A clearspan structure including component systems, and methods of forming a clearspan structure including component systems, for mitigating hazards to personnel or equipment from explosions, fires, toxic material release, and other hazards in hazardous locations. The exemplary clearspan structure is also capable of withstanding environmental conditions such as snow loads and wind. The exemplary clearspan structure is, for example, a tent or fabric structure which includes a plurality of frame members forming a support system for the clearspan structure, and fabric roof portions and walls for enclosing the clearspan structure.

A reinforcement structure includes compound trusses placed horizontally symmetrically, and each compound truss is constituted by a first truss and a second truss. Each first truss has: a vertical side; a first inclined side extending obliquely downward from an upper end of the vertical side; and a second inclined side connecting between the vertical side and a lower end of the first inclined side. Each second truss shares the first inclined side with the first truss and has: a horizontal side extending horizontally from the upper end of the vertical side; and a second inclined side connecting between a tip end of the horizontal side and the lower end of the first inclined side. Each compound truss is coupled to the construction in a state where the vertical side is along an inner side surface of the construction and the horizontal side is along a ceiling surface of the construction.

A composite structural member for a building structure comprises a first elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region and a second elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region. The second end region of the first elongate portion is connected to the first end region of the second elongate portion so that the composite structural member provided thereby is substantially longer than either of the first and second elongate portions. The first elongate portion may comprise a first member suited for resisting high magnitude forces and the second elongate portion may be a second member, less well suited for resisting high forces but having lower cost per unit length. The composite structural member may be a rafter, especially a rafter of a portal frame.

A reinforced beam system comprises at least one pair of angularly spaced, corner-connected beams configured with two oppositely oriented triangular closed head portions, and a web interposed between head portions; a plurality of reinforcement elements forcibly contacting an interior wall of the corresponding head portion; and for each pair, at least one angled connector. A first leg of the angled connector abuts the flange of a second head portion of the first beam and is connected to a first reinforcement element inserted within the second head portion of the first beam, and a second leg of the angled connector abuts the flange of a first head portion of the second beam and is connected to a second reinforcement element inserted within both the first head portion of the second beam and a first head portion of the first beam. A beam system in one embodiment is devoid of reinforcement elements.

A column body (3) is, for example, an H steel column. Abase plate (5) is joined to the lower end of the column body (3). Anchor bolts (9) are inserted into a foundation (7) and are fixed thereto. Slits (13a), (13b) are provided in the base plate (5). The slits (13a), (13b) are formed in mutually different directions. The slits (13a), (13b) are formed so as to surround the anchor bolts (9) (holes of the base plate (5)). More specifically, the anchor bolts (9) are surrounded from a plurality of directions by the slits (13a), (13b) formed in a plurality of different directions.

A girt alignment apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to shore wind girts of a building to level and support the wind girts to install panels and/or panelized sections to form a wall. The apparatus has an elongated support pipe, a base assembly at a lower end of the support pipe that supports the support pipe in an upright position, a lever assembly connected to the support pipe to move the support pipe upward and downward and one or more girt support assemblies attached to and extending outward from the support pipe to engage the wind girt. In use, the apparatus is placed next to a span having wind girts with the lever assembly in a retracted position. The lever assembly is moved to an extended position to move the support pipe and girt support assemblies upward to engage, level and support the wind girts.

A composite structural member for a building structure comprises a first elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region and a second elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region. The second end region of the first elongate portion is connected to the first end region of the second elongate portion so that the composite structural member provided thereby is substantially longer than either of the first and second elongate portions. The first elongate portion may comprise a first member suited for resisting high magnitude forces and the second elongate portion may be a second member, less well suited for resisting high forces but having lower cost per unit length. The composite structural member may be a rafter, especially a rafter of a portal frame.

A canopy for selectively covering an area, such as a sports field includes at least two beams which span the area, at least two cross beams which are displaceable along the beams, a cloth which is attached to the cross beams, a drive which is configured to displace the cross beams with the cloth attached thereto along the beams, and a substantially flexible tensioning member fastened between the cross beams.

A reinforcement structure includes compound trusses placed horizontally symmetrically, and each compound truss is constituted by a first truss and a second truss. Each first truss has: a vertical side; a first inclined side extending obliquely downward from an upper end of the vertical side; and a second inclined side connecting between the vertical side and a lower end of the first inclined side. Each second truss shares the first inclined side with the first truss and has: a horizontal side extending horizontally from the upper end of the vertical side; and a second inclined side connecting between a tip end of the horizontal side and the lower end of the first inclined side. Each compound truss is coupled to the construction in a state where the vertical side is along an inner side surface of the construction and the horizontal side is along a ceiling surface of the construction.

A column body (3) is, for example, an H steel column. Abase plate (5) is joined to the lower end of the column body (3). Anchor bolts (9) are inserted into a foundation (7) and are fixed thereto. Slits (13a), (13b) are provided in the base plate (5). The slits (13a), (13b) are formed in mutually different directions. The slits (13a), (13b) are formed so as to surround the anchor bolts (9) (holes of the base plate (5)). More specifically, the anchor bolts (9) are surrounded from a plurality of directions by the slits (13a), (13b) formed in a plurality of different directions.