A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.

A gusset connection that allows greater relative movement between connected structural members and simplifies erection in the field. The gusset connection can be a first gusset portion moveably connected to a vertical column and a second gusset connection moveably connected to a horizontal beam.

An expandable safe room (ESR) defining a protected space therein is provided and comprises a main upright frame, a pair of side walls hingedly connected to the main upright frame, and a front wall parallel to the main upright frame and hingedly connected to the side walls, wherein deploying the ESR in an expanding direction moves the front wall in a forward direction and away from the main upright frame. Floor and roof are also provided wherein the deployment of the ESR can be automatically or manually.

A system of modular components for on-site assembly of a shelter for an above-ground structure to protect the structure from blast, wind, fire or other physical hazards. A pyramidal shelter with triangular or rectangular base is formed by joining side panels to each other. Each side panel includes a triangular frame covered, except at access hatch, observation port and door openings, with either steel plate or diamond steel mesh to which blast-resistant, fire-resistant or other kinds of coatings or panels are applied. A corner anchor assembly to support each corner of a shelter has a lower plate, an overlying split plate, and a pair of upstanding, anchor rods attached to the split plates for insertion into hollow, lower portions of side beams of adjacent side panels. The corner anchor assemblies facilitate expansion of an assembled shelter by addition of more modular components.

An impact shield for earthquake protection is described herein. The impact shield may include a canopy constructed of a puncture-resistant material, the canopy defining a first internal volume accessible via a first opening, the canopy being structured to form a semispherical shape when in an inflated state, the semispherical shape defining a space dimensioned for sheltering at least one human body; a support joined to the canopy and constructed of the puncture-resistant material, the support defining a second internal volume accessible via the first opening and a second opening, the support located within the space, the support structured to form a column when in the inflated state; and a fitting joined to the support for closing the second opening to fix the first internal volume and the second internal volume after inflation of the support and the canopy.

An escape pod includes a spherical survival chamber, a gimbal mechanism, and a spherical outer case body. The survival chamber is mounted on an inner side of the gimbal mechanism, and an outer side of the gimbal mechanism is mounted within the outer case body. Top and bottom ends of the outer case body are provided symmetrically with upper and lower connecting terminals. The outer case body includes a plurality of arc-shaped plates. Two ends of each arc-shaped plate are fixedly connected to the upper and lower connecting terminals respectively. An inner side of the arc-shaped plate is provided with a reinforcing framework. The reinforcing framework is formed of a plurality of arc-shaped steel pipes. Top and bottom ends of each arc-shaped steel pipe are connected to the upper and lower connecting terminals. One of the arc-shaped plates is provided with a pod door.

A self-adjusting floating environment (SAFE) system is described. The SAFE system can include a construction platform which floats on a buffer medium and a vertical motion isolation system. In an earthquake, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium may experience greatly reduced shear forces. In a flood, a construction platform floating on a buffer medium can be configured to rise as water levels rise to limit flood damage. The vertical motion isolation system can reduce the vertical motion of the construction platform induced from vertical ground movements during an earthquake.

A ground level platform upon which is secured a liquid storage tank, the platform providing a dampening frame, an upper plate, a lower plate and a plurality of ground cleats attaching to aligned lower tank brackets, each paired and aligned ground cleat and lower tank bracket attached by a torsion tightened threaded bolt, the ground level platform absorbing and deterring vibration from earthquakes from damaging the secured liquid storage tank.

An integrated structure protection system is provided. The system includes a subterranean anchor assembly. The subterranean anchor assembly includes an anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism configured to secure the subterranean anchor assembly to below grade media. The anchoring mechanism also includes an attachment mechanism. The system also includes a cover positionable on top of and configured to provide protection to the subterranean anchor assembly when the system is in stored mode. Further, the system includes a strapping device configured to connect an end of the device to the attachment mechanism. Additionally, the integrated system also includes a structure attachment system configured to connect an other end of the strapping device to a structure. Further still, the system also includes a structure protection system tensioning apparatus configured to provide tension in the strapping device when the strapping device is connected to the structure and the subterranean anchor assembly.

A system of modular components for on-site assembly of a shelter for an above-ground structure to protect the structure from blast, wind, fire or other physical hazards. A pyramidal shelter with triangular or rectangular base is formed by joining side panels to each other. Each side panel includes a triangular frame covered, except at access hatch, observation port and door openings, with either steel plate or diamond steel mesh to which blast-resistant, fire-resistant or other kinds of coatings or panels are applied. A corner anchor assembly to support each corner of a shelter has a lower plate, an overlying split plate, and a pair of upstanding, anchor rods attached to the split plates for insertion into hollow, lower portions of side beams of adjacent side panels. The corner anchor assemblies facilitate expansion of an assembled shelter by addition of more modular components.