A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.

A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.

A novel function-recoverable prefabricated seismic shear wall structure with replaceable components, which includes main structural components, connecting components and replaceable components. All components are connected by bolts or pins. The connections can provide sufficient strength to effectively connect adjacent upper and lower wall panels, or wall panel and coupling beam, together. The replaceable components are installed in the bottom region of the wall and coupling beams, which provide sufficient bearing capacity and stiffness for the building structure under service loads and dissipate seismic energy under the earthquake. The damage concentrates on the replaceable components which could be easily replaced after a strong earthquake so that the function of the building structure could be quickly restored. In addition, the replaceable components with different energy-dissipation mechanisms facilitate the shear wall structure to have multiple seismic fortification lines, and improve the seismic performance of the building structure.

A column bracket assembly is provided. The column bracket assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, each including a bracket body adapted to receive an end of support element (e.g. a wooden column) and a mounting bracket/plate pivotally coupled to the bracket body and adapted to be coupled to a structural element (e.g. a footing, pile, header, beam etc.). The column bracket assembly optionally includes mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and/or tension rods to the bracket bodies. A method of installing the column bracket assembly, and a method of repairing, resettling, shoring, and/or leveling a structure with the column bracket assembly are also provided, along with structures comprising the column bracket assembly.

A self-supported PC column joint part. A plurality of accommodation pieces is buried in the upper surface of a lower member to which a PC column is to be joined, has accommodation spaces having open upper parts, and has female threads. A support bar is provided in a pocket formed in the lower end of the PC column, and includes a body coupled to the upper surface of the pocket to protrude and a head at the lower end of the body so as to be accommodated inside the accommodation space. A fixing piece has a through-hole formed in the center thereof such that the body of the support bar passes therethrough, and has threads formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof so as to be screw-coupled to the accommodation piece, thereby fixing the head of the support bar.

A self-supported PC column joint part. A plurality of accommodation pieces is buried in the upper surface of a lower member to which a PC column is to be joined, has accommodation spaces having open upper parts, and has female threads. A support bar is provided in a pocket formed in the lower end of the PC column, and includes a body coupled to the upper surface of the pocket to protrude and a head at the lower end of the body so as to be accommodated inside the accommodation space. A fixing piece has a through-hole formed in the center thereof such that the body of the support bar passes therethrough, and has threads formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof so as to be screw-coupled to the accommodation piece, thereby fixing the head of the support bar.

A structural assembly utilizing a reinforced concrete support element with a flexibly-braided reinforcement sleeve and a cable system for building structures. The reinforced concrete BMASS element has an approximately cylindrical shape and includes a substantially solid concrete core. An outer reinforcement sleeve with a flexible multi-axially braided configuration is embedded on the perimeter, and an inner reinforcement sleeve is embedded within the outer sleeve. A cable tension system connected between the ends of the BMASS element transmits tensile force from the cable to the BMASS element. The structural assembly can be configured as a beam or a column. In a beam configuration, the tensioned cable can also provide beam curvature and greater strength. A multi-cable embodiment includes a second cable, providing additional strength and greater ability to control curvature. One or more of the braces may include an adjustable arm. The tension may be adjusted manually, or remotely.

A structural assembly utilizing a reinforced concrete support element with a flexibly-braided reinforcement sleeve and a cable system for building structures. The reinforced concrete BMASS element has an approximately cylindrical shape and includes a substantially solid concrete core. An outer reinforcement sleeve with a flexible multi-axially braided configuration is embedded on the perimeter, and an inner reinforcement sleeve is embedded within the outer sleeve. A cable tension system connected between the ends of the BMASS element transmits tensile force from the cable to the BMASS element. The structural assembly can be configured as a beam or a column. In a beam configuration, the tensioned cable can also provide beam curvature and greater strength. A multi-cable embodiment includes a second cable, providing additional strength and greater ability to control curvature. One or more of the braces may include an adjustable arm. The tension may be adjusted manually, or remotely.

The present disclosure relates to formwork. In a particular form the present disclosure relates to lost column formwork. In one aspect, there is provided a lost column formwork shell portion comprising an elongate body comprising a generally u-shaped cross-section shape comprising a pair of lengthwise extending edges, an inner side and an outer side, and at least one spacer element depending from the inner side of the shell portion and projecting inwardly. In a further aspect, there is provided a lost column formwork shell assembly comprising a pair of shell portions joined along their lengthwise extending edges. In a further aspect, there is provided a lost column formwork assembly a shell assembly, bracing and reinforcement. The lost column formwork assembly ensures that the required axis distance is maintained across its length, is braced against bulging under the hydrostatic pressure of concrete filling, and is quicker and easier to assemble than commonly known alternatives.

The present disclosure relates to formwork. In a particular form the present disclosure relates to lost column formwork. In one aspect, there is provided a lost column formwork shell portion comprising an elongate body comprising a generally u-shaped cross-section shape comprising a pair of lengthwise extending edges, an inner side and an outer side, and at least one spacer element depending from the inner side of the shell portion and projecting inwardly. In a further aspect, there is provided a lost column formwork shell assembly comprising a pair of shell portions joined along their lengthwise extending edges. In a further aspect, there is provided a lost column formwork assembly a shell assembly, bracing and reinforcement. The lost column formwork assembly ensures that the required axis distance is maintained across its length, is braced against bulging under the hydrostatic pressure of concrete filling, and is quicker and easier to assemble than commonly known alternatives.