This method is suitable for the strengthening of concrete or timber structures by applying prestressed Carbon FRP or Glass FRP lamella. At least one groove is cut into the concrete or timber structure along the direction in which the concrete or timber structure is to be strengthened. The grooves are filled with epoxy resin and a layer of epoxy resin is put onto the entire section to be equipped with the CRFP or GFRP lamella. The lamella is prestressed and anchored at both ends. U-shaped brackets are then being put over the two end sections of the CFRP or GFRP lamella by inserting and submerging its both U-legs into holes filled with resin as well. These holding brackets are then tightly pressed onto the CFRP or GFRP lamella to prevent cracking or fracture of the concrete or timber and bending away of the extremities of the CFRP or GFRP lamella.

A tile system comprises at least two tiles and at least one elongate support. Each tile is generally rectangular in shape and has a first edge, and a second edge, the second edge being generally opposite the first edge. Each elongate support has an attachment portion and a support portion. Proximate the first edge each tile is provided with a groove, the groove being configured to receive the support portion of one of the elongate supports and a portion of an adjacent tile proximate its second edge.

In carrying out a loft conversion some way has to be found of reinforcing the triangular timber roof trusses so that the internal bracing can be removed, to make the space. In the invention this is done by fixing C-sections to the outline of the triangular trusses, preferably sandwiching the timber frame. For the C-sections to overlap at the corners, part of one flange, e.g., the upper flange of the horizontal beam, is removed, and then the beams are bolted onto the frame. The process can be carried out with minimal disruption to the roof as no transverse (longitudinal) reinforcement is needed. A dormer process can also be included, making use of a versatile reinforcement plate.

In carrying out a loft conversion some way has to be found of reinforcing the triangular timber roof trusses so that the internal bracing can be removed, to make the space. In the invention this is done by fixing C-sections to the outline of the triangular trusses, preferably sandwiching the timber frame. For the C-sections to overlap at the corners, part of one flange, e.g., the upper flange of the horizontal beam, is removed, and then the beams are bolted onto the frame. The process can be carried out with minimal disruption to the roof as no transverse (longitudinal) reinforcement is needed. A dormer process can also be included, making use of a versatile reinforcement plate.

Herein is disclosed a system for joining pieces of lumber, the system including a truss plate for attaching the pieces of lumber together and a mounting press for mounting the truss plate onto the lumber. The mounting press includes first and second flat plates with the first flat plate having a rod perpendicularly extending from a central portion thereof and the second plate having a centrally located rod aperture for receiving the rod. The rod is mated to a threaded collar and both are configured to press the first and second flat plates together when the collar is threaded onto the rod. The truss plate consists of a flat piece of metal having a plurality of teeth projecting from one side. An aperture is formed on the plate which is dimensioned to receive the rod.

Herein is disclosed a system for joining pieces of lumber, the system including a truss plate for attaching the pieces of lumber together and a mounting press for mounting the truss plate onto the lumber. The mounting press includes first and second flat plates with the first flat plate having a rod perpendicularly extending from a central portion thereof and the second plate having a centrally located rod aperture for receiving the rod. The rod is mated to a threaded collar and both are configured to press the first and second flat plates together when the collar is threaded onto the rod. The truss plate consists of a flat piece of metal having a plurality of teeth projecting from one side. An aperture is formed on the plate which is dimensioned to receive the rod.

A bar element as a construction element includes strips preferably produced from bamboo and is hollow at least in certain regions. The hollow interior is formed at least in certain sections as a hollow fillet achieved by a plastic and/or resin introduced into the bar elements, using a shaped body movable through the interior. Producing bar elements from interconnected strips ensures that although produced from a natural raw material, the bar elements have a reproducible outer cross section. Using a shaped body movable through the interior to produce the inner cross section also ensures a defined inner cross section of the bar elements, with the result that in turn connections between a plurality of bar elements that are defined by suitable connection elements can be formed. In this way, the bar elements make it possible to produce lattice works, grid constructions, frameworks or other desired structures and/or three-dimensional bodies.

A metal restraint strap for suppressing a displacement between two parallel disposed structural bodies away from each other includes an elongated metal base member; metal bolt members extending outward in a longitudinal direction of the base member from opposite longitudinal ends of the base member, and each having an external thread at least on an outer periphery of an distal end portion of the bolt member; and fasteners adapted to be screwed onto the external threads of the bolt members.

A supporting structure (102) for a wall or a roof partition (104; 120) of a building structure (100), comprises an internal core structure (114) extending in a longitudinal direction, and first and second external covering profiles (106) for at least partially covering the core structure (114). The covering profiles (106) define inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces (108) facing one another, with slits (116) being formed at the inwardly facing surfaces (108). The core structure comprises at least two bands of material (114) which are mutually offset. The supporting structure (102) is suitable as a post, pillar, column, lath, batten, rafter, truss, girder, bar, or beam for a wall or roof partitions of a greenhouse, a cabin or shanty, a wall of a house, a stand-alone wall or roof partition, such as pent roof, a canopy, a fence, a windbreak or a solar panel structure The bands of material (114) are interconnected at their ends only and are pre-tensioned to provide stiffness, and may be configured to minimize their thermal conductivity.

A metal joint for joining, to a frame built by appropriately combining a horizontal structural member and a vertical structural member, a rectangular panel fitted into the frame includes a base member made of a rectangular metal plate, and cylindrical members which are each made of a metal cylinder, and are fixed onto opposite surfaces of the base member. The base member is adapted to be disposed between the frame and the panel. The cylindrical members are adapted to be fitted into circular holes formed in the frame and the panel.