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.

The invention relates to a bracket to restrain a partition wall in the interior of a building. The bracket comprises a body having a generally hollow sheath and a shaft that is slidable within the sheath to adjust the bracket. The bracket is particularly suitable for supporting internal partition walls of buildings that are located in areas prone to earthquakes and high winds because the bracket allows for the wall to be laterally supported while also accommodating vertical movement experienced during building deflection and inter-storey drift without transferring compression and expansion loads onto the partition wall.

The present invention is a modular structural building method consisting of prefabricated, precast, composite reinforced concrete raised floor and steel beam panels with adjustable levelling connection assemblies between panels, supported by columns. The system has the ability to accommodate the use of the floor by construction personnel during the on-site assembly process. The perimeter of the raised floor slab can be provided with ducts for a field installed conventional reinforcement means to create a continuous structural diaphragm for the floor panel.

A foundation support system for supporting a manufactured building from a ground surface, includes a pan configured to engage the ground surface. The pan includes a longitudinal bracket integrally formed in the pan. The bracket includes a pair of spaced walls extending in a longitudinal direction. First and second longitudinal struts include first and second lower strut ends, respectively, received between and attached to the spaced walls of the longitudinal bracket. The pan may also include an integrally formed lateral bracket which receives a lateral strut. The pan may include integral reinforcing ribs extending parallel to and between the walls of each bracket.

A composite building system comprising a structural frame and walls which is made of pultrusion fiber reinforced polymer (PFRP) material. PFRP provides increased performance, strength, protection, and longevity for mobile and fixed building structures, enclosures or vehicles, commonly found in residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare, aerospace, government defense, energy, and agriculture sectors. The PFRP material comprises fibers embedded in a resin matrix. Exemplary fibers are glass, carbon, and synthetic fibers. PFRP products can be formed using a pultrusion method that eliminates outgassing. An intumescent fire barrier can be applied to the PFRP to meet National Fire Protection Association fire endurance codes and standards. The composite building system increases personal safety while reducing weight, labor costs, construction time, and total cost of ownership over the life of the structure while being resistant to ballistic, seismic, corrosion, rotting, impact, and insect damage. In addition, a wall and wall assembly consisting of the PFRP material is impervious to water and air and does not require an exterior finish coating. The PFRP wall and wall assembly can be designed to be versatile, allowing for use with both PFRP structural framing and traditional framing materials, such as concrete, steel, and wood.

The system and method for connecting a square concrete-filled steel tubular column to a reinforced concrete footing includes a short steel pipe partially embedded in the footing, the pipe having a top end having flanges extending radially therefrom, the top end extending into a cavity in the footing having an elliptical top opening and circular base, the flanges extending above the base. An elliptical base plate is welded to the bottom of the tubular steel column, the base plate having a circular opening defined therein and a plurality of spaced flange slots depending therefrom. The bottom end of the column is lowered into the cavity, the elliptical base plate passing through the elliptical opening in the cavity, and the column is rotated 90° to interlock the flanges with the flange slots. The cavity is filled with concrete grout, and the square or rectangular steel column is filled with concrete.

A building system that utilizes an improved beam and coupling system for building a frame or structure having improved strength and durability and improving performance and/or spanning distance of the beam.

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 that utilizes an improved beam and coupling system for building a frame or structure having improved strength and durability and improving performance and/or spanning distance of the beam.