Abstract: A hardscaping unit includes a first block fixedly attached to a second block. The method of assembling the hardscaping unit includes the steps of forming a first block from a first material, placing a second material into a mold, contacting a surface of the first block with the second material that is in the mold, maintaining contact of the surface of the first block with the second material while transitioning the second material from a first state to a second state, the second state being more solid than the first state, and when in the second state the second material forms a second block that is fixedly attached to the first block.

Abstract: A multi-component composite block includes a pair of opposed and parallel masonry face panels amalgamated with transverse non-masonry truss-webs or a truss-module including a plurality of joined non-masonry truss-webs. Truss-webs and/or truss-module are delivered within the mold assembly and aligned, retained, and held fast in place by mold apparatuses. Portions of truss-web and/or truss-module unite together with mold apparatuses to shape partitioned residual cavity spaces for the addition of concrete block forming material to form face panels. The truss-web members and/or truss-module have configured elements that integrate with the concrete mass of the face shells providing a permanent amalgamated bond. The assembled multi-component composite block is rigidly stable, durable, structural, lightweight, and thermally efficient.

Abstract: A dry-cast concrete block is provided. The dry-cast concrete block comprises a surface to be exposed, at least a portion of the surface having a cast texture with a natural stone appearance. The cast texture may have a surface level difference of greater than 4 mm. In one example of implementation, the dry-cast concrete block may be a paving unit, in which case the surface level difference may be greater than 6 mm, such as between 6 mm and 12 mm. In another example of implementation, the dry-cast concrete block may be a wall construction unit, in which case the surface level difference may be greater than 15 mm, such as between 15 mm and 25 mm. Each of a plurality of points of the cast texture may define a respective texture angle between 75° and 90°. The cast texture may comprise at least one valley each having a respective depth greater than 4 mm. A process for manufacturing such a concrete block is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-component composite block includes a pair of opposed and parallel masonry face panels amalgamated with transverse non-masonry truss-webs or a truss-module including a plurality of joined non-masonry truss-webs. Truss-webs and/or truss-module are delivered within the mold assembly and aligned, retained, and held fast in place by mold apparatuses. Portions of truss-web and/or truss-module unite together with mold apparatuses to shape partitioned residual cavity spaces for the addition of concrete block forming material to form face panels. The truss-web members and/or truss-module have configured elements that integrate with the concrete mass of the face shells providing a permanent amalgamated bond. The assembled multi-component composite block is rigidly stable, durable, structural, lightweight, and thermally efficient.

Abstract: A corner block has spaced-apart front and rear sections interconnected by two spaced-apart side sections that jointly define a through-cavity that extends through the block from a top face thereof to a bottom face. Upper protrusions are provided on the top face of the block, and lower protrusions are provided inside the cavity at the bottom of the block. The upper and lower protrusions are configured and arranged relative to one another so that when two corner blocks are stacked one atop another with one block rotated 90 degrees relative to the other, the upper protrusions of the lower block interlock with the lower protrusions of the upper block to interlock the two blocks. The corner blocks are constructed in two variants, a corner block A and a corner block B, which are mirror images or opposite hands of each other. The corner blocks A and B are alternately stacked upon one another to construct a 90-degree corner of a segmental retaining wall or other wall structure.

Abstract: Natural stone cladding (10) with a plurality of strips (18.1, 18.2) for surface-parallel mounting on a surface to be clad, with a number of natural stone elements (11.1, 11.2) and a number of support holders (30.1, 30.2) and counterholders (20.1, 20.2). Each natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) comprises a visible front side and a rear side with a first machine-made longitudinal recess and a second machine-made longitudinal recess. Pairs of support holders (30.1, 30.2) are fastened to adjacent strips (18.1, 18.2) and one natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) is seated by the first longitudinal recess on these two support holders (30.1, 30.2). One each of the two support holders (30.1, 30.2) is seated a respective counterholder (20.1, 20.2), and each of the two counterholders (20.1, 20.2) engages in the second longitudinal recess (15) in order to secure the natural stone element (11.1, 11.2).

Abstract: A method for forming a structural paver deck assembly includes fastening structural decking panels across a bare frame structure. One or more of the decking panels includes an upper panel surface having a non-planar contoured decking panel surface. A paver decking surface is seated over the plurality of structural decking panels to form a paver decking surface. Seating includes positioning a plurality of paver pieces on the structural decking panels including interfittingly engaging the paver pieces to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Seating further includes aligning the plurality of paver pieces in at least one specified direction, wherein the paver pieces includes paver contour surfaces along a lower surface having a corresponding shape to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Interfitting engagement of the paver contour surfaces with the non-planar contoured panel surface orients the one or more paver pieces in the at least one specified direction.

Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. The panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and a first pattern may be disposed on one surface and a second pattern may be disposed on an