A system and method for providing earthquake damage and collapse warning by a warning device is disclosed. The warning device is communicatively connected to a one or more client devices using a communications network. The warning device includes an input sensor for generating signals of crack formation within a structure, a message generator and transmitter for sending an warning message, a memory having instructions stored thereon; and a processor configured to execute the instructions on the memory to cause the waring device to receive an input signal from the input sensor, characterize the input signal using its amplitude, duration, location and direction, and frequency, identify the input signal as being a result of an earthquake, generate a warning message identifying detection of an event, and transmit the warning message to the one or more client devices over the communications network.

A pinned base connector affixing a structural member to a foundation at one or more levels of a construction. The pinned base connector includes a baseplate affixed to the foundation. A column support plate is affixed to the baseplate via a pivot block. The pivot block is affixed to the baseplate to allow rotation of the pivot block relative to the baseplate about a first axis. The column support plate is affixed to the pivot block to allow rotation of the column support plate relative to the pivot block about a second axis orthogonal to the first. A column or other structural member may then be affixed to a surface of the column support plate.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods of monitoring wind and water properties. For one such weather monitoring system, a weather monitoring station comprises an upper mast section having an instrumentation package, wherein the instrumentation package includes an orientation sensor, communications circuitry, a wind velocity sensor, and a control unit that is configured to at least receive sensor data and transmit communication data via the communications circuitry. The weather monitoring station further includes at least one lower mast section that is coupled to the upper mast section, and an anchoring system that is coupled to the lower mast section, wherein the anchoring system includes at least one subsurface anchor for inserting into a ground surface within a littoral zone of a coastal area. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are also provided.

Marine habitation units are disclosed for use in the open sea. Each unit includes a habitable chamber; a column including a first end, and a second end, opposite the first end, the second end for mounting in a sea bed; and, and, a segment in communication with the habitable chamber, and the first end of the column. The segment is moveable both substantially vertically, and, rotatably, allowing the wherein the habitable chamber and the column to move substantially vertically, and, rotatably, with respect to each other.

An adaptive steel structure cooling tower for resisting a severe typhoon includes a truss system, a hyperbolic enclosure plate system and a servo opening-closing system. The truss system includes a plurality of hoop trusses and a plurality of meridional trusses. The hyperbolic enclosure plate system includes a hyperbolic enclosure plate, a hyperbolic enclosure plate hoop bracket, a hyperbolic enclosure plate meridional bracket, a hyperbolic enclosure plate rotating pendant and a rotating motor. The servo opening-closing system includes a wind and rain sensor, and a controller. The hoop trusses and the meridional trusses are connected crisscross to form a force transfer structure of the whole steel structure cooling tower. The hyperbolic enclosure plate is mounted on the hoop truss, the servo opening-closing system is laid on the hoop truss, and a wind and rain sensor is installed on a hoop truss on the top of the tower body.

An elevating-type shelter door enables operators to easily open and close in a short period of time, is highly water-tight, and has an excellent durability. A shelter door opens and closes an opening portion when a door body ascends and descends along a guide rail by means of an elevating device. The opening portion is provided on a ceiling of a shelter body. The shelter body is defines an interior space which serves as an evacuation space in an underground. A main body has a central convex portion which slidably fits to the opening portion along an inclination direction in which both the opening portion and the guide rail inclines. An elevating stand is slidably fixed to move along a rest column. The elevating stand is located above the opening portion when the door body is fully ascended and located in the interior space when the opening portion is closed.

A system and method used to translate a building structure (e.g., a single-family home) from a first position (e.g., above grade) to a second position (e.g., below grade) is provided. The system may thereby protect building structures from above grade threats such as wildfires, tornados, hurricanes, and other threats by lowering the building structure into a below grade cavity and sealing it therein. The system may include a base that supports the building structure and a translation system that lowers the base and the building structure below grade. The translation system may include scissor lifts, hydraulic lifts, jackscrew lifts and/or other types of lifts. The system also may include a quick release utilities system to disconnect the various utilities during the translation and a protective roof that may be extended over the top of the building structure to protect it from the threats above.

A transportable shelter includes a frame, an inner liner, and an outer liner. A plurality of interconnecting members of the frame are connected to create a fixed structural element, at least one end structural element, and a plurality of purlin portions. The purlin portions attach the fixed structural element to a first end structural element. The fixed structural element has a first inner track and a first outer track, and the first end structural element has a second inner track and a second outer track. The inner liner has liner connection elements for attaching to the first and second inner tracks, and the outer panel has panel connection elements for attaching to the first and second outer tracks. A dead-air space exists between the inner liner and the outer panel when the frame is assembled and the inner liner and the outer panel are connected to both the fixed structural element and the first end structural element.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

A base (100) for use with a temporary habitable enclosure or non-enclosed area houses a centralized, modular MEP system affording highly efficient use of floorplan to provide a variety of utilities and associated functionality to the occupants. The base includes a housing (20) forming several compartments containing MEP system components, appliances, and fixtures (30,40,50,60). The housing may include a structural frame and external cladding providing options for interior and exterior aesthetic and environmental protection, while providing access to the compartments. An integrated network interconnects the MEP system with the fixtures and appliances, such as ambient environment regulating devices, plumbing and lighting devices, and cooking devices. Different configuration bases can be used in different applications, including those that are stand-alone off-grid, those that are connected to temporary or local grid service(s), or those that are connected to existing permanent grid service(s).