A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.

A duct coupler assembly includes a female duct coupler, where the female duct coupler is coupled to a first duct segment. The female duct coupler includes a female duct coupler body having an inner surface having an inner diameter and a bayonet slot formed therein. The duct coupler assembly further includes a male duct coupler. The male duct coupler is coupled to a second duct segment. The male duct coupler includes a male duct coupler body having an outer surface having an outer diameter, where the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner surface of the female duct coupler body. The male duct coupler has a bayonet post extending from an outer surface of the male duct coupler body, and the male duct coupler body is positioned within the female duct coupler body such that the bayonet post is positioned within the bayonet slot wherein the male duct coupler is coupled with the female duct coupler.

The method includes a tension element, for example in the form of flat steel, that is placed on the structure or structural part and can be guided around a corner. The flat steel can also wrap as a band around the structure, in which the two ends of the flat steel are either connected to one another or are separately connected to the structure by the end anchors or intersect to produce a clamping connection. The flat steel contracts as a result of a subsequent active and controlled input of heat using a heating element and generates a permanent tensile stress and, correspondingly, a permanent prestress on the structure. The structure, as equipped, has at least one tension element as a shape memory alloy which extends along the outer side of the structure and is connected by one or more end anchors

A duct coupler assembly includes a female duct coupler, where the female duct coupler is coupled to a first duct segment. The female duct coupler includes a female duct coupler body having an inner surface having an inner diameter and a bayonet slot formed therein. The duct coupler assembly further includes a male duct coupler. The male duct coupler is coupled to a second duct segment. The male duct coupler includes a male duct coupler body having an outer surface having an outer diameter, where the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner surface of the female duct coupler body. The male duct coupler has a bayonet post extending from an outer surface of the male duct coupler body, and the male duct coupler body is positioned within the female duct coupler body such that the bayonet post is positioned within the bayonet slot wherein the male duct coupler is coupled with the female duct coupler.

Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation. The relative straightness of the fibers and fiber collimation provide strength elements or rods and the preform layers with high rigidity and significant compression strength.

A connector for joining concrete structures such as double tee beams to one another. The connector includes a curved bolt that is formed with a shape memory alloy. Through utilization of the bolt, a joint can be post-tensioned following assembly through application of heat to the joint. Post-tensioning can be reapplied following loosening of the joint through application of heat. When considering a super elastic shape memory alloy, the bolt can be a smart bolt that can self-correct following deformation due to excessive load.

A connector for joining concrete structures such as double tee beams to one another. The connector includes a curved bolt that is formed with a shape memory alloy. Through utilization of the bolt, a joint can be post-tensioned following assembly through application of heat to the joint. Post-tensioning can be reapplied following loosening of the joint through application of heat. When considering a super elastic shape memory alloy, the bolt can be a smart bolt that can self-correct following deformation due to excessive load.

A duct coupler assembly includes a female duct coupler, where the female duct coupler is coupled to a first duct segment. The female duct coupler includes a female duct coupler body having an inner surface having an inner diameter and a bayonet slot formed therein. The duct coupler assembly further includes a male duct coupler. The male duct coupler is coupled to a second duct segment. The male duct coupler includes a male duct coupler body having an outer surface having an outer diameter, where the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner surface of the female duct coupler body. The male duct coupler has a bayonet post extending from an outer surface of the male duct coupler body, and the male duct coupler body is positioned within the female duct coupler body such that the bayonet post is positioned within the bayonet slot wherein the male duct coupler is coupled with the female duct coupler.

A method of forming a structural element for a wind turbine blade includes fixing a plurality of parallel strength rods to a carrier layer to form a preform layer of material, storing the preform layer in a coiled length, then dispensing the preform layer from the coiled length, partially grinding and then cutting across a width of the preform to form a plurality of cut perform layers, and then stacking them and then fixing them together using a liquid bonding resin material.

A duct coupler assembly includes a female duct coupler, where the female duct coupler is coupled to a first duct segment. The female duct coupler includes a female duct coupler body having an inner surface having an inner diameter and a bayonet slot formed therein. The duct coupler assembly further includes a male duct coupler. The male duct coupler is coupled to a second duct segment. The male duct coupler includes a male duct coupler body having an outer surface having an outer diameter, where the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner surface of the female duct coupler body. The male duct coupler has a bayonet post extending from an outer surface of the male duct coupler body, and the male duct coupler body is positioned within the female duct coupler body such that the bayonet post is positioned within the bayonet slot wherein the male duct coupler is coupled with the female duct coupler.