Abstract: An economical structural cellular lightweight concrete with a density of from about 45 lb/ft3 to about 90 lb/ft3 and a strength from about 1,000 psi to about 6,000 psi after 28 days of curing at room temperature and with minimal shrinkage on drying, is described. The concrete comprises cement, lightweight aggregate with a density from about 25 lb/ft3 to about 60 lb/ft3, fiber, superplastizer, gas and/or foaming agents, and a shrinkage reducing agent. The concrete can be manufactured using facilities for conventional concrete even with a portion of Portland cement replaced by industrial by-products or recycled materials such as blast furnace slag, coal fly ash and recycled glasses. The preferred procedure for making the lightweight concrete is also described. The products made with the lightweight concrete have much better ductility and construction capabilities than conventional concrete products.

Abstract: An insulated concrete block assembly which can be laid dry or with mortar joints. The assembly has a pair of standard concrete blocks adhesively bonded to opposite sides of a panel of insulating material and a flat sheet metal tie bridging the panel and having opposite ends adhesively bonded to load carrying surfaces of the blocks. The adhesive bond is stronger than the concrete, so that once made up, the assembly cannot be taken apart without breaking the concrete.

Abstract: A concrete block panel with mortarless joints in which the blocks are held together in vertical and horizontal compression by steel strapping and are reenforced by external coatings of glass fiber cement. The blocks may be insulated by urethane foam board sandwiched between the outer surface of the panel and external facing blocks. The blocks may also be used with mortar joints. The urethane foam board insulation assists in laying the blocks with either dry or mortar joints.

Abstract: A concrete block wall panel with mortarless joints in which the blocks are held together by steel strapping and are reinforced by external coatings of glass fiber cement. The walls are handled by pick up rods extending through the panel from top to bottom. A swivel fitting is attached to the upper end of each rod and a pick up base engaging the bottom of the panel is screwed on the lower end of each rod. After the panel is set in a bed of mortar embedding the bases, the pick rods are unscrewed and the swivels are removed.