Abstract: A block wall system includes a plurality of T-shaped blocks having a head defining projecting load shoulders and a shaft having a first end attached to the head and a second end. There is also provided a plurality of complementary blocks having a first end and a second end. Each of the complementary blocks is shaped to fit securely between a pair of adjacent T-shaped blocks with the first end of each complementary block abutting the load shoulders of the T-shaped blocks to limit relative movement in a first axial direction. The preferred form to have the shaft of the T-shaped blocks wedge shaped and for the complementary blocks is to be wedge blocks. The wedge engagement between the wedge shaped shaft and the wedge blocks limits movement in a second axial direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems related to modular earth retaining wall systems. In one embodiment, among others, a precast retaining wall block configured for assembly into a retaining wall includes a front face portion, a web portion extending outwardly from a rear surface of the front face portion, and aligning elements. The web portion includes a vertical center portion and left and right protrusions extending outwardly from the lower sides of the vertical center portion. The left and right protrusions may be substantially triangular. The aligning elements extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the left and right protrusions for locking the precast retaining wall block to the vertical center portion associated with an underlying precast retaining wall block associated with an underlying row.

Abstract: The floor member, in the form of a floor tile or a floor plank, that is formed of a flexible, non-rigid material, has a bottom portion formed with a plurality of moisture dispersal pathways that lead toward peripheral side edges of the bottom portion. The moisture dispersal pathways permit any moisture that develops between a floor base and the bottom portion of the floor member that is installed on the floor base to flow in the moisture dispersal pathways toward at least one of the peripheral side edges of the bottom portion, for passage beyond the one peripheral side edge of the bottom portion. Adjacent tiles of a floor tile installation have communicable moisture dispersal pathways such that moisture is not entrapped below the floor member and can migrate through the communicable pathways to an outermost peripheral side edge of the floor tile installation for dissipation of moisture into the ambient air.

Abstract: The floor member is a laminated structure of flexible compressible cork sheet material and flexible plastic sheet material in the form of a floor tile or a floor plank. The cork sheet material and plastic sheet material are offset, from each other and have respective predetermined thicknesses to enable the floor member to be bendable to facilitate assembly of a plurality of the floor members into a floor covering. The compressible cork sheet material provides sound and heat insulation and the flexible plastic sheet material is yieldable to surface irregularities of a floor base. The cork sheet material is sandwiched between two layers of clear plastic material to provide a distinct sight of the structural presence and thickness of the cork sheet at an edge of the floor member.

Abstract: The floor member is a laminated structure in the form a floor tile or a floor plank. A bottom portion of the floor member is formed with a plurality of moisture dispersal pathways that lead toward peripheral side edges of the bottom portion. The moisture dispersal pathways permit any moisture that develops between a floor base and the bottom portion of the floor member that is installed on the floor base to flow in the moisture dispersal pathways toward at least one of the peripheral side edges of the bottom portion, for passage beyond the one peripheral side edge of the bottom portion. Adjacent tiles of a floor tile installation have communicable moisture dispersal pathways such that moisture is not entrapped below the floor member and can migrate through the communicable pathways to an outermost peripheral side edge of the floor tile installation for dissipation of moisture into the ambient air.

Abstract: The floor tile is a laminate of two layers of flexible plastic sheet material laminated together in offset relationship to define an offset marginal portion for each of the layers. Each of the offset marginal portions have oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces. A foam layer and/or a fiberglass sheet can also be included in the laminate structure of the floor tile. The floor tile can conform to surface contours of a floor base. The bottom layer of the floor tile, whether it is plastic sheet or foam, is conformable to surface irregularities of the floor base. A one piece releasable packaging device covers the oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces of the offset marginal portions.

Abstract: A composite deck assembly includes a baseplate and a top plate secured to the baseplate. The baseplate is formed from a first composite matrix comprising strands of reinforcing fibers oriented in first direction and a polymer resin. The baseplate includes a plurality of ribs and a plurality of laterally extending open channels disposed between the ribs. The top plate is formed from a second composite matrix of reinforcing fibers in a polymer resin, and is secured, optionally releasably, to the baseplate so as to generally enclose at least a portion of the channels. All the reinforcing fibers in the baseplate may be limited to being either the strands oriented in the first direction or matted reinforcing fibers having a random orientation. At least one of the base section and the top plate may be translucent. The open channel configuration simplifies manufacture and lowers cost.

