A retrofit reinforcing structure addition and method for an existing gravity spread foundation for a wind turbine or the like having a central pedestal and a spread section is provided. The retrofit structure addition includes a collar formed around the pedestal of the spread foundation. The collar is formed by a shape sustaining member, such as a CMP, placed around the pedestal to define an annular ring between the CMP and the pedestal that is filled with cementitious material. Radial bolts extend horizontally through the collar and into the side of the pedestal. Soil and/or rock anchor bolts extend vertically through the collar, the spread portion of the foundation and into the underlying soil and/or rock substrate. The radial and anchor bolts are post-tensioned to ensure that the cementitious material of the collar remains in compression and the bolts are always in static tension, strengthening the original gravity spread foundation and extending the fatigue life thereof.

A retrofit reinforcing structure addition and method for an existing gravity spread foundation for a wind turbine or the like having a central pedestal and a spread section is provided. The retrofit structure addition includes a collar formed around the pedestal of the spread foundation. The collar is formed by a shape sustaining member, such as a CMP, placed around the pedestal to define an annular ring between the CMP and the pedestal that is filled with cementitious material. Radial bolts extend horizontally through the collar and into the side of the pedestal. Soil and/or rock anchor bolts extend vertically through the collar, the spread portion of the foundation and into the underlying soil and/or rock substrate. The radial and anchor bolts are post-tensioned to ensure that the cementitious material of the collar remains in compression and the bolts are always in static tension, strengthening the original gravity spread foundation and extending the fatigue life thereof.

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.

A building foundation structure includes a ground improved body obtained by improving a surface layer ground, and foundation concrete placed on the ground improved body on site. The foundation concrete located below a building pillar has an upper part and a lower part having different shapes. The lower part has a reverse trapezoidal sectional shape in a cross section taken along a vertical plane including a horizontal direction perpendicular to a horizontal line connecting building pillars adjacent to each other. The upper part has a brim portion protruding in the first horizontal direction from a side edge at an upper end in the sectional shape of the lower part.

The disclosure presents a formwork system which utilizes Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) panels to create modular segments to form and reinforce concrete subgrade structures. The segments may be rearranged and bonded together to conform to intended dimensions of many subgrade structures. The segments are manufactured by cast molding, bonding or vacuum forming. The segments may include integrated FRP stanchions to prevent deflection of the panels during concrete placement. The stanchions also may be used for positioning structural steel or FRP rebar. FRP bars are permanently bonded to the interior sides of the panels inside the segments. In use, the assembled segments are filled with concrete. After the concrete is cured, the segments remain in place and function as external protection and reinforcement for the cured concrete.

A retrofit reinforcing structure addition and method for an existing gravity spread foundation for a wind turbine or the like having a central pedestal and a spread section is provided. The retrofit structure addition includes a collar formed around the pedestal of the spread foundation. The collar is formed by a shape sustaining member, such as a CMP, placed around the pedestal to define an annular ring between the CMP and the pedestal that is filled with cementitious material. Radial bolts extend horizontally through the collar and into the side of the pedestal. Soil and/or rock anchor bolts extend vertically through the collar, the spread portion of the foundation and into the underlying soil and/or rock substrate. The radial and anchor bolts are post-tensioned to ensure that the cementitious material of the collar remains in compression and the bolts are always in static tension, strengthening the original gravity spread foundation and extending the fatigue life thereof.

A retrofit reinforcing structure addition and method for an existing gravity spread foundation for a wind turbine or the like having a central pedestal and a spread section is provided. The retrofit structure addition includes a collar formed around the pedestal of the spread foundation. The collar is formed by a shape sustaining member, such as a CMP, placed around the pedestal to define an annular ring between the CMP and the pedestal that is filled with cementitious material. Radial bolts extend horizontally through the collar and into the side of the pedestal. Soil and/or rock anchor bolts extend vertically through the collar, the spread portion of the foundation and into the underlying soil and/or rock substrate. The radial and anchor bolts are post-tensioned to ensure that the cementitious material of the collar remains in compression and the bolts are always in static tension, strengthening the original gravity spread foundation and extending the fatigue life thereof.

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.

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.