A reinforced building wall comprises a foundation; an anchor rod extending from the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation, the first stud wall including a first bottom plate and a first top place; a second stud wall disposed above the first stud wall, the second stud wall including a second bottom plate and a second top plate; the first tie rod including first and second threaded end portions, the first end portion is operably connected to the anchor rod; a second tie rod including third and fourth threaded end portions, the third end portion is operably connected to the second end portion of the first tie rod; the second tie rod including an outer end portion operably attached to the second stud wall; an intermediate portion of the first tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the first tie rod; and an intermediate portion of the second tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the second tie rod.

The present invention relates to a bent column shoe formed from one piece of sheet metal with a material thickness, the sheet metal having a first side and a second side, the bent column shoe comprising an anchor section with a longitudinal axis and a width axis, wherein the anchor section has a first end and a second end, —a supporting section with a first supporting end and a second supporting end, wherein the first supporting end is in extension of the second end of the anchor section, a support section with a support face, arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the anchor section, and wherein the support section is arranged in extension of the supporting section, and at least one fastening face arranged substantially perpendicular to the support face, and wherein the anchor section, the supporting section, the support section and the at least one fastening face are manufactured from one and the same piece of sheet metal, characterised in that the anchor section, measured along the width axis, comprises at least three layers of the sheet metal arranged to provide at least three times the material thickness relative to the support section measured along the longitudinal axis.

Installation and construction methods for installing a wall panel are provided. The wall panel includes a surface member and a long joint member that extends horizontally, is fixed to one plate surface of the surface member, and is joined to a pair of wooden columns. The method includes: disposing the joint member between the pair of wooden columns; joining both longitudinal ends of the joint member to respective side surfaces, facing each other, of the pair of wooden columns; installing the wooden beam between the pair of wooden columns and adjusting erection of the wooden columns; and fixing an edge of the surface member to front surfaces of the pair of wooden columns and the wooden beam.

An adjustable railing post-to-substrate embed system for anchoring a railing post having a railing base with plural railing base anchor holes includes: a plate, having anchor holes; a plurality of nuts, a first end of each nut being arranged proximate a respective one of the anchor holes, the first end of each nut being configured to be selectively and removably threadingly engaged, via the respective anchor hole, with one selected from the group consisting of: respective upper protective bolts, and respective bolts of the railing base; and a plurality of anchors, each being configured to adjustably threadingly engage a second end of a respective one of the nuts, distal the respective anchor hole, each of the anchors being individually adjustable in length by threadable engagement with the second end of the respective one of the nuts.

A wooden structural joint is provided, including a wooden rectangular base member comprising, at one end, a removed center element, a plurality of removed center edge elements, and four intact corner elements, where the removed center element and the plurality of removed center edge elements are formed from vertical and horizontal cuts into the one end of the wooden rectangular base member, a plurality of horizontal members, each horizontal member having a height and further having a tab cut therein at one edge of the horizontal member, the tab cut at a percentage of the height such that all horizontal members fit securely together when assembled within the wooden rectangular base member, and a wooden rectangular top member having one end cut similar to the wooden rectangular base member.

A reinforced building wall comprises a foundation; an anchor rod extending from the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation, the first stud wall including a first bottom plate and a first top place; a second stud wall disposed above the first stud wall, the second stud wall including a second bottom plate and a second top plate; the first tie rod including first and second threaded end portions, the first end portion is operably connected to the anchor rod; a second tie rod including third and fourth threaded end portions, the third end portion is operably connected to the second end portion of the first tie rod; the second tie rod including an outer end portion operably attached to the second stud wall; an intermediate portion of the first tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the first tie rod; and an intermediate portion of the second tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the second tie rod.

A post installation bracket for installing posts on a base such as a concrete slab is provided. The post installation bracket includes a leveling plate with at least one leveling element and an anchoring bolt securing assembly configured to securely receive a first end of an anchoring bolt, a second end of the anchoring bolt distal to the first end securely anchored into the base. The post installation bracket further includes at least one leveling bolt securely fastened to each of the at least one leveling elements, the at least one leveling bolt used to position the leveling plate and post with respect to the base.

An assembly for connecting a wooden sill plate to a concrete foundation slab. The assembly comprises a tapping drill bit and an anchor device. The tapping drill bit comprises a flute having a first flute section and a second flute section, the first flute section being longer and having a smaller diameter than the corresponding dimensions of the second flute section. The anchor device comprises a first anchor section and a second anchor section. The anchor device is structured such that the first anchor section is configured for embedment into the concrete foundation slab, and the second anchor section is configured for embedment in the wooden sill plate. The anchor device thereby delivers an advantageous distribution of shear forces that act on the wooden sill plate in relation to the concrete floor slab.

A lateral force resistance system for a building is provided wherein a portal frame is constructed with a lapped connection between the supported structural member and the supporting structural member and the supporting structural member is made with an elongated member that spans the width of the supporting structural member and the height of the supporting structural member.

A fastener system attaches a connector or other upper member to a lower structural member such as a post or beam. The fastener systems consists of a fastener having an extending shank that is driven into a lower structural member and the fastener is received by a washer that also has an extending tube, and the extending tube of the washer is received by the connector or upper member.