# US 2008/0184657 A1 · Building Methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184657 A1 - Document ID: US20080184657A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/572,407 - Filed: 2005-07-21 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-21 - Inventors: Murray Ellen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184657A1 ## CPC - E04C 3/38: Arched girders or portal frames (straight girders able to be bent E04C3/02; inflatable E04H15/20) - E04B 1/24: the supporting parts consisting of metal - E04C 3/08: with apertured web, e.g. with a web consisting of bar-like components; Honeycomb girders (E04C3/10, E04C3/11 take precedence) - E04C 3/10: prestressed - E04C 3/40: of metal (E04C3/46 takes precedence) - E04B 2001/2487: {Portico type structures} - E04B 2001/3583: {using permanent tensioning means, e.g. cables or rods, to assemble or rigidify structures (not pre- or poststressing concrete), e.g. by tying them around the structure} - E04C 2003/0491: {the truss elements being located in one single surface or in several parallel surfaces} - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) ## Abstract A method of building a structure, the method including the steps of: 1. fabricating a generally longitudinal, steel sub-structure (22, 24) of the structure (20) with a cable retainer (28, 36) attached to, or forming part of, the substructure (22, 24) and that extends substantially longitudinally therealong; 2. assembling the sub-structure (22, 24) into a structure (20); 3. inserting a cable (38, 40) into the cable retainer (28, 36); 4. after step 2, applying a tensile force to the cable (38, 40) relative to the cable retainer (28, 36); and 5. after step 4, bonding the cable (38, 40) to the cable retainer (28, 36). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of building a structure, the method including the steps of: 1. fabricating a generally longitudinal, steel sub-structure of the structure with a cable retainer attached to, or forming part of, the sub-structure and that extends substantially longitudinally therealong; 2. assembling the sub-structure into a structure; 3. inserting a cable into the cable retainer; 4. after step 2, applying a tensile force to the cable, relative to the cable retainer; and 5. after step 4, bonding the cable to the cable retainer. ### Claim 2 A method of building a structure, the method including the steps of: 1. fabricating a generally longitudinal, steel sub-structure of the structure with a cable retainer attached to, or forming part of, the sub-structure and that extends substantially longitudinally therealong; 2. inserting cable into the cable retainer; 3. after step 2, applying a tensile force to the cable, relative to the cable retainer; and 4. after step 3, bonding the cable to the cable retainer; and 5. assembling the sub-structure into a structure. ### Claim 3 A method of strengthening, or reducing the deflection of, a built structure, the method including the steps of: 1. attaching a cable retainer to a generally longitudinal, steel sub-structure of the structure with the cable retainer extending substantially longitudinally therealong; 2. inserting cable into the cable retainer; 3. applying a tensile force to the cable, relative to the cable retainer; and 4. after step 3, bonding the cable to the cable retainer. ### Claim 4 The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable retainers are adapted to follow the tensile line of resistance the sub-structure is subjected when loaded during use. ### Claim 5 The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method includes assembling at least two sub-structures into a structure. ### Claim 6 The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method includes inserting at least two cables into the cable retainer. ### Claim 7 The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable is bonded to the cable retainer by welding. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable is bonded to the cable retainer by gluing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable is bonded to the cable retainer by grouting. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable is bonded to the cable retainer by expanding the cable retainer relative to the cable or shrinking the cable relative to the cable retainer prior to inserting the cable into the cable retainer. ### Claim 11 The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tensile force is applied to the cable by jacking. ### Claim 12 The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structure is a steel portal frame structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the structure is produced from I or T section beams or from tubular truss assemblies. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12, 13) The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein when the sub-structure is in the form of an I or T section beam, the cable retainer are attached to the web of the beam. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cable passes through the flange of the beam. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12, 13) The method as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein when the sub-structure is a truss assembly, the cable retainer is in the form of one of the tubular members integral with the truss. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) The method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the sub-structure is utilised in the centre span of the structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) The method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the sub-structure is utilised in the columns or walls of the structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) The method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the cable retainer extends within the boundaries of its associated sub-structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) The method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein, the cable retainer is attached to the sub-structure external the boundaries of sub-structure.