Abstract: A multi-material joint includes first and second body members, a staple, a wire ladder, and an adhesive. The first body member includes a first layer of fiber reinforced material which has first upper and lower surfaces. The second body member includes a metal. The staple includes first and second prongs joined by a crown. The first and second prongs are inserted through the first layer such that the crown is positioned adjacent to the first upper surface. The wire ladder is positioned adjacent to the first lower surface and includes first and second rails coupled together by a plurality of rungs. The first and second prongs hook over the respective first and second rungs. The adhesive is positioned between the first and second body members, and covers at least a portion of the crown. Other multi-material joints are also provided, as are methods of making multi-material joints.

Abstract: A structural module (10) for use in water irrigation, water drainage, water retention and water filtering systems, comprises a load bearing base unit (10) and porous material (15), wherein the base unit has a top wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) spaced therefrom by one or more supporting elements (13, 20) so as to define a volume between the top and bottom walls. The base unit being provided with apertures (17, 18, 19) to permit the flow of liquid into and out of the volume. The porous material is a block (15) foamed polymeric material which occupies a substantial portion of the volume within the base unit and absorbs and retains water that passes through the apertures.

Abstract: As a temporary drainage equipment, a penetration hole is formed to a floor slab of a building under construction, the penetration hole is provided with a substantially cylindrical funnel portion opened to a floor surface of a room, a connection pipe is communicated to a bottom portion of the funnel portion, and a hose guide pipe is inserted to the lower end portion of the connection pipe. An inner flange portion is provided to the lower end portion of the hose guide pipe so as to be flush with a ceiling surface of the downfloor room.

Abstract: An improved weep vent for use in brick and masonry wall construction includes an adjustability feature that provides a superior vent. The vent includes an outer inverted U-shape casing having an inner smaller inverted U-shape member slidably retained in the casing, and an open mesh insert type plug that fits in front of the casing to keep out insects while allowing water to drain outwardly. During installation, the casing is positioned adjacent the side of bricks of the first course above a foundation or at other locations. The sliding member is extending out the back of the casing until it contacts the balloon frame or masonry, flashing or other obstructions. Then mortar is positioned over the vent. Excessive mortar does not clog the vent.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing residual stones having at least one spalling wherein an adhesive layer is first applied grid-like on the residual stone in the area of the spalling, but leaving at least many areas free of the adhesive layer; then a leveling layer of mortar is applied; and subsequently a thin anti-abrasion layer is applied on the leveling layer; and where the leveling layer of mortar has drainage channels to convey the moisture out of the residual stone to at least one end of the stone. The invention also relates to a stone, reconstructed according to the method.

Abstract: A method of reducing the amount of cooling energy required to cool a building is provided. The method includes disposing a porous insulating material substantially covering the ceiling in the attic space of the building to a substantial depth. The porous insulating material includes a desiccant. The method further includes permitting the desiccant-bearing porous insulating material to adsorb water moisture from the attic space and then permitting the adsorbed water moisture to desorb from the desiccant-bearing porous insulating material into the enclosed room of the building, whereby the temperature of the desiccant-bearing porous insulating material is reduced, resulting in a reduction in the amount of cooling energy required to cool the building.

Abstract: Moisture and condensation barriers for protecting wood from damage in building structures (particularly but not necessarily in flooring systems) include a liquid rubberized coating material coated onto some of the wood or a barrier sheet having a petroleum-based tar layer.

Abstract: A drainage system for use in concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall construction comprises a tray unit of a size corresponding to size of CMUs, to be received beneath a course of CMUs, in use. The tray unit comprises opposite side flanges to abut a superjacent CMU and supporting a pan therebelow. A strip of water permeable material is attached to an upper surface of the pan and extends transversely beyond a front edge of the pan. A block of water permeable material is positioned above the pan and extends upwardly into a hollow core of a CMU. The water permeable material of the strip and the block has a porosity sufficient to permit water to pass there through but substantially insufficient to permit mortar and debris to pass there through so that water in a hollow core of a CMU drains through the strip.

Abstract: A flood barrier comprises a resilient trough and a flexible impermeable sheet anchored to the trough wherein the flexible impermeable sheet is capable of being stored in the trough or being extended therefrom for adjoining a structure for example a building.

