Abstract: A structural connector for a sandwich construction unit. The connector is made of material having a low heat conductance such as a fiber-composite material. The connector extends between two parallel spaced panels and also extends the entire length of the panels between structural members such as a floor and a ceiling. The edges of the connector are attached to the panels by suitable means such as a fluid bonding material.

Abstract: A construction unit and method for forming an exterior surface on a support framework. The construction unit includes a plurality of tiles for forming a finishing layer on the support framework. Mounting brackets are attachable to the support framework to position the tiles at a distance from the support framework to define an internal cavity between the support framework and tiles. An adhesive, filler material is introduced into the internal cavity to bind together the support framework, the tiles and the mounting brackets to form a consolidated construction unit. In a stud frame building, modified mounting brackets can be used that position the tiles directly against an exterior face of the stud frame wall. The adhesive, filler material contacts and binds the tiles through the openings in the stud framework.

Abstract: A glass block wall 10 having a curved section 11 between a straight block 12 and a straight bull nosed end block 13 employs a lower run of blocks 14 and an upper run of blocks 15 shown in phantom to expose an arrangement 16 of separation means between the runs of blocks. The curved section 11 includes a number of curved separation plates 19, 20 and 21 each formed to the shape of an upper end face of the respective blocks. A corner block 22 has a corresponding plate 21 whereas the plates 19 and 20 are formed to the shape of bend blocks 23 and 24, forming a compound curve in the curved section 11.

Abstract: A temporary shelter for housing and shielding a high energy radiation source used to irradiate objects and includes a hot cell for enclosing the source. An outer perimeter structure, including at least one wall, substantially encloses the hot cell and together with the cell forms an interior space positioned between the cell and outer wall. The interior space is filled with sand, covering the cell except for a front opening into the cell. The walls of the cell and outer structure are comprised of a rail and panel structure tied together with wire form ties to provide internal structural integrity against the weight of the sand. The sand and appropriately located other high energy attenuating components attenuate the energy emissions to a value less than the MPD Distance for the particular high energy radiation emitting source immediately to the exterior of the shelter.

Abstract: A modular wall block is formed with a T-shaped through-opening defining arm sections projecting from a stem portion in each surface of the block. One arm section in the upper surface of each block is dimensioned to frictionally receive fingers of a rake-like connection device which may thereby secure an end portion of sheet of reinforcing material such as a geogrid or the like, to the block. The connection device includes enlarged tabs projecting away from the fingers to engage in a different width arm section defined in the lower surface of superimposed wall blocks for positioning the front faces of the blocks in the retaining wall relative to each other in either a vertically aligned or vertically set back relationship depending upon the direction of extension of the tabs. Stair-step sections of interconnected blocks may be interleaved to form a retaining wall. Additional connection devices may be inverted to further integrate juxtaposed stair-step sections.

Abstract: A seismic construction system is disclosed that includes a surface-mounted veneer anchor, a box tie member, and a facing anchor. The primary components of the veneer anchor is a wire formative providing closed loop, wire-to-wire connections between the formative and the box tie device. The veneer anchor has a baseplate with a wire formative attached thereto having elongated eye wire extensions. Each pair of eye wires accommodates the threading thereonto of a box tie through the open end of the box tie. The box tie is then positioned so that the open end is secured to the facing anchor and is embedded together with the facing anchor into the bed joint thereof. The facing anchor includes a seismic clip for accommodating a straight wire run and receiving the open end of the box tie. The facing anchor is embedded in a bed joint of the facing.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall forming structure for constructing reinforced concrete walls employs insulating foam plastic panels that are interlocked into two parallel concrete impervious walls by I beam channels that are spaced apart by tie elements. The tie elements can support horizontal or vertical reinforcing bars and prevent the foam walls from spreading apart under the hydraulic force of the poured concrete. The I beams snugly engage the edges of the foam panels to provide a concrete imprevious seal and align the panels vertically and horizontally. A corner connector performs a similar function.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for forming a wall on a footing. U-shaped and H-shaped channels coupled at their sides by rigid links hold foam panels in a desired spaced relationship. The channels and panels are stacked to a desired height, and concrete is poured between the channels and panels where it hardens to form a structural wall. The planar surfaces of the U-shaped and H-shaped channels enable the channels to be extruded, thereby substantially reducing channel production costs. Furthermore, widely available conventional foam panels are used, reducing panel production costs.

