Abstract: A method of forming a foundation having intersecting beams and floor portions, comprises leveling the ground on which the foundation is to be located. A plurality of inverted hollow members are positioned in rows. The hollow members are separated by spacers. Lower reinforcing rods are positioned on the spacers and between the hollow members. A reinforcing mesh is laid over the hollow members, and concrete is poured into the channels between and over the hollow members so as to envelope the reinforcing rods and the mesh.

Abstract: A pipe flange fire-proofing kit and process for forming a cast-in fire-stop coupling from normal pipe (22) includes a flange member (10) which is separate from the normal pipe, annularly-shaped top and bottom spacer collars (12 and 14), and an annularly-shaped fire barrier collar (16). Each of these members is slid onto a pipe stub (24) cut from a normal pipe with the top spacer collar being at a top end thereof, the bottom spacer collar being at a bottom end thereof, the fire-barrier collar of intumescent material being immediately adjacent the bottom spacer collar, and the flange member being between the fire barrier collar and the top spacer collar. The flange member is adhered to the pipe stub by an adhesive.

Abstract: An improved tub box structure can be manufactured so as to utilize a container shaped so as to include a bottom wall and a top peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, this peripheral wall sloping between its top and its bottom so as to diverge upwardly from the bottom wall. Knock out openings are provided in the bottom wall and in the peripheral wall for use in passing a pipe into the tub box structure. A lid capable of closing off the interior of the container is fitted into the top of the container so that it may be easily removed.

Abstract: A rigid, light-weight, thermoplastic bubble insulation form for cast in situ concrete slabs includes hemispherical void spaces for reduction of concrete volume and thermal insulation characteristics. An upper hemispheric surface provides an integral seating arrangement for wire mesh reinforcement. An under-surface of the form includes spacer nodules for facilitating drainage. The bubble relief form is water impervious for controlling curing of the concrete and further is supplied in modular units adapted for trimming and overlapping spliced connections.

Abstract: A reinforced fiberboard box for creating a void in and under concrete formations. A single piece of double faced, corrugated fiberboard is defined by a face, a bottom, a pair of end flaps, and a pair of side flaps. The end flaps are folded into at least four uniformly shaped partitions which are subsequently folded onto the face of the fiberboard and are aligned along the longitudinal axis to create a box-like structure. Pairs of side flaps are then wrapped around the sides and top of the partitions to form a completely closed, internally reinforced, box-like structure. A portion of the side flaps are tucked inwardly, intersecting the partitions so that slots in the side flaps interlock with slots in the partitions which prevents the box void from unfolding during use.

Abstract: A cavity floor is formed by placing on a structural floor bottom a flexible floor mold which has leg forming portions arranged in an array with generally planar portions extending between and surrounding the leg forming portions. A flowable substance is applied over the mold, which subsequently hardens to form an upper floor having a plurality of legs defined by the leg forming portions, with a cavity region therebetween. The planar portions of the flexible floor mold permit adjacent leg forming portions each separately to contact the floor bottom under the weight of the applied flowable substance, even if the floor bottom is uneven.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a device for forming a post-receiving cavity in a solid material during the solidification thereof with the device including a clamping element having first and second side walls disposed in facing relationship to each other, with each of the side walls having a vertical extent, and a resilient wall which extends between the first and second side walls and interconnects the first and second side walls intermediate the respective vertical extent of each side wall to thereby divide each side wall into an upper end portion and a lower basal portion. The resilient wall is constructed and configured to cause the upper end portions of the side walls to move outwardly in response to application of an inward lateral force to the lower basal portions of the side walls and also to cause the upper end portions of the side walls to be maintained at a predetermined distance from each other in the absence of any inward lateral force being applied to the lower basal portions.

Abstract: A one-piece, unitary, molded resin wall sleeve precursor member has cup-shaped end sections of external diameter D each having a radial flange, with each flange connecting to a hollow transition section that in turn connects to one end of a series of N coaxial sleeve sections of internal diameter D, the sleeve sections being interconnected by N-1 hollow water stop sections having diameters much larger than D. A wall sleeve assembly is derived from this precursor member by cutting off the end sections at their flanges and cutting off the transition sections to leave a wall sleeve, including the water stop and sleeve sections, having a total length L approximately equal to the width W of a concrete wall. The cup-like end sections are inserted into the ends of the wall sleeve, and their flanges afford a convenient means to anchor the resulting assembly to a concrete form.

