Abstract: A modular structural system, comprising one or more building units consisting of two counter mold partitions, each of which is adapted with one or more anchoring means, into which one or more connecting locks are engaged to firmly lock and stabilize the two counter mold partitions, where each of the two counter mold partitions is peripherally adapted to receive one or more affixing coupling means; two or more coupling means for affixing two of the one or more building units; two or more coupling means for affixing the one or more building units to an adjacent building element.

Abstract: A thermally insulating fixture includes a self-tapping screw, a fixed member mounted on the self-tapping screw, and a thermally insulating member wrapping the fixed member. The fixed member is provided with a first through hole. The thermally insulating member is provided with a second through hole and a positioning groove. The self-tapping screw extends through the second through hole of the thermally insulating member and the first through hole of the fixed member. A thermally insulating cover is mounted in the positioning groove and covers the self-tapping screw. The thermally insulating cover has a receiving space which receives the self-tapping screw. The thermally insulating cover has a positioning flange which is positioned in the positioning groove when the thermally insulating cover covers the head of the self-tapping screw.

Abstract: The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an interlocking, interchangeable wall system allowing for the formation of a plurality of form structures. Each parallel sidewall is embedded with stones or other materials into a composition base on one side. On the opposite side, the sidewalls are embedded with metal lathing and hardware to connect to bracing which connects to the opposing sidewall to form a plurality of structures, including an interlocking block system. Each sidewall interlocks with the panel or block next to it. When connected, the resulting interlocking composite blocks may be used in the construction of walls or other structures. The resulting sidewalls may be used in the decoration of existing construction or other structures. The present invention provides a significant improvement in labor and customization of structures.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a double sided wall using facing panels having a face surface and a back surface with a retaining structure. The facing panels are stacked in a back-to-back arrangement into a pair of first and second wall components connected by separate articulated connectors. The articulated connectors each have a first base connector that fits into a respective retaining groove in the first wall component and a second base connector that fits into a respective retaining groove of the second wall component. The first and second base connectors are connected to each other by a link that forms a first pivot joint at the first base connector and a second pivot joint at the second base connector.

Abstract: A curtain wall mullion anchoring system that does not require adjustability among the anchoring system components and the mullion to account for construction tolerance. The anchoring device can be accurately installed on a cured concrete floor slab at the proper in-and-out and left-and-right positions. A mullion connector is engaged with the anchoring device and the mullion to transfer reaction forces on the mullion to the building structure via the anchoring device. The mullion connector is slidably engaged with the mullion such that the mullion connector can slide along the length of the mullion and will be placed at the proper up-and-down position by simply sliding the mullion connector down the mullion to the anchoring device on the concrete floor slab.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and a unit for a masonry wall system, each unit comprising a face shell wherein the interior surface has a transverse axis running from the top surface to the bottom surface of the face shell, and one or more webs having a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end of each web is integral with or attached to the interior surface of the face shell along the transverse axis. The method for wall construction further comprising positioning one or more vertical reinforcement rods or tendons with one end embedded in a wall-foundation and laying a layer wall units on the wall-foundation such that the one or more webs of the layers of wall units are aligned, and the vertical reinforcement rods or tendons run through or are adjacent to the webs of the wall units.

Abstract: An existing concrete structure is repaired by covering at least a portion of the existing structure with a repair structure. Standoff retainers (each comprising an elongated member, fastener-receiving features and standoff-engaging curves) are mounted to the existing structure. Fasteners extend through the one or more fastener-receiving features and into the existing structure. Standoffs are coupled to the standoff retainers and extend away from the existing structure by extending the elongated members through apertures in the standoffs and locating each of the standoffs at a location of one of the standoff-engaging curves. Panels are coupled to the standoffs at locations spaced apart from the existing structure. Curable material is introduced to the space between the panels and the existing structure. The panels act as a formwork for containing the curable material until the curable material cures to provide a repair structure cladded by the panels.

