A precast concrete component is provided with anchor having a cylindrical rod bent to form a centrally-positioned handle and two downwardly extending legs. The handle can be relatively smooth and die legs are provided with a series of projections along their lengths, such as are formed by threads. The legs of the anchor may converge inwardly from the handle and are compatible with precast concrete double tees having webs or stems that taper from the flange of the double tee downward. Alternatively, the legs of the anchor may diverge outwardly from the handle.

A lifting and jacking apparatus including a void former configured for embedment in a concrete slab before pouring of the concrete slab and a lifting bail removably insertable in and securely attachable to the void former. The void former includes a built in jacking screw configured to assist in adjusting the height of the concrete slab.

Block construction of prefabricated buildings is disclosed. A building is constructed by the following steps. A plurality of structural units are assembled into a plurality of volumetric blocks. The structural units fabricated separately prior to assembly into the volumetric blocks. The volumetric blocks are assembled into a building frame. At least one non-structural module is inserted into the building frame. The non-structural module is affixed to one or more of the volumetric blocks.

The present application relates to a volumetric module constructed from a module chassis, an exterior wall attached to at least a portion of the module chassis, a floor assembly attached to at least a portion of the module chassis, and a facade adjustably attached to at least a portion of the module chassis. The volumetric module may be configured to interface with a separate accommodation module.

A lifting anchor for a structural member, such as a concrete panel, includes a head part able to be coupled with a gripping ring, a foot and a body interposed between the head and the foot, the head and the foot being intended to be embedded in the material of which the structural member is made, the anchor being obtained by folding at least one flat defining different successive portions that form the head, the body and the foot, respectively, of the anchor. The constituent portions of the foot of the anchor include two lower branches that diverge on either side of the body of the anchor. The anchor includes a reinforcing part interposed between the two flats or flat portions, extending from the head of the anchor along at least a part of the body.

Provided herein is an assembly for carrying or supporting a load. The assembly comprises a plurality of members connectable in an assembled arrangement for carrying or supporting the load. Each member comprises a first end and a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end has a pair of connecting members comprising two lugs that each has defined therein two holes. The lugs are configured for alignment with a corresponding pair of lugs formed on another member in the assembly. Fasteners extend through the holes formed in the lugs when the holes are aligned. Further provided are members for use in the assembly and connector elements for attaching two or more members in the assembly.

Anchors and precast concrete structures including anchors are provided. An anchor includes a disk having a first dimension D.sub.1, a second dimension D.sub.2 and a first aspect ratio [D.sub.1/D.sub.2], wherein D.sub.1 and D.sub.2 are oriented perpendicular with respect one another, and wherein the first aspect ratio [D.sub.1/D.sub.2] is in a range between and including 0.75 and 1.25; and a head extending from a generally central portion of the disk in a direction generally perpendicular to D.sub.1 and D.sub.2, the head having a third dimension D.sub.3, a fourth dimension D.sub.4 and a second aspect ratio [D.sub.3/D.sub.4], wherein D.sub.3 and D.sub.4 are oriented perpendicular with respect to one another, wherein D.sub.3 is parallel with respect to D.sub.2 and D.sub.4 is parallel with respect to D.sub.1, and wherein the second aspect ratio [D.sub.3/D.sub.4] is less than 0.5.

An anchor for embedment in a concrete body for lifting the concrete body, wherein the anchor includes a head having a lifting aperture for engagement with a lifting device, and a pair of legs adapted for embedment within the concrete body, wherein the head has an additional aperture having at least a portion of the additional aperture bordered by a border rib, wherein a lower edge of the head is provided with a cross rib which extends between the pair of legs, and wherein webbing extends between the border rib and the cross rib such that a cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the anchor between the cross rib and the border rib forms an I-beam.

A recess insert for a lift anchor assembly in a precast Portland cement concrete shape. The lift anchor assembly has a bilaterally symmetrical lift anchor comprising a lifting end, and an anchor leg end. The lifting end comprises an opening therethrough. The recess insert comprises a semicircular shaped shell that defines an opening, a top cap shaped to cover the opening, at least one anchoring clip on the top cap, adapted to engage the opening of a lift anchor when the recess insert is cast with a lift anchor assembly in a precast Portland cement concrete shape for securing the top cap to the semicircular shaped shell. The top cap also has a disengagement plane or one or more apertures providing access to the at least one anchoring clip for disengaging the top cap from the lift anchor.

A lifting system is provided that prevents a thermal bridge between concrete layers of a precast concrete structure. In some precast concrete panels, an insulation layer is provided between concrete layers. Lifting systems of the present invention allow lifting forces from a hoisting system to be transferred to the concrete panels without creating a thermal bridge between the concrete layers, and thus, reducing the effectiveness of the insulation layer. In some embodiments, a multi-plate configuration allows a central plate to distribute a lifting force to the concrete layers and then rotate away to prevent a thermal bridge between concrete layers.