A reinforced concrete structure including a reinforcement made from a plurality of elongate longitudinal members of fibreglass or like material, disposed substantially parallel with one another in at least one predetermined direction. The elongate longitudinal members are coupled to one another by means of coupling members of fibreglass or formed by a strip of flexible polymer material. Metal and/or synthetic fibres are mixed with the concrete matrix to provide the structure with shear strength, making it possible substantially to reduce the number of coupling members.

An underground space frame structure includes vertical support piles and multi-layer horizontal components. Each of the vertical support piles includes a pile body vertically disposed in a pile hole before excavating a foundation pit. The pile body includes an upper pile body and a lower pile body. The upper pile body is a rectangular body, and the lower pile body is a cylindrical body. An expansion section is located between the upper pile body and the lower pile body. A cross-sectional area of the expansion section is greater than a cross-sectional area of the upper pile body and a cross-sectional area of the lower pile body. The upper pile body, the expansion section, and the lower pile body are coaxially arranged from top to bottom in the pile hole. The multi-layer horizontal components are constructed from top to bottom.

An underground space frame structure includes vertical support piles and multi-layer horizontal components. Each of the vertical support piles includes a pile body vertically disposed in a pile hole before excavating a foundation pit. The pile body includes an upper pile body and a lower pile body. The upper pile body is a rectangular body, and the lower pile body is a cylindrical body. An expansion section is located between the upper pile body and the lower pile body. A cross-sectional area of the expansion section is greater than a cross-sectional area of the upper pile body and a cross-sectional area of the lower pile body. The upper pile body, the expansion section, and the lower pile body are coaxially arranged from top to bottom in the pile hole. The multi-layer horizontal components are constructed from top to bottom.

A substantially rectangular trench shoring sheeting panel made primarily of polyethylene includes at least one pair of hand holes. In some embodiments, the sheeting panel includes a plurality of buttons protruding outwardly from one of the sheeting panel's surfaces. As compared to three-quarter inch FinnForm, the polyethylene sheeting panel typically has (i) equivalent or superior structural properties and (ii) a significantly lower useful-life cost.

A high-speed transportation system, the system having at least one enclosed volume that is configured to be maintained as a low-pressure environment, at least one track along a transportation path within the at least enclosed volume; and a plurality of capsules configured for travel through the at least one enclosed volume between stations. The at least one enclosed volume is at least partially defined by at least one flexible material structured and arranged to withstand a tensile load.

A system providing environmentally friendly pathway tunnel utilizes a bottom configuration with multiple elongated beams and slots. One or more of the beams includes upstanding sedimentation members that are spaced apart along a span of the tunnel. The system interacts with the flowing water and earthen material in the flowing water such that capture and settling of the earthen material at locations along the tunnel occurs to produce a more natural water flow pathway along the tunnel.

A system and method of thermal energy storage and transfer that incorporate an underground thermal energy storage unit with horizontally arrayed heat exchangers surrounded by aggregate. The aggregate, composed of porous or semi-porous materials such as sand, soil, or crushed rock, may be moistened (10%-35% water by weight) to enhance thermal energy storage and insulated with a layer of dry aggregate shielded by waterproof materials. The system integrates components such as a heat pump, a thermal energy processing unit (e.g., a dry cooler or solar thermal array), and fluid interconnections including pumps and valves, thus allowing energy transfer between components. Horizontally arrayed heat exchangers, which may feature a spiral pipe or a slinky design to enable thermal energy distribution by directing heated fluid to central connections, optimizing heat retention.

A system and method of thermal energy storage and transfer that incorporate an underground thermal energy storage unit with horizontally arrayed heat exchangers surrounded by aggregate. The aggregate, composed of porous or semi-porous materials such as sand, soil, or crushed rock, may be moistened (10%-35% water by weight) to enhance thermal energy storage and insulated with a layer of dry aggregate shielded by waterproof materials. The system integrates components such as a heat pump, a thermal energy processing unit (e.g., a dry cooler or solar thermal array), and fluid interconnections including pumps and valves, thus allowing energy transfer between components. Horizontally arrayed heat exchangers, which may feature a spiral pipe or a slinky design to enable thermal energy distribution by directing heated fluid to central connections, optimizing heat retention.

A system and method of thermal energy storage and transfer are disclosed. The system and method incorporate an underground thermal energy storage unit with horizontally arrayed heat exchangers surrounded by aggregate. The aggregate, composed of porous or semi-porous materials such as sand, soil, or crushed rock, may be moistened (10%-35% water by weight) to enhance thermal energy storage and insulated with a layer of dry aggregate shielded by waterproof materials. The system integrates components such as a heat pump, a thermal energy processing unit (e.g., a dry cooler or solar thermal array), and fluid interconnections including pumps and valves, allowing flexible energy transfer between components. Horizontally arrayed heat exchangers, which may feature spiral pipe or slinky designs, enable efficient thermal energy distribution by directing heated fluid to central connections, optimizing heat retention. The system supports versatile energy storage for heating and cooling, with enhanced performance through moisture and insulation control.

A system and method of thermal energy storage and transfer are disclosed. The system and method incorporate an underground thermal energy storage unit with horizontally arrayed heat exchangers surrounded by aggregate. The aggregate, composed of porous or semi-porous materials such as sand, soil, or crushed rock, may be moistened (10%-35% water by weight) to enhance thermal energy storage and insulated with a layer of dry aggregate shielded by waterproof materials. The system integrates components such as a heat pump, a thermal energy processing unit (e.g., a dry cooler or solar thermal array), and fluid interconnections including pumps and valves, allowing flexible energy transfer between components. Horizontally arrayed heat exchangers, which may feature spiral pipe or slinky designs, enable efficient thermal energy distribution by directing heated fluid to central connections, optimizing heat retention. The system supports versatile energy storage for heating and cooling, with enhanced performance through moisture and insulation control.