Abstract: An improved mortar less masonry structure comprising a plurality of concrete masonry units connected to each other by metal bars and metal threaded fasteners thereby forming a reinforcing skeletal system for a post tensioned structure. The improved system has been developed for use in constructing various types of masonry structures. The improvements of the system feature masonry units with recessed channels, pocket channels, or fully embedded bars as anchors. The bolt acts as the tendon for the post tensioning system which traverse the hollow cavities as ducts. Other new features teach a strong and durable full plate anchor and high strength tendons for defensive and anti-terrorism structures. This is an improved building system that demountably couples each individual masonry unit by a bar and bolt system. This coupling results in stronger, faster, and cheaper construction of masonry structures.

Abstract: A dovetail anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a sheetmetal dovetail anchor and one-piece sheetmetal dovetail veneer tie. The anchoring system is used in conjunction with building structures that have a masonry outer wythe anchored to a poured masonry inner wythe. A thermally-isolating coating is optionally applied to the high-strength veneer tie, which is interconnected with the wall anchor. The thermally-isolating coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The thermally-coated veneer ties provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.

Abstract: A masonry wire reinforcement apparatus and system is disclosed for anchoring a veneer wall to a backup wall of Concrete Masonry Units using a masonry wire reinforcement product embedded into an inner support wall, along with clips and pintle ties, such that the clip is attached to the masonry wire reinforcement product and is configured to receive the pintle tie, which then is attached to the veneer wall. Also disclosed is a thermal attachment that can be attached to the clip and accept the pintle tie thereby reducing the transfer of energy from the outer veneer wall to the inner support wall.

Abstract: A civil engineering work (1) comprising a front face (9), a facing (3) having a back surface (32) and a front surface (31) that is substantially the same as said front face (9) of the work, a fluid-tight covering (4) on the back surface, a fill (2) arranged behind said fluid-tight covering (4), and an anchoring device (6) ensuring a mechanical linkage between the facing (3) and the fill (2), with said facing (3) comprising a cavity (5) inside of which a portion of the fluid-tight covering (4) is arranged to form a recessed space into which is inserted an anchoring element (16) that is a part of said anchoring device (6), and a method for implementing such a work.

Abstract: A high-strength ribbon loop anchor and cavity wall anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The ribbon loop anchor is a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the facing wall. The ribbon loops hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with the veneer tie and are dimensioned to preclude significant movement lateral with or normal to the inner wythe.

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: The present invention describes a connection system for prefabricated panels of the type comprising at least two outer concrete layers (12, 14), provided with metallic reinforcement (18), and an intermediate layer (16) made of heat-insulating material, arranged between the two outer concrete layers (12, 14). The system comprises a plurality of plate-like connection elements (10) having such a length (L) as to allow them to extend, in an orthogonal direction with respect to the panel's development plan, through the heat-insulating layer (16) and to partially penetrate inside the outer concrete layers (12, 14). Each connection element (10) is provided, at two opposed terminal ends, with respective hooking means (22, 24) to the outer concrete layers (12, 14). At least one (24) of the hooking means provided at the opposed terminal ends of each connection element (10) is made up of two distinct C-shaped edges (24A, 24B), side by side and parallel to each other.

Abstract: An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a stud-type wall anchor and veneer tie. The stud-type anchor is comprised of high-strength, nonconductive thermally-isolating components that maintain the insulation R-values. The anchor has a driver head, dual-diameter barrel, a driven tip and multiple thermally-isolating seals. The multiple seals and the dual-diameter barrel of the anchor fill the anchor-receiving channel and stabilize the wall anchor. The wall anchor is clamped in place by the multiple seals. The anchor operates with various veneer ties.

Abstract: Anchoring systems for use in cavity wall structures having an inner wythe and an outer wythe constructed of rubble stone are disclosed. The anchoring system employs an anchor fastened to or set within the inner wythe that extends into the cavity and connects to a J-hook. A vertically adjustable veneer tie enwraps the J-hook, limiting lateral movement and front-to-back displacement, and is set within the bed joint of the outer wythe. The anchoring system minimizes cavity size and provides stability for an uncoursed outer wythe equivalent to that of anchoring systems for standards coursed bed joints.

