A prefabricated modular composite structural panel comprising a composite structural floor system. The structural panel comprises timber panels rigidly connected to steel stiffening elements aligned in the direction of span between supporting elements. By assembling multiple prefabricated panels in a modular array and adding concrete, a composite concrete floor system can be created which is adaptable to any building geometry. The timber panel acts in composite with the steel stiffening elements to function as formwork in the temporary condition with minimal or no shoring. In the permanent condition, the steel stiffening element is used to reinforce the concrete slab, and the timber panel can act in composite with the concrete slab to meet strength and serviceability requirements where permitted by code. Methods for connecting steel to timber components as well as methods for connecting panels to supporting beams are also disclosed. The structural panels can also be oriented vertically and tied together as required to create formwork for other building elements such as walls, columns, braces, and beams.

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 method of constructing a building is disclosed, including selecting a standard dimension less than a wide-load trucking permit limit and designing a building on a grid defined by the selected standard dimension. The building includes a plurality of prefabricated elements, wherein each prefabricated element has a width correspond to the selected standard dimension. The plurality of prefabricated elements includes a wall panel, a roof panel, a laterally resistive frame, and a rebar cage. The method includes fabricating each of the plurality of prefabricated elements at a manufacturing plant and transporting the elements by truck to a building site. The method includes constructing intersecting grade beam footings at the building site and pouring a slab between the intersecting grade beam footings. The grade beam footings include the rebar cage and have a uniform width and depth, the grade beam footings and the slab having contiguous upper surfaces.

A connector assembly, having an upper connector coupled to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors. Also, disclosed is a hoistable connector assembly, a lifting frame assembly, a coupling system for modular frame units, a method for assembling a module unit using the connector assembly, and a modular frame unit and building having the connector assembly.

A shear wall panel utilizes improved corner connection to effectively connect vertical chords and horizontal tracks of the shear wall panel to diagonal brace members and accommodating anchoring of the panel frame to horizontal building components. The panel frame uses structural corner brackets interiorly mounted to the corners of the panel adapted to receive anchor bolt connection adjacent the corner and diagonal bracing connection at a position spaced from the anchor bolt connection. Preferably, the shear wall panel is manufactured in a factory and shipped to a job site as a finished panel frame.

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.

A building system may include an external structural frame which includes a plurality of columns and beam, a diaphragm which includes a plurality of floor panels, each of the plurality of floor panels having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The plurality of floor panels are supported by a plurality of diaphragm beams arranged along the transverse direction, and a coupling between each of the transverse beams and the external structural frame, wherein loads are transmitted from the diaphragm to the external structural frame only via the couplings between the transverse beams and the external structural frame.

A method of constructing a building is disclosed, including selecting a standard dimension less than a wide-load trucking permit limit and designing a building on a grid defined by the selected standard dimension. The building includes a plurality of prefabricated elements, wherein each prefabricated element has a width correspond to the selected standard dimension. The plurality of prefabricated elements includes a wall panel, a roof panel, a laterally resistive frame, and a rebar cage. The method includes fabricating each of the plurality of prefabricated elements at a manufacturing plant and transporting the elements by truck to a building site. The method includes constructing intersecting grade beam footings at the building site and pouring a slab between the intersecting grade beam footings. The grade beam footings include the rebar cage and have a uniform width and depth, the grade beam footings and the slab having contiguous upper surfaces.

A connector assembly, having an upper connector coupled to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors. Also, disclosed is a hoistable connector assembly, a lifting frame assembly, a coupling system for modular frame units, a method for assembling a module unit using the connector assembly, and a modular frame unit and building having the connector assembly.