A structure has a plurality of modules of cementitious material; a first module exhibiting a reciprocal coupling surface and hooking portions defining at least one cavity, a second module exhibiting a respective reciprocal coupling surface—countershaped and in contact with the reciprocal coupling surface of the first module—and a hooking portion defining at least one cavity extending along at least partially the stratification direction; a connecting element engaged, on one side, inside the cavity of the hooking portion of the first module and, on the other side, inside the cavity of the hooking portion of the second module. The connecting element is configured for stably constraining the first and second modules and holding these latter in contact with each other. Further, a process makes a structure of reinforced cementitious material.

A precast segment suitable for block-stacking concept is disclosed. The precast segment includes a first surface, an opposite second surface, plural through holes, and plural male-female connecting sets. The through holes extend from the first surface and toward the second surface to communicate between the first surface and the second surface. Each male-female connecting set includes a shear key and a joint hole, wherein the shear key protrudes from one of the first surface and the second surface to serve as a male connecting unit, and the joint hole is formed in the other of the first surface and the second surface to serve as a female connecting unit. Accordingly, the precast segments can be block-stacked by mortise-and-tenon joints to construct a bridge pier system. Compared to the conventional construction methodology, the present invention can enhance the efficiency of segment fabrication and avoid high prestress force.

A precast segment suitable for block-stacking concept is disclosed. The precast segment includes a first surface, an opposite second surface, plural through holes, and plural male-female connecting sets. The through holes extend from the first surface and toward the second surface to communicate between the first surface and the second surface. Each male-female connecting set includes a shear key and a joint hole, wherein the shear key protrudes from one of the first surface and the second surface to serve as a male connecting unit, and the joint hole is formed in the other of the first surface and the second surface to serve as a female connecting unit. Accordingly, the precast segments can be block-stacked by mortise-and-tenon joints to construct a bridge pier system. Compared to the conventional construction methodology, the present invention can enhance the efficiency of segment fabrication and avoid high prestress force.

A cooling tower structure having a concrete perimeter foundation wall with a perimeter rebar grouping. The structure includes at least four columns formed of CMU blocks with at least two columns being freestanding and positioned approximate corners of the foundation wall. Each column further includes a column rebar grouping being tied into the perimeter rebar grouping. At least three bond-beams formed of CMU blocks are connected between the columns at least four feet above the foundation. The bond-beams include beam rebar groupings tying into at least one of the column rebar groupings. The structure includes housing walls formed of CMU blocks extending upward from the bond beams. At least one fan is on at least one pedestal column positioned within the foundation wall, with a pedestal rebar grouping extending though the pedestal column from a concrete pedestal footing. A series of water collection troughs are positioned within the cooling tower above the fan and fill media is positioned in the cooling tower above the collection troughs.

Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) sheet or jacket systems and methods are provided as an alternative splicing method to connect driven pile segments or other structural members. These systems are applicable to both unforeseen and preplanned splicing situations and can be used in the unforeseen condition when other splice systems may fail to provide the required capacity.

Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) sheet or jacket systems and methods are provided as an alternative splicing method to connect driven pile segments or other structural members. These systems are applicable to both unforeseen and preplanned splicing situations and can be used in the unforeseen condition when other splice systems may fail to provide the required capacity.

Wall block (2) made of artificial stone material; it has an overall elongate form and a first seating surface (10); an opposing second seating face (12); a first end face (14); an opposing second end face (16); a first wall surface side (18); an opposing second wall surface side (20); it has, on its first seating face, a first seating surface (4) and, on its second seating face, a second seating surface (6); it has a lateral surface (8) and a plurality of extension arrangements (30) arranged in a row on its first seating face (10) and a plurality of receiving arrangements (40) arranged in a row on its second seating face (12), these arrangements each being complementary to one another such that a particular extension arrangement fits in form-fitting engagement with a particular receiving arrangement of a third further wall block which is designed as a receiving arrangement of the claimed wall block, and such that a particular receiving arrangement fits in form-fitting engagement with a particular extension arrangement of a fourth further wall block which is designed as an extension arrangement of the claimed wall block, the particular extension arrangement and the particular receiving arrangement being designed such that the form-fitting engagement—considered per se—is possible both when the longitudinal central axes of the claimed wall block and of the third further or fourth further wall block are parallel to one another and when the longitudinal central axes of the claimed wall block and of the third further or fourth further wall block—seen in plan view of the first seating face or the second seating face of the claimed wall block—extend at an angle (81) to one another; and it is formed having a fin (60) at the transition between its first end face and its first wall surface side, and/or at the transition between its first end face and its second wall surface side, which fin protrudes beyond a virtual flat surface (61) located at the center of the first end face at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the wall block.

The present invention is directed to a one-piece cell divider for use in a filter underdrain system that supports a parous plate that supports a filter media for filtering a fluid. The one-piece cell divider includes: a divider portion; a porous plate support portion, including a flange that supports the porous plate; a support member portion, including a flange that attaches the divider to a base. A filter underdrain using a one-piece cell divider may include; at least one porous plate for supporting the filter media for filtering a fluid, the porous plate spanning across at least one of the dividers; the at least two dividers including: one or more one-piece cell dividers; one or more multiple-piece dividers, each multiple-piece cell divider comprising a divider portion and a support member, the support member being directly under the divider portion.

The present invention is directed to a one-piece cell divider for use in a filter underdrain system that supports a parous plate that supports a filter media for filtering a fluid. The one-piece cell divider includes: a divider portion; a porous plate support portion, including a flange that supports the porous plate; a support member portion, including a flange that attaches the divider to a base. A filter underdrain using a one-piece cell divider may include; at least one porous plate for supporting the filter media for filtering a fluid, the porous plate spanning across at least one of the dividers; the at least two dividers including: one or more one-piece cell dividers; one or more multiple-piece dividers, each multiple-piece cell divider comprising a divider portion and a support member, the support member being directly under the divider portion.

A product and a method of manufacture and assembly of a prefabricated wall panel for construction is shown and described. The present invention is directed towards minimizing the labor of multiple additive steps using many layers and materials seen in many building envelopes.

In one example, the method comprises,

A series of prefabricated residential or commercial building panels made of any of varying materials such as hemperete, fiber, cellulose, plant material, bio-aggregate, aggregate, aerated concrete, composite or inorganic materials, of substantially solid body with channel shaped elongated voids substantially located at the vertical sides as well as horizontally across their top.

Said voids in one panel are a connected channel wrapping around 3 or more sides of the panel and exposed to the exterior of said panel. Said panels are placed side by side around the perimeter of a foundation aligning the channel shaped void in one panel with the respective channel shaped void in the panel beside it creating a concrete form, or form for a load bearing material. Said panels are left in place as an integral part of the wall system. Concrete or other load bearing material is placed in said voids substantially vertically between the panels and across their tops creating an air seal and a mechanical bond between panels. The resulting concrete shape inside the wall is a post and beam structure that is substantially equidistant from the interior and exterior of the wall minimizing heat transfer through thermal bridging and minimizing weathering to the concrete. Many of the requirements of a building's wall such as the insulation, the shear strength, the rough openings for windows and doors, the interior and exterior skin, utility chases, drip edges and trim details can be met by this series of prefabricated building blocks. A method of manufacture of the building panels, the product created by that manufacture, a method of panel assembly and integration with other building components, and the finished product created by the manufacture, assembly and integration with other building components are all shown in the present disclosure.