Abstract: A hybrid wall reinforcement wall anchoring system is described for use in masonry cavity walls. The reinforcement and anchor is hybrid device installed within the backup wall and interlocked with novel veneer ties. The novel veneer ties are wire formatives and are manually connected and interlocked with the anchor. Once interlocked and installed within the cavity wall, lateral, vertical and front-to-back veneer tie movement is limited, strengthening the cavity wall structure. The inclusion of a reinforcement wire within the veneer tie and the exterior wall provides a seismic structure.

Abstract: An insulated concrete form having spaced sidewalls joined by form ties to define a first interior cavity therebetween for receiving poured concrete, the form ties including interior fastening plates positioned in between the spaced sidewalls. The interior fastening plates provide a backing surface to which forming structures can be easily and efficiently secured to define a second interior cavity in between the forming structure and one of the sidewalls, the second interior cavity having thickness less than the first interior cavity so as to define a form for making a recess in the resulting concrete portion of the wall.

Abstract: A device for use in the fastening of a panel or cladding to a wall is disclosed. The device includes a base plate, a panel connecting plate, and a connecting assembly that connects the panel connecting plate to the base plate and that is constructed and arranged so as to provide minimal thermal bridging between the base plate and the panel connecting plate through an insulation layer that covers the base plate and the wall while simultaneously providing structural integrity for attaching the panel or cladding to the wall.

Abstract: A masonry wire reinforcement apparatus and system is disclosed for anchoring a veneer wall to a backup wall of Concrete Masonry Units using a masonry wire reinforcement product embedded into an inner support wall, along with clips and pintle ties, such that the clip is attached to the masonry wire reinforcement product and is configured to receive the pintle tie, which then is attached to the veneer wall.

Abstract: A high-strength panel anchoring system for use in a cavity wall. A wall anchor is fixedly attached to an inner wythe. The wall anchor includes a set of pronged legs for insertion through insulation and securement against the inner wythe and a plate connecting the set of pronged legs and maintaining the legs at substantially right angles from the plate. The plate has an aperture to receive a fastener. A U-shaped separator is adjacent the wall anchor. A split veneer tie is adjacent the separator and opposite the wall anchor. The veneer tie includes a backplate having an aperture to receive a fastener and an insertion portion having a cavity end contiguous with the backplate and set at a substantially right angle thereto. The insertion portion has an insertion end having two legs set at opposite substantially right angles for interconnection with a plurality of panels forming an outer wythe.

Abstract: A insulated masonry wall system having insulation blocks between structural and face blocks to provide structures that are strong, inexpensive, avoid thermal bridges, and resist transmission of heat. The walls are attractive and versatile, and an enormous variety of decorative face members may be utilized. The face blocks are attached to the structural blocks to prevent facing materials from falling even if fire destroys the insulation blocks between the structural blocks and the facing. The system resists water penetration and effectively drains water that does penetrate any portion of the system.

Abstract: An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a stud-type wall anchor and veneer tie. The stud-type anchor is comprised of high-strength, nonconductive thermally-isolating components that maintain the insulation R-values. The anchor has a driver head, dual-diameter barrel, a driven tip and multiple thermally-isolating seals. The multiple seals and the dual-diameter barrel of the anchor fill the anchor-receiving channel and stabilize the wall anchor. The wall anchor is clamped in place by the multiple seals. The anchor operates with various veneer ties.

Abstract: A hybrid wall reinforcement wall anchoring system is described for use in masonry cavity walls. The reinforcement and anchor is hybrid device installed within the backup wall and interlocked with novel veneer ties. The novel veneer ties are wire formatives and are manually connected and interlocked with the anchor. Once interlocked and installed within the cavity wall, lateral, vertical and front-to-back veneer tie movement is limited, strengthening the cavity wall structure. The inclusion of a reinforcement wire within the veneer tie and the exterior wall provides a seismic structure.

Abstract: A high-strength ribbon loop anchor and cavity wall anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The ribbon loop anchor is a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the facing wall. The ribbon loops hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with the veneer tie and are dimensioned to preclude significant movement lateral with or normal to the inner wythe.

