A void form is composed of molded pulp and includes bottom-facing openings. Fresh concrete placed on top of a substrate material covering the void form structure is formed with a void space underneath that allows soil to expand.

A collapsible formwork element, the element including: a pair of opposing side wall panels; and at least one connector member extending between the side wall panels, wherein the formwork element is movable between an expanded configuration, wherein the opposing panels are spaced apart, and a collapsed configuration, wherein the opposing panels are relatively closer together.

Disclosed herein is a clamp for interconnecting two components of a support apparatus such as components of a shoring apparatus for concrete forming systems. A clamp member having a moveable jaw is received for pivotal movement in a housing that is secured to one of the components. A plurality of flutes disposed at an angle to the pivot axis of the clamp member are received in coacting recesses in the housing and a proximal cap maintains the desired position of the clamp member within the housing. Axial movement of the clamp member will pivot the swing arm and a coacting, moveable jaw toward a fixed jaw formed in the housing to releasably secure the clamp to the other component.

Disclosed herein is a clamp for interconnecting two components of a support apparatus such as components of a shoring apparatus for concrete forming systems. A clamp member having a moveable jaw is received for pivotal movement in a housing that is secured to one of the components. A plurality of flutes disposed at an angle to the pivot axis of the clamp member are received in coacting recesses in the housing and a proximal cap maintains the desired position of the clamp member within the housing. Axial movement of the clamp member will pivot the swing arm and a coacting, moveable jaw toward a fixed jaw formed in the housing to releasably secure the clamp to the other component.

A multi-axially braided reinforcement sleeve that provides a low cost, simpler method to form strong concrete columns for constructing buildings and other structures. The braided reinforcement sleeve provides structural support and the rebar normally embedded to provide structural support in concrete can be eliminated, preventing the possibility of rebar oxidation which might otherwise undermine the structural integrity of the column. The reinforcement sleeve is lightweight, easy to transport, and can be greatly reduced in size to facilitate transportation. The reinforcement sleeve and construction method can be utilized in many implementations, and can be particularly useful for constructing buildings or other structures in geographic areas that are subject to earthquakes and where low cost is important.

A multi-axially braided reinforcement sleeve that provides a low cost, simpler method to form strong concrete columns for constructing buildings and other structures. The braided reinforcement sleeve provides structural support and the rebar normally embedded to provide structural support in concrete can be eliminated, preventing the possibility of rebar oxidation which might otherwise undermine the structural integrity of the column. The reinforcement sleeve is lightweight, easy to transport, and can be greatly reduced in size to facilitate transportation. The reinforcement sleeve and construction method can be utilized in many implementations, and can be particularly useful for constructing buildings or other structures in geographic areas that are subject to earthquakes and where low cost is important.

A rough-in box used during the construction of buildings having poured concrete flooring, such as multi-story high-rise buildings. The rough-in box may be used to retain an opening in the floor through which plumbing and mechanical components may be installed after concrete has been poured around the device and hardens into a slab. The present invention also relates to a method comprising the steps of assembling the side walls of a box, placing a lid made of a material stronger than that of the side walls and capable of supporting a weight of 2,000 pounds, placing the box over a hole on the floor, and pouring concrete to form a floor around the box. The box will remain in place providing an accessible penetration through the flooring with space for plumbing connections and a flush surface with the floor over which pallet jacks and workers may travel without obstruction.

A method can produce an assembly for a line penetration. The method includes: (a) cutting a fire-protection mat forming a fire-protection module to length appropriate for the size of the line penetration, where the fire-protection mat has a flexible carrier element, on at least one end region of which a fire-protection tape of an intumescent material is fastened, (b) bending the fire-protection mat into a circular shape and joining opposite rims of the fire-protection mat to one another via a joining means, so that the fire-protection tape is disposed in a region of an axial end of the circularly shaped fire-protection mat, and (c) fastening at least one mechanical positioning element constructed separately from the fire-protection mat on the fire-protection mat and which is arranged in such a way that the assembly can be fastened, via the mechanical positioning element, on a wall or on formwork.

A method and an article of manufacture are disclosed for constructing, reinforcing, and repairing various structural elements such as columns, piles and the like using formworks that are reusable. The reusable articles of manufacture employed in the disclosed methods are or, if desired, may be permanently left in place. Same or similar methods and articles of manufacture may be employed to easily construct pipes of any desired diameter in a very short time.

A method and an article of manufacture are disclosed for constructing, reinforcing, and repairing various structural elements such as columns, piles and the like using formworks that are reusable. The reusable articles of manufacture employed in the disclosed methods are or, if desired, may be permanently left in place. Same or similar methods and articles of manufacture may be employed to easily construct pipes of any desired diameter in a very short time.