Abstract: A process for constructing a wall, floor or ceiling in situ. The process includes the steps of erecting a substantially rigid frame (10) and attaching fiber reinforced cementitious sheets (50) to the front and rear faces of the frame to form a void (60) therebetween. This void (60) is then filled with a lightweight aggregate concrete slurry and allowed to cure. The sheets are adapted to absorb sufficient moisture from the lightweight aggregate slurry to provide natural adherence of the concrete slurry to the sheets without substantially losing their structural integrity during setting and curing of the concrete slurry.

Abstract: Devices and methods for protecting weepholes in brick veneer structures against insects and other pests while still allowing drainage and for helping prevent mortar portions and other objects from blocking the weepholes. A weephole device is described that includes a substantially vertical spacer portion having a pair of side walls that are maintained in a spaced relation to one another to define a gap for the passage of water or other fluids. The spacer portion is shaped and sized to be inserted into a weephole space between a pair of bricks. A tray is affixed to the spacer portion and includes a substantially horizontally disposed tray portion that is shaped and sized to capture falling mortar portions or other objects that might block the weephole were they to fall behind it within the air gap between the brick veneer wall and the structural inner wall. The rear edge of the tray portion has an edge that is intended to contact the inner wall when the weephole device is emplaced.

Abstract: A roof system for sloped metal roofs utilizing plywood decking, corrugated metal panels and one or more spacers disposed between the decking and metal panels for holding the metal panels vertically above the decking. The spacers have a planar top section, a planar bottom section and a center section to hold the top and bottom sections in spaced apart relation. The spacers also have one or more openings to form an airflow cavity between the decking and metal panels to permit the circulation of air therein. In the preferred embodiment, a thermal barrier layer is disposed between the spacers and the decking and the airflow cavity connects to a ridge vent located at the ridge of the roof and an eave vent at the eave of the roof. The roof system allows ambient air to be drawn into the eave vent to circulate through the airflow cavity and out the ridge vent in order to prevent thermal flexing of the metal roof and the build-up of moisture between the metal panels and decking.

Abstract: A weep screed for use in exterior construction has a vertical member and upper and lower outwardly projecting flanges affixed to the vertical member. The vertical member is adapted to be form-fit to the base of a vertical wall overlying a concrete foundation. The upper outwardly projecting flange is coextensive with the length of the screed and has a plurality of apertures therein, the apertures being spaced from one another along the length of the weep screed to provide drainage for water accumulating on an upper surface of the upper outwardly projecting flange. The lower outwardly projecting flange, which is coextensive in length with the upper outwardly projecting flange, is impermeable to water. The lower flange collects water received from the upper member and directs the flow of such water outwardly, away from the vertical wall and foundation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a manufactured article impervious to water, the water being rain water, water coming from a water-bearing stratum, and/or from concrete. The manufactured article of the invention may be used in building of habitations, factories, tunnels, and/or submarine structures and the like, the article comprising a leakproofing material. The manufactured article further includes a coating constituted by a film made of a material, the water-solubility of which is kept under control, the film delaying the leakproofing material hydration process for a predetermined period of time from between 1 and 30 days.

Abstract: An insulation panel includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side, a second side, a third side opposite the first side, and a fourth side opposite the second side. The first, second, third, and fourth sides define a perimeter of the panel. The insulation panel also includes a first conduit and a second conduit internal with respect to the first and second surfaces and extending between the first and third sides. The insulation panel further includes a third conduit and a fourth conduit internal with respect to the first and second surfaces and extending between the second and fourth sides. The conduits remove moisture that accumulates underneath the panel. Moreover, the insulation panel includes a slit extending from the perimeter to the first, second, third, and fourth conduits for discharging water accumulated within the insulation panel.

Abstract: A stagnant-water intercepting device for disposition in earthworks is formed by an intercepting member and two auxiliary intercepting plates. The intercepting member has a semi-cylindrical center portion and two side wing portions. The semi-cylindrical center portion and the side wing portions are integrated into a single body. The two auxiliary intercepting plates are respectively provided with a plurality of spaced holes at their exposed portions and fixedly fitted into respective ones of the side wing portions of the intercepting member. The portions of the intercepting plates fitted into the side wing portions of the intercepting member are each provided with a plurality of holes.