Abstract: A tie system is provided for use with a wall form for a cementitious backup wall and for use with a wall tie to connect between the cementitious backup wall and a veneer. The tie system includes a backup wall connector and a form connector. The form connector is connectable to the form and secures the backup wall connector in position as the wall form is filled. The connector may have heat transfer reducing perforations. The connector may have an outwardly positioned flange to which external wall members may be attached. The connector may have multiple gap-setting features.

Abstract: Masonry (1) comprising layers (2) of bricks and mortar joints (3), whereby at least one mortar joint (3) is reinforced by a reinforcement strip (4), whereby said strip (4) comprises at least two straight, continuous, substantially parallel, steel reinforcement wires (5), which are welded or glued to each other by means of a steel wire connecting structure (6), characterized in that the wire connecting structure (6) is provided with protuberances (7) protruding from the plane comprising said at least two straight reinforcement wires (5) and forming spacing elements (7) which keep the at least two straight reinforcement wires (5) at a specific distance from the layer (2) of bricks below and/or the layer (2) of bricks above said reinforcement strip (4).

Abstract: A high-strength panel anchoring system for use in a cavity wall. A wall anchor is fixedly attached to an inner wythe. The wall anchor includes a set of pronged legs for insertion through insulation and securement against the inner wythe and a plate connecting the set of pronged legs and maintaining the legs at substantially right angles from the plate. The plate has an aperture to receive a fastener. A U-shaped separator is adjacent the wall anchor. A split veneer tie is adjacent the separator and opposite the wall anchor. The veneer tie includes a backplate having an aperture to receive a fastener and an insertion portion having a cavity end contiguous with the backplate and set at a substantially right angle thereto. The insertion portion has an insertion end having two legs set at opposite substantially right angles for interconnection with a plurality of panels forming an outer wythe.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a unit-wall structure for a liquefied gas storage tank on land, which enables rapid and easy construction of a cylindrical wall of the storage tank by stacking a plurality of pre-produced unit-wall structures to overlap one another. The unit-wall structure includes iron rods arranged lengthwise and breadthwise therein, wherein the unit-wall structure has an arc shape so that a plurality of unit-wall structures are stacked to form a cylindrical wall of the storage tank.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method of constructing a liquefied gas storage tank on land, which enables rapid and easy construction of walls of a cylindrical storage tank by stacking a plurality of pre-produced unit-wall structures to be stacked or superposed with respect to one another. The method includes: producing unit-wall structures made of concrete and each having iron rods arranged lengthwise and breadthwise therein, stacking the unit-wall structures in a cylindrical arrangement, and connecting the unit-wall structures adjacent and in longitudinal and lateral directions with respect to each other to form a wall of the storage tank.

Abstract: A wall anchor for use in an insulated cavity wall has an elongated body extending from a driven end to a driving end. A threaded portion at the driven end is adapted to be mounted on an inner wythe of a cavity wall structure. A drive head at the driving end has a surface facing the driven end of the wall anchor, with teeth formed on the surface. A collar with at least one aperture for a veneer tie is located near the driving end. The collar has teeth formed on a top surface generally facing the drive head. The teeth of the drive head and the collar are interengaging ratchet teeth, and a spring washer biases the collar against the drive head. The collar can only be rotated relative to the wall anchor in a single direction, with the interengaging ratchet teeth preventing rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a masonry spacer has (i) an elongated and substantially planar body, and (ii) first and second elongated support members. The planar body has one or more bendable tabs formed therein and defines a first plane of the masonry spacer. The first and second support members each (i) have at least one corresponding channel formed therein, (ii) have one or more openings formed therein, and (iii) extend laterally from a different elongated side of the planar body. Further, the first and second support members define a second plane of the masonry spacer offset from the first plane. An outer edge of each of the first and second elongated support members defines a third plane of the masonry spacer that is intermediate to the first and second planes.

Abstract: An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed. The system includes a stud-type wall anchor and a wire formative veneer tie. The stud has a driver head, a dual-diameter barrel, and a driven tip. A flange at the juncture of the two barrels houses an interior seal; and a flange under the driver head, an exterior seal. The smaller diameter barrel is coextensive with the drywall installation; and the length of the larger diameter barrel, with the rigid insulation. The interior seal seals the insertion point into the drywall installation; and the exterior seal, the opening of the anchor-receiving channel. The interior seal and the larger barrel of the anchor fill the anchor-receiving channel and stabilize the wall anchor. Also, the wall anchor is clamped in place by the seals. The stud-type anchor operates with a variety of veneer ties for different applications.

