A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.

A system of structural interlocking panels for forming disaster-resistant buildings, comprising: a hollow, internally-braced, vacuum-insulated panel shell having at least two interlocking sides, the first side having a convex-inward single-curvature, the second side having a straight surface, the third side having a straight surface with at least one integral tongue with at least one head extending vertically-upward for receiving a complementary groove of a first side of an adjacent panel. Panels are thus vertically slide-locked along panel sides and faces, thereby triggering automatic snap joints that prevent backward movement of the panel. The system can assemble spheres, cylinders, toroids, tetrahedrons, flat shapes, and irregular shapes.

A closed wall hold down system is provided including at least one closed wall panel, at least one first tie rod, at least one second tie rod, at least one coupler nut, and at least one ratcheting take-up device. The at least one closed wall panel includes a bottom plate and a top plate. The at least one first tie rod projects through the bottom plate. The at least one coupler nut is coupled to the at least one first tie rod and to a first end of the at least one second tie rod. A second end of the at least one second tie rod extends through the top plate. The at least one ratcheting take-up device engages the second end of the at least one second tie rod. A method of installing the closed wall hold down system is also provided.

A construction element includes at least one module with a rectangular parallelepiped shape, hollow and made of a composite material. The module is delimited by an enclosure with four panels, two first opposing parallel panels and two second panels perpendicular to the first panels. The second panels include at least one groove parallel to the first panels. Each second panel is extended on one side by an L-shaped profile and on the other side by a flat profile. The profiles are elements protruding outwards, parallel to the groove.

A wall panel is provided that can be prefabricated and pre-assembled, and can be easily and quickly installed in the field. The wall panel includes an exterior infill component, an interior structural component, and a frame. The frame includes a first jamb member, a second jamb member, a head member, and a sill member. A wall system is provided comprising a plurality of wall panels. A method of installing the wall panel system and a method of assembling the wall panel are also provided.

The invention concerns a building having a wall comprising a plurality of structural wall panels, each panel having: a central core at least 80 mm thick formed from a substantially rigid polyurethane foam; and a polyurea or polyurethane skin 1-6 mm thick substantially encapsulating the central core; at least some of the panels incorporating a roof section; and the panels having sufficient 3 structural integrity to provide at least a wall of the building without the need for support beams.

Improvements in pre-fabricated modular wall sections to construct a building or house is disclosed. Adjacent side of the wall sections are tapered and dovetailed that lock-in-place. The dovetails are spaced to reduce the height that one section must be lifted to engage in an adjoining wall section. The footers/base plate will also have integrated earthquake or hurricane hold-downs in the footer/base plate that aligns and can be secured from the foundation to the wall sections. The connection of the wall section to the foundation to have counter flashing at the concrete insert and the wall-to-wall sections can be self-flashed. The wall sections can have GPS locators for positioning the wall sections. Plumbing and electrical conduit creating circuits that can be integrated into the walls and are connected sealed or bonded together.

A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.

A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.

A building component includes a form that is pre-shaped. The form includes a channel segment, defined, at least in part, by a base region and a wall that extends from the base region. The form is configured for installation as a permanent fixture in a building structure by abutment of the form with a corresponding form having a corresponding channel segment. The abutment is between the channel segment and the corresponding channel segment, and when respective ends of the respective base regions of the channel segment and the corresponding channel segment are in abutment, a beam channel is created between the form and the corresponding form. Further, when respective ends of the respective walls of the channel segment and the corresponding channel segment are in abutment, a column channel is created between the form and the corresponding form.