Abstract: Devices and methods for protecting weepholes in brick veneer structures against insects and other pests while still allowing drainage and for helping prevent mortar portions and other objects from blocking the weepholes. A weephole device is described that includes a substantially vertical spacer portion having a pair of side walls that are maintained in a spaced relation to one another to define a gap for the passage of water or other fluids. The spacer portion is shaped and sized to be inserted into a weephole space between a pair of bricks. A tray is affixed to the spacer portion and includes a substantially horizontally disposed tray portion that is shaped and sized to capture falling mortar portions or other objects that might block the weephole were they to fall behind it within the air gap between the brick veneer wall and the structural inner wall. The rear edge of the tray portion has an edge that is intended to contact the inner wall when the weephole device is emplaced.

Abstract: A mesh device for retaining mortar and other debris within a mortar-cavity-wall so as to prevent such material from falling in front of and hence blocking the “weep holes” placed at the bottom of such a wall to permit the egress of moisture condensate that forms within this type of wall. The device of the present invention is a rectangle of thin, openly woven mesh of basically a planar shape but with “bumps” distributed across the plane in such manner that when the device is placed upright within the cavity the bumps form barriers to the dropping of mortar and other debris. The bumps themselves, being made of the same material as the rest of the device, are fully permeable to moisture working its way down the cavity. Furthermore, there is an offset of the bumps in one row from those in the next so as to further reduce the possibility of a blockage occurring, say by debris accumulated on the bumps.

Abstract: A breathing system for a steel reinforced concrete slab or pile slab allows water to penetrate the slab from both directions, upward and downward, thereby relieving any water pressure differential across the slab. This minimizes stresses on the slab, and maintains the water table. A plurality of apertures are distributed over the surface of the slab, and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. Each aperture may include a pipe. The apertures are evenly spaced apart in between the reinforcing bars, so as not to compromise the strength of the slab. The apertures will allow water to penetrate evenly over the entire surface of the slab. Layers of sand or crushed stone adjacent the upper and lower surfaces convey water to and from the apertures.

Abstract: A structural element for thermal insulation between two structural elements to be covered with concrete, especially a building and a projecting external part, has an insulating body to be inserted in between the structual elements and has at least integral compression elements which run transverse to the longitudinal extension of the insulating body and through them and are respectively connected to both structural elements, wherein the compression elements can have of a profile body with several especially vertically running compression bars, and wherein the length of the compression elements in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the insulating body amounts to a multiple of their vertical height.

Abstract: A composite roofing system in which a layer of polystyrene or polyurethane foam insulation board is encased in layers of lightweight insulating concrete and the surface of the foam insulation board is roughened to strengthen the interfacial bond with the surrounding layers of concrete and provide increased resistance to wind uplift, seismic activity, and degradation of the roofing system caused by vertical loads. Moisture which might otherwise become entrapped in the roofing system by the impermeable insulation board is ventilated out of the system by a combination of openings through the insulation board which permit the migration of moisture between the layers of concrete, and a plurality of lateral slots cut in the insulation board to permit further migration of moisture out of the system.

Abstract: A permanent form for placing a basement concrete wall includes a percolation layer and a water-conduit channel for discharging water leakage or the like from a basement concrete wall. If the basement concrete wall is placed using the form, the percolation layer is impregnated with cement paste of concrete, whereby the form and the basement concrete wall are joined to each other. Redundant water before hardening the concrete, water leakage after hardening or the like flows into the water-conduit channel through the percolation layer, flows downward through the water-conduit channel, and is discharged from the bottom of the form. In addition, heat from the basement concrete wall is cut off by a heat insulating layer provided on the side of the interior as viewed from the water-conduit channel.

Abstract: A permanent form for placing a basement concrete wall includes a percolation layer and a water-conduit channel for discharging water leakage or the like from a basement concrete wall. If the basement concrete wall is placed using the form, the percolation layer is impregnated with cement paste of concrete, whereby the form and the basement concrete wall are joined to each other. Redundant water before hardening the concrete, water leakage after hardening or the like flows into the water-conduit channel through the percolation layer, flows downward through the water-conduit channel, and is discharged from the bottom of the form. In addition, heat from the basement concrete wall is cut off by a heat insulating layer provided on the side of the interior as viewed from the water-conduit channel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for the corrosion condition evaluation of unbonded prestressing elements in post-tension concrete structures. The method involves locating a prestressing element in the structure and providing at least two openings in the structure at positions along the length of the element. One of the openings is an inlet port and the other is an outlet port, each of the ports permitting communication with the gaseous environment within a conduit surrounding the prostressing element. The gaseous environment is accessed through the outlet port by extracting a sample of gas therethrough. The sample is then measured to determine its humidity and thereby evaluate the corrosion condition of the prestressing element between the inlet port and the outlet port. A method and apparatus is also provided for the on-site corrosion protection of unbonded prestressing elements whereby the gaseous environments within the conduits are cyclically pressurized with a dry gas.