Abstract: A concrete form tie comprises a pair of laterally displaced sidewall support assemblies with a reinforcing web extending therebetween. The support assemblies bite into the exterior sidewall surfaces as positioned thereat by the web transversely extending between the support assemblies. The web comprises a pair of brackets as formed by a support strut extending through a notch at the top of the form sidewall with a hanger element depending therefrom. A bridge extends between the depending hangers and across a vertical cavity formed between the sidewalls. The tie resists pressures acting on the sidewalls to preclude blow out along the horizontal joints of form courses as well as lateral displacement of the sidewalls. A starter tie is disclosed for respectively securing the lower end of the first course of sidewalls to a footing. A finish tie is disclosed for maintaining the displacement of the sidewalls of the top course of forms.

Abstract: A block spacer system for locating and supporting a plurality of blocks arranged end to end in a lateral direction so as to form vertically adjacent lower and upper tiers of a mortarless wall structure. The spacer system includes horizontal and vertical block spacer members where the horizontal block spacer member is secured to a downwardly adjacent block of the lower tier and has a frontal support member proximate a front face of the downwardly adjacent block of the lower tier. The frontal support member has an upstanding locator wall surface facing rearwardly for abutment with the front face of the adjacent block of the upper tier to define a forward locator position, offset the upper tier rearwardly and prevent forward displacement of the upper tier relative to the lower tier. In addition, a spacer web on the forward locator wall surface defines a lateral locator position.

Abstract: A quick release tie includes an elongated strap having retainer plates removably connected to the opposing ends of the strap. Each retainer plate includes a cylindrical body portion which extends through an aperture in a form panel, a generally flat panel affixed to an outer end of the body portion to prevent movement of the form panel outwardly off of the retainer plate, and a conical inner end tapering to a smaller diameter at the inner end of the body portion. The body portion inner end is interiorly threaded, and selectively engages exterior threads on the opposing ends of the strap to permit selective removal of the retainer plates. A socket formed in an outer surface of the retainer plate panel permits engagement of a tool for rotating the retainer plate so as to engage or disengage the retainer plate from the strap ends.

Abstract: A form-fill concrete wall system assembled from a plurality of connected wall panels forming the inside and outside sheath of a wall structure, the inside and outside panels being connected along their side edges to form the inside sheath and the outside sheath, and being interconnected by a series of cross webs that maintain the panels in a spaced relationship wherein concrete fills the space between the inside sheath and outside sheath to form the wall structure, the cross webs being replaceable and selected in part to define the thickness of the wall structure.

Abstract: A foam block wall system is formed from a plurality of interconnected individual foam blocks. The individual foam blocks have a plurality of vertically oriented, quadrilateral core members spaced evenly within the block. The spaces between the core members define a plurality of vertically oriented chambers which receive liquid concrete.A plurality of connectors serve to connect the individual blocks into an integrated structure. A generally U-shaped bracket is secured to the floor or other supporting structure to provide support for the bottom layer of blocks. A generally H-shaped connector rests between successive vertical layers to provide both vertical and lateral stability. Generally U-shaped connectors connect adjacent blocks to provide vertical and lateral stability. A cabling system secures the individual blocks to the floor, also providing vertical and lateral support.

Abstract: A construction member, preferably a rectangular block (1), for dry walling or the permanent construction of, for example, a wall or partition, where the opposing faces of the blocks (1) body in the form of a strip (3) which fits into the opposing slots (2) of the blocks (1). The slots (2) are V-shaped and the cross-section of the strip (3) is adapted to conform to the cross-sectional opening of the two opposing V-slots (2) for achieving a guiding/locking effect between the adjacent faces of the blocks (1).

Abstract: A connector member for a concrete form includes connecting mechanisms adjacent its top and bottom edges for holding two connecting members together.

Abstract: A masonry brick tie is disclosed which includes two discrete members (1) and (10), each in use being adapted to be disposed in a mortar course of a brick wall in a cavity brick structure. The members (1) and (10) are releasable interconnectable at the respective free ends thereof, thereby facilitating installation thereof within a cavity brick wall structure and yet in no way affecting the strength or operating effectiveness thereof.

Abstract: Set of angular building elements for building visual protection, acoustic protection or detonation protection walls which can contain plants, for plant tubs, slope supporting elements, supporting pillars as well as surrounds for plots, paths and flower-beds. Molded bricks and elements, having a mainly equal-sided angular cross-section with any internal angle, mainly of 90 and 60 degrees, and equal-sided side ends, are assembled by masonry techniques with offset cross-joints into free-standing or escarped supports and walls with plants. Various walls and supports which can be statically load-bearing can thus be constructed without liquid by means of a single angular element and the hollow chambers can be reinforced and grouted with mortar. Several solutions are available for dowelling the horizontal joints, such as edge molding and connecting pins.