Abstract: The floor plank is a laminate of two layers of flexible plastic sheet material laminated together in offset relationship to define an offset marginal portion for each of the layers. Each of the offset marginal portions have oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces. A foam layer and/or a fiberglass sheet can also be included in the laminate structure of the floor plank. The floor plank can conform to surface contours of a floor base. The bottom layer of the floor plank, whether it is plastic sheet or foam, is conformable to surface irregularities of the floor base. A one piece releasable packaging device covers the oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces of the offset marginal portions.

Abstract: The floor plank is a laminate of two layers of flexible plastic sheet material laminated together in offset relationship to define an offset marginal portion for each of the layers. Each of the offset marginal portions have oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces. A foam layer and/or a fiberglass sheet can also be included in the laminate structure of the floor plank. The floor plank can conform to surface contours of a floor base. The bottom layer of the floor plank, whether it is plastic sheet or foam, is conformable to surface irregularities of the floor base. A one piece releasable packaging device covers the oppositely facing adhesive coated surfaces of the offset marginal portions.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, shaped, prefabricated, structurally-enhancing support block conforms to the side profiles of conventional I-joists. The support block is preferably installed by fastening it to the I-joist web, rather than to the I-joist flanges, thus preserving the integrity of the I-joist flanges. Further, support blocks may be used in mid-span where additional point-load support is needed, or at joist ends for additional load bearing and/or enhanced rim board, attachment and nailing capabilities. The preferred support block includes a load-jack portion for bearing compressive load and a web and flange support portion reinforcing the thin web of an I-joist to help prevent buckling, rolling, or twisting of the I-joist under peak load conditions.

Abstract: A plurality of solid core concrete blocks used in forming a retaining wall. The retaining wall can be used in building construction, road construction, landscaping, hillside erosion control, gardens, and like applications. Also, the retaining wall can be a straight wall, an angled wall or a curved wall depending on the application. Each of the blocks includes a vertical front face and rear face, a horizontal top and bottom and a vertical first side and second side. The first side includes a first ear and two sides of an angular first notch next to the first ear. One side of the first notch is parallel to a length of the front and rear faces and forms a side of the first ear. A second side of the first notch is disposed inwardly into the block and at an angle of 10 to 45 degrees from a horizontal line perpendicular to a length of the front and rear faces.

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: Brick material building element and method of building with the element, wherein the brick material building element includes a base having a length, a first side, a second side, an inner surface, and an outer surface, whereby a width is defined by a distance between the first side and the second side. A longitudinal protrusion is formed on the first side of the base. A longitudinal recess is formed on the second side of the base. A main protrusion extends from the base. The main protrusion has a surface which is shorter than the length of the base. At least one longitudinal through opening is disposed in at least one of the base and the main protrusion. The longitudinal protrusion includes an external shape which is complementary to and adapted to fit within the longitudinal recess of another brick material building element.

Abstract: A modular wall block is adapted for being assembled together with a number of like blocks in stacked courses to form a retaining wall. The wall block includes a front and rear, top and bottom, and opposing sides. A generally J-shaped anchor has a connecting end and an anchoring end integrally joined by a setback spacer. The connecting end is adapted for being inserted into the wall block to secure the anchor to the block. The anchoring end extends outwardly from one of the top and bottom of the wall block to engage one of the number of like blocks in an upper or lower course. The spacer locates the anchoring end a spaced distance from the rear of the block. The anchor secures the block in the retaining wall at a predetermined setback relative to like blocks in the upper or lower course.

Abstract: For military as well as for civil applications there is provided a construction element comprising a disc-shaped central part (1) with at least four legs (2) extending outwards substantially radially with respect to a transversal axis (3) of the central part (1) and having longitudinal axes arranged in a plane perpendicular to the transversal axis (3) of the central part (1). The central part (1) has a face recess (4) extending inwardly from the central part (1) periphery between two adjacent legs (2). The face recess (4) has a width corresponding to the central part thickness and a depth being equal from one to two thirds of the central part width measured along an axis (8) of the face recess (4). The central part (1) is also furnished with a first passage (5) the axis (6) of which is parallel to the transversal axis (3) of the central part (1), and with a second passage (7), opening into the central part (1) face walls and having an axis (9) perpendicular to the axis (8) of the face recess (4).

Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall system has a front wall and a partition wall formed backwards projecting from the front wall; wherein the partition wall is provided with a communicating hole extending vertically over the entire length thereof through and in which a reinforcing iron rod is disposed or inserted; the partition wall is provided on an upper surface with an upper depression such that the upper depression is enclosed with an upwardly raised peripheral edge portion having a top flat surface and an inner wall surface of the peripheral raised edge portion is gradually widened downwardly from the top surface edge toward the inside of the upper depression; the partition is further provided on a bottom surface with a lower depression such that the lower depression is enclosed with a downwardly reduced peripheral edge portion and an inner wall surface of the peripheral reduced edge portion is gradually narrowed downwardly from the bottom surface of the lower depression toward the bottom ed

Abstract: A support panel for supporting external wall forming members such as bricks to form an external wall of a building structure. External wall forming members have elongated lateral extensions projecting on the side surfaces thereof. The support panel has a back plate and rows of engaging members with bent fingers arranged such that the external wall forming members can be inserted between two adjacent rows of engaging members and the lateral extensions are covered by the fingers. The support panel can be fabricated by pressing or bending a flat sheet metal, and the engaging members are integral with the back plate. Therefore, the support panel can be easily applied to a wall of a building structure and the external wall forming members can be easily laid to complete an external wall.

Abstract: A module, a wall made from said block, and a method of constructing a wall using such blocks, wherein the block has the general shape of a plus sign. The block is made from a first rectangular piece and a second rectangular piece joined perpendicular to said first rectangular piece. The blocks are assembled in a parquet fashion to construct a wall.

Abstract: In a building construction individual concrete panels are formed utilizing a horizontal casting platform to tailor the panels to meet structural and aesthetic requirements with each panel having abutting joints that interlock. The method of installing the panels to erect the building is to prepare the strata including a final layer of mixed sand and stone, wetting the surface, erecting the panels in position and temporarily bracing them and vibrating the strata, attaching the adjacent panels and removing the bracing. The panels are individually molded with a interlocking base on a planar horizontal table including the form edges that are oriented to define the configuration of the panels.

Abstract: Interlocking blocks are provided which are light in weight, and which may be assembled without use of mortar or other binding agent. Because the interlocking block is light in weight, it may be of a larger size than conventional blocks. Each interlocking block employs a number of projections and corresponding notches positioned and dimensioned to couple with adjacent interlocking block's projections and corresponding notches. A series of such interlocking blocks may then be assembled to form gravity retaining walls or any other rigid structures. The interlocking blocks are structurally strong enough to be used as form-work and may also be filled with insulating material, sound-proofing material, reinforcing material or any other advantageous material. The interlocking blocks may also be quickly assembled or disassembled in individualized constructions, may be pre-assembled into wall sections on or off a construction site.

Abstract: A precast concrete block having a first single thickness generally planar face section and a second single thickness generally planar backing section integrally formed with and extending from the first section to form a structure of a T-shaped configuration. A groove extends across and opens through an upper edge of the second planar section for the receipt of a rebar. The blocks are assembled into stacked side-by-side relationship and a panel is formed by casting concrete against the side of the generally planar face sections from which the backing sections extend. Rebar extends across and through the grooves of at least certain of the blocks to maintain the blocks in aligned side-by-side relationship and reinforce the concrete cast against the blocks. The panels are used in the construction of retaining walls for earthen formations and may be precast or formed in place at the situs of the formations.

Abstract: A built-in cantilevered open topped hollow to allow for the diverse advantage of planted foliage on new or pre-existing vertical wall constructs.

Abstract: A composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface each lying adjacent the front, back, and first and second side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces has an inset spanning from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The blocks have back legs which are directed outwardly from the blocks back surface. The block back legs may extend in a plane parallel to the block front surface or extend forwardly toward the blocks front surface. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit within the insets of another block. Also included is a method of block molding and a mold assembly which may be used to make a block which may be stackable to form structures of varying setback.

Abstract: A retaining wall block is provided which comprises a forward, face portion and a tail portion spaced rearwardly of said face portion and extending generally parallel thereto, said face portion and said tail portion being connected by a central web. A downwardly depending abutment member is formed on the bottom of said face portion to serve as a spacing mechanism for offsetting successive courses of block, thereby imparting a uniform backslope to the retaining wall. The block is designed in such a fashion that portions of the spacing mechanism may be easily removed or modified so as to permit different angles of backslope.

