Abstract:
A domed non-steel roof structure (10). The roof structure (10) including a plurality of non-steel, generally rectangular roof members (12). The roof members (12) each including: an upper surface (14); a lower surface (16); a pair of first opposed side surfaces (18a and 18b) diverging from the upper surface to the lower surface; a pair of second opposed side surfaces (20a and 20b) diverging from the upper surface to the lower surface; at least one first passage (22a) from one of the pair of the first side surfaces to the other of the pair of the first side surfaces; and at least one second passage (24a) from one of the pair of the second side surfaces to the other of the pair of the second side surfaces. The roof structure (10) also includes: a first, cable (28) passing through the first passages in adjacent said roof members; and a second cable (29) passing through the second passages in adjacent said roof members. Applying tension to the first cable (28) adjacent the outermost two of the first side surfaces (18a and 18b) and applying tension to the second cable (29) adjacent the outermost two of the second side surfaces (20a and 20b) drives the end faces of adjacent said roof members (12) towards each other thereby increasing the angle between adjacent said roof members (12) in a first direction and a second direction, substantially normal to the first direction.
Abstract:
A multi-piece dome is constructed from a plurality of rigid panels and configured to receive a hemispherical optical projection on a truncated spherical inner surface. The inner view surface has a predetermined retroreflectivity. The multi-piece dome is lightweight, portable, self-supporting, and easily assembled, disassembled and transported from one location to another.
Abstract:
An acoustical panel system (30), including panels (32, 32') formed out of relatively thin sheet material, that can be utilized to construct walls, fences, and other structures. A frame structure (36) has one or more openings (34) to receive the acoustical panels (32, 32') has at least one raised body portion (46), all or part of which is corrugated to disburse sound and provide structural integrity, and an edge portion (48) surrounding the body portion (46). A pair of acoustical panels (32, 32') can be joined back-to-back to form a hollow block (Fig. 4) to provide both enhanced sound and heat insulating properties. A hollow bezel (40, 40') extend around the periphery of the body portion (46) of the panel (32, 32') and is spaced from the body portion (46) of the panel (32, 32') and has one or more openings (74) into which sounds are received and trapped within the bezel.
Abstract:
A domed steel roof structure (10). The roof structure (10) including a plurality of steel, generally rectangular roof members (12). The roof members (12) each including: an upper surface (14); a lower surface (16); a pair of first opposed side surfaces (18a and 18b) diverging from the upper surface to the lower surface; a pair of second opposed side surfaces (20a and 20b) diverging from the upper surface to the lower surface; at least one first passage (22a) from one of the pair of the first side surfaces to the other of the pair of the first side surfaces; and at least one second passage (24a) from one of the pair of the second side surfaces to the other of the pair of the second side surfaces. The roof structure (10) also includes: a first cable (28) passing through the first passages in adjacent said roof members; and a second cable (29) passing through the second passages in adjacent said roof members. Applying tension to the first cable (28) adjacent the outermost two of the first side surfaces (18a and 18b) and applying tension to the second cable (29) adjacent the outermost two of the second side surfaces (20a and 20b) drives the end faces of adjacent said roof members (12) towards each other thereby increasing the angle between adjacent said roof members (12) in a first direction and a second direction, substantially normal to the first direction.
Abstract:
Flat, transparent or opaque plastic sheets are used to build curved structures (1) that form portions of habitable buildings. The curved structure (1) is divided into sections (2) using a Computer Assisted Drafting program. The plastic sheets are cut into sides (3-6) and top and bottom panels (7, 8) by a Computer Assisted Manufacturing machine. The sides (3-6) are joined to form a frame (9). The sides (3-6) have curved upper and lower edges (11, 12) that match the curvature of the structure (1). The top and bottom panels (7, 8) are placed on the frame (9) formed from the sides (3-6) and bent to match the curvature of the sides. The panels (7, 8) are joined to the sides. The sections (2) are joined together to form the curved surface (1). In another mode, foam blocks (30) are used to build curved structures. The foam blocks (30) are cut to the curvature of the curved structure (1) by a Computer Assisted Manufacturing machine. The blocks are joined and then coated with a high strength coatin (44).
Abstract:
The invention relates two a method for constructing a two-storey pavilion dome made of concrete/reinforced concrete (1) without formwork, by using a "steel wire mesh" (2) which is encased in concrete in the process. Templates (3) and/or "board-calibers" (4) are used for shaping the "steel wire mesh" and the concrete.
Abstract:
Elements usable in the construction of a building or a roof having the shape of a curved surface, characterized in that said elements are panels (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, ...) of light material of which the shape corresponds to that which is obtained by cutting, on said surface, elements (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5) delimited by a curved polygon having from three to six sides, and method characterized in that a former is made which is comprised of at least two juxtaposed shells having each a shape corresponding to that of said curved surface, each shell consisting of an assembly of said prefabricated elements, the inner face of the outer shell coinciding with the outer face of the contiguous inner shell.
Abstract:
A building structure formed of at least one saddle element 2816 defining a plurality of edges and rigid structural elements extending along the edges of each of the at least one saddle element 2816, the rigid structural elements being characterized in that they lie along diagonals of sides of a rectangular parallelepiped forming part of a modular of rectangular parallelepiped geometrical structures underlying the at least one saddle element and may include octet-like beams or octet-like trusses. Multiple saddle elements, either of a similar type or of varying types, may be combined into a wide variety of possible structures. Saddle elements can be a tensioned membrane element or any other suitable material.
Abstract:
A building structure (1A) comprising a building frame (4) formed by jointing building members (2) where a lateral frame part (11) and a longitudinal frame part (13) are linked while bent substantially perpendicularly through an arcuate part (12). The building frame (4) has a planar base part (3) where the lateral frame parts (11) are linked and a joint P is projected by jointing the longitudinal frame parts (13) sequentially using a joint P including a part P1 for jointing at least the longitudinal frame parts (13) while facing each other at a plurality of, at least three, faces.