Abstract: A preformed building module is disclosed, the module having a roof or top wall and four upright side walls, the latter having stud-like reinforcing elements, the roof, walls and studs being integrally cast of concrete. The modules are adapted to be associated with each other in the construction of a building.There is also disclosed a building structure embodying modules of the kind described above and further embodying facade walls or panels covering one or more of the module side walls and having spaced upright stud elements interleaved with the studs of the side walls, and still further having a roof overhang.

Abstract: A tank constructed of either cast-in-place concrete, or of precast panels of concrete which are separated from each other around the periphery of the tank with the open spaces between the panels being filled with concrete filler units poured in place. One or more collar-like horizontally-lying concrete beams surround the wall of the tank and reinforce it. Each beam is reinforced by one or more tendons encased within the beam.

Abstract: A building construction of precast concrete slabs having cored channels running therethrough. The slabs are arranged to define upstanding walls and horizontal floor-ceiling members. Openings concealed by the junctures between slabs, provide communication between channels of adjacent slabs. Further openings, displaced from the junctures, provide for access to the communicating channels for installation or service of utilities in those channels, after the building is erected.

Abstract: Lightweight building structures constructed by assembling a plurality of building blocks in contiguous end to end relationship. The blocks have spaced apart and parallel opposite longitudinal walls and opposite transverse members integrally connecting said walls so as to define a substantially rectangular inner space. The top of the transverse members of at least a portion of the blocks are at a lower level than the tops of the longitudinal walls so that horizontally extending reinforcing bars may be positioned therein. Vertically extending reinforcing bars which may be surrounded by reinforcing loops are also positioned within the inner spaces defined by the contiguous blocks. Mortar is charged to the inner spaces defined by contiguous blocks to unite the blocks and reinforcing members. V-shaped vertical edges are provided on the longitudinal walls of a block to provide stronger joints between blocks.

Abstract: A preformed structural panel comprises a generally rectangular precast slab having sufficient thickness for load-carrying capability, and a joining arrangement extending across the slab and spaced from opposed sides thereof. About one-half of the joining arrangement is a tapered solid region and the remainder of the joining arrangement is a complementarily tapered void region. The solid joining region is capable of interfitting tightly within the void region of a similar structural panel, and the void region is capable of receiving the solid region of the other panel in tightly interfitting relationship, so that the structural panel when thus interfitted is positively prevented from angular displacement with respect to such other panel.The invention also contemplates unique building structures constructed from such panels.

Abstract: A precast concrete module defining a combined elevator shaft and utility chase area that is one story high and stacking of the modules on top of each other during construction, resulting in a completely finished elevator shaft and utility chase at the completion of erection. By this method of construction, considerable installation time following erection is eliminated in view of the fact that many of the components are already preassembled in the module prior to lifting to location.

Abstract: A concrete floor is constructed at least partially about a supporting hollow core tower. The hollow core tower, which preferably includes a rectangular section, closely conforms to the border of the floor at the elevational outside section where the floor is fastened. The floor at its edge, immediate the tower sides, is provided with beam defining folds preferably bent down at an angle in the range of 30.degree. to 60.degree. from the major plane of the floor. At least one beam at each tower and at least two non-linearly aligned beams at each floor are nested at the floor-tower interface, typically below the major supporting surface of the floor. The tower sidewall at the floor is transpierced and threaded to receive a tension support member angularly depending downwardly and outwardly from the inside of the tower to the outside of the tower. Likewise and in registry with apertures transpierced in the tower, the beam at the tower inside includes apertures extending angularly downward.

Abstract: At least one hollow core tower (preferably of a rectangular construction) is constructed from a foundation to a preselected floor supporting height. The tower is preferably joined at the top and slotted vertically along at least one sidewall from the base of the tower to a partial height of the tower. Preferably the tower is slotted along opposed sidewalls to form opposed C-shaped sections confronting one another at the slots. After at least the lowest and ground adjacent portion of the tower is constructed, floors are built about the tower at or near ground level. The floors include a section extending into or across the tower at the slot or slots which preferably includes a cantilevered or spanning horizontal floor strengthening beam. Typically, the floors are constructed and stacked one on another at their ground level with the bottom floor built first and lowest, and the top floor or roof built last and highest at the top of the ground supported stack.

Abstract: The wall structure is comprised of a building panel which includes U-shaped side members each having a web portion and outwardly disposed spaced apart flange members with a plurality of sheet members extending between the web portions of the side members. The sheet members dwell in the same plane and the adjacent edges of the sheet members may be spaced from each other. Pairs of stiffener members extend between the side members on opposite sides of the sheet members and cover the adjacent edges of adjacent sheet members. The stiffener members have a beveled outer surface so that particulate material will not lodge thereon when the panel is in a vertical position. The stiffener members form an enclosed compartment along the adjacent edges of adjacent sheet members.

Abstract: A three-cavity, horizontal-beam-forming building block, or distribution block, with two-fold rotational symmetry about a vertical center line, has the opposite ends of each longitudinal sidewall complementarily tongued and grooved, and four like transverse webs extending above the sidewall top coplanar margins in end-beveled projections; a web face spacing (of 1:4:2:4:1) defining a slot-like narrow middle cavity, adjacent thereto, equal larger bottom-closed cavities as cells of twice slot size, and end recesses of half-slot size; and like horizontal-reinforcing-bar-locating, paired bar notches in each web top to a depth below the sidewall top margins enabling horizontal bar embedment by mortar filled to the sidewall tops.

Abstract: The present prefabricated structural element is especially adapted for the formation of balconies or other cantilevered structures. To this end a floor slab section or main section is joined to a balcony or cantilevered section by reinforcing steel elements which are connected to or in both sections and which bridge a gap between the sections. The gap width between the sections is preferably narrower than the top width of a supporting member, such as a wall or header, so that the gap may be filled with poured-in-place concrete once the element is properly placed in the desired position on top of the header or other supporting structure.

Abstract: A one-story building having a concrete foundation, a wooden roof and interior and exterior walls of precast concrete panel construction, the walls being formed from precast concrete panels and installed in place without benefit of rigid interconnecting joints therebetween. Additionally, the wall panels are connected to the foundation at their bottom ends, and to the wooden roof at their upper ends, by means of nonrigid, as opposed to rigid, connection. Each of the exterior wall panels has an inner, structural slab of steel-reinforced concrete, a thin intermediate layer of a compressive, insulative material and an equally thin outer layer, or skin, of wire-reinforced concrete. The interior walls of the building are interrupted by door openings, or the like, to permit expansion and contraction of each wall segment as an independent unit.

Abstract: A construction member including a row of cans and a pair of channels of mesh or the like, housing and holding the cans together. Each of these channels includes an elongated middle piece of the mesh and an elongated lateral piece on each side of the middle piece, angularly and integrally joined to the middle piece. The pair of opposite lateral pieces on each side of the can row meet at middle portions of the cans, and one of this pair has elongated edge portions which overlap edge portions of the other lateral piece of the pair. Fastening means (screws or other rod-like elements and/or epoxy putty or the like) pass thru the lapped edge portions on each side of the can row, and when, as is preferable, screws are utilized these are screwed into material of at least the end cans of the can row, thus holding the mesh channels together and the cans within the channels. The cans preferably contain low-cost insulation.