A panel includes structural studs, each of the structural studs includes a central longitudinal axis, a baseplate, and a sidewall extending from the baseplate, and tabs punched out of the sidewall, each of the tabs including a tab leg that is connected to the sidewall at one end of the tab leg, and that projects outwardly from the sidewall, and a tab foot extending from the tab leg and curving in a direction that is toward a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis through the one end of the tab leg, and away from a hole in the sidewall created by the tab being punched out of the sidewall, wherein the hole is defined by a base side and a top side, the base side has a greater length than the top side, and the tab leg the extends from the base side.

A panel includes structural studs, each of the structural studs includes a central longitudinal axis, a baseplate, and a sidewall extending from the baseplate, and tabs punched out of the sidewall, each of the tabs including a tab leg that is connected to the sidewall at one end of the tab leg, and that projects outwardly from the sidewall, and a tab foot extending from the tab leg and curving in a direction that is toward a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis through the one end of the tab leg, and away from a hole in the sidewall created by the tab being punched out of the sidewall, wherein the hole is defined by a base side and a top side, the base side has a greater length than the top side, and the tab leg the extends from the base side.

The method includes a tension element, for example in the form of flat steel, that is placed on the structure or structural part and can be guided around a corner. The flat steel can also wrap as a band around the structure, in which the two ends of the flat steel are either connected to one another or are separately connected to the structure by the end anchors or intersect to produce a clamping connection. The flat steel contracts as a result of a subsequent active and controlled input of heat using a heating element and generates a permanent tensile stress and, correspondingly, a permanent prestress on the structure. The structure, as equipped, has at least one tension element as a shape memory alloy which extends along the outer side of the structure and is connected by one or more end anchors.

A tendon processing system includes at least one tub for supporting a tendon, and an indexing assembly for moving the tub to and between a plurality of processing locations. Each processing location is associated with at least one respective processing device.

A tracking photovoltaic solar system, and methods for installing or for using such tracking comprising at least a dual axis tracker unit maintaining an array of photovoltaic modules aligned to the sun. Said tracker unit includes: a pair of sub-frames supporting photovoltaic modules, a torque tube supporting said subframes rotating around a primary rotation axis, a pole structure fixed and extending vertically above an anchoring basis and being rotatively connected to said longitudinal support, secondary rotating means controlling the orientation of said sub-frames around corresponding secondary rotation axis of said sub-frames, said secondary rotation axis being orthogonal to said primary rotation axis and actuators means for controlling said primary and secondary rotating means. The secondary rotation axis are located at each end of said torque tube, said pole structure being central with regard to said sub-frames and said actuators means of both primary and secondary rotating means are linear.

A system for producing reinforcing cages for wind turbine tower segments, wherein a reinforcing cage has in each case substantially horizontally oriented ring segments and substantially vertically oriented stiffening elements. It is proposed that the system has a receiving area which is adapted so as to receive the preferably inner, substantially horizontally oriented ring segments of the reinforcing cage, a first handling robot for supplying and positioning the stiffening elements, and a second handling robot for connecting the ring elements to the stiffening elements.

A composite beam for a wind turbine blade includes a preform layer, the preform layer including multiple elongate strength rods arranged longitudinally relative to one another in a single layer, each strength rod being disposed adjacent to and spaced from at least one adjacent strength rod. Each strength rod has a rectangular cross section and includes multiple, substantially straight collimated structural fibers fixed in a solidified matrix resin. The preform layer includes at least one carrier layer to which the multiple strength rods are joined by an adhesive. The carrier layer spaces adjacent strength rods a fixed distance apart to facilitate the flow of liquid bonding resin between adjacent strength rods of the preform layer to its joined carrier layer, the carrier layer being of a permeable material suitable to facilitate the flow of liquid bonding resin through the carrier layer.

A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.

The invention comprises a connector for a pair of opposed spaced concrete forming panels. The connector comprises an elongate spacer member having flanges formed thereon intermediate a central portion thereof and each opposite end thereof. A portion of at least one end of the spacer member is sized and shaped to selectively engage an elongate panel bracing member. A composite insulated concrete form and a method of using the insulated concrete form are also disclosed.

A connector for joining concrete structures such as double tee beams to one another. The connector includes a curved bolt that is formed with a shape memory alloy. Through utilization of the bolt, a joint can be post-tensioned following assembly through application of heat to the joint. Post-tensioning can be re-applied following loosening of the joint through application of heat. When considering a super elastic shape memory alloy, the bolt can be a smart bolt that can self-correct following deformation due to excessive load.