A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint plates, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield plate for each buckling restraint plate. Each yield plate includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam.

A space frame is provided having a first set of nodes located along a first surface and a second set of nodes located along a second surface, and a unitary cell. The second surface non-intersecting the first surface. The unitary cell comprises at least four continuous web elements and extending in three dimensions. The unitary cell spans at least two nodes of the first set of nodes and at least two nodes of the second set of nodes.

In a joint (100) for a structure that includes at least one rod (104) and a plurality of cables (102), each cable (102) having an outside diameter, a rod end (160) is affixable to the rod (104) so that the rod has a rod (104) centerline that passes through the rod end (160). The rod end (160) includes a mechanism (166) that allows the rod end (160) to pivot about a center point that is on the rod centerline. A cable attachment device (150) is couplable to each cable (102) and to the rod end (160). The cable attachment device (150) holds each cable (102) coupled thereto in a relationship to the rod end (160) so that each cable (102) has a cable centerline that intersects the center point so as to minimize any moments from the rod (104) or the cables (102) on the joint (100).

A three-dimensional structure is obtained from a tubular preform, which is obtained from a net of the Chebyshev type having a flared shape maintained by hoops, spacers, or cables. A method for installing such a structure, in which method the tubular preform is brought to the installation point, then deformations are applied to the preform that allow the final desired flared shape to be achieved.

A structural frame for a building, comprising: adjacent first and second columns; at least one precast concrete floor slab having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners and a first elongated edge beam defined between the first and second corner indents, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns; and a first tendon assembly extending between the first and second columns and adapted to be tensioned to compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly including at least one left cable and at least one right cable located symmetrically on either sides of a vertical center plane of the first and second columns.

A modular building unit is disclosed. The modular building unit includes at least nine elongated frame members, each forming one edge of a prism, which prism has at least three side faces and two end faces, with each end of each frame member being rigidly attached to an end of two other frame members. At least three parallel frame members include a channel running therethrough, which channel is open at both ends and adapted to receive a tensioning cable therethrough, whereby like modular building units can be held together at adjoining end faces by tensioning cables. Modular building systems for combining modular building units using tensioned cables are also disclosed.

A structural frame for a building, comprising: adjacent first and second columns; at least one precast concrete floor slab having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners and a first elongated edge beam defined between the first and second corner indents, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns; and a first tendon assembly extending between the first and second columns and adapted to be tensioned to compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly including at least one left cable and at least one right cable located symmetrically on either sides of a vertical center plane of the first and second columns.

Sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units are parts that form pre-stressed assemblies having flexural properties. Sinusoidal shaped members are relaxed material members that have been elastically deformed. Support members maintain the elastically deformed state of the sinusoidal shaped members. The sinusoidal shaped members and support members are organized into pre-stressed curvilinear assemblies containing stored elastic potential energy that is equal to the work done by the forces that deformed their pre-stressed structure. The assemblies' sinusoidal shaped members and support members are adapted to use materials having exceptional mechanical properties and flexural strength. This includes nano-composites. The assemblies' pre-stressed state enhances its mechanical, electrical and structural performance. The size, number, density and possible geometric configurations of the sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units within an assembly/structure is vast. Products of this sinusoidal building system have mechanical and structural applications and can be manufactured using an automated process.

Linear elements and connectors define the parts used by this building system to manufacture and/or form modules and multimodular structures. The linear elements and connectors meet and interact to form physical structures that can function as adaptable behavioral networks. At the junctures where linear elements and connectors meet, a plurality of interface mechanisms allow information transfer and/or form reversible structural changes within the modules and/or multimodular network structures built using this system. Structural changes within or between the fundamental digital elements making up a network structure may lead to the morphing of the greater structure. The fundamental digital elements are linear elements. The connectors allow the meeting/binding of digital elements. The connectors and linear elements act as structural and behavioral actuators that interface within the network structure they compose. These networks may use a plurality of linear element to connector interfaces to produce structural dynamism. This exemplary digital material's physical and logical topology is integrated to form fundamental networks that may produce structural and behavioral dynamism.

A modular building unit is disclosed. The modular building unit includes at least nine elongated frame members, each forming one edge of a prism, which prism has at least three side faces and two end faces, with each end of each frame member being rigidly attached to an end of two other frame members. At least three parallel frame members include a channel running therethrough, which channel is open at both ends and adapted to receive a tensioning cable therethrough, whereby like modular building units can be held together at adjoining end faces by tensioning cables. Modular building systems for combining modular building units using tensioned cables are also disclosed.