Construction materials intended for use as structural elements, such as structural blocks, used in the construction of buildings and civil engineering structures. The blocks can comprise hemp hurd and fibers, flax fiber, hydraulic lime and hydrated lime. In one aspect, the blocks may comprise a body shape configured so as to allow it to interlock with other blocks in the construction of a structure. In another aspect, the blocks may be adapted to incorporate tensioning means. Methods for manufacturing the blocks and structures comprising such materials and methods for building such structures are also disclosed.

A vertically adjustable steel reinforcing assembly, especially adapted for effective use with dapped beam ends. The reinforcing assembly includes an upper assembly and a lower assembly. Running vertically through the center of each of the assemblies are aligning pin holes. Assembly is configured at the time of casting to accommodate most recent dap design.

A vertically adjustable steel reinforcing assembly, especially adapted for effective use with dapped beam ends. The reinforcing assembly includes an upper assembly and a lower assembly. Running vertically through the center of each of the assemblies are aligning pin holes. Assembly is configured at the time of casting to accommodate most recent dap design.

Pre-stressed insulated concrete panels are disclosed. Methods of making and using pre-stressed insulated concrete panels are also disclosed.

A system is disclosed for being affixed to a portion of a construction structure that has sustained a fracture. The system can provide a repair strap, sensor and communication interface. The repair strap can be securable to the structure to span at least a portion of the fracture. The sensor can be carried on the repair strap and be configured to detect at least one condition representative of additional fracture of the structure. An electrical signal can be generated in response to said detection. The communication interface can be electrically coupled to the sensor and can receive the electrical signal generated by the sensor. The communication interface can be configured to transmit information to a remote electronic device via a public or private communication network.

A system is disclosed for being affixed to a portion of a construction structure that has sustained a fracture. The system can provide a repair strap, sensor and communication interface. The repair strap can be securable to the structure to span at least a portion of the fracture. The sensor can be carried on the repair strap and be configured to detect at least one condition representative of additional fracture of the structure. An electrical signal can be generated in response to said detection. The communication interface can be electrically coupled to the sensor and can receive the electrical signal generated by the sensor. The communication interface can be configured to transmit information to a remote electronic device via a public or private communication network.

The invention relates to a method for erecting a structure 0 comprising at least two prefabricated concrete elements 1, 2, the method comprising: installing a first concrete element 1; placing a second concrete element 2 with at least one spacer 4 maintaining a gap between respective end faces 104, 203 of the first element and second element; tensioning at least one bar 105, 3 held on the first and second elements and passing through the gap maintained by the spacer, and introducing a hardenable interface product 5 into said gap. The method thus makes it possible to move off the critical path relating to the erection the need to wait, between two assembly operations, for the joints between the assembled pieces to have hardened. Incidentally, a significant reduction in the time taken for erecting such a structure is obtained.

The invention relates to a method for erecting a structure 0 comprising at least two prefabricated concrete elements 1, 2, the method comprising: installing a first concrete element 1; placing a second concrete element 2 with at least one spacer 4 maintaining a gap between respective end faces 104, 203 of the first element and second element; tensioning at least one bar 105, 3 held on the first and second elements and passing through the gap maintained by the spacer, and introducing a hardenable interface product 5 into said gap. The method thus makes it possible to move off the critical path relating to the erection the need to wait, between two assembly operations, for the joints between the assembled pieces to have hardened. Incidentally, a significant reduction in the time taken for erecting such a structure is obtained.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.