Abstract: The invention comprises a foam insulating panel having an outer surface and a reinforcing member adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface of the foam insulating panel. An insulated concrete form and a method of using the insulated concrete form are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid wall reinforcement wall anchoring system is described for use in masonry cavity walls. The reinforcement and anchor is hybrid device installed within the backup wall and interlocked with novel veneer ties. The novel veneer ties are wire formatives and are manually connected and interlocked with the anchor. Once interlocked and installed within the cavity wall, lateral, vertical and front-to-back veneer tie movement is limited, strengthening the cavity wall structure. The inclusion of a reinforcement wire within the veneer tie and the exterior wall provides a seismic structure.

Abstract: A high-strength pintle anchoring system for a cavity wall is disclosed. The high-strength pintle anchoring system employs a partially compressively reduced veneer tie that is cold-worked with the resultant body partially having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The partially compressively reduced veneer tie, when part of the anchoring system, interengages with the receptor portions of a wall anchor and are dimensioned to preclude significant movement lateral with or normal to the inner wythe.

Abstract: A self-reinforced masonry block comprises a main body having opposed substantially parallel stacking surfaces and at least one tubular cell defined therethrough from one stacking surface to the other. At least one confining reinforcement is embedded in the main body to surrounding a corresponding cell. Each confining reinforcement extends substantially entirely along the longitudinal length of its corresponding cell and terminates inwardly of the stacking surfaces. The self-reinforced masonry blocks may be used in construction of a grout-filled, vertically reinforced masonry block wall, with the self-reinforced masonry blocks being used for those portions of the wall where the grouted cells are prone to crushing due to high levels of compressive stress, and conventional unreinforced masonry blocks being used for other portions of the wall. A method for making the self-reinforced masonry blocks is also described.

Abstract: A backup wall reinforcement with T-type siderail anchoring system is described for use in masonry cavity walls. The reinforcement and integral anchor is hybrid device installed within the backup wall and interlocked with novel veneer ties. The novel veneer ties are manually connected through swinging or twisting the veneer ties until the veneer ties are interlocked with the anchor. Once interlocked, lateral and vertical veneer tie movement is limited strengthening the cavity wall structure. The inclusion of a reinforcement wire within the veneer ties and the exterior wall provides a seismic structure.

Abstract: A block wall system including a block wall having a multiplicity of courses of blocks; at least one longitudinal reinforcement bar that extends through the block wall; and at least one bracket for locating the longitudinal reinforcement bar; wherein the longitudinal reinforcement bar passes through the void of at least one block in the block wall and through a capture zone of the bracket located within the block wall.

Abstract: A masonry anchor and method of use for connecting first and second spaced-apart walls defining a cavity therebetween, the anchor including an anchor bracket including a slot and a pintle engaging and carried by the anchor bracket and extending outwardly from the anchor bracket and bridging a cavity between the first and second walls. The pintle includes first and second laterally spaced-apart hooks for being positioned and locked in the slot of the anchor bracket. The hooks have a nominal spacing between them that is greater than a width of the slot, and are deformable into a position wherein the hooks are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the width of the slot for allowing the hooks to be inserted into the slot, and have sufficient positional memory to return from its deformed position to its nominal spacing when manual pressure is released.

Abstract: A block combinable with other similar blocks to form a wall comprises a front surface; a top surface including a plurality of bosses, two or more of which are located adjacent each other in a direction along the front surface; and a bottom surface including a groove that has a floor. Each of the two or more bosses of the top surface includes a summit, and the summit of each define a plane. When the block is placed on another similar block such that the bottom surface of the block and a top surface of the other similar block oppose each other to form an interface region, the groove holds two or more bosses of the other similar block that are included in the other similar block's top surface, and the floor does not intersect the plane defined by the two or more bosses of the other similar block.

