Abstract: A space truss is constructed of a pair of plane trusses. Each of the plane trusses is constructed of an upper and lower chord member fixedly connected with each other through a strut member interposed therebetween. The thus constructed plane trusses are oppositely disposed from each other in a condition in which the strut member of each of the plane trusses are interposed between the thus oppositely disposed plane trusses, the upper chord members of the plane trusses are closely disposed together, and the lower chord members of the plane trusses are spaced apart from each other. A sheet steel is fixedly connected to the space truss through a hanging hook to form a composite-type space truss. Any of these space trusses are embedded in concrete in the factory to form a precast reinforced concrerte slab.

Abstract: A composite, prestressed structural member, such as a bridge unit and methods of forming such a member. The apparatus includes a plurality of longitudinally extending girders which are transversely spaced and a plurality of adjacent composite units disposed on the girders. Each composite unit has a plurality of beams with a molded deck portion formed thereabove. The beams are positioned transversely with respect to the girders and attached thereto. Additional, longitudinal beams are disposed between the transversely extending beams over the girders. The longitudinal beams are attached to the girders and by connectors to the molded deck. The structure is formed by positioning the girders on a construction support adjacent to a center portion of the girders such that the free ends of the girders cantilever and deflect downwardly. The beams of the composite units are attached to the girders in this construction position. Any gaps between adjacent composite units are filled with a non-shrink, high strength grout.

Abstract: An internal form with exterior surfaces corresponding to the interior surfaces of the access chamber adapted to be contacted by corrosive gasses; spraying such exterior surfaces of the form with a release agent and allowing the release agent to cure; spraying the cured release agent with a first layer of gel coat having a first color and allowing the gel coat to cure; spraying the cured first layer of gel coat with a second layer of gel coat having a second color contrasting to the first color and allowing the second layer of gel coat to cure; spraying the cured second layer of gel coat with resin and chopped strands to form a first fiberglass coating; attaching half cylinder pockets to the first fiberglass coating; spraying the first fiberglass coating and pockets with resin and chopped strands to form a second fiberglass coating; rolling the second fiberglass coating to remove air bubbles and to improve the bonding between the layers and coatings; laying up metal reinforcing rods interior of the pockets and

Abstract: A deck plate includes a number of trusses arranged in parallel and rigidly secured to a base member, each of the trusses includes one upper reinforcing bar and two lower reinforcing bars arranged to provide a triangle transversely, and two corrugated reinforcing bars each having a series longitudinal triangle waves and adapted to be rigidly secured to the upper reinforcing bar and to the corresponding lower reinforcing bar respectively, so that the truss has a triangle shape transversely and can stand independently.

Abstract: A method of constructing multiple story buildings and particularly detention structures as disclosed in which the framing members are lightweight steel channel members which are generally similar and in certain applications, interchangeable. The walls and floors of the building are framed with the channel members and lath sheathing is applied thereto for receiving cementitious fill therebetween. A unique diagonal tension strap system is used whereby diagonal straps are permanently attached at their lower end and tensioned at their upper end with adjustable fasteners before being permanently fastened at the upper end. The system provides for a more rapid and inexpensive construction schedule over conventional construction and affords high resistance to fire and to penetration of the filled walls.

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 lightweight, pre-cast, reinforced, module used to build a structurally engineered retaining wall system. Each module has a panel with a front and rear surface with at least one horizontal reinforcing rod. In the preferred embodiment, a portion of each rod horizontal transverse an integrally attached flange located at each opposite end of the panel. On the outside surface of each flange, there is a recess across which a portion of each reinforcing rod is exposed to be subsequently surrounded by concrete of a poured-in-place reinforced column. A horizontal row of adjacent modules is positioned on a constructed, reinforced footing. The front surface of each module is exposed and each flange is positioned opposite to a flange located on an adjacent module with a column space created between opposite flanges. Alignment elements are attached to the upper surface of each flange and successive horizontal rows of modules are then positioned above until the desired height is achieved.

Abstract: Composite building panels comprising a slab of cementitious fiber reinforced material and a stud framework keyed thereto. The studs have a flange which abuts the inner surface of the slab, and a plurality of tabs which project downwardly from the flange to key the stud. Adjacent tabs are axially spaced apart, and may also be transversely staggard, to reduce the incidence of cracking of the slab, and may be upset from the flange material. The slabs may be relatively thin i.e. 2 cms. The tabs may also serve to retain rod or mesh reinforcement in thicker slabs.

