A modular assembly is provided and includes a modular frame to be installed at least partially below grade and at least two panels attached to the modular frame, where the at least two panels are made of a material that withstands lateral, vertical and shear forces generated by surrounding below grade materials. The modular frame and the at least two panels are joined together as a unit prior to installation.

A fastener assembly comprises a first cylindrical member disposed within a second cylindrical member. One of the first and second cylindrical members is movable relative to the other in a first direction. The other one of the first and second cylindrical members is locked relative to the one in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A spring is operably attached to the first and second cylindrical members to urge one of the first and second cylindrical members in the first direction. A removable member is operably associated with the first and second cylindrical members to prevent one of the first and second cylindrical members from moving in the first direction prior to removing the removable member. The removable member is configured to be pulled out to allow one of the first and second cylindrical members to move in the first direction.

Improved equipment bases and methods for making and using same are disclosed herein. The equipment base can include a first coated substrate including a first part having a first thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, a first elastomer coating the first part, a second coated substrate positioned adjacent to the first coated substrate, the second coated substrate including a second part having a second thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, and a second elastomer coating the second part. A first seam can be formed between the first and second coated substrates to allow for moisture to pass between the first and second coated substrates so that moisture is allowed to seep away from the bottom of the equipment.

Improved equipment bases and methods for making and using same are disclosed herein. The equipment base can include a first coated substrate including a first part having a first thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, a first elastomer coating the first part, a second coated substrate positioned adjacent to the first coated substrate, the second coated substrate including a second part having a second thickness sized to provide the load-bearing support for the equipment, and a second elastomer coating the second part. A first seam can be formed between the first and second coated substrates to allow for moisture to pass between the first and second coated substrates so that moisture is allowed to seep away from the bottom of the equipment.

An equipment tower includes a foundation, a cast-in-place concrete plinth extending vertically from the foundation, and a tower portion extending vertically from the plinth. The equipment tower is constructed at a site having a set of tower specific parameters, and at least one dimension of the plinth is selected based on a tower specific parameter. For example, a height of the plinth may be selected to achieve a desired elevation of the topmost surface of the plinth, so that two towers having identical tower segments will have a common equipment height in spite of variations in their respective foundation elevations due to variations in local ground level. Moreover, the cast-in-place plinth may be designed to include a door opening large enough to accommodate equipment to be installed within the tower.

A method of constructing a prefabricated wall structure comprising orienting interspaced stud molds having an H-shaped channel shape cross sections and edges defining an open portion of the channel shape, in a horizontal configuration within a framing means having a top, bottom, and sides and providing containing walls of the mold such that the edges of the molds form uppermost parts of the stud molds and are located within an essentially horizontal plane within the framing means; the stud molds being spaced equally between the top and bottom framing means to thereby create a space above and below, wherein the stud molds and framing means create cavities that are in fluid communication with one another; positioning rigid insulation panels within the framing means, to form a continuous surface within the framing means; pouring concrete into the enclosed forms so as to cover the rigid insulation panels and to fill the stud molds thereby forming the prefabricated wall structure, permitting the poured concrete to set; and removing the wall structure.

A wall structure comprising horizontal concrete base and top beams; two or more concrete vertical support members integrally joined to the base and top beams and meeting at an essentially right angle; wherein the two or more vertical support members define left and right wall boundaries, and wherein the top and base beams define top and a bottom wall boundaries, respectively; an exterior wall shell extending from the left to the right wall boundaries, and extending from the top to the bottom wall boundaries, and continuous with the base and top beams, and the support members; H-shaped insulation encompassing the vertical support members, attachment strips attached to the insulation along its length with fasteners joining the attachment strip to the vertical support member, wherein the fasteners pass though the insulation; and insulation attached to the exterior wall shell between the vertical support members.

Provided are a concrete foundation structure capable of firmly fixing a precast concrete foundation to a ground, and a method for constructing the concrete foundation structure. A concrete foundation structure 10 includes a precast concrete foundation 16 having a projecting portion 30 embedded in a ground G. An anchor plate 20 is placed inside an excavation hole 18 formed in the ground G, and the precast concrete foundation 16 and the anchor plate 20 are connected by a connecting member 22. In the excavation hole 18, a backfill portion 24 is formed of a backfill material 94 including a solidifying material and soil. A filler layer 26 is formed of a filler 96 containing a solidifying material between the precast concrete foundation 16 and the backfill portion 24. The precast concrete foundation 16 has a through-hole 42 through which the connecting member 22 is inserted, and the filler 96 forming the filler layer 26 is filled through the through-hole 42.

A foundation system utilizes conventional construction barriers, such as Jersey barriers, or the like, to form a foundation stem wall. Various modifications are made to the construction barriers to permit their use in both on frame and off frame construction. The foundation system of the present invention may also be used for conventional construction, including stud wall construction and block home construction. Generally, an on frame construction technique is used for modular or metal structures where the metal frame remains on the bottom of the walls. This permits, for example, the re-addition of a tongue, axles, wheels, and the like, to allow the building to be moved if desired. With off frame construction, the modular sections of the building are lifted off the frame and attached to, for example, a stem wall via connectors, straps, or the like.

A foundation system utilizes conventional construction barriers, such as Jersey barriers, or the like, to form a foundation stem wall. Various modifications are made to the construction barriers to permit their use in both on frame and off frame construction. The foundation system of the present invention may also be used for conventional construction, including stud wall construction and block home construction. Generally, an on frame construction technique is used for modular or metal structures where the metal frame remains on the bottom of the walls. This permits, for example, the re-addition of a tongue, axles, wheels, and the like, to allow the building to be moved if desired. With off frame construction, the modular sections of the building are lifted off the frame and attached to, for example, a stem wall via connectors, straps, or the like.