An anchor for arrangement in a building element, in particular in a wall, in a ceiling or in a precast concrete part. The anchor includes an anchoring element for anchoring in a receiving opening of the building element comprising an undercut, a connecting element for connection to a supporting element, in particular to a platform for formwork, or to a support arm for a protective shield, or to a lifting element for lifting the building element. In some aspects, the anchoring element is movable between an anchoring position for anchoring in the receiving opening and a release position for removal from the building element. The anchor may additionally include a securing element which blocks the movement of the anchoring element between the anchoring position and the release position in a first position and releases the anchoring element in a second position.

Anchors, clutches, and lifting systems are described herein that increase the size of a shear cone within a precast concrete panel without using multiple clutches and without increasing the complexity of the lift system. A shear cone is the volume within the panel that the anchor and clutch pull on when orienting and positioning the precast concrete panel. Anchors described herein encompass a larger volume of the panel in different ways to produce a larger shear cone. Similarly, the clutches described herein have features that allow a clutch to accommodate the improved anchors. As a result, the anchors, clutches, and lifting systems provide a larger shear cone in the panel to increase the load capacity of the lifting system and reduce the likelihood of failure.

A method for installing and deploying concealed mounting points for a davit or jib crane on a roof patio or large balcony covered with stone pavers. Specifically, a metal plate assembly lower flange is affixed to the concrete roof slab with its contact points covered by waterproofing membrane. The metal assembly hard point upper flange holes correspond to the holes in the mounting base of the davit or jib crane. The metal assembly when installed is lower than the pavers supported by metal pedestal transition components. As such, the metal assembly hard point is concealed and covered by a removable cover plate that also sits on top of the metal pedestal transition components and is flush with the top of the pavers.

The present invention relates to a lifting device and a lifting method using the same. The lifting device comprises a main body, a clasping assembly, a first shaft and a second shaft. The main body comprises a first through hole, a second through hole and a third through hole therein. An axis passes through the third through hole, and the first through hole and second through hole are symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis. The clasping assembly comprises a closed-loop structure configured to be engaged with the third through hole. The first shaft is adapted to be inserted into the first through hole of the main body, and the second shaft is adapted to be inserted into the second through hole of the main body.

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 faade 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 robotic system having a movable gantry robot (10) for conducting construction operations. The gantry may have an expandable bridge (20) and articulated gantry support legs (34) as well as a support track system (60) holding a gantry robot (800) which may hold one or more implements and peripheral devices (806). The device can be moved by propulsion mechanisms, a controller, and one or more geo-positioned control devices to provide position information for the robotic gantry as it moves back and forth along a plurality of work sites (700). The robotic gantry is connected to a power supply system (236). The controller is automated, self-navigating, and activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of the propulsion mechanisms, and deploys, retracts, activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of one or more of the construction implements. The height of the frame may be adjusted by extending and rotating risers and booms to accommodate different building heights or sub-level heights at a worksite. A conveyor system is optimized for removing dirt from or delivering material to the robotic arm. This invention can be applied to automating construction jobs including surveying, land preparation, excavation, foundation, masonry, framing, and additive fabrication.

Improved tilt-up and precast construction panels and improved methods for creating the same address deficiencies in the current tilt-up and precast construction panels. Improved tilt-up and precast construction panels use less concrete and less steel reinforcement and weigh less than current tilt-up and precast construction panels. Additionally, improved tilt-up and precast construction panels have greater insulative properties (both heat and sound) than do current tilt-up and precast construction panels. Improved tilt-up and precast construction panels require less labor on the construction site, thereby increasing efficiency and profitability of construction crews. Additional advantages of implementations of the invention will become apparent through the following description and by practice of implementations of the invention.

A layered structure includes a first layer of cementitious material, an insulation layer positioned on the first layer. The insulating layer has an opening defining a receiving space. An anchor assembly is positioned in part in the receiving space. The anchor assembly includes a base plate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, an anchor member connected to the first side of the base plate, and a thermally insulating panel attached to the second side of the base plate. The thermally insulating panel is positioned on the first layer of cementitious material. The insulating panel has a snug fit or interference fit with the opening through the insulation layer. The insulating panel and opening are matched with regard to shape such that the insulating panel covers a surface of the cementitious layer within the receiving space thus preventing a thermal bridge from forming.

A connection node assembly for use in connecting an upper prefabricated building module to a lower module. Hollow vertical edge supports of the building modules have top and bottom connection parts. A connecting bolt can be passed through the top part of an upper vertical support in the upper building module and seated within the bottom part of that vertical support with the shank extending downward. The shank engages a threaded aperture in a connecting nut secured within the top part of a corresponding lower vertical support in the lower building module. Diaphragm plates sandwiched between the upper and lower vertical supports are used to tie horizontally placed modules together.