A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

Foldable tubular construct/element with one rigid degree of freedom is of a tubular construction formed by a number of single layered annular units which are connected in sequence; each single layered annular unit is of a prism having N ridge lines; two adjacent prisms each having N sides are connected to each other by sharing a polygon with N sides formed on an intersection plane; each prism with N ridge lines is composed of N rigid planar quadrilateral facets; two adjacent single layered annular units comprise N spherical mechanisms formed by the intersections of only four planar quadrilateral facets at each apex, where N is a number greater than 3.

Foldable tubular construct/element with one rigid degree of freedom is of a tubular construction formed by a number of single layered annular units which are connected in sequence; each single layered annular unit is of a prism having N ridge lines; two adjacent prisms each having N sides are connected to each other by sharing a polygon with N sides formed on an intersection plane; each prism with N ridge lines is composed of N rigid planar quadrilateral facets; two adjacent single layered annular units comprise N spherical mechanisms formed by the intersections of only four planar quadrilateral facets at each apex, where N is a number greater than 3.

A drainage and ventilation mat for use in building exterior walls, roofs and basement assemblies that addresses all three of the following major concerns: drainage, cross ventilation/air flow, and compressive strength. The drainage and ventilation mat includes two layers of parallel, square strands that are overlaid at angles to create a diamond-shaped netting of two layers which provides an air space for horizontal and vertical air movement and protects the drainage plane behind it. The mat features a high compressive strength that creates an air space that can withstand extreme construction and environmental forces. The netting is configured with or without a scrim to accommodate a variety of exterior wall, roof and basement assemblies drainage and ventilation needs.

Compound structure made of composite material, such as fiber-reinforced polymer resin, comprising first oblong elements reciprocally distanced and parallel to each other and second oblong elements reciprocally distanced, parallel to each other and crisscrossed with respect to the first oblong elements. The first oblong elements and the second oblong elements are made in a single body to define a reticular structure with a monolithic flat shape

A floor grate fastener/clamping system includes a bracket having a length sized to span the distance between opposite sides of an opening in a floor grate and a J-hook having a pair of non-parallel side members which define hooks adapted to receive the bottom edge of a kick plate. A bolt extends between the bracket and the J-hook, such that rotation of the bolt brings the J-hook and bracket closer to each other, to enable the grate and its associated kick plate to be clamped together by the fastener/clamping system.

A composite insulating and cladding panel has a backing sheet, a plurality of cladding parts, and a support grid between the backing sheet and the cladding parts. The cladding parts are mounted to the support grid and a body of insulating material such as insulating foam. The cladding parts are spaced-apart to provide gaps. The cladding parts may have any desired surface finish. The cladding parts provide a finished faade. The panel incorporates a support grid that transfers load directly to a building structural framework. The panels also have interengagable features that facilitate joining between a plurality of panels to form a finished faade.

A composite insulating and cladding panel has a backing sheet, a plurality of cladding parts, and a support grid between the backing sheet and the cladding parts. The cladding parts are mounted to the support grid and a body of insulating material such as insulating foam. The cladding parts are spaced-apart to provide gaps. The cladding parts may have any desired surface finish. The cladding parts provide a finished faade. The panel incorporates a support grid that transfers load directly to a building structural framework. The panels also have interengagable features that facilitate joining between a plurality of panels to form a finished faade.

A prong is configured for use with a concrete reinforcement element and includes first and second legs positioned opposite first and second sides of the prong and a bridge portion connecting distal ends the legs, where the bridge portion forms a first end of the prong. The legs extend from the bridge portion to a second end of the prong opposite the first end, and each of the legs has a proximal end at the second end of the prong. The proximal end of the first leg is bent toward the second leg, and the proximal end of the second leg is bent toward the first leg, such that the proximal ends of the legs overlap each other. Inner surfaces of the proximal ends of the legs define engagement surfaces configured to engage a tie wire, enabling the proximal ends to be connected to the tie wire.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.