A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

The invention relates to a modular building structure (10) comprising: a framework (12) including a plurality of rods (14) and connectors (16) to interconnect the plurality of rods (14) together, the framework (12) comprising empty spaces bordered by corresponding rods (14) of said plurality of rods; a plurality of panels (20), wherein one panel (20) is mounted inside each empty space and connected to the framework (12) in order to create an interior (40), an air chamber layer (44) inside which air may circulate, said air chamber layer (44) forming at least a portion of an outer surface of said interior (40), at least one upper valve system (46a) mounted in the upper portion of the structure (10), and at least one lower valve system (46b) mounted in the lower portion of the structure (10). The at least one upper and lower valve systems (46a, 46b) are selectively operable to regulate the thermal conditions inside the interior (40) as a function of the meteorological conditions outside the modular building structure (10) and a desired temperature inside the interior (40). The invention also relates to a method for operating the at least one upper and lower valve systems (46a, 46b) of the modular building structure (10).

An inflatable habitat using inflatable structures and necessary accessories offers secure permanent human settlement in an environment such as Mars with an air pressure below the earth's atmospheric pressure. Built upon a crater, the inflatable structure comprises various resilient multilayer roof segments integrated with segment frames to contain extreme internal inflation pressures to provide habitability, maintenance of thermal environment, and low-cost manufacturability using local resources. The roof of the inflatable structure is firmly secured along a rim and a floor of the crater through a wall anchor system and a dual internal roof anchor system to provide a durable structure against hostile weather conditions. A “smart design” using the wall anchor system allows the installation of an outer roof in parallel to the existing roof. Further, a magnetic radiation shield generated through roof power elements externally encloses the roof to facilitate optimal active protection against solar and/or cosmic radiations.

An inflatable habitat using inflatable structures and necessary accessories offers secure permanent human settlement in an environment such as Mars with an air pressure below the earth's atmospheric pressure. Built upon a crater, the inflatable structure comprises various resilient multilayer roof segments integrated with segment frames to contain extreme internal inflation pressures to provide habitability, maintenance of thermal environment, and low-cost manufacturability using local resources. The roof of the inflatable structure is firmly secured along a rim and a floor of the crater through a wall anchor system and a dual internal roof anchor system to provide a durable structure against hostile weather conditions. A “smart design” using the wall anchor system allows the installation of an outer roof in parallel to the existing roof. Further, a magnetic radiation shield generated through roof power elements externally encloses the roof to facilitate optimal active protection against solar and/or cosmic radiations.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

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.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

The disclosure is directed to an elongated geodesic dome with an arched-tunnel section. In some embodiments including: a first adjustable angle hub connector, the first adjustable angle hub connector being a connector of a first plurality of tubular struts, the first plurality of tubular struts being inserted into the first adjustable angle hub connector; a second adjustable angle hub connector, the second adjustable angle hub connector being a connector of a second plurality of tubular struts, the second plurality of tubular struts being inserted into the second adjustable angle hub connector; a third adjustable angle hub connector, the third adjustable angle hub connector being a connector of a third plurality of tubular struts, the third plurality of tubular struts being inserted into the third adjustable angle hub connector. The adjustable angle hub connectors may be removable for adjusting a length of the arched-tunnel section of the elongated geodesic dome.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.