Structural plates and methods of constructing arch-shaped structures using structural plates. Structural plates may include a combination of features including: an outer structural plate having adjacent circumferential apertures respectively spaced nominally greater than adjacent circumferential apertures of an inner structural plate; and the outer structural plate having nominally 5 enlarged or differently shaped circumferential apertures (as compared to circumferential apertures of the inner structural plate) such that the embodiment structural plates may be radiused to a variety of different radii while achieving desirable overlapping alignment of apertures along overlapping circumferential edges for receiving fasteners therein. Joiner plates may be provided for interconnecting structural plates along transverse edges in a non-overlapping arrangement, 10 thereby reducing the quantity of structural plate material that otherwise would be needed for a given circumferential length of the arch-shaped structure.

Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for self-constructing structures. In particular, a mold for forming a structure includes an inflatable inner balloon, a non-inflatable outer shell coupled to the inner balloon about a base circumference, the outer shell having an apex and an opening disposed at the apex, and a pump in fluid communication with the opening of the outer shell; wherein, when the inner balloon is inflated, a gap is formed between the inner balloon and the outer shell for containing a building material, and the outer shell comprises a dome shape.

An arch grid bolted sphere node rotating and fixing device and an arch grid mounting system. The device includes a base, a fixing part, and a rotating part. The fixing part includes a groove body, a first vertical plate, and a second vertical plate. The groove body, the first vertical plate, and the second vertical plate are respectively connected to the base. A notch of the groove body is obliquely upward. The first vertical plate and the second vertical plate are respectively located on opposite sides of the groove body. The first vertical plate is provided with a first through hole. The second vertical plate is provided with a second through hole. The first through hole and the second through hole are formed oppositely. The rotating part includes a first rod piece, a rotating sphere, and a second rod piece that are connected in sequence.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

This invention relates to a self-supporting three-dimensional prestressed structure, as well as a method and a device for erecting same, to be employed in the construction of residential and nonresidential buildings. The structure is constructed of vertical form-defining flexible rodlike members (1) stressed during the construction of the structure, as well as horizontal flexible rodlike members (2) each forming a closed curve. The horizontal members (2) are also stressed during construction and welded or rigidly affixed by other means to the vertical form-defining members (1). Instead of horizontal circular members (2) the structure can be constructed completely or to some extent using a spiral member, also stressed during the construction of the structure that is rigidly affixed to the vertical form-defining flexible members (1).

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

Arch structure defining equidistant points along a radial curve and comprising uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section stringer members, uniformly-sized, standard stock, elongated rectangular cross-section arch members each having a midpoint and first and second angled ends of equal but opposing to one another angular magnitude, each arch member adapted to converge crossways on and completely abut a side surface of two non-adjacently positioned stringer members, each of the arch members further being adapted for undergirding a stringer member located between two non-adjacently positioned stringer members at the mid-point of the arch member, each arch member adapted for being oriented in scissor-like crossing relationship to another arch member, a plurality of fasteners, and where needed at least one tensioning member preferably attached between end stringer members, or alternatively between foundation members, the tensioning members and fasteners making the arch structure fortified to be as if monolithic.

A modular self-supporting arched ceiling structure has a plurality of interconnected modules each extending in a first direction over an arc and arranged one after the other in a second direction which is transverse to the first direction, with each of the modules being composed of a plurality of interconnected panels located adjacent to one another in a direction of elongation of each of the modules, and each of the panels has two plates spaced from each other to form therebetween a space which is filled with a cellular material with one of the plates composed of a plurality of strips of a heavy-duty high-modulus material.