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 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.

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.

An impact resistant exterior sheathing gypsum building panel with an integrated impact resistant woven mesh which protects against impact from projectiles such as those conveyed by hurricane force winds is provided. Methods for manufacturing these exterior sheathing gypsum building panels with an integrated impact resistant woven mesh are also provided. An exterior sheathing system employing the exterior sheathing cementitious building panel is provided.

An impact shield for earthquake protection is described herein. The impact shield may include a canopy constructed of a puncture-resistant material, the canopy defining a first internal volume accessible via a first opening, the canopy being structured to form a semispherical shape when in an inflated state, the semispherical shape defining a space dimensioned for sheltering at least one human body; a support joined to the canopy and constructed of the puncture-resistant material, the support defining a second internal volume accessible via the first opening and a second opening, the support located within the space, the support structured to form a column when in the inflated state; and a fitting joined to the support for closing the second opening to fix the first internal volume and the second internal volume after inflation of the support and the canopy.

An impact shield for earthquake protection is described herein. The impact shield may include a canopy constructed of a puncture-resistant material, the canopy defining a first internal volume accessible via a first opening, the canopy being structured to form a semispherical shape when in an inflated state, the semispherical shape defining a space dimensioned for sheltering at least one human body; a support joined to the canopy and constructed of the puncture-resistant material, the support defining a second internal volume accessible via the first opening and a second opening, the support located within the space, the support structured to form a column when in the inflated state; and a fitting joined to the support for closing the second opening to fix the first internal volume and the second internal volume after inflation of the support and the canopy.

A shelter system having an erecting frame system and a protective skin system. The erecting frame system has at least two A-frame legs and at least one tensioning element. The A-frame legs each comprise at least one elongated structural member, each of the A-frame legs coalescing with at least one other A-frame leg with at least one connection. The tensioning element is at least temporarily affixed to a free end of each of the at least two A-frame legs, and comprises at least one elongated structural element capable of generating a tension force to draw the free ends of the A-frame legs towards one another, thereby at least temporarily lifting the connection to a predetermined height above the free end of each A-frame leg. A protective skin system is also provided with at least one side plane, one roof plane, and one end plane. The side plane is disposed between two A-frame legs; the roof plane is concordant with the ground surface; and the end plane is disposed between two A-frame legs of a constituent A-frame leg pair and a ground surface. The planar element of the protective skin system provides at least a partial barrier from a ballistic threat to a volume behind the planar element, the loading of the protective skin system being transferred at least in part first to the erecting frame system and ultimately to the ground surface.

A shelter system having an erecting frame system and a protective skin system. The erecting frame system has at least two A-frame legs and at least one tensioning element. The A-frame legs each comprise at least one elongated structural member, each of the A-frame legs coalescing with at least one other A-frame leg with at least one connection. The tensioning element is at least temporarily affixed to a free end of each of the at least two A-frame legs, and comprises at least one elongated structural element capable of generating a tension force to draw the free ends of the A-frame legs towards one another, thereby at least temporarily lifting the connection to a predetermined height above the free end of each A-frame leg. A protective skin system is also provided with at least one side plane, one roof plane, and one end plane. The side plane is disposed between two A-frame legs; the roof plane is concordant with the ground surface; and the end plane is disposed between two A-frame legs of a constituent A-frame leg pair and a ground surface. The planar element of the protective skin system provides at least a partial barrier from a ballistic threat to a volume behind the planar element, the loading of the protective skin system being transferred at least in part first to the erecting frame system and ultimately to the ground surface.

Blast resistant shelters and structural designs therefor according to which the structural designs include anchoring systems and manufacturing of the anchoring system. The anchoring systems include at least one bracket with a spiral winding and opposing first and second end portions. The first end portion includes two holes, and the second end portion includes two holes. The spiral winding is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.