tendons (4), each of which has an end portion (41) of adapted shape. The cavity may be made in different ways, especially by concreting an anchor member (1) having an opening (12) at one end, the anchor member and the cavity it contains each having an adapted shape. After the anchor member has been concreted and the tendons inserted in the cavity, the cavity is filled with an embedding mortar in order to block the ends of the tendons therein.

Abstract: A lateral bracing system for one or two story frame structures utilizing a sheet member having a first portion with first and second opposite edges spanning a pair of vertical supports in the structure. The sheet member includes a second portion which imbeds in the concrete foundation or pier. The sheet member may includes flanges to aid in the connection between the sheet member and the separated studs. The sheet member may extend from the foundation of the structure to the first and second stories of the structure to provide shear strength in the structure.

Abstract: A modular building construction and components thereof. A foundation for a building includes anchor bolts extending around its periphery. A metal lower track is installed over the anchor bolts and secured thereto with nuts and rod couplers. Elongated connector rods are threaded onto the upper ends of the couplers. Pre-manufactured modular wall panels, integrally molded with a metal stud along a first lateral edge and a complementary recess along a second lateral edge, are successively installed in the track. A first panel is installed with an open side of the stud surrounding the connector rod. The second, adjacent panel is installed with its second lateral edge facing the stud. The two panels are slid together to surround and enclose the connector rod. The process continues until the entire peripheral wall is formed. A metal upper track is laid over the upper ends of the wall panels with the connector rods extending therethrough.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a holder (32) for adjustable positioning of reinforcing rods (49). The holder has a horizontal support structure and a means for holding a reinforcing rod (49). The holder is comprised of a first leg member (33), a second leg member (34), a spring (35) and a retaining member (41). The leg members are elongated for spanning one of the cells of a hollow block (20). The first and second leg members are configured and arranged to create a gap (37) therebetween for receiving the reinforcing rod. The spring is adapted to bias the leg members against the reinforcing rod to vertically suspend and selectively permit adjustment of the vertical position of the reinforcing rod during the construction of a hollow block wall (47). In the preferred embodiment, the leg members and the spring are integrally formed from a continuous wire member having a U-shaped profile.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a manufactured home and a method of anchoring a manufactured home utilizing longitudinal central and exterior slabs, strap anchors embedded in the slabs, and straps connecting the home to the slabs, where the straps extend from the central slab to an exterior I-beam underneath the home and from the exterior slab to an interior I-beam on each end of home, and where frame straps extend from the home to anchors in the exterior slabs and longitudinally spaced interior straps extend from the exterior slabs to the interior I-beams.

Abstract: A longitudinal stabilizing system for a premanufactured building having support joists extending along the length of the underside of the building and being supported above the ground by upright piers. The system comprises at least one foundation plate, a joist connector, a plate connector, and a rectilinear strut. The foundation plate is placed between the pier and the ground. The joist connector attaches to the joist of the building. Plate clamps may be used in conjunction with the joist connector to grasp the joist. The plate connector attaches to the foundation plate. The strut is attached to the joist connector at one end and the plate connector at the other end such that the strut slopes downward from the joist towards the ground.

Abstract: A beam is joined to a column by the steps of setting upright a square sleeve formed by a steel material in the shape of a box and/or square cylinder to the center of the upper surface of a base plate formed by a steel material in the shape of a plate in a posture of extending an axis in a vertical direction to connect the square sleeve to the base plate by welding, placing the base plate to the upper surface of a constructed footing through anchor bolts, inserting the lower end of a square column pipe formed by a steel material in the shape of square pipe into the square sleeve on the upper surface side of the base plate, tying the square column pipe with the connecting bolts inserted into bolt holes provided in the square column pipe and also bolt holes provided at predetermined positions of the wall surface of the square sleeve, then bringing an end plate formed by a steel material into contact with the wall surface of the square sleeve by making it condition that the end plate is preliminarily welded as on

Abstract: An anchoring device not accessible from one of its sides can be produced by making a cavity (11) of a particular shape and using tendons (4), each of which has an end portion (41) of adapted shape. The cavity may be made in different ways, especially by concreting an anchor member (1) having an opening (12) at one end, the anchor member and the cavity it contains each having an adapted shape. After the anchor member has been concreted and the tendons inserted in the cavity, the cavity is filled with an embedding mortar in order to block the ends of the tendons therein.

Abstract: An interlocking corrugated fluted panel for use in constructing a foundation wall for a building where a plurality of the panels are attached to a presupported building member and the panels hang downwardly into a foundation support opening. At the bottom portion of each fluted panel, the flutes extending outwardly from the building are cut along a bend line and the bottom portion of the panel is bent inwardly approximately 90°, the bent portion forming an anchorage when concrete is placed around the bottom of the panels. At the lower edge of each panel a cut flute is bent into either an interlocking male or female shape.

Abstract: A high strength grouted pipe coupler by which pairs of spaced axially aligned steel reinforcement bars (i.e. rebars) are reliably spliced to one another for the purpose of connecting together and providing continuous support for contiguous columns, walls, beams, and similar structures to enable buildings, parking structures, bridges, subways, and airports, to be better able to survive a seismic event. The coupler includes a hollow steel pipe to receive opposing ends of the pair of reinforcement bars. A first of the reinforcement bars is upset to include a relatively wide head, and a relatively rigid spiral wire surrounds the upset head of the first reinforcement bar at the interior of the hollow pipe. The hollow pipe is filled with a cement grout which engulfs the upset head of the first reinforcement bar and the spiral wire extending therearound.