Abstract: A fitting is intended for mounting and joining horizontal tongue-and-grooved panels to form an inner wall and an outer wall respectively in a timber building structure. The fitting includes two parts which can be moved linearly in relation to one another in the directions of arrows A and B. Each of the two fitting-parts includes a flanged dowel which is intended for insertion into holes pre-drilled in respective inner and outer panels. The fitting also includes two upper dowels which are intended to be firmly screwed onto the lower dowels. Further inner and outer panels are mounted on the upper dowels with the aid of the pre-drilled holes. This building method results in two free-standing walls, i.e., the inner and outer walls respectively.

Abstract: A retaining wall includes a fore-structure including a material supporting member, at least one abutment on the material supporting member, and at least one solid body anchor member. A bulk material filling is disposed rearward of the fore-structure and has a portion acting with a forwardly-directed force on the fore-structure. A flexible sheet material member interconnects the fore-structure and the bulk material filling for resisting forward movement of the fore-structure under the influence of the forwardly-directed force. The solid body anchor member is disposed forward of an abutment surface on the abutment, and the abutment surface blocks rearward movement of the solid body anchor member relative to the material supporting member. The sheet material member has a loop section extending at least partially around the solid body anchor member. At least a portion of the loop section extends between the solid body anchor member and the abutment surface.

Abstract: A seismic construction system is disclosed having in combination: a masonry anchor, a wall tie, and a facing anchor. A reinforcing wire is disposed longitudinally in the inner masonry wythe and has attached spaced pairs of transverse wire portions. Each transverse wire portion extends into the cavity and terminates in an eye wire having an eye disposed vertically in the cavity and lying in a plane normal to the masonry wythe surface. The open end of the wall tie is threaded through a pair of eye wires of the masonry anchor, which eye wire portion extends into the cavity between the inner masonry wythe and the outer facing wythe. The masonry anchor is adapted to be embedded within the inner masonry wythe; and, after threading through the eye wires, the open end of the wall tie, within the outer facing wythe. The facing anchor includes a clip member which is constructed to accommodate the open end of the wall tie member and also a reinforcing wire disposed longitudinally in the facing wythe.

Abstract: A mortar and debris collection device for a cavity wall construction has a non-water absorbent body formed with circuitous paths therethrough making the body water-permeable. The collection device has a porosity sufficient to permit water to pass therethrough but insufficient to permit mortar and other debris to pass therethrough to weep holes or other water channels covered by the collection debris. The device may be freely placed on the wall base within the cavity to cover the opening of a weep hole, or may also be placed on existing wall ties within the cavity.

Abstract: A prefabricated collapsible formwork module is assembled at a factory site, including the provision of a pair of sheathing panels which can be made of insulating material, as well as the mounting of the vapor barrier, the filler strips, bearing blocks, and flexible or collapsible connecting elements extending between the panels extending between the panels to retain the panels when they are being erected. The sheathing panels may also have a waterproof membrane applied thereto, and the concrete reinforcement is assembled between the sheathing panels at the factory site. When the formwork module is fully assembled, it is then collapsed, that is, by moving one sheathing panel against the other including collapsing the collapsible connecting elements and sandwiching the concrete reinforcement which is preferably in the form of a grid, and the formwork module can then be stored and transported to a building site.

Abstract: In general, a block and retaining wall formed by a number of such blocks are interconnected between courses by a plurality of Z-shaped anchor elements having an upper and lower body part of substantially rectangular cross-section as viewed in plan. The upper body part is offset from the lower body part. The offset of one course of blocks relative to the course beneath will be a predetermined fixed amount determined by the offset of the body parts of the interlocking Z-shaped anchor elements. A tie-back arrangement includes means for attaching a sheet of geo-synthetic material to the embedded end of a block so as to leave the open cells within and those formed between the blocks unobstructed from above and available for filling with pea gravel or other drainage fill material.

Abstract: A mortarless concrete block retaining wall is formed from special blocks arranged in set-back tiers and interlocked by special offset pins. Each block is trapezoidal in plan view with a pair of vertical holes behind a relatively wide front face. The holes in adjacent tiers are laterally offset. The pins have opposite end sections which are laterally offset from one another and fit respectively in the offset holes to interlock adjacent tiers in set-back relation. The special pins are rotatably adjustable to interlock the tiers in a straight configuration or in varying degrees of convex and concave curved configurations.