Abstract: A composite metal-concrete column or beam is described for use in building construction. It comprises (a) a pair of channel members fabricated of galvanized steel sheet, each channel member having a central web portion and first and second flanges substantially perpendicular to the web portion, the free edges of the flanges forming narrow lips substantially perpendicular to the flanges and the web portion having openings through which wet concrete may freely pass, the channel members being positioned in back-to-back spaced relationship with the flanges projecting outwardly, (b) panel members extending across between the flanges of each the channel member and held within the narrow lips and (c) concrete filling the space between the panel members and extending through and around the web portions, whereby the cured concrete and channel members form a strong, composite structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to the construction of a composite beam structure in a composite steel deck floor system. A T-shaped beam is welded through the valleys of the steel deck onto the top flange of the supporting beam. After concrete pouring, the T-beam is buried within the concrete slab to act as the shear transferring device to achieve the composite beam action. The T-beam also serves to strengthen the supporting beam in resisting the load during the concreting operation and to facilitate the placement of the concrete shrinkage control wire mesh.

Abstract: A new method of construction for concrete wall structures. Precast concrete studs with fasteners protruding from one edge are used to build the framework of the walls while oriented in a horizontal plane, rigid sheet insulation is attached to the outside of the concrete studs, and wire mesh is laid upon the sheet insulation. Concrete is then poured onto the insulation, the wire and the protruding fasteners to form a continuous waterproof outer surface. New top and bottom beams which are bonded to the concrete studs are formed at the same time as the outer concrete surface. After setting of the concrete, the wall is one integral concrete structure which may be transported to a construction site for erection.

Abstract: A cistern made of layers of arcuate blocks provided with openings in which reinforcing rings and rods are deposited, the openings being arranged such that mortar can be spread throughout the structure to form a monolithic construction. Wedge-shaped openings are formed in the blocks in radial disposition and removable wedges are placed therein to form permanent openings in the construction, the wedges being removed after the mortar has set. Metal circular rings are also placed on each leg or block and each of the rings are coupled together by vertical depending rods before the cement is forced through the hollow openings of the layers of arcuate blocks.

Abstract: A building panel is described which can be used for either walls or floors. It comprises a thin shell unit of reinforced, monolithic cementitious material having a large, planar outer face and an inner face interconnected by parallel end edges and parallel side edges. A plurality of stud members are partially embedded in the inner face of the cementitious shell, these stud members being parallel to each other, laterally spaced from each other and being fabricated of about 15 to 25 gauge galvanized steel sheet. This steel sheet material is shaped to provide a web portion with one longitudinal edge of the web being shaped to lock the stud within the concrete shell and the longitudinal edge of the web remote from the concrete shell comprising an L-shaped flange defining the outer surface of the stud member to which a finished panel may be attached. Channel-shaped metal beam members connect the ends of the studs.

Abstract: A novel composite floor system is described, together with a specific metallic reinforcing and support section for use in the floor system. The system comprises a concrete slab and a metallic reinforcing and support section mechanically embedded in the slab. The support section comprises an elongated unitary strip having a substantially flat central web portion containing a plurality of spaced holes, a pair of substantially flat leg portions extending away from the sides of said web and an edge flange extending outwardly from the outer end of each leg portion, with at least the leg portions and the edge flanges being embedded in the concrete with the web adjacent the face of the slab. Support bolts are mounted within the web portion holes and extend outwardly from the slab. These bolts can be used to support a formwork for the pouring of the concrete slab.

Abstract: A guide track for the bottom ends of the pickets of a folding door or the like comprises a galvanized steel elongated channel member having upwardly diverging sidewalls extending from a basewall, and a securing flange inclined downwardly and outwardly from the top of each sidewall. The free edge of each sidewall is lipped and lies substantially in the plane of the basewall, the lips extending outwardly and upwardly from the securing flanges. The guide track is disposed in a recess in the floor with the concrete or like flooring material surrounding the securing flanges and lips, filling the space between each securing flange and the respective sidewall to support the sidewall, and encasing the lips to prevent dislodgement of the guide track.

Abstract: An improved building structure and construction method is disclosed wherein the wall structure includes internal wall forms with cementitious material applied thereon. A reinforcing structure for the cementitious material is provided whereby the foundation wall structure and roof structure are operatively interconnected in a load bearing relationship so that the strength and durability is significantly enhanced. The apparatus for attaching the internal wall forms to the roof structure includes means for conveniently aligning the wall forms in a straight and plumb relationship before the cementitious material is applied.