Abstract: A support apparatus and method for attaching fluid-conveying pipe couplings of various lengths to be embedded in concrete barriers (30, 80, 172) of various thicknesses to a metal concrete form (26) involve a dual diameter outer disk (34) attached to an elongated compressing column (32) which extends through a hole (54) in the concrete form to a fastening means (38) in order to compress the fluid conveying pipe couplings (24) in fixed positions between the form and the outer disk. The fastening means can be attached to the compressing column at virtually any longitudinal positions. An inner disk (36) can also be put between the form wall and an inner end of the pipe coupling to provide extra rigidity. The disks act as forms to produce openings in the concrete barriers at opposite ends of the pipe couplings (24). Nothing extends beyond an outer, perimeter, surface of a forming portion of the outer disk.

Abstract: A panel for modular construction of building walls and the like which comprises a flat insulating core which includes a multiplicity of air-filled shell-like cavities in a staggered matrix of layered sheets which are separated from each other by a binding filler material. The core is surrounded and captured by a rigid rectangular frame having identical side members and identical end members which are contoured and oriented so as to engage the opposing side and end members of adjacent panels so as to align and fasten the panels to each other in assembly. Resilient sealing means are disposed between side and end rails of adjacent panels for forming an air-tight barrier across the assembled panels. The core is covered by facing layers of cement and gypsum construction for providing building exterior and interior wall surfaces respectively. A vapor barrier is sandwiched between layers of gypsum construction.

Abstract: The underfloor assembly for a building comprises corrugated metal flooring units preferably side-by-side with cable distribution ducts, over which is mounted cable trenches. Each distribution duct has a bottom plate and a plurality of closed cells with less than all of the cells having portions cut away to thus leave free areas under the trenches. An opening is provided in the bottom plate at a desired free area, and an open pan extends through the opening and below the bottom plate. The bottoms of the trenches are open where they intersect the ducts to provide access to the pans as well as to provide access between the trenches and the ducts and additional space below the trench to accommodate splices and bends in the cables. The pans can also be accessed from the floor below via the ceiling suspended below the pans.

Abstract: The underfloor assembly for a building comprises corrugated metal flooring units preferably side-by-side with cable distribution ducts, over which is mounted cable trenches. Each distribution duct has a bottom plate and a plurality of inverted U-shaped members with less than all of the members having portions cut away to thus leave the members open under the trenches. The bottoms of the trenches are open where they intersect the ducts, thereby providing easy access between the trenches and the ducts and additional space below the trench to accommodate splices and bends in the cables.

Abstract: Relatively lightweight precast building panels for use as wall, roof or floor sections are provided. Each panel is molded in a form which is generally rectangular in configuration and provides a cavity into which concrete is poured, the floor of the form being comprised of a plurality of recessed styrofoam inlays separated by wood strips such as furring strips which are also used as a separation between the entire inside perimeter of the form and the styrofoam inlays. After the styrofoam inlays and wood strips are placed, concrete is poured into the form and finished off in the conventional manner. The side walls of the form are removed after the cement sets up and there results a concrete building panel with an adhered styrofoam coating permanently bonded over one surface with wood strips around the perimeter thereof and between each pair of styrofoam inlays.

Abstract: An anchoring track designed to be embedded in the surface of a structural member of concrete, the track having a C-shaped profile and a styrofoam filler body filling out the interior of the track to prevent the penetration of mortar into the track, the filler body being removable from the embedded track by means of a tear strip which is arranged between the back side of the filler body and the base wall of the anchoring track, in alignment with the slot of the anchoring track. The tear strip, when pulled through the slot of the track, tears out a central profile portion from the filler body to permit easy removal of the profile portions of the filler body remaining underneath the flange portions of the anchoring track.

Abstract: Described in a displacement body for forming cavities in concrete structures. The displacement body lends itself to simple and cost-effective production, is extremely light-weight and still capable of meeting stability requirements. In a preferred embodiment the displacement body consists of a grid structure (1) formed of intersecting longitudinal and transverse rods, and plastic sheets (2a, 2b) applied to both sides of the grid structure and connected to one another and to the grid structure by welding and/or heat-shrinking. Further described are structures formed under employ of such displacement bodies, as well as advantageous methods for making same.

Abstract: In a sewer manhole construction having a cylindrical bottom section adapted for placement within the ground at a pre-determined depth and having bottom and side walls, there being spaced inlet and outlet openings in the side wall above the bottom wall adapted to receive the ends of sewer conduits. The improvement which comprises a flooring upon the bottom wall including a plurality of pre-formed filler channel elements of polygonal shape and of uniform height which are mounted upon and around the bottom wall adjacent the side wall. Adjacent inner walls and opposing walls of the filler channel elements define a first channel which underlies and interconnects the inlet and outlet openings. Each channel element has a plurality of upright apertures therethrough. A layer of concrete fills the apertures and interstices between the channel elements and between the channel elements and side wall partly fills the first channel and overlies the channel elements extending the floor above the channel elements.

