Abstract: A refractory insert is provided, including a main body part having a first surface defining a first sidewall, an opposed second surface defining a second sidewall, and an outer peripheral surface separating the first and second surfaces, and a mechanical mating member provided on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface thereof. The mechanical mating member includes a retention mechanism for controlling and retaining a position of a corresponding mating member in connection therewith.

Abstract: A refractory block for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, at least one third mechanical mating member defining a tab provided in a portion one of a first end and an opposed second end or a first side and an opposed second side of the main body, at least one fourth mechanical mating member comprising a groove formed in the other of the first end and the second end or the first side and the opposed second side of the main body, and at least one cavity formed in the lower surface of the main body.

Abstract: A ballistic panel for special checkpoints, special fortified stands, mobile city barriers and any other similar structures especially is made by use of fibre reinforced or rebar reinforced cementitious composite for its production.

Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.

Abstract: A building system is described comprising paired studs (20) for attachment to inside surfaces of facing sheets (10, 11) to provide panel formwork for concrete walls. The studs comprise a head (21) and outwardly extending spaced flanges (22, 23) with inwardly directed teeth (26) and lips (24, 25). Spacer elements (30) are engaged with the recess between the flanges and may be formed from off-cuts of sheet material or as specifically formed elements. The latter are formed from hard plastic and in a preferred embodiment (19) are formed as a rectangular box which can be orientated in alternate directions. The system may include end elements (40), internal top and bottom plates (51), internal corners (90), external corners (100) and a shadow line junction between panels. The invention extends to panels formed with the above system and buildings formed from the panels.

Abstract: A continuity system for a building is designed to compensate for the downward settling of building elements over time, which occurs due to the shrinkage of wooden building members. The continuity system comprises one or more hold-down assemblies each having a stud-connector secured to a generally vertical stud, a generally vertical rod inserted into an opening of the stud connector, a rod-gripping member in toothed engagement with the rod above the opening, and one or more positioning elements exerting a downward force on the rod-gripping member. The rod has a lower portion secured to a stable building element such as the building's foundation. The opening of the stud-connector defines a frustoconical bearing surface on the upper surface of a portion of the stud-connector, or on a gripper support element in some embodiments.

Abstract: A method of constructing a masonry infill in a load bearing structure comprises the steps of: laying one or more courses of masonry (7) in the infill space; partitioning off a casting space having as its base the then uppermost course of masonry (22); the casting space extending from one side of the infill space to the other; positioning reinforcing material (14) in the casting space; securing an end of the reinforcing material to the load bearing structure; filling the casting space with concrete (20), and laying one or more further courses of masonry on top of the filled casting space. The reinforced concrete forms a bond beam which strengthens the masonry. The reinforcing material may be rebar, secured to a load-bearing frame of the building by a cleat (16) having pockets (12) for reception of the rebar ends. Optionally the reinforcement may be tensioned, to pre-stress the bond beam.

Abstract: A modular wall or fence construction system includes at least first and second I-profile blocks, each having an I-shape in planform. The I-shape defines a parallel pair of flanges across opposite ends of a web extending between the flanges. The I-profile blocks have generally planar and parallel upper and lower surfaces and a uniform vertical height. Each of the flanges of the first and second I-profile blocks have radiused rib keys formed in opposite parallel edges of the flanges. The edges are distal on the flanges relative to the web. A first pair of the radiused rib keys are a pair of convex rails along the parallel edges on a first side of the web. A second pair of the radiused rib keys are a pair of concave channels along the parallel edges on a second side of the web opposite the first side of the web. Each flange has oppositely disposed, on opposite edges, one convex rail and one concave channel.

Abstract: A fastener assembly 10, in respect to forces which are subsequently applied, after the installation thereof, when forces is applied in one direction, this fastener assembly 10 is self adjusting incrementally, as needed in travel or actuation; yet when a force is applied in the opposite direction, this fastener assembly 10 is not self adjusting and there is no travel or actuation.

Abstract: A box lintel includes an elongated, hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrally formed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formed partial upper walls extending inwardly from the side walls. A method of fabricating a box lintel is also disclosed which includes the steps of providing an elongated flat sheet of metal and bending the flat sheet of metal into a hollow metal form with a lower wall, integrally formed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and integrally formed partial upper walls extending inwardly from the side walls. The form is adapted to be positioned on upright masonry supports so as to span an opening and to be filled with grout/mortar and to receive one or more courses of masonry bricks on the upper walls.

Abstract: The coping assembly includes a first elongated coping section, a second elongated coping section, and a splice plate. The first coping section includes an end and is mounted on the top of the wall to cover a first portion of a wall. The second coping section includes an end and is mounted on the top of the wall to cover a second portion of the wall. The second coping section is positioned in an end to end relationship with the first coping section and spaced from the first coping section. The splice plate is positioned beneath a portion of the first and second coping sections and includes a portion that extends between the first and second coping sections. The portion of the splice plate includes a formed groove that has the appearance of a mortar reveal.

