A building structure having at least one storey including at least one column; at least one brace attached at one end to one side of at least one of the columns and at a second end to a fixed foundation surface; the brace attached to the at least one column at an incline; the at least one brace having a first portion and a second portion; wherein the at least one brace has a first in-use configuration in which the first portion is freely moveable with respect to the second portion such that a gap is formed in the brace preventing the transmission of force axially along the brace by preventing tensional forces from travelling axially along the brace, and a second in-use configuration in which the gap is closed by the first portion and the second portion being in contact to permit the transmission of forces axially along the brace; and wherein the second in-use configuration allows compressive forces to be transmitted along the brace such that the brace is activated when sufficient deformation occurs in the column in a direction that compresses the brace; and further comprising at least one damper functionally connected to one or both of the first and second portions and configured to provide damping as the at least one brace moves from the first in-use configuration to the second in-use configuration.

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.

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.

A multi-direction zip-tie includes a first zip-tie having a first fastener and a first strap integral therewith, and a second zip-tie having a second fastener and a second strap. The second strap can be integral with a head that engaged with a groove in the second fastener, making the second strap interchangeable. The first fastener and the second fastener are configured to be rotatably engaged with each other by a first ratchet structure. The first zip-tie can have a third strap integrally connected to the first fastener. An extension strap can be engaged with one of the first, second, and third straps to add length. The ability of the first fastener and second fastener to rotate relative to each other allows the straps to be placed in the most advantageous position for connecting and securing materials.

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 or fixedly connected to a vertical column and a second gusset connection moveably or fixedly connected to a horizontal beam. A diagonal brace is moveably or fixedly connected to the gusset connection. The first and second gusset portions are not directly connected to each other to allow relative movement between the column, beam, and diagonal brace.

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.

The present invention relates to a shear link including replaceable cover plates. The shear link includes first and second combination plates combined with a structure, a main frame that includes both ends fixed to the first and second combination plates respectively and a hollow formed in a center to pass therethrough forward and backward, first and second cover plates positioned to come into contact with left and right sides of the main frame respectively to cover the hollow and including a plurality of through holes passing therethrough forward and backward, and a combination unit that separably combines the main frame with the first and second cover plates. In the shear link including replaceable cover plates according to the present invention, since the first and second cover plates are separably combined with the main frame by the combination unit, the first and second cover plates deformed by an external force may be easily separated from the main frame to reduce time and costs consumed for a replacement operation.

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce costs and building time, address the safety of shelter main body against a tsunami, ensure water pressure resistance against a tsunami caused by a Nankai Trough Great Earthquake, provide the safety required when using an evacuation shelter, provide favorable livability, and shorten evacuation time. A shelter main body 3 is a structure made of reinforced concrete; slopes 3a are provided to two sides of the exterior of the shelter main body 3. Surplus soil is provided to the slopes 3a, the surface is covered with concrete, the shelter main body 3 is reinforced with a plurality of H-section steel members 3b, an opening 4 is provided to an above-ground part, and an outside door 5 and inside door 6, which constitute a double structure fireproof steel door for opening and closing the opening 4, are provided, thus forming a structure for withstanding tsunami pressures.

The present invention relates to a disaster-proof home, which is used as a home for daily life, but when a disaster such as an earthquake, a tornado, a typhoon, a strong wind, a flood, or a fire occurs, the house is lowered below the ground or is lifted to be spaced apart from the ground, preventing a housing damage and personal injury caused by the disaster and personal injury, and is capable of daily living in a residential space formed in a house and when a sudden disaster occurs, the house is either lowered to an evacuation space formed in the protection wall or floated automatically by water depending on the disaster situation, without the risk of moving to an outside protective facility so that it is effective for the residents to be safe and to prevent property and personal injury caused by the disaster.

Embodiments of the present invention provides a unique building structure, and a method to manufacture such building structure that may be able to withstand powerful forces of nature and extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornado, flood storm, high speed winds, forest fire, mud slide, tsunami, heavy snow, and the like. The building structure may comprise of a concrete anchor unit to which an assembly of structural compression modules and horizontal and vertical tension elements may be attached. The assembly of compression modules and tension elements effectively transfers the natural forces acting along the building structure, thereby resisting the forces by the tension elements. The building structure may be independent of foundation and can be placed anywhere there is solid bearing material that will support its weight. Further, the present invention aims at providing the unique building structure and the manufacturing method at competitive pricing rates.