A column assembly has an elongated tubular member. A wall end assembly has an elongated tubular member. A flexible interface connects the column assembly to the wall end assembly. The flexible interface includes a spring pack assembly having a disc spring, an elongated male fastening member, a female fastening member, and an absorbing layer. The male fastening member extends through the spring pack hole into the female fastening member to connect the column assembly to the wall end assembly with the female fastening member and to hold the male fastening member in place.

The present invention is directed to a wall assembly comprising a novel structural lattice frame comprising vertical studs and outwardly located horizontal furring spaced with thermal isolation pads therebetween at the framing intersections, foam insulation encapsulating the furring and at least a portion of the vertical studs, and an exterior air- and water-resistant barrier-protected sheathing fastened to the outward side of the horizontal furring.

A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

The present invention relates to an acoustical and thermal decoupling system (10) in a form of a polymer tape that includes a closed-cell foam layer (12) having a front side and a reverse side, a pressure sensitive adhesive (14) coated on the reverse side of the closed-cell foam layer (12), and a release liner (16) covering the pressure sensitive adhesive (14) on the reverse side of the closed-cell foam layer (12). The acoustical and thermal decoupling system (10) may be installed directly to a structural member of a building by removing the release liner (16) from the reverse side of the closed-cell foam layer (12) and pressing the reverse side of the closed-cell foam layer (12) against the structural member, allowing the pressure sensitive adhesive (14) to bond the closed-cell foam layer (12) directly to the structural member.

The present anti-ballistic shelter is a reinforced unit configured to comply with both ISO standards for size and weight, and with the U.S. Department of State Certification Standard for Forced Entry and Ballistic Resistance of Structural Systems. Each end and side wall of the unit is reinforced with wall studs that penetrate the unit's structural framework. Even though these wail studs are welded into place, penetration of the wall studs into the framework ensures acceptable blast, ballistic, and forced entry resistance even if the welds are flawed.

The modular anti-ballistic shelter system includes two end units and, optionally, additional middle units for a wider structure. End and middle units may also stack atop each other for multi-story structures. Each unit is configured to comply with both ISO standards for size and weight, and with the U.S. Department of State Certification Standard for Forced Entry and Ballistic Resistance of Structural Systems. Each exterior wall of each end unit and each middle unit is reinforced with wall studs that penetrate the unit's structural framework of beams and frames. Even though these wall studs are welded into place, penetration of the wall studs into the beams and frames ensures acceptable blast, ballistic, and forced entry resistance even if the welds are flawed.

A wall/roof panel includes (a) a façade that has (i) an outer surface that defines a front surface of the panel and (ii) a rear surface and (b) a structural element connected to and supporting the façade.

Building structures can be fabricated at an offsite, and then assembled at the construction site. The building structures can include beams and wall panels having metal attachments. The beams and wall panels can be assembled by coupling the metal attachments, for example, by welding.

A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

A hybrid shear wall system for construction of massive timber buildings of more than two stories in seismic zones, is provided, which presents a ductile behavior and reduced overturning effect against a lateral load caused by destructive natural events, such as earthquakes or strong winds; the shear wall system comprises an interior frame with articulated nodes of union between columns and sills, to which exterior massive timber panels are joined on both opposite faces, by means of individual energy dissipating connectors; where the frame comprises post-tensioned self-centering means, which together with the articulated nodes, the exterior massive timber panels and the connectors, act together as a unit and allow the shear wall to behave in a ductile manner and with reduced overturning effect under high lateral load.