Abstract: A construction unit includes weep openings through a front wall, side walls, and a center web, and at least one slot extending parallel to a rear wall to receive a flashing member, the slot being defined at least partially by the rear wall. An insert member having an insect screen is positioned in each of the weep openings of the front wall.

Abstract: Novel cementitious containers for storage of hazardous waste are disclosed having an inner layer of substantially unhydrated cement in contact with the hazardous waste and an outer layer of hydrated cement. Cementitious hazardous waste containers may be prepared by compressing powdered hydraulic cement around solid hazardous waste materials and then hydrating an outer layer of the powdered hydraulic cement. An inner layer of powdered hydraulic cement remains unhydrated and capable of reacting with any water which might breach the outer layer or originate with the hazardous waste itself. The inner layer of powdered hydraulic cement is also capable of reacting with any carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide generated by decomposition of organic waste materials.

Abstract: A mold is provided for use in forming a chimney crown on the top of a chimney shell. The mold includes four side sections and four corner sections which are assembled together to form a complete unit. Each side section and each corner section has a base for contacting a top surface of the chimney shell and a band extending downwardly from the base for contacting an outer side surface of the chimney shell. Since part of this base extends outwardly beyond the chimney shell, the chimney crown overhangs the chimney shell preferably in a cantilever manner. Each side section of the mold also has an upper leg and a lower leg extending from the base at the outer end thereof. A hook trough extends inwardly from the upper leg into the chimney crown for anchoring the mold and for carrying water to drainage holes in the corner sections of the mold. A rope may be disposed in the hook trough to act as a wick for drawing excess moisture from the chimney crown.

Abstract: A combination void drain vent chair for use in the construction of voided concrete shapes, including an elongated tube connecting the interior of the void form to the exterior of the concrete shape, and including a flat flexible member surrounding the upper end of the tube which may be attached to the under surface of the void form so that the void drain vent chair may be conveniently used with void forms that are circular in cross section, as well as those that are rectangular in cross section.

Abstract: A deck structure is disclosed in which overlapping and interlocking corrugated members, each formed from a single sheet of metal, are covered with a layer of concrete. Each corrugated member has at least one longitudinally extending valley along one side and a substantially flat flange provided on an opposite side. The flange may include spaced-apart longitudinally extending shallow depressions spaced at a distance and configured to receive and interlock with an adjacent member. When the decking is used as a deck form, the end portions of the sheet members may be partially or completely closed. Perforations which may be provided in flange portions of the members, allow water and other liquids to drain through deck form and to be caught in a vented valley portions of an adjacent member.

Abstract: A plug adapted to be inserted into the open end of a channel of a concrete slab which is provided with a plug portion having a perimeter conforming to the cross section of the channel and of smaller diameter than the cross section of the channel, the plug being provided with outwardly extending fingers from the perimeter of the plug portion which are adapted to engage the surfaces of the channel, the fingers having arms extending therefrom which support a ring adapted to abut the exterior surface of the slab about the channel to accurately position the plug within the channel. The plug permits water to drain from the channels through slots between adjacent fingers and facilitates the use of mortar for joining the ends of adjacent slabs or the like.

Abstract: Moisture entrapped within roofing systems of the type wherein a layer of normally low-permeance, cellular plastic insulation board (e.g. foamed polystyrene) is employed in conjunction with at least one layer of moisture-bearing construction material (e.g. lightweight insulating vermiculite concrete) is made able to be vented from within the system by providing the board with a plurality of openings therethrough and further preventing the fluid construction material when placed upon the board from entering and filling the openings. Such prevention of filling of the openings may be accomplished by making the dimension of the openings such that the fluid construction material will not flow therein yet moisture will pass, or by covering the openings with a material (e.g. paper) which will prevent such filling, the material however being permeable by any moisture later entrapped within the roofing system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet metal structural shape for use in building construction having a generally box shape with outwardly extending flanges at one end of the substantially parallel sides and inwardly extending flanges at the other end of the parallel sides forming a slot between the ends of the inwardly extending flanges and a closure between the ends of the outwardly extending flanges closing the space between the sides at that end. The sheet metal structural shape may be advantageously used as a structural shape in deck structures and in wall structures according to this invention. One deck structure of this invention uses the sheet metal structure shape as a sub-purlin, or purlin on short spans, supporting insulation on the bottom outwardly extending flanges and having sheet metal roofing material fastened to the inwardly extending flanges at the top end of the structural shape. Thus, a deck is provided with at least a major portion of the insulation beneath the steel roof decking.

