Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.

A ground anchoring element for a small-building's subframe allowing the small-building to be stationarily attached to the ground, the anchoring element comprising a bracket, a bracket nut, a threaded rod, adjustment nuts, a support plate with an opening, the threaded rod going through the opening and a tie for the support plate. One end of the threaded rod is in the bracket nut and the other in the ground. The bracket fastened to the subframe of a small-building can be an angled-joint bracket or a straight-joint bracket.

A method of constructing a building is disclosed, including selecting a standard dimension less than a wide-load trucking permit limit and designing a building on a grid defined by the selected standard dimension. The building includes a plurality of prefabricated elements, wherein each prefabricated element has a width correspond to the selected standard dimension. The plurality of prefabricated elements includes a wall panel, a roof panel, a laterally resistive frame, and a rebar cage. The method includes fabricating each of the plurality of prefabricated elements at a manufacturing plant and transporting the elements by truck to a building site. The method includes constructing intersecting grade beam footings at the building site and pouring a slab between the intersecting grade beam footings. The grade beam footings include the rebar cage and have a uniform width and depth, the grade beam footings and the slab having contiguous upper surfaces.

A method of constructing a building is disclosed, including selecting a standard dimension less than a wide-load trucking permit limit and designing a building on a grid defined by the selected standard dimension. The building includes a plurality of prefabricated elements, wherein each prefabricated element has a width correspond to the selected standard dimension. The plurality of prefabricated elements includes a wall panel, a roof panel, a laterally resistive frame, and a rebar cage. The method includes fabricating each of the plurality of prefabricated elements at a manufacturing plant and transporting the elements by truck to a building site. The method includes constructing intersecting grade beam footings at the building site and pouring a slab between the intersecting grade beam footings. The grade beam footings include the rebar cage and have a uniform width and depth, the grade beam footings and the slab having contiguous upper surfaces.

The disclosure presents a composite column formwork which utilizes a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) stay in place container which incorporates horizontally coplanar support chairs bonded to the interior surface, closed ties bonded to the support chairs and a plurality of longitudinal rebar enforcements bonded to the closed ties. All of the components in a preferred embodiment are formed of a fiberglass material.

The disclosure presents a reconfigurable composite floor formwork which defined by a plurality of interlocking fiberglass panels formed into profiles which may be moved and adapted to provide a concrete form for a floor or ceiling. All of the components in a preferred embodiment are formed of a fiberglass material.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

A modular barrier panel and a barrier formed therewith and methods and systems for construction of the panel and barrier. The panel includes an aboveground portion and a base portion. The aboveground portion includes a grid-like configuration having a plurality of vents that are sized to limit passage of a human therethrough but that enable viewing through the panel. The base portion includes a plurality of side-by-side, waffle-shaped sections with openings therethrough. The panels can be cast on-site, cured overnight, and immediately installed in the barrier formation. The panels are installed in a trench and the base portions are encased in concrete; the openings in the base allow the concrete to flow to both sides of the panel. Sensors, including cameras and vibration sensors, may be installed in the base section or in the foundation concrete or on the aboveground portion to detect actions on, over, or under the barrier.

A modular barrier panel and a barrier formed therewith and methods and systems for construction of the panel and barrier. The panel includes an aboveground portion and a base portion. The aboveground portion includes a grid-like configuration having a plurality of vents that are sized to limit passage of a human therethrough but that enable viewing through the panel. The base portion includes a plurality of side-by-side, waffle-shaped sections with openings therethrough. The panels can be cast on-site, cured overnight, and immediately installed in the barrier formation. The panels are installed in a trench and the base portions are encased in concrete; the openings in the base allow the concrete to flow to both sides of the panel. Sensors, including cameras and vibration sensors, may be installed in the base section or in the foundation concrete or on the aboveground portion to detect actions on, over, or under the barrier.

In a general aspect, a method is presented for manufacturing support structures for offshore wind turbines. In some implementations, the method includes constructing a plurality of modular sections that assemble to define the support structure. One or more of the plurality of modular sections are configured to anchor to an underwater floor. At least one of the plurality of modular sections is constructed by operations that include forming a wall along a perimeter to bound a volume, filling the volume with a castable material, and hardening the castable material. In some instances, forming the wall includes depositing layers of printable material successively on top of each other. The method also includes joining the plurality of modular sections to assemble the support structure.