Abstract: A mortar and debris collection device for a cavity wall construction has a non-water absorbent body formed with circuitous paths therethrough making the body water-permeable. The collection device has a porosity sufficient to permit water to pass therethrough but insufficient to permit mortar and other debris to pass therethrough to weep holes or other water channels covered by the collection debris. The device may be freely placed on the wall base within the cavity to cover the opening of a weep hole, or may also be placed on existing wall ties within the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for interconnecting a pair of spaced-apart form panels includes a tie having opposing ends inserted through apertures in the panels, and retainer plates on each end to lock the panels in position. Each tie includes an elongated strap having an expanded lug at each end to prevent movement of the panel inwardly past the lug. A loop member is mounted on each lug which projects outwardly through the panel and which will receive the retainer plate to lock the panel in position on each end of the strap. The retainer plate has an aperture therethrough and a finger extending downwardly into the aperture. The retainer plate finger is journaled through the loop of the strap to lock the retainer plate onto the strap end to hold the form panel in position.

Abstract: An interlocking block pier assembly is disclosed including a plurality of blocks for stacking in a generally vertical column to support a load thereon. Each pair of adjacent blocks is interlocked by a key formed generally radially in a first block of the pair and a complementary keyway formed generally radially in the other block of the pair for receiving the key to prevent the blocks in the pair from rotating or moving laterally relative to each other.

Abstract: A concrete facing panel is joined to a counterfort by means of a pair of bolted joints. Each joint comprises a hole in the panel through which a bolt projecting from the counterfort passes, and a nut mounted on the threaded end of the bolt. A resilient plug is located in the hole at its end facing the counterfort to form a first watertight seal, the plug including an integral spacing ring to space apart the panel and the counterfort. A second watertight seal is provided by a layer of epoxy resin applied over the nut.

Abstract: A forming system for a hardenable material is provided having a form unit including a pair of wall panels arranged in a predetermined upright spaced relation and a skeletal grid assembly disposed therebetween. The skeletal grid assembly includes locking means for interconnecting with a grid assembly of a second form unit of like construction and disposed in side by side relation therewith.

Abstract: A masonry structure reinforcing and confinement apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the structural integrity under stress of masonry structures formed of a plurality of stacked masonry units. The apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected reinforcing members and is positionable between adjacent surfaces of tiers, or courses, of masonry units so that some members extend between the opposite walls of the masonry units with selected portions of the apparatus being secured in the horizontal mortar joint thereat.

Abstract: The dividing wall is assembled from a plurality of inherently rigid wall elements (10). A wall element of the wall was a frame composed of vertical frame sides (11, 12) and horizontal frame sides (13, 14), an inner plate (22) suitable for anchoring nails or screws and cover plates (20, 21) which can have a thin construction, a stiffening honeycomb filling (23) being provided between the cover plates (20, 21). The vertical frame sides (11, 12) are provided with a conical external groove (15) or an external spring pin (16) which fits into the latter, so that adjoining wall elements can be put together so as to be self-centering, wherein the reciprocal connection is effected by inserting coupling pegs of one wall element in catch openings of the other wall element. The dividing wall thus is made of lightweight individual wall elements which can be assembled quickly.

Abstract: A form for walls and the like of the type formed by two parallel, facing molding surfaces each of the surfaces being formed by a plurality of panels, each panel having a rigid frame formed with an inner flange at one side and spaced holes, a plate with a major side attached to the inner flange of the frame, cellular reinforcing body made of plural wavy metallic strips in stacking condition and sandwiched between two wire nets, the reinforceing body is attached to the major side of the plate within the frame, and spacing units for simultaneously locking two layers of adjacent panels in opposed arrangement to provide great rigidity in the assembled form.

Abstract: A concrete wall form system including a plurality of first and second panels each preferably having grooved portions extending along corresponding top side edges and complementary mating tongue portions extending along corresponding bottom side edges, and having regularly spaced transverse slots extending into the top and bottom side edges thereof. The form system also includes a plurality of ties each having a bridging web portion, interior flanges formed at the opposite extremities of the web portions, and fastening portions also formed at each end of the web portion and including an outwardly extending shank terminating in an outer flange, the shanks of the fastening portions being adapted for disposition in the aligned transverse slots in vertically adjacent form panels, the interior flanges engaging an interior wall of the panels, and the exterior flanges engaging an outer side wall of the panels.