Abstract: In a method for forming a block having a core, the core is formed in a vertical orientation, providing for increased control of wall thickness. The block has a projection on one surface and a groove on an opposing surface. The block core is disposed parallel to the projection and the groove. The block may be used in a step assembly, a ramp assembly, or a wall. Assemblies made from the block are easy to construct and can be assembled with or a without adhesive.

Abstract: An improved stabilizing system for a poured concrete wall utilizing interlocking foam blocks disposed on a foundation. The improved stabilizing system comprises a plurality of reinforcement members. The first ends of the reinforcement members are secured within the foundation to extend in a vertical orientation through internal cavities within the plurality of courses of the interlocking foam blocks. A plurality of retainers are disposed on the upper surface of the interlocking foam blocks. A plurality of binders secure the plurality of retainers to the plurality of reinforcement members for stabilizing the wall during the process of pouring a concrete material within the internal cavities of the interlocking foam blocks.

Abstract: A noise-protection screen (1) provided with a number of sound-damping elements (2) and over the length of the noise-protection screen, spaced at a distance from each other with girders for the support of the elements, and a sound-damping element for a noise-protection screen. The noise-protection screen includes an air cavity (8) delimited at one side by the sound-damping elements (2) and at the other side by panel-like elements (9). At the side of the sound-damping elements the air cavity is preferably in contact with the surroundings by means of air openings, preferably in the form of air gaps running longitudinally along the noise-protection screen.

Abstract: Construction elements of predetermined cross-sectional and end profiles are formed. These construction elements are useful in building construction. Included in an I-shaped element, a corner/connecting block and a D-shaped profile material. In addition, end cuts may be provided to provide interlocking assembly of the different elements, to establish a family of parts. The element can be pre-cut to desired lengths and assembled as kits, or as raw material, for use in all aspects of construction. Further included is a substantially C-shaped element which provides structural strength as well as distinctively different aesthetic aspects of construction.

Abstract: A masonry block system is disclosed incorporating a plurality of courses of masonry block, each block of which is formed with minimum webbing to minimize heat flow therethrough. The wall system is formed into a unitary structure through the utilization of post-tensioning rods tied to reinforcing rods in the wall footer and extending through the voids in the respective blocks to a top plate positioned on top of the wall. The rods are threaded and are post-tensioned; the voids contain a polyurethane foam.

Abstract: Construction elements of predetermined cross-sectional profiles are formed of wood, plastic and/or metal. These construction elements are useful in building construction, preformed panel systems and preformed truss structures. The shapes of the construction elements are also adaptable to a toy construction set.

Abstract: A masonry block system is disclosed incorporating a plurality of courses of masonry block, each block of which is formed with minimum webbing to minimize heat flow therethrough. The wall system is formed into a unitary structure through the utilization of post-tensioning rods tied to reinforcing rods in the wall footer and extending through the voids in the respective blocks to a top plate positioned on top of the wall. The rods are threaded and are post-tensioned; the voids contain a polyurethane foam.

Abstract: In the construction arrangement of building composite double or multiple walls, two or more load-bearing walls are built together by means of panels which are prefabricated of concrete or other strong hardenable material and of noncorrodible molds of various shapes that can be combined in various ways and which remain integrated in the final construction assembly. All the elements of the construction are of such size and weight that can be easily handled by two laborers without the need of special or heavy equipment. The separation between walls is pre-determinable in accordance with the specifications of the construction and the space between walls is fillable with any material suited to the purpose of the construction, which remains fireproof regardless the material used as filler. The composite walls can be fabricated with capability for bearing permanent overloads.

Abstract: A forming system for construction includes thin shell concrete block elements and connecting tie members which can be assembled into forms of various shapes and sizes to receive poured concrete. The block elements are dimensioned and configured to be produced in a standard concrete block machine mold, and include alternating dovetail-shaped grooves for receiving connecting tie members and tapered grooves for breaking the vacuum between the block elements and the mold, all of the grooves being parallel to permit the blocks to be slid out of the mold. The tie members have dovetail-shaped end portions received in the dovetail grooves and a plurality of apertures which can receive a stop member to support the tie member to project a selected distance above the block elements and serve as guides for the next course of elements. The wall system is held together by a top plate bearing on the top course of block elements and anchored directly to the foundation with flexible, coilable cables.

Abstract: A construction for a battery of coke ovens and to a method for repairing m in which a continuous vertical joint plane is provided in the walls of the piers separating the ovens of the batteries, which walls are constructed of courses and headers and stretchers, the plane extending along one of the lateral faces of the headers, with one of the two adjacent stretchers of the course immediately above and below the header being longer than the other stretchers in the wall and the other being shorter so that the joint between them is located in the same vertical plane as the said faces of the headers.