Abstract: A construction panel is provided comprising a core of expanded or foamed polymeric material embodied between two major face members of resin reinforced with glass fibers. The side walls of the panel comprise pultrusion angle members which are encapsulated in the panel within the major face members. Elongated U-shaped pultrusion reinforcing members may be disposed within the panel to provide reinforcement and a channel for the receipt of wires, pipes, or to act as heating, air conditioning or vacuum cleaning ducts. The glass fibers used to reinforce the major face members are in multidirectional orientation and have portions extending into the interior of the panel to provide a mechanical and chemical bond between the core and the major face members. The pultrusion members may be made from resin reinforced with continuous strands of glass fibers in unidirectional orientation, and are preferably prestressed.

Abstract: A panel construction for roofs and the like is disclosed for use as an insulated structural roof deck and insulated structural wall which includes panels capable of being readily handled, the panels being attached to and supported by spaced long span bar joints or the like, or other structural steel framing, the panels each having a lower board preferably of gypsum to serve as a fire shield and to which at least one small structural steel stiffener or joist member preferably of I-shape and of sheet metal is secured. I-shaped joist members are also provided along one end margin and along one edge margin of each panel. The space between the internal joists and to the I-shaped margin members is filled with polyurethane foam formed along one side edge and one end edge as tongues for engagement in the I-shaped margin members. The lower board is preferably vented to permit the escape of gas generated by exposure of the foam to very high temperatures.

Abstract: In a tunnel driving apparatus which employs hydraulic rams for advancing a shield in the direction of tunnel advancement, a thrust ring is used as a support for the rams. Lining sections are installed at the rear side of the thrust ring as the latter is shifted up. These lining sections are each spaced from the exposed tunnel wall when installed to receive fluid concrete used to form a tunnel lining. The thrust ring defines chambers, one of which has filter means which faces the concrete reception space and contacts the concrete therein. Water is withdrawn from the concrete by suction created by reducing the pressure in the chambers and the other of the chambers is used to collect the water. Inflatable packings are used to seal off the concrete reception space and can be deflated when the thrust ring is shifted up.

Abstract: A method for making a building panel and the panel made by the steps which include laying a mold form horizontally, laying bricks in the pattern indicated in the mold form and depositing a fibrous and cementitious mixture in the spaces between the bricks and over the tops of the bricks. Providing a reinforcing lattice work and forcing it into the still soft cementitious mixture. Subsequently, a resin insulating material is foamed in situ in the mold cavities formed between the elements of the lattice work. Optionally, a smooth finish coat of material may be troweled or sprayed over the insulation material.

Abstract: A method for draining water or moisture from a substratum for a waterproofing layer in buildings comprising applying to the substratum such as concrete or mortar a sintered product of a thermoplastic resin, having a capillary structure comprising numeral, fine and interconnecting pores and voids of 20 to 70 percent, selected from the group consisting of a sintered plate and a sintered hollow product in a form of a belt or tube, wherein at least a part of the sintered product is protruded into the atmosphere and applying thereto a waterproofing layer, and thereby making the water or moisture contained in the substratum evaporate through the sintered product.

Abstract: A waterproof deck includes a deck subflooring supported on joists adjacent a building, a flashing adjacent a building, and a drip edge attached along the edge of a subflooring where the water runs off the deck. An elastomeric waterproofing material covers the subflooring and a strip of T-bar edging is attached along the edge of the subfloor and has a portion extending over the elastomeric waterproofing material and over the drip edge and another portion extending above the subfloor to form a raised edge therealong. Concrete covers the elastomeric waterproofing material and subfloor to the top edge of the T-bar raised edge so that water on the concrete flooring runs off the deck over the T-bar drip edge and drains from beneath the concrete floor over the drip edge to prevent collection of water over the concrete flooring.