Abstract: A roofing system that provides a safe, long lasting, leak-free and maintenance-free insulated roof for flat roof applications. More particularly, a sandwich panel comprises an inner foam core, a fiberglass skin fully encapsulating and surrounding the core, and a gel coating surrounding the skin. The panel has two substantially parallel surfaces and a peripheral edge having a step edge. A plurality of panels having two different shapes and relative dimensions are alternately secured to purlins to form the roofing system so that half of the panels can be easily removed without affecting the rest of the roof.

Abstract: A block for constructing a retaining wall comprises a front wall and a counterfort protruded from a back side of the front wall, wherein the counterfort is provided with a plurality of reinforcing steel bar insertion holes each of which has upper and lower ends thereof open-ended. Each reinforcing steel bar insertion hole disposed in a front wall side away from a neutral force plane is either a tapered hole increasing in diameter thereof from the upper opening to the lower opening thereof. Each reinforcing steel bar insertion hole disposed in a rear end side away from the neutral force plane is an inverse-tapered hole having a diameter increasing from the lower opening to the upper opening.

Abstract: A pre-cast reinforced concrete structural beam comprises an upstanding web (136) and at least an inwardly directed flange (138) at the base of the web, the face of the web which is innermost in use and/or the upper face of the flange having surface irregularities (236,140) formed therein into which a cast in situ floor slab can penetrate to form a mechanical lock with the beam.

Abstract: A retaining wall system including a wall portion interconnected with welded wire mat and secured in position is disclosed. The wall may be composed of a plurality of modular blocks, preferably made of concrete, having grooves into which individual wires of the welded wire mat are placed. Examples of modular blocks disclosed are concrete S, T and J-blocks. Alternately, the wall may be a concrete panel. One embodiment of the present invention employs a concrete shaft placed into the soil behind the wall and to which the welded wire mats are secured to hold the wall in place.

Abstract: A surface device with erosion control features consisting of uniform T-shaped elements made of various materials (wood, metals, plastics, composites, fiberglass, reinforced concrete etc.) that are secured in a relative position to each other forming a coffer dam erosion containment and loadbearing surface. The securing methods of stapling the T-shaped elements to wire mesh or fabric backing (wood elements) or using connecting cabling, wire, rope, chains, rods, ties, pins, etc. with the (metal, plastic, fiberglass and concrete T-shaped elements) in addition to reinforcing and containment provides a means of prefabbing mats or modules of desired sizes for handling, storage, transportation and application. These mats can be used in highway construction for: stabilizing soils under roadbeds, as highway shoulders, ditch linings and erosion control of embankments. The invention can be used to construct secondary roads, logging roads, nature trails, bike and golf cart paths.

Abstract: A brick or construction element comprised of cement or synthetic sand and/or gravel of the kind for erecting high embankments or earthworks has a shield-type support with a flat front wall to which are connected lateral wing sections angled toward the rear. A tie bar extends rearwardly from the center of the shield-type support and bottom walls are located between the shield-type support and the tie bar. Boreholes are provided through the wing sections and through the free end of the tie bar, into which reinforcing bars are inserted to enable the bricks to be held together when stacking them in courses to form a retaining wall.

Abstract: A building system for the construction of walls, floors, roofs, paths and roads employs prefabricated blocks having compound shapes which are such that at least a majority thereof each exhibit projections or recesses arranged to co-operate interkeyingly with the projections or rcesses of other blocks of the system, whereby the blocks can be assembled without the essential use of mortar or other intervening binding material. The blocks may be substantially T- or Z-shaped, having a hollow formation and being flat-laid, or disposed upright, in horizontal courses in vertical walls. The hollow interiors of the blocks may be filled with strengthening material or heat-and sound-insulating material or reinforcing bars may extend through aligned hollow interiors in the superposed courses. Compound-shaped corner and junction blocks are employed, where required.

Abstract: Known groundcovering elements (44) consist of three basic shaped slabs which are connected to form a unit and which are delimited from one another by at least two dummy joints (stem dummy joint 74 and middle dummy joint 81), the peripheral surface having projections (67, 68, 79) and depressions (69, 70, 80) along an (imaginary) base line to form a toothing. To improve the stability and laying of such groundcovering elements (44), it is proposed to make these T-shaped by means of a half-size stem (13) formed approximately centrally on an elongate crossbar (12). When rhombi (45-47) are used as the basic shaped slab, the groundcovering element (44) has the form of an inclined "T".

