An arrangement for forming a thermally insulated wall is provided that includes two panels connected to one another by multiple connecting means, wherein each connecting means has two receiving openings. Each panel is provided with an insertion opening, and a fixing means is inserted into the receiving opening of the connecting means through the insertion opening. Each of the connecting means includes a holding means of a first kind configured to hold a horizontal reinforcing means that connects the connecting means to one another and a holding means of a second kind configured to hold a vertical reinforcing means that connects the connecting means to one another. Other aspects are described and claimed.

An arrangement for forming a thermally insulated wall is provided that includes two panels connected to one another by multiple connecting means, wherein each connecting means has two receiving openings. Each panel is provided with an insertion opening, and a fixing means is inserted into the receiving opening of the connecting means through the insertion opening. Each of the connecting means includes a holding means of a first kind configured to hold a horizontal reinforcing means that connects the connecting means to one another and a holding means of a second kind configured to hold a vertical reinforcing means that connects the connecting means to one another. Other aspects are described and claimed.

An apparatus for connecting precast elements, wherein the apparatus includes a first part adapted for being cast into a first one of the precast elements, and the apparatus further includes a second part adapted for being cast into a second one of the precast elements, wherein the first part and the second part are arranged to receive a fastener for fastening the second precast element relative to the first precast element with the fastener crossing a joint between the precast elements at an angle to the joint.

An apparatus for connecting precast elements, wherein the apparatus includes a first part adapted for being cast into a first one of the precast elements, and the apparatus further includes a second part adapted for being cast into a second one of the precast elements, wherein the first part and the second part are arranged to receive a fastener for fastening the second precast element relative to the first precast element with the fastener crossing a joint between the precast elements at an angle to the joint.

A concrete dowel placement system and methods for making the same. The system allows for accurate and easy substantially-parallel or parallel placement of slip dowels within sections of concrete so that adjacent sections of concrete may be allowed to undergo thermal expansion and contraction while remaining in a common plane without cracking or faulting. The system includes a coupler and a sheath. The sheath is configured to be slidably extensible over the coupler and may be held to the coupler by friction. An outer surface of the sheath may be textured. Additionally, a method of constructing the concrete dowel placement system includes extruding material to form two tubes of different sizes. The tubes are then attached to each other, then material is extruded or injection molded to form a sheath. Alternatively, construction may include extruding material to form a tube, then removing some of the material from the tube in order to form a coupler.

A concrete dowel placement system and methods for making the same. The system allows for accurate and easy substantially-parallel or parallel placement of slip dowels within sections of concrete so that adjacent sections of concrete may be allowed to undergo thermal expansion and contraction while remaining in a common plane without cracking or faulting. The system includes a coupler and a sheath. The sheath is configured to be slidably extensible over the coupler and may be held to the coupler by friction. An outer surface of the sheath may be textured. Additionally, a method of constructing the concrete dowel placement system includes extruding material to form two tubes of different sizes. The tubes are then attached to each other, then material is extruded or injection molded to form a sheath. Alternatively, construction may include extruding material to form a tube, then removing some of the material from the tube in order to form a coupler.

A shear wall assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first anchor, a second anchor, a third anchor, a first bolt, a second bolt, a seismic fuse, and a rod. Each anchor includes a hollow tubular body including a first open end, a second open end, an interior including female threads, and an exterior including male threads. Each bolt includes a head and a shank. The shank includes male threads. The shank extends through an open end of an anchor. The male threads of the bolt engage with the female threads of the anchor. The seismic fuse is configured to receive the heads of the bolts and includes a hole. The rod includes an end with male threads. The rod extends through the hole of the seismic fuse into the open end of an anchor. The male threads of the rod engage with the female threads an anchor.

A system and method for creating a column for construction using bundled tube are provided. The column having a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion. Each portion consists of a bundle of individual pillars, comprising a center pillar, a plurality of corner pillars, and a plurality of middle pillars. From the bottom portion of the column, addition pillars can be affixed on top of the pillars of the bottom portion, thus forming the middle and the top portion of the column. Each pillar can be secured to another component using a thread stepped dowel comprising of a base section, at least one middle section, and a tip section, with each section being progressively smaller in circumference than the last. The at least one middle section of the threaded stepped dowel further comprises thread spiraling around the outer surface of the at least one middle section.

An apparatus guides first and second assembly components into a predetermined configuration, each assembly component including an opening. When the assembly components are aligned into the predetermined configuration, their openings align to define a cavity for receiving a stepped dowel to fasten the components together. The guiding apparatus includes a stepped dowel member having successively-smaller dowel sections, and a collar member floating around the base of the stepped dowel member. The stepped dowel member tip can be passed through the first assembly component opening and inserted into the second assembly component opening, drawing the components into the predetermined configuration. When the components are aligned into the predetermined configuration, the collar member engages the first assembly component opening and the stepped dowel member engages the second assembly component opening. The guiding apparatus can be disengaged, freeing the dowel-receiving cavity to accept a stepped dowel for fastening the assembly components together.

An apparatus guides first and second assembly components into a predetermined configuration, each assembly component including an opening. When the assembly components are aligned into the predetermined configuration, their openings align to define a cavity for receiving a stepped dowel to fasten the components together. The guiding apparatus includes a stepped dowel member having successively-smaller dowel sections, and a collar member floating around the base of the stepped dowel member. The stepped dowel member tip can be passed through the first assembly component opening and inserted into the second assembly component opening, drawing the components into the predetermined configuration. When the components are aligned into the predetermined configuration, the collar member engages the first assembly component opening and the stepped dowel member engages the second assembly component opening. The guiding apparatus can be disengaged, freeing the dowel-receiving cavity to accept a stepped dowel for fastening the assembly components together.