Abstract: In general, a block and retaining wall formed by a number of such blocks are interconnected between courses by a plurality of Z-shaped anchor elements having an upper and lower body part of substantially rectangular cross-section as viewed in plan. The upper body part is offset from the lower body part. The offset of one course of blocks relative to the course beneath will be a predetermined fixed amount determined by the offset of the body parts of the interlocking Z-shaped anchor elements. A tie-back arrangement includes means for attaching a sheet of geosynthetic material to the embedded end of a block so as to leave the open cells within and those formed between the blocks unobstructed from above and available for filling with pea gravel or other drainage fill material.

Abstract: A construction block to be used with other similar blocks in order to construct panels of a building which is formed of a pair of substantially planar panels located in juxtaposition and spaced apart forming a space between the panel. Within the space between the panel, there is to be poured a quantity of uncured wet aggregate and cement mixture which is then to harden into a solid mass. Each of the panels is to be constructed of expanded polystyrene beads. The panels are secured together through a metallic tie rod assembly which is located principally in the space between the panels. The exterior surface of each of the panels includes a plurality of vertical grooves and within each groove is to be located a wooden strip which is to be penetrated by conventional fasteners to thereby mountingly secure a desired structural member onto an exterior surface of the construction block.

Abstract: A reinforcing apparatus (8) is fitted in each n-th bed joint (4). The horizontal reinforement (10) of the reinforcing apparatus is embedded in a mortar layer (20) of the bed joint (4). Vertical reinforcing elements (16, 18) of adjacent reinforcing apparatuses (8) are arranged two by two in the vertical recesses (22) of the building stones (2) overlapping each other at least in part and embedded in a mortar mass (26). This way, a horizontally and vertically reinforced masonry wall is obtained, which can be constructed in practice in accordance with the usual method of construction.

Abstract: A tie for concrete forms includes an elongated strap with opposing first and second ends. The strap has an upwardly projecting intermediate portion which prevents the movement of form panels inwardly on the strap. A notch in each outer end of the strap receives a waler to hold the form panel from moving outwardly along the strap. Beveled ends allow the strap to be forced through a polystyrene panel without the need for forming an aperture in the panel to insertion of the tie. A removable end piece is also been designed for use with the tie. The end piece is a generally rectangular plate member with a slot in the middle and a pin projecting across the slot which will be received in the notch of the tie. In this fashion, the plate member is pressed against the form panel to prevent outward movement of the panel on the tie. The end piece may be removed as desired from the tie, thereby allowing reuse of the end piece in other locations.

Abstract: A tie for concrete forms includes an elongated strap with opposing first and second ends. The strap has an upwardly projecting intermediate portion which prevents the movement of form panels inwardly on one end of the strap. A notch in the first end of the strap receives a waler to hold form panel from moving outwardly along the strap. A fixed plate on the second end of the strap holds a form panel from moving outwardly along the strap. Beveled ends allow the strap to be forced through a polystyrene panel without the need for forming an aperture in the panel prior to insertion of the tie. A tubular spacer may be utilized on intermittent ties to prevent inward movement of the form panels. The spacer has a notch cut therein to allow concrete to flow within the spacer and around the tie.

Abstract: A specially constructed block for use in forming a mortarless retaining wall is disclosed, as is a retaining wall constructed therefrom and a method of constructing a retaining wall. Each block has a front face of a predetermined width and a rear wall having a substantially equal width. The block side walls provide a maximum block width at the front face and a minimum block width adjacent the rear wall. When such blocks are placed in a side-by-side relationship, a substantially closed cavity is formed between the blocks for receiving backfill material and thereby reinforcing the wall. A wall constructed from a plurality of such blocks utilizes an engagement clip disposed between blocks in upper and lower courses for preventing relative forward movement between the blocks. The clip is engageable with the upper surface of the rear web of the block for easy installation after the block is laid in a course.

Abstract: A retaining wall is made from a plurality of blocks arranged in rows superimposed on each other and pinned together. Each block has a body with an exterior face and rearwardly diverging side walls joined to a neck. A head having outwardly directed ears is joined to the neck. The body has holes and pockets for pins that interlock overlapped blocks together. A finishing block having a flat top surface is used to construct the top layer of the wall. A geogrid tie-back sheet having slots is located between layers of blocks and anchored to the pins stabilizes the wall.

