A method for producing a support structure having a three-dimensional geometry curved in any manner, includes making at least one first and one second flat material piece. The geometry has curves in three directions that are orthogonal to one another, and the method includes the following steps: A. preparing the desired geometry, B. approximating the desired geometry, C. subdividing the geometry, D. defining at least one clearance region, E. defining a plurality of connection points arranged on the at least one first and one second part, F. defining chamfered edges extending between the polygonal cross-sections, G. developing the at least one first and one second part, H. cutting to length at least one first and one second flat material piece, I. chamfering, and J. connecting the at least one chamfered first material piece and the at least one chamfered second material piece.

A strut (I) comprising an elongated beam portion (2) and at least one connecting end portion (3), where the elongated beam portion (2) is a tubular structure having an external circumference (C), and the connecting end portion (3) is integral with the elongated beam portion (2) and is comprised of a folded and flattened end portion of the tubular structure, in which diametrically opposite inward fold lines (5) meet between flattened parts (3a, 3b) of the end portion of the tubular structure, so that the resulting connecting end portion (3) comprises four material layers, and where the connecting end portion has a width (w) in a direction transverse to a longitudinal centreline (L) of the connecting end portion, where w>CI 4, and a method (I 00) of manufacturing a strut (I) comprising the steps of providing (IOI) a tubular element (IO) having an external circumference (C) and forming (I02; I03) a connecting end portion (3) at an end of the tubular element (IO), wherein the connecting end portion is formed by folding (I02) and flattening (I03) a portion (3′) of the tubular element (IO), wherein the folding (I02) is performed by deforming the material in said portion (3′) so as to form inward fold lines (5), and pushing them from diametrically opposite sides in a direction (pI) toward the centre (X) of the tubular element until they meet, and the flattening (I03) is performed by pressing the thus folded portion (3′) toward the centre (X) of the tubular element, from opposite directions (p2) perpendicular to the direction of pushing (pI), whereby an end portion (3) comprising four material layers is obtained.

The present application relates to a statically permanently loadable tension member or compression member (10) for a structure, which member comprises, on both end portions (12), thread flanks (14) of a thread for receiving a connection component. According to the invention, the thread flanks (14) are provided at least partially with a rolled zinc surface (16).

A joist chord reinforcement apparatus for a joist having a chord with a first chord end and a second chord end is disclosed that includes a reinforcement rod, first and second end clamp assemblies operable to clamp the reinforcement rod to the first and second ends of the chord respectively, and at least one rod clamping assembly operable to secure the reinforcement rod to the chord between the first and second end clamp assemblies when the first and second end clamp assemblies are clamping the reinforcement rod to first and second ends of the chord respectively. A method of reinforcing the chord of a joist is also disclosed.

A joist reinforcement apparatus is disclosed for a joist having a top chord, a bottom chord, and plurality of cross supports extending between the top chord and the bottom chord, the plurality of cross supports forming panel points along the joist. A panel point bracket assembly can be securable about one of the panel points of the joist. A load bracket assembly can be securable to either the top chord or the bottom chord of the joist. An adjustable coupling assembly can have a first end pivotally connected to the panel point bracket assembly and a second end pivotally connected to the load bracket assembly. The apparatus can help provide non-welded single point load reinforcement on a chord of a joist.

A truss structure may include a plurality of load bearing members, or force members, that are joined at a plurality of nodes to define a load bearing structure. The truss structure may include a plurality of longitudinal members extending in parallel along a longitudinal length of the truss structure, and a plurality of transverse members, joined to the plurality of longitudinal members at nodes, and extending between the plurality of longitudinal members. The plurality of transverse members may provide buckling support to the plurality of longitudinal members, so that an axial load, or compressive load, or buckling load, may be effectively carried by the truss structure.

A length-adjustable truss stiffener is intended to be used to strengthen truss systems at locations of localized over-stress to reduce the cost from the alternative solution which is to reduce truss spacings. The stiffener consists of two or more sleeves locking around two or more components of the main truss. The sleeves mounted on different truss components are connected to one another with a length-adjustable shank. The stiffener may be used in two-dimensional or three-dimensional trusses. Of a collection of prefabricated trusses necessary to erect a structure, only a subset of one or more trusses are customized with stiffeners according to loading calculations predicting failure of that subset under required loading conditions, while all other trusses are installed in their original prefabricated state.

Channel framing includes an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and defining an interior extending along the longitudinal axis. The body includes a first side defining a continuous slot extending lengthwise of the body and into the interior of the body. A second side is generally opposite the first side and defines a fitting groove extending lengthwise of the body. The fitting groove is configured for receiving at least one type of fitting to secure the fitting to the channel framing.

A truss structure may include a plurality of load bearing members, or force members, that are joined at a plurality of nodes to define a load bearing structure. The truss structure may include a plurality of longitudinal members extending in parallel along a longitudinal length of the truss structure, and a plurality of transverse members, joined to the plurality of longitudinal members at nodes, and extending between the plurality of longitudinal members. The plurality of transverse members may provide buckling support to the plurality of longitudinal members, so that an axial load, or compressive load, or buckling load, may be effectively carried by the truss structure.

The invention relates to a method for producing a support structure having a three-dimensional geometry curved in any manner, made of at least one first and one second flat material piece, wherein the geometry has curves in three directions that are orthogonal to one another, with the following steps: A. preparing the desired geometry B. approximating the desired geometry C. subdividing the geometry D. defining at least one clearance region E. defining a plurality of connection points arranged on the at least one first and one second part F. defining chamfered edges extending between the polygonal cross-sections G. developing the at least one first and one second part H. cutting to length at least one first and one second flat material piece I. chamfering J. connecting the at least one chamfered first material piece and the at least one chamfered second material piece.