Abstract: A high-strength dual pintle and anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The modified veneer tie utilizes ribbon pintles formed from a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The ribbon pintles hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with receptor portions of a wall anchor and are dimensioned to preclude significant movement lateral with or normal to the inner wythe.

Abstract: Anchoring systems for use in cavity wall structures having an inner wythe and an outer wythe constructed of rubble stone are disclosed. The anchoring system employs an anchor fastened to or set within the inner wythe that extends into the cavity and connects to a J-hook. A vertically adjustable veneer tie enwraps the J-hook, limiting lateral movement and front-to-back displacement, and is set within the bed joint of the outer wythe. The anchoring system minimizes cavity size and provides stability for an uncoursed outer wythe equivalent to that of anchoring systems for standards coursed bed joints.

Abstract: A wall anchor for use in an insulated cavity wall has an elongated body extending from a driven end to a driving end. A threaded portion at the driven end is adapted to be mounted on an inner wythe of a cavity wall structure. A drive head at the driving end has a surface facing the driven end of the wall anchor, with teeth formed on the surface. A collar with at least one aperture for a veneer tie is located near the driving end. The collar has teeth formed on a top surface generally facing the drive head. The teeth of the drive head and the collar are interengaging ratchet teeth, and a spring washer biases the collar against the drive head. The collar can only be rotated relative to the wall anchor in a single direction, with the interengaging ratchet teeth preventing rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A novel wall system for residential and light commercial construction that incorporates autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). This wall system comprises AAC blocks married to a building frame with a system of clips. The AAC blocks are joined one to the next with thin-bed mortar. The cavity between the frame and the AAC blocks is injected with structural insulating foam. The exterior of the autoclaved aerated concrete walls is finished with waterproof decorative stucco.

Abstract: A masonry anchor and method of use for connecting first and second spaced-apart walls defining a cavity therebetween, the anchor including an anchor bracket including a slot and a pintle engaging and carried by the anchor bracket and extending outwardly from the anchor bracket and bridging a cavity between the first and second walls. The pintle includes first and second laterally spaced-apart hooks for being positioned and locked in the slot of the anchor bracket. The hooks have a nominal spacing between them that is greater than a width of the slot, and are deformable into a position wherein the hooks are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the width of the slot for allowing the hooks to be inserted into the slot, and have sufficient positional memory to return from its deformed position to its nominal spacing when manual pressure is released.

Abstract: A masonry block and hardware set for constructing dry stack walls and columns, including a wall unit, a corner unit, and an end unit, wherein each of the wall, corner, and end units have a top surface with a depression that is brought into substantial alignment when an adjoining block at the same level or in the same course is abutted with the respective unit, and further wherein when any two of the units are adjoined, the units create a vertically oriented space for accommodated clamping hardware, and further wherein each of the end and corner units include an alignment slot to align the end units and the corner units in relation to adjoining wall units. Clamping hardware is employed to bolt the wall while construction proceeds, the hardware being disposed in the masonry unit depressions and in the vertically oriented space created by stacked units. The clamping provides a downwardly directed compressive force and lateral rigidity.

Abstract: An insulating concrete form block adapted to be interlocked with other insulating concrete blocks to form an insulating concrete form for casting concrete. The insulating concrete block including a first foam panel and a second foam panel supported in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to form a concrete receiving cavity. Each of the first panel and the second panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, and a second end. The top end and the bottom end of each of the first and second panels having an outside row of a plurality of projections and an inside row of a plurality of projections. The projections of the outside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses and the projections of the inside row being spaced apart to define a plurality of recesses with the projections of the outside row being adjacent to the recesses of the inside row and the recesses of the outside row being adjacent projections of the inside row.

Abstract: A brick assembly includes multiple bricks and each brick has at least one rib and at least one slot respectively on two sides thereof so as to be connected side-by-side. Each brick includes multiple passages defined through the top surface and the bottom surface thereof and multiple first recesses are defined in the top surface and multiple second recesses are defined in the bottom surface of the brick. Each of the first and second recesses communicates with two passages. A U-shaped reinforcement bar extends through the two passages and the connection portion connected between two ends of the two legs is engaged with the second recess and a plate is engaged with the first recess. The two legs extend through the plate and are securely connected with two nuts.