Abstract: A collapsible forming system for hardenable material is provided which includes at least one form unit having a pair of wall panels adjustable between operative and inoperative modes. The wall panels, when in either mode, are interconnected by a grid assembly. When the wall panels are in an operative mode, they are disposed in an upright spaced relation, and when in an inoperative mode, the wall panels are disposed in a proximate face to face relation. The grid assembly includes a first section which is disposed intermediate the panels and spans the distance therebetween when the panels are in an operative mode. The grid assembly also includes a pair of second sections which are disposed adjacent exterior surfaces of said wall panels when the latter are in either mode.

Abstract: A mortar collecting device adapted to be located adjacent a wall surface of a masonry or brick wall under construction and collect excess mortar extruded from between rows of masonry during construction of the wall. Such mortar collecting devices each posses an upper surface means adapted to collect mortar but repel moisture in the form of water droplets which falls on such surface means. Repulsion of water is accomplished by providing an upper surface means having an inclined portion sufficiently inclined to the horizontal when such device is in mortar collecting position so as to cause moisture to slide off, but being insufficiently inclined so as to cause mortar to slide off. Alternatively the mortar collecting device may have a plurality of passageway means extending vertically therethrough of dimensions sufficient to allow moisture to pass therethrough, but of dimensions insufficient to allow mortar to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A structural member and a method of construction employing same, wherein the structural member comprises two boards held in spaced apart relationship by a pluarlity of spacers fixed at intervals between said boards and each board has a tongue along one edge and a complementary groove along the other, and wherein said structural members can be readily joined edge to edge to construct walls and partitions.

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 retaining wall is made from a plurality of blocks arranged in rows superimposed on each other and pinned together. Each block has a body with an exterior face and rearwardly diverging side walls joined to a neck. A head having outwardly directed ears is joined to the neck. The body has holes and pockets for pins that interlock overlapped blocks together. A finishing block having a flat top surface is used to construct the top layer of the wall. A geogrid tie-back sheet having slots is located between layers of blocks and anchored to the pins stabilizes the wall.

Abstract: A thermally insulating masonry block constituted by a sandwich of at least two building blocks between which a plate of insulating material is interposed, the sandwich being tied together by at least one strap. A method of making such an insulating masonry block unit comprising the steps of interposing a plate of insulating material between two building blocks and tying the blocks and insulating plate together by at least one strap.

Abstract: A reinforcing frame work for covering structural steel bars of a reinforced concrete structure to be constructed is disclosed herein. The frame work comprises a plurality of frame units connected together and disposed along said structural steel bars, each of said frame units comprising a plurality of spacers extending in the transverse direction of said concrete structure and at least one guide steel bar extending in the longitudinal direction of said concrete structure and having said spacers secured thereto in laterally spaced relationship along the length of the guide steel bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling modular tooled masonry structures, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pre-fabricated wire support structure having a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the completed masonry structure; assembling a first row of bricks in a pre-determined pattern onto the support structure using the support structure as a support and spacing guide for the bricks; masking selected areas of the bricks by partially surrounding the bricks with an open top removable mortar molding form; applying a pre-determined quantity of mortar into the mortar molding form covering accessible unmasked areas of the bricks with a pre-determined thickness of mortar; leveling the mortar; allowing the mortar to partially set; removing the mortar molding form from the bricks thereby revealing a tooled row of bricks; and repeating the above steps to provide additional tooled rows of bricks as needed to complete the masonry structure.

Abstract: An adjustable tie includes a pair of straps selectively connected together to form a single tie. Each of the pair of straps has a pair of spaced-apart plates at the outer end which will hold the panel of a wall form therebetween. Slots cut in the panels allow the tie ends to be inserted in the panels. The pair of straps which form each tie are identical, and have a series of pegs and apertures which are cooperable in selected positions to vary the length of the tie. In a second embodiment, the portion of each strap between the inner and outer plates is comprised of two interconnecting pieces so that the distance between the plates is adjustable, to allow for various panel thicknesses.

Abstract: A retaining wall is made from a plurality of blocks arranged in rows superimposed on each other and pinned together. Each block has a body with an exterior face and rearwardly diverging side walls joined to a neck. A head having outwardly directed ears is joined to the neck. The body has holes and pockets for pins that interlock overlapped blocks together. A finishing block having a flat top surface is used to construct the top layer of the wall. A geogrid tie-back sheet having slots is located between layers of blocks and anchored to the pins stabilizes the wall.