A reinforcing plate and method for use in sistering to a wood member to create a composite floor joist or stud. The reinforcing plate is mounted to the wood member and includes preformed first openings and preformed second openings. The preformed first openings are provided proximate to edges of the reinforcing plate and are dimensioned to allow for attachment members to be inserted therethrough to attach the reinforcing plate to the wood member. The preformed second openings are larger than the first opening and are dimensioned to allow for building materials to extend therethrough. The reinforcing plate resists bending stresses and increase the shearing resistance of the wood member.

A reinforcing plate and method for use in sistering to a wood member to create a composite floor joist or stud. The reinforcing plate is mounted to the wood member and includes preformed first openings and preformed second openings. The preformed first openings are provided proximate to edges of the reinforcing plate and are dimensioned to allow for attachment members to be inserted therethrough to attach the reinforcing plate to the wood member. The preformed second openings are larger than the first opening and are dimensioned to allow for building materials to extend therethrough. The reinforcing plate resists bending stresses and increase the shearing resistance of the wood member.

A metal frame assembly for seismic retrofitting of soft story buildings comprising a pair of half frame subassemblies. Each subassembly comprises front and rear steel column portions and front and rear steel beam portions. The column portions are configured to extend about and substantially encase the existing column of a wooden frame. The front and rear beam portions are secured to and carried by upper portions of the column portions in each subassembly and extend therefrom parallel to and laterally spaced from opposed sides of the beam in the wooden frame. Connector plates are provided in each subassembly securing together the front beam and column portions to the rear beam and column portions and the front and rear column and beam portions to the beam of the wooden frame.

A metal frame assembly for seismic retrofitting of soft story buildings comprising a pair of half frame subassemblies. Each subassembly comprises front and rear steel column portions and front and rear steel beam portions. The column portions are configured to extend about and substantially encase the existing column of a wooden frame. The front and rear beam portions are secured to and carried by upper portions of the column portions in each subassembly and extend therefrom parallel to and laterally spaced from opposed sides of the beam in the wooden frame. Connector plates are provided in each subassembly securing together the front beam and column portions to the rear beam and column portions and the front and rear column and beam portions to the beam of the wooden frame.

A method of manufacturing a pre-stressed beam or panel and the resulting beam or panel are described. The method includes providing a timber-based component (1); providing a pre-stressing member (9) arranged along the timber-based component; applying a tensile force to the pre-stressing member (9); providing concrete anchors (11a, 11b) at locations that are spaced apart along the timber-based component (1); coupling the pre-stressing member (9) to the concrete anchors (11a, 11b); and releasing the tensile force on the pre-stressing member (9) to transfer a compressive force to the timber-based component (1) through the concrete anchors (11a, 11b) to form a pre-stressed beam or panel.

The present invention provides an adjustable, universal screed guide/control joint clip for positioning screed guide/control joints utilized in the placement of concrete in concrete slabs. The adjustable universal screed guide clip allows for the exact adjustment of the height of the screed guide attached thereto for the placement of the concrete slabs, and the adjustable universal screed guide clip also allows for the installation of the screed guide in applications which heretofore were not possible. The adjustable, universal screed guide/control joint clip of the present invention is capable of accommodating both large and small profile screed guides.

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.

A composite assembly includes a series of elongated layers joined lengthwise thereof. At least two of the elongated layers each have an upper elongated portion and a lower elongated portion secured together in an end-to-end relationship at a joint therebetween by a connector arrangement. The upper elongated portion is constructed of a wood material, and the lower elongated portion is constructed of a non-wood material. The lower elongated portion may have a reinforcing rod therein.

A composite assembly includes a series of elongated layers joined lengthwise thereof. At least two of the elongated layers each have an upper elongated portion and a lower elongated portion secured together in an end-to-end relationship at a joint therebetween by a connector arrangement. The upper elongated portion is constructed of a wood material, and the lower elongated portion is constructed of a non-wood material. The lower elongated portion may have a reinforcing rod therein.