A method for identifying sunny and rainy moments by utilizing multiple characteristic quantities of high-frequency satellite-ground links is provided. The method may include the following steps of: extracting multiple characteristic quantities including standard deviation, trend, maximum value, minimum value, average value, skewness, kurtosis and information entropy; selecting an optimal time window through adjustment; and finally realizing the identification of the sunny and rainy moments by utilizing a classification algorithm. According to the method for identifying the sunny and rainy moments, sunny and rainy periods can be accurately distinguished by utilizing the signals of the high-frequency satellite-ground links, and real-time monitoring of large-range sunny and rainy distribution conditions is achieved.

An augerable ground anchor having: a) a shaft having a first end and a distal second end; b) an augering means affixed about said shaft adjacent to said first end; c) a ground contact plate affixed to said shaft proximate to said second end; d) a first anchor means affixed to said contact plate for securing a manufactured home sidewall strap to said ground anchor, said first anchor means being centrally positioned and having a first longitudinal axis and; e) a second anchor means for securing a stabilizing strut to said ground anchor, the second anchoring means being affixed to the contact plate outboard from the first anchor means and having a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second longitudinal axis are at a first acute angle Ø. An anchoring and stabilizing assembly is further described that further includes a stabilizing plate adjacent to and in contact with the shaft.

A relocateable wind resistant modular ISO container structure preferably includes a plurality of ISO containers, two modular end walls and a modular roof. An upper ISO container is secured to a lower ISO container with a plurality of twist lock connectors and a plurality of container bridge fittings to form a plurality of ISO blocks. The modular roof includes a plurality of arch panels and a plurality of arch connectors. The plurality of arch panels are attached to each other with fasteners to form a roof panel. The plurality of arch connectors are attached to opposing ends of the roof panel to form a modular roof. A gutter may be secured to opposing ends of the modular roof. The end wall is retained between the first and second ISO blocks. The end wall is preferably fabricated from a metal corrugated panel or a reinforced metal panel.

Moisture content information in soil at a specified site is acquired. Moisture content information a ground surface within a given range that includes the specified site is acquired. An amount of runoff or storage volume of water on the ground surface or in a ground at a freely-selected site in the given range is calculated based on the moisture content information in soil and the moisture content information at the ground. A degree of risk of flood disaster at the freely-selected site within the given range is calculated based on the amount of runoff or storage volume of water on the ground surface. A point where there is the risk of flood disaster within the given range is determined and highlighted based on the degree of risk of flood disaster.

The disclosed technology provides a module useful in constructing an energy efficient, durable building structure, the module including walls to form a vacuous, sealed chamber substantially void of structural elements, materials and gaseous molecules. One or more ribs are affixed to or formed integral with an exterior surface of the exterior wall of the module, extending the width of the module. The disclosed technology further provides a vacuum apparatus which may be incorporated in communication with the vacuous, sealed chamber, for creating and maintaining a vacuum within the module. A method of controlling heat transfer within a structure is also provided, utilizing the modules as herein disclosed, each module being coupled with a vacuum apparatus in communication with the vacuous, sealed chamber, for creating and maintaining a vacuum within the module.

The present invention provides a panel, a flood control assembly, a flood control device and a flood control barrier.

A flood barrier (100) is disclosed, which comprises at least two supporting posts (104a, 104b) for positioning at an entrance (102) of a building; and at least one panel (108) removably arranged intermediate a pair of the supporting posts to form the flood barrier, wherein the panel includes a plurality of seals having corrugated surfaces to interface with the supporting posts to provide a water-tight arrangement against entry of flood waters into the building. A method of operating said flood barrier is also disclosed.

A shear transfer system is provided. In the system, a shear tie strap is attached to a first framing member, a second framing member, a third framing member, a fourth framing member, and a fifth framing member of a frame in a framed building. The second, third, fourth, and fifth framing members are orthogonal or oblique to the first framing member. More than one shear tie strap may be present in the framed building.

Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for predicting the potential for severe weather. A computing device receives data associated with lightning activity, where the data includes lightning flash data. The computing device identifies cells of lighting activity based upon the lightning flash data and determines a movement speed, a movement direction, and a lightning rate of the cells of lightning activity based on the received data. The computing device compares the determined lightning rate to a threshold lightning rate, where the threshold rate is set based upon atmospheric conditions in a location of the cells of lightning activity. The computing device determines one or more geographical areas at risk based on the location, the movement speed, and the movement direction of the cells of lightning activity, and issues an alert to remote devices when the lightning rate exceeds a value of the threshold lightning rate.