Abstract: A precast construction panel for buildings and a method of manufacturing the panel are disclosed. The panel is lightweight and possesses full structural integrity with the ability to serve as a solar energy collector and/or storage module alone or in a system with other panels and active solar collection devices. The panel includes an internal, concealed containment element for the storage and circulation of a thermally efficient fluid, such as water. In the casting of the solar construction panel, the fluid-filled containment element serves as a core around which cementious material, such as concrete, is placed. The panel is provided with internal reinforcement as required.

Abstract: A box beam reinforced concrete and steel construction providing spaced apart wire mesh reinforced concrete skin walls and interior concrete supporting frangible sheets providing for solid concrete cores contiguous to and monolithically integrated with the skin walls.

Abstract: In a sewer manhole construction having a cylindrical bottom section adapted for placement within the ground at a pre-determined depth and having bottom and side walls, there being spaced inlet and outlet openings in the side wall above the bottom wall adapted to receive the ends of sewer conduits. The improvement which comprises a flooring upon the bottom wall including a plurality of pre-formed filler channel elements of polygonal shape and of uniform height which are mounted upon and around the bottom wall adjacent the side wall. Adjacent inner walls and opposing walls of the filler channel elements define a first channel which underlies and interconnects the inlet and outlet openings. Each channel element has a plurality of upright apertures therethrough. A layer of concrete fills the apertures and interstices between the channel elements and between the channel elements and side wall partly fills the first channel and overlies the channel elements extending the floor above the channel elements.

Abstract: A fire-seal for a cable penetration is provided with a pre-fabricated fire-sealing body comprising a corrugated tubular casing filled with a pre-compressed fire resisting elastic silicon foam. The body is placed in a site-poured concrete wall before pouring, or in an aerated concrete block from which a fire wall is then built. A tubular tool with a removable tip is driven through the foam so that one or more conduits can be threaded through the tool and foam. The tool is thereafter withdrawn from the foam and opened along an axial slit so that it can be removed transverse to the conduit.

Abstract: A composite building module and method for making same including forming a bottom layer of fiber reinforced wet cementitious material, placing at least two rigid foam cores side by side on the bottom layer with the adjoining edges configured to define a channel around adjoining cores and encapsulating the cores in a fiber reinforced wet cementitious shell by depositing fibers on cementitious material around the sides of the cores and on the top thereof, wherein each channel is filled in to form a rib around the interior of the cementitious shell.

Abstract: A solar collector panel is made from glass fiber reinforced concrete using a dissolvable core of polymer foam to form the internal passageways. The core is dissolved in a solution of solvent and polymer which impregnates and coats the concrete surfaces of the passageways to seal the passageways and to isolate the concrete from the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A device for insulating masonry block comprises an insulating plug member for being inserted into a cinder block space, the plug member having a protruding portion extending outwardly from the block, and a cavity extending inwardly along a side of the plug member.

Abstract: An inexpensive, thoroughly insulated upright-wall, ceiling, floor or roof, made of panels fastened together along contacting panel edges. Each panel has a can-supporting, substantially planar element (a sheet of plywood, masonite, plastic, metal lath, or the like), reinforcing bars defining outer edges of the panel, layers of cans between the reinforcing bars, wire or plastic panel-reinforcing network on the cans; and optionally it may include molded matrix material (foamed, cellular, polyolefin plastic, or concrete of portland or other cement and sand or porous aggregate --for example, cinders, vermiculite, pumice, charred sawdust or the like) on the cans. The can-supporting element is placed in a mold or rack; a plurality of insulating layers of cans are put on this element, preferably with their axes parallel to it; reinforcing network is placed on the cans and fastened to the bars; and optionally moldable plastic material in fluent form may be poured or injected onto the network and cans.

Abstract: Prefabricated building components such as panels, roofing units, and floor locks and a method and machinery for producing the same. The prefabricated components are obtained by casting in form a mix containing granules of expanded polystyrene or other suitable light thermal and sound insulating material which is bonded to cement by adhesive. Depending upon their particular application, the components may be used for either load bearing or non-load bearing purposes.

Abstract: A liner for concrete forms and method for making poured concrete walls comprises a liner body constructed of insulative material and shaped for positioning between a pair of interconnected form panels. The liner body has opposing sides, one of which is positioned abutting an interior surface of a first one of the panels. The other side of the liner body as a textured, decorative surface spaced from the other panels, and is contoured for molding concrete poured therebetween. A plurality of similarly shaped liner bodies are placed in a side-by-side relationship along the interior surface of each section of form panels, with the textured surface of each oriented inwardly. Unsolidified cementitous material, such as concrete, is poured into the cavity having a single insert therein or formed between opposing inserts, and is cured to a solidified state.

Abstract: A wire matrix for a construction panel has a plurality of parallel longitudinal trusses, each truss having a pair of parallel longitudinal wire runners and a plurality of transverse wire struts in which the struts associated with one truss are all parallel to each other and extend diagonally between the parallel runners, with the struts in alternate ones of the trusses being parallel and the struts in adjacent trusses being skewed. The trusses are formed by making a grid of parallel longitudinal runners joined by diagonal cross wires which are then cut between adjacent pairs of runners to form separate trusses. The trusses are then joined by transverse wire runners forming a three-dimensional matrix.

Abstract: Split duct terminator apparatus is provided at the cable entrance of a subterranean manhole for receiving a plurality of cables extending between subterranean manholes along a cable path carrying electrical signal conductors for the transmission of telecommunication messages. A plurality of modules are provided at the cable entrance to the manhole to encircle and immobilize a plurality of conduits or ducts carrying the cables which laterally enter the vault while the cables are maintained in position and in service. The modules are positioned about the plurality of cables at a working distance from a splice case. Split duct sections encircle the cables where the cables appear at the manhole, but the duct sections are terminated at the manhole walls. Once positioned about the duct sections containing the cables, the modules are joined together in a composite structure. A coagulated mass which permeates the structure binds the modules together.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method of constructing an underground reinforced concrete wall utilizing the slurry trench excavation method. According to the invention, at least a pair of spaced elongated primary excavations each adapted to receive a pair of H-beams rigidly joined together by steel lattice work; and a rebar cage. The channel or space in each H-beam at the outer channel between the flange and webs is filled with a polystyrene foam attached to the cage by steel plates and angles. These elements are lowered into the primary excavations and concrete is poured therein filling the spaces in the excavations and displacing any bentonite slurry from the trench to form primary wall elements. Thereafter, intermediate excavations are performed between the concreted sections and the H-beam portions thereof, the polystyrene foam being easily removed from the outer channel and the H-beam channel with the flanges thereof serving as guide elements for the excavating tool.

Abstract: A sleeving assembly or form for forming voids in masonry comprises concentric tubular telescoping members. The members are formed from distinct density resinous materials which permit the inner member or core to be readily separated from the outer core.

Abstract: An architecturally finished concrete structure is a composite of a finished wallboard member, such as plasterboard, plywood, etc., to which is bonded a plurality of elongated hollow void creating devices, with said devices being embedded in a concrete structure that is adhered to said finished wallboard member. In the subject method, one side, or both sides, of the concrete form for casting-in-place the concrete structure is defined by a finished wallboard member to which is adhered a plurality of elongated hollow void creating devices. Concrete is poured in the space defined by the concrete form, and is cured so as to be in intimate contact with, and embed, the void creating devices, and the resulting concrete structure is architecturally finished by having one or both faces thereof formed of said wallboard member.

Abstract: An insulated bar or panel, usable in walls, ceilings-floors or roofs, including new or used cans of metal, glass or plastic, preferably having lengths less than twelve times their diameters, containing insulation (preferably inexpensive insulation such as loose earth, pumice or crushed lava, tanbark, small lumps of pine or other bark, slightly charred sawdust, bits of charcoal or coke, preferably preservative treated cottonseed or rice hulls or the like, cotton linters or bolls, tufts of cotton or rockwool, or vermiculite). The cans, which for example may be of paint-containing or coffee-containing type, are end-joined in a line. They are imbedded in a shape-holding matrix of plastic material (preferably porous, foamed plastic or porous concrete of portland, epoxy or other cement, mixed with lightweight aggregate, thus forming a strong, elongated bar or panel.

Abstract: Novel external waterstops for use in sealing concrete joints which comprise a deformable section which forms a grout-tight seal when stop-end shuttering is positioned against the waterstop.

Abstract: A hollow cored concrete slab is the product of the method which includes casting a base layer of concrete into a suitable form. Placing precast concrete channel members in transversely spaced relation on the freshly cast base layer with the flanges of the members in contact with the base layer and the webs of the members in spaced relation from the base layer. Casting an upper layer of concrete onto the fresh base layer and around the channel members and striking the upper layer in spaced relation above the channel members so that the upper layer of concrete covers the webs of the channel members to a given depth. The slab is then cured with the channel members remaining a structural part thereof and providing for the transversely spaced hollow cores therein.

Abstract: A construction member including a row of cans and a pair of channels of mesh or the like, housing and holding the cans together. Each of these channels includes an elongated middle piece of the mesh and an elongated lateral piece on each side of the middle piece, angularly and integrally joined to the middle piece. The pair of opposite lateral pieces on each side of the can row meet at middle portions of the cans, and one of this pair has elongated edge portions which overlap edge portions of the other lateral piece of the pair. Fastening means (screws or other rod-like elements and/or epoxy putty or the like) pass thru the lapped edge portions on each side of the can row, and when, as is preferable, screws are utilized these are screwed into material of at least the end cans of the can row, thus holding the mesh channels together and the cans within the channels. The cans preferably contain low-cost insulation.