Abstract: A modular block for engagement to a plurality of similar blocks arranged in a line to form a structural element, the modular blocks being engaged to each other by tension members extending through the blocks. The configuration of the structural element can be easily modified by substituting special blocks. The block has a generally hollow, T-shaped cross-section with an axial hole extending therethrough. The block further has three axial passages for receiving tension members, the passages arranged in a triangular pattern to withstand the high shear and torsional stresses encountered during erection and in service.

Abstract: For gas-tight lining of a chamber which is exposed to high temperatures a ceiling and wall construction is provided which is assembled from support bars, rows of profiled bearing bricks supported thereon and central bricks inserted between these rows of bearing bricks and profiled to fit together with these bearing bricks. Support bricks which are also suitably profiled are inserted between the bearing bricks on the one hand and the central bricks on the other hand, and the central bricks have a truncated pyramid shape which tapers towards the interior of the chamber to be lined. All bricks in the construction can be replaced individually in a simple manner.

Abstract: A three-dimensional componental module at "T" modified for industrial preformation of buildings, comprising a fundamental dissymmetrical module at "T" with a vertical slab substaining a horizontal slab presenting two flanges and on its upper surface projection-ribbings, said fundamental module developing prevalently in a longitudinal sense, is described. From said module are derived, by subtraction of the parts both of the horizontal and the vertical slabs, all the elements necessary and sufficient for the realization of buildings of the most varied distributive physionomy, means being foreseen for realizing, on said horizontal slab and on the heads of the adjacent elements, zones of casting in loco conveniently reinforced.

Abstract: T-shaped building blocks are assembled in a wall structure in horizontal courses of blocks, with alternate ones of the blocks in each course facing opposite directions and with the main body sections of each block overlying the main body sections of the next adjacent blocks. The blocks in the first course are placed on a footing, U-shaped clips tie the overlying portions of the main body sections of the blocks together to form rigid wall sections, and the wall sections are leveled by inserting wedges beneath the bottom course of blocks. Mortar is poured into the vertical openings of the bottom course of blocks to rigidly mount the blocks on the footing. As the wall increases in height, vertical tie rods are inserted internally through the course of blocks to tie the blocks in adjacent courses together. Insulation is placed in the vertical openings in the blocks to reduce the passage of heat and moisture through the blocks in the wall structure.

Abstract: Interfitting building blocks are disclosed of both T-shaped and Z-shaped configurations and both blocks define external slots, internal openings and corner bevels for receiving expandable locking elements. The blocks are arranged in a wall in stacked, overlying relationship in horizontal courses of blocks, and the courses of blocks are locked together with U-shaped clips extending between adjacent ones of the blocks in a single course, and vertically extending laterally expandable locking elements extending through adjacent courses of blocks. Mortar is poured down through the aligned openings in the blocks and the locking elements to hold the locking elements in their expanded positions.

Abstract: A wave dissipating wall is formed of a plurality of wave chambers comprising a plurality of horizontal plates and vertical partition walls opening toward the direction from which waves come in. The ends of the walls dividing the chambers are wider than the remaining parts of the walls and the front walls comprise semi-circular curved surfaces extending toward the direction from which the waves come in order to introduce the waves into the chamber having a wider width than the entrance formed between the respective front walls and to let the waves circulate within the chamber by the energy of the waves, thereby increasing the friction resistance between the waves and the walls as much as possible and achieving an efficient diminishing of the wave energy.

Abstract: A load bearing wall element is provided with recesses or projections at the upper ends of the side edges, for interlocking or engaging projections or recesses respectively of adjacent wall elements. The wall elements may be provided with cantilevers extending at the tops of the side edges, the cantilevers either having recesses at their upper or lower edges in order to enable interlocking with recesses of adjoining elements. The wall elements may be fabricated from reinforced concrete and may preferably have a hard foam layer affixed thereto or incorporated therein.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the useful life of a refractory lining of a substantially cylindrical metallurgical vessel is significantly increased by the use of T-shaped bricks disposed on their face surfaces in an intermeshing relationship wherein some of the adjoining surfaces of adjacent bricks are coincident with a radius of the vessel and the other adjoining surfaces are concentric therewith. This invention extends the life of the vessel by delaying the initial failure of the mortar and then delaying leakage of the molten metal through the refractory lining once the mortar has failed.