Disclosed are light weight foam retaining wall systems configured to mitigate or eliminate material creep by reducing strain exhibited in vertical elements of the system to no more than about 1.5%, or no more than about 1.0%. The retaining wall system may comprise a vertical element, a buttress element arranged at a lower end of the vertical element, and a tieback element arranged at a lower end of the buttress element. The buttress element may include an interior angled face configured to reduce the strain exhibited at the vertical element. The tieback element may extend inwardly relative to a retaining wall face of the vertical element and may be configured to support a load from fill material to counteract a lateral force from the fill material acting on the vertical elements. Also disclosed are methods of installing such a retaining wall system.
Insulating floor system including (i) a grooved base layer formed from base layer grooved portions, (ii) a transverse peripheral edge rail formed from transverse peripheral edge rail portions, (iii) a parallel peripheral edge rail formed from parallel peripheral edge rail portions, and (iv) interior rails formed from interior rail portions. The base layer includes grooves in an upper surface. Each of the transverse peripheral edge rail portions include a plurality of downwardly projecting mating protrusions that mate within the base layer grooves. Each of the parallel peripheral edge rail portions include a downwardly projecting protrusion that mates within a peripheral groove of the base layer. At least one of the interior rails can be a locking rail, where locking rail portions defining the locking rail include a plurality of downwardly projecting mating protrusions that mate within terminal grooves of adjacent base layer grooved portions, locking such portions together.
Modular building methods and systems using precision machined modular panels. Standard modular panels can be used for constructing walls, floor, and roof, with transitions from wall-to-roof and wall-to-floor provided by special transition panels. All panels are pre-slotted to include a channel configured to receive flange(s) of a C-channel member. The present method progresses by assembly of a frame formed from C-channel frame members connected with overlap connections, followed by insertion of foam panels into flange(s) of the C-channel frame members, followed by insertion of another C-channel frame member into a slot on the opposite end of the panels, with such steps repeated, to form the building. Such alternating placement of panels and C-channel frame members eliminates the need for a tape measure, any independent frame for the building, and ensures the walls, floor, and roof are plumb.
E04B 2/60 - Walls of framework or pillarworkWalls incorporating load-bearing elongated members with elongated members of metal characterised by special cross-section of the elongated members
E04B 5/10 - Load-carrying floor structures formed substantially of prefabricated units with metal beams or girders, e.g. with steel lattice girders
E04B 7/04 - RoofsRoof construction with regard to insulation with plane sloping surfaces, e.g. saddle roofs supported by horizontal beams or the equivalent resting on the walls
Below grade fluid containment structures, which may include a foam floor and a foam wall extending upward from the floor, the foam wall being formed from foam panels and optionally a plurality of metal splines. A foam buttress is provided as part of or adjacent to the foam wall, for reducing pressure against an exterior face of the foam wall that would otherwise be exerted by the soil, in the absence of the foam buttress, which places a top portion of the soil at an angle of repose, to minimize inward pressure. A concrete footing can be provided below the foam wall, where the splines of the wall are vertically oriented in the foam wall, with a bottom of the splines anchored into the concrete footing. The interior surface of the pool or other structure can be coated with any desired finish coating.
Modular building methods and systems using precision machined modular panels. Standard modular panels are used for constructing walls, floor, and roof, with transitions from wall to roof and wall to floor provided by special transition panels. The standard panels include a channel formed configured to receive a flange of a C-channel member. The present method progresses by installation of a foam panel (or stack or row of such panels), followed by installation of a C-channel member, with the flange of such member engaged in the panels, followed by installation of an adjacent row or stack of panels, before installation of the next, adjacent C-channel member. Such alternating placement of panels and frame members eliminates the need for a tape measure, the need for any independent frame for the building, and ensures the walls, floor, and roof are square and plumb, as the precision machined panels ensure these requirements are met.
E04B 1/61 - Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other
E04B 1/12 - Structures consisting primarily of load-supporting, block-shaped or slab-shaped elements the elements consisting of other material
E04B 2/00 - Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildingsWall construction with regard to insulationConnections specially adapted to walls
E04B 5/02 - Load-carrying floor structures formed substantially of prefabricated units
E04B 7/22 - Roofs consisting of self-supporting slabs, e.g. able to be loaded the slabs having insulating properties, e.g. being laminated with layers of insulating material
E04C 2/20 - Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials of wood, fibres, chips, vegetable stems, or the likeBuilding elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials of plasticsBuilding elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials of foamed products of plastics
E04C 2/00 - Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
Below grade fluid containment structures, which may include a foam floor and a foam wall extending upward from the floor, the foam wall being formed from foam panels. A granular material is provided for reducing hydraulic soil pressure against an exterior face of the foam wall that would otherwise be exerted by the soil, if the soil were allowed to be positioned up against the foam, particularly the foam wall. The well-draining granular material may be gravel, crushed stone, or the like, which provides better drainage as compared to the surrounding soil material. The interior face of the foam is coated with an elastomeric abrasion resistant impact resistant polymeric coating that seals the below grade interior space defined between the floor and the wall in a seamless water-tight configuration.
E04H 4/14 - Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
E02D 29/045 - Underground structures, e.g. tunnels or galleries, built in the open air or by methods involving disturbance of the ground surface all along the location lineMethods of making them
E02B 1/00 - Equipment or apparatus for, or methods of, general hydraulic engineering
8.
Light weight construction system based on horizontally pre-slotted panels
Modular building methods and systems using lightweight modular panels, and specially configured transition panels for transitioning from wall to floor, or from wall to roof. Identically configured standard panels are used for constructing the walls, floor, and roof, with transitions from one structure to the next (e.g., wall to floor, or wall to roof). Each of the variously configured panel types includes channels (e.g., 2 pair of channels) formed through the length of the foam body, where the channels are configured to receive splines (e.g., flanges of an I-beam) therein. In the standard panel, the channels may include pairs of top and bottom channels, with the channels offset towards the respective panel major faces. In the transition panels, the channels may be similarly configured, but positioned differently to make the appropriate transition. The splines are connected to a frame, which acts as a template and transfers loads to a foundation.
Agricultural barns, warehouses, and methods for construction including a floor, walls that include foam wall panels, a wainscot of impact resistant panels at a lower portion of the wall, and a ceiling formed from foam roof panels integrated into the roof truss assembly. Once the floor, walls, and ceiling are assembled, walls and ceiling can be coated over with an abrasion resistant, impact resistant polymeric coating (e.g., akin to a truck-bed liner), tying these structures together in a seamless shell that provides sufficient elasticity to accommodate typical expansion/contraction due to daily and seasonal heating/cooling, humidity changes, etc. The sealed interior envelope allows the interior surfaces to easily be pressure washed daily, or whenever else needed. Such construction is particularly well suited to an agricultural barn or warehouse, where cattle or forklifts may run into the lower portion of the walls, and pressure washing may be a daily need.
Modular building methods and systems using lightweight foam modular panels. Each panel includes one or more channels formed through the length of the foam body, where the channels are configured to receive splines therein. The channels may include pairs of top and pairs of bottom channels, each channel being offset from the center of the foam body, so that the channels are oriented towards the respective panel faces. Splines may also be positioned along the top and bottom of the panel (such splines forming a web center portion of an I-beam). In combination with the splines in the top and bottom channels, these web center portion splines form horizontally extending I-beams at the top and bottom of each panel, so that stacked panels include a horizontally extending I-beam there between. Side-by-side panels include vertical posts there between, such that the system forms a post and beam construction system.
E04B 2/18 - Walls having cavities in, but not between, the elements, i.e. each cavity being enclosed by at least four sides forming part of one single element using elements having specially designed means for stabilising the position by interlocking of projections or inserts with indentations, e.g. of tongues, grooves, dovetails
E04B 1/58 - Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements
E04B 2/02 - Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildingsWall construction with regard to insulationConnections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
11.
Method for light weight construction using pre-slotted standard and transition panels
Modular building methods and systems using lightweight modular panels, and specially configured transition panels for transitioning from wall to floor, or from wall to roof. Identically configured standard panels are used for constructing the walls, floor, and roof, with transitions from one structure to the next (e.g., wall to floor, or wall to roof). Each of the variously configured panel types includes channels (e.g., 2 pair of channels) formed through the length of the foam body, where the channels are configured to receive splines (e.g., flanges of an I-beam) therein. In the standard panel, the channels may include pairs of top and bottom channels, with the channels offset towards the respective panel major faces. In the transition panels, the channels may be similarly configured, but positioned differently to make the appropriate transition. The splines are connected to a frame, which acts as a template and transfers loads to a foundation.
E04B 1/12 - Structures consisting primarily of load-supporting, block-shaped or slab-shaped elements the elements consisting of other material
E04B 1/41 - Connecting devices specially adapted for embedding in concrete or masonry
E04B 2/04 - Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements
E04B 5/02 - Load-carrying floor structures formed substantially of prefabricated units
E04B 7/22 - Roofs consisting of self-supporting slabs, e.g. able to be loaded the slabs having insulating properties, e.g. being laminated with layers of insulating material
E04B 2/00 - Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildingsWall construction with regard to insulationConnections specially adapted to walls
E04C 2/20 - Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials of wood, fibres, chips, vegetable stems, or the likeBuilding elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials of plasticsBuilding elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials of foamed products of plastics
E04C 2/00 - Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
E04B 2/02 - Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildingsWall construction with regard to insulationConnections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
nd portion of the concrete panel is supported on the other lateral arm of the brackets. The panel itself is supported on a middle arm of the bracket, between the lateral column-supporting arms.
E04H 17/16 - Fences constructed of rigid elements, e.g. with additional wire fillings or with posts using prefabricated panel-like elements, e.g. wired frames
E04H 17/22 - Anchoring means therefor, e.g. specially-shaped parts entering the groundStruts or the like
E04H 17/14 - Fences constructed of rigid elements, e.g. with additional wire fillings or with posts
15.
Modular light weight construction system based on pre-slotted panels and standard dimensional splines
Modular building methods and systems using lightweight foam modular panels which are based on fractal geometry. Each panel includes one or more channels formed through the foam body, where the channels are centered between adjacent fractal modules of the overall modular panel. The channels are configured to receive splines (e.g., dimensional lumber) therein. The entire system is based on dimensional lumber sizing. The rectangular panels include a pre-cut slot extending through one face, to the channel, while a score line is formed in the opposite face, aligned with the pre-cut slot of the opposite face. The panels may be easily and quickly cut with a box knife to reduce the number of fractal modules in a given panel, to provide a smaller panel still based on such fractal geometry. Such a cut is made along the score line, where the foam is no more than 2 inches thick.
A01G 9/02 - Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes Glasses for cultivating flowers
E04H 1/12 - Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
E04B 2/56 - Walls of framework or pillarworkWalls incorporating load-bearing elongated members
Energy absorbing wall assemblies, structures including energy absorbing wall assemblies, methods of making energy absorbing wall assemblies, and methods of utilizing energy absorbing wall assemblies are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, energy absorbing wall assemblies may include a first self supporting wall structure, a second self supporting wall structure, and an energy absorbing filler material positioned between the first self supporting wall structure and the second self supporting wall structure. In additional embodiments, methods of making an energy absorbing wall assembly may include assembling a first self supporting wall structure, and assembling a second self supporting wall structure defining a space between the first self supporting wall structure and the second self supporting wall structure. The methods may further include flowing an energy absorbing filler material into the space between the first self supporting wall structure and the second self supporting wall structure.
E04B 2/56 - Walls of framework or pillarworkWalls incorporating load-bearing elongated members
E04B 2/72 - Walls of elements of relatively thin form
E04B 1/98 - Protection against other undesired influences or dangers against vibrations or shocksProtection against other undesired influences or dangers against mechanical destruction, e.g. by air-raids