Abstract: The bottom flutes of a fluted deck or diaphragm of a building are fixedly attached to a horizontal load bearing member supported by vertical load resisting members. A load translation member precludes relative movement between the top flutes en masse and the bottom flutes en masse. By precluding relative movement of the top and bottom flutes, the shear loads imposed upon the diaphragm by earthquakes and/or high winds are translated throught the load translation member and the load bearing member to the vertical load resisting members.

Abstract: The bottom flutes of a fluted deck or diaphragm of a building are fixedly attached to a horizontal load bearing member supported by vertical load resisting members. A load translation member precludes relative movement between the top flutes en masse and the bottom flutes en masse. By precluding relative movement of the top and bottom flutes, the shear loads imposed upon the diaphragm by earthquakes and/or high winds are translated through the load translation member and the load bearing member to the vertical load resisting members.

Abstract: A reinforced asphalt layer, consisting of an asphalt-forming mixture of bitumen with mineral particles, in which is embedded a reinforcing network of elongated reinforcing elements which, where they intersect one another, have a connection to one another which at least to a certain degree fixes the cross-bond, in which the reinforcing elements at least locally have a cross-section of maximum linear dimension of the order of the particle size, and a shape such as to exhibit a change of direction longitudinally from location to location of their engagement of the surrounding material of the layer, the arrangement being such that in a finished, rolled asphalt layer the reinforcing elements have adjusted locally to the mineral particles by deformation, on the one hand, and the reinforcing network has largely retained its elasticity, on the other.

Abstract: Reinforced facings, including reinforcing webs entrained in hydraulic cement via a slurry bath, adhere to a nailable lightweight aggregate cementitious core to form a panel web. The reinforced web is formed on abutting conveyed carrier sheets, and the web is transversely cut, between the sheets, while moving or when stopped, in response to sensing of the sheets. The cut panels, on respective sheets are stacked for curing without damaging the panel edges and in a manner to minimize panel flex. Slurry bath, facing applicators, and cutter and stacking apparatus are included.

Abstract: Reinforced concrete is prepared by embedding within it a reinforcing element of at least one rigid plastic gridwork (which is optionally filler reinforced) of integrally molded struts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mud, or, as it is commonly known in the West, "adobe", construction. The present invention relates to a method of constructing such a wall with interior wire reinforcements which are adapted to tie the foundation, the wall and a roof member, such as a roof truss, into an integral assembly. It includes a series of formed wire "trusses", or tie members, arranged in spaced relationship along the wall extending from a point within the foundation form to a height to include at least one member of the roof truss. Cooperating with the trusses are a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending wire mesh members, the trusses and wire mesh being suitably tied together to form an integral structure. The wall is constructed either by pouring adobe mud into a form, or by plastering a thick adobe mud onto the wire mesh, which will extend through that material and lock itself into it in courses of about twelve inches high.

Abstract: In order to provide, in a composite structural assembly comprising a plurality of metallic support members disposed in side-by-side relationship and a layer of cementitious material disposed on the plurality of support members, for the securement of the support members to the layer of cementitious material in a particularly simple and efficient manner, there are provided spaced lugs which project from each side edge portion of each of the support members, with according to one aspect of the invention the lugs presented by adjacent side edge portions of adjacent support members being interfitted and being embedded within the layer of cementitious material.

Abstract: A metal U-channel shaped element for reinforcing floor joists in building floors made of concrete and light material filling blocks, such as tiles, is made of a continuous metal section with a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The legs of the channel are symmetrically bent inwards so that the cross-section has rather the sahpe of an isosceles trapezoid and their free ends are also bent on itself in an overlapping relationship thus forming two upper stringers having a resisting moment not less than that of the channel bottom. Rigid U-shaped stiffening members are also provided in a spaced apart relationship, being fixed to the upper stringers and channel bottom.

Abstract: Reinforced facings, including reinforcing webs entrained in hydraulic cement via a slurry bath, adhere to a nailable lightweight aggregate cementitious core to form a panel web. The reinforced web is formed on abutting conveyed carrier sheets, and the web is transversely cut, between the sheets, while moving or when stopped, in response to sensing of the sheets. The cut panels, on respective sheets are stacked for curing without damaging the panel edges and in a manner to minimize panel flex. Slurry bath, facing applicators, and cutter and stacking apparatus are included.