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Old Posted Feb 19, 2010, 9:55 PM
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body with the ground and not in isolation in which case it becomes vulnerable to lateral, destructive for the columns forces.
2) Permanent active compressive forces are developed, remaining constant even during an earthquake, exceeding the conventional tensional and shearing forces developing and prevailing during an earthquake following the current methods of concrete reinforcement in the columns, compressive forces which can be taken up by concrete to 100%.
3) Savings in terms of steel and concrete materials used, deriving from the fact that either the steel or the steel cable can be 100% effective to tensional forces considering that the hydraulic tie rod (108) does not offset the working tensional traction of steel or steel cable (2), which, in the case of passive steel and concrete reinforcement, is offset due to the failure of concrete to withstand the shearing forces developed between concrete (43) and the embossed part of steel (44).
4) The structure is prevented from being shifted because it is tied to the ground.
5) Structure sliding as a result of soil fluidization is eliminated. This is because of the shape of the anchor (17) and the "triangular pyramidal" bar arrangement pattern (27), combined with the continuous active compressive force exerted by the hydraulic tie rod and the resistance pipe (15).
6) The destructive forces applied on the structure during an earthquake are effectively checked by installing on the framework of Figure 2 effective systems for distributing the forces evenly, such as individual bases (36), continuous base (37), vibration reducing rubber inserts (35) and a single elevator (32) equipped with four hydraulic tie rods for construction projects.
7) The strength of the trusses at their point of support on the columns is increased due to the fact that at the point of support concrete is subjected to compressive forces and its resistance to shear forces generated between the concrete and the horizontal reinforcement of the trusses during an earthquake is increased.

The hydraulic tie rod for construction projects of the present invention can be used in various similar applications in the construction industry such as:
(a) Houses built employing methods not utilizing a concrete framework (Figure 7, (75)) wherein the strength of the brickwork (77) to the lateral forces generated during an earthquake is increased by inserting mortar joints, this increase in strength being due to the compressive forces (Figure 3, (45)) developed by means of the hydraulic tie rod for construction projects (108). In the case of houses built employing methods not utilizing a concrete framework, the hydraulic ties rods may be installed at the corners of the building and at intervals, around the structure perimeter, over the external brickwork, passing through the gap between the double brickwork, inside carrying pipes (66) terminating vertically into the drillings (31). The positioning of tie rod pressure chambers (1) on the top slab can be seen in Figure 7. Moreover, in such building structures a reinforced concrete bind-beam (76) and a continuous foundation (37) are constructed for better protection. In such building structures (75), equipped with hydraulic tie rods (108), built employing methods not utilizing a concrete framework, the cohesion, the strength and the adhesive ability of the joints (111) are greatly improved rendering these structures much more resistant to the lateral forces exerted during an earthquake, forces that ordinary brickwork cannot withstand.
(b) Old houses, timber houses and water dams in artificial lakes (Figure 9), achieving additionally better ground water-tightness through compaction and improved resistance to lake-water pressure. In these cases, the hydraulic tie rods for construction projects may be used either during the construction stage when included in the design or may be retrofitted to reinforce old structures against earthquakes, hurricanes and cyclones. As shown in Figure 8, reinforced steel corner pipes (81) are used, which are attached, using screws and wall plugs, on the wall or corner columns at the hole locations (82) on the external building corners (88) and then two pulling actions are applied. The first pulling action is carried out by tie rod (108) comprising a pressure chamber (1), steel cable (2), anchor (17), which is installed in the same fashion as in drilling (31). The second pulling action is horizontal and it is applied by two steel cables (84), one end thereof fixed on a steel ball (85) inserted into a modulated cross-section of the same shape (86) located onto the corner pipe (81) while the other end is fastened to a two-way traction screw (83); upon turning of said two-way traction screw (83) a horizontal traction is generated helping to unite the corner pipes (81) by applying a horizontal compression on the walls forcing them to become one with the structure (88). The joining of roof (88) with the corner pipes (81) is achieved by means of hole openings for the passage of steel cable (80), which are on the roof (90) steel framework, and are tightened together with the pressure chambers (1) through traction on steel cable (2).
(c) Floating underwater roads. In the prior art, bridges were constructed in order to get across from one coast to another, however, these are very costly as they require the construction of columns underwater and if the depth to which foundations will be laid is great, it is impossible to construct. Another way is by constructing underwater tunnels. This, too, is very costly due to boring at great depths. We therefore propose, as an alternative solution, the construction of an underwater floating road (Figure 10 (92)) operating like a submarine. This construction method has a number of advantages compared to the existing construction methods. First of all, it is cheap because it is built onshore; secondly, sea accidents will be avoided given that it is an underwater structure not posing any problems to navigation; thirdly, it may be constructed regardless of the sea bed depth and, fourthly, it is not affected by winds or earthquakes. Construction is carried out as follows: floating underwater roads are constructed onshore and then transported to the point of setting by floating cranes and barges and left on the sea surface (105) where they float by virtue of their sealed compartments, just like in submarines, i.e. sealed road surface (94) and sealed external chambers (95). When water inflow valve (100) is turned on, sea water flows into the sealed compartments and the floating underwater roads start sinking since their own weight is equated to that of the sea. When submerged to 20 m, the air inflow valve (102) and the water outflow valve (101) are turned on closing at the same time the water inflow valve (100). The air inflow valve (102) and the water outflow valve (101) are linked to the sea surface by means of two rubber pipes that terminate on a floating craft. Water is pumped out through valve (101) using a pump that is located at the other end of the rubber pipe, on the floating craft, while valve (102) supplies the air needed to maintain atmospheric pressure in the sealed chamber and enable the pumping system operation. Through the valve system, the floating underwater road can be raised or lowered balancing finally to the particular desired depth and then it is anchored using the hydraulic tie rod system (108) in shallow drillings (31) previously bored on the sea bed (106) by means of a small submarine. The procedure is repeated with the rest of the sections of the floating underwater road, joining them with bolts and nuts through the fastening holes on their frames. To improve the road surface water-tightness (93), a sealing rubber insert (97) is inserted between the frames of each section of the floating underwater road. When the joining and sealing procedure of all sections (92) of the floating underwater road is completed, all water is removed from the sealed compartments through valves (102) and (101) and the water pump located on the sea surface on a floating craft and then water is pumped away from the road surface (93). The lifting force generated on the floating underwater roads as a result of pumping out the water from the road surface (93) and the sealed compartments is the service load of the road (93). This lifting force of the floating underwater road towards sea surface (105) is counterbalanced by hydraulic tie rods (108) comprising pressure chamber (Figure 10, (1)), steel cable (2), anchor (17), lateral anchor blades (18), pressure chamber base (104) and steel cable guide (96). Still, inside the sealed compartments there is an extension of the sealed compartment water outflow pipe (107), which is an extension of the surface rubber tube and valve (101). The road is ready for use once the air equipment is installed and the road pavement is laid. Moreover, in order to protect the floating underwater road from sea currents, inclined side tie rods are installed at intervals on both sides of the floating underwater road. Said side ties rods are mounted on specially configured side mountings (103) on the floating underwater road.

All the aforementioned application examples for the hydraulic tie rod for construction projects of the present invention as well as any additional applications pertaining to the use of the hydraulic tie rod for construction projects of the present invention that may occur to those skilled in the art form part of the present invention and are deemed to be within the scope of protection thereof as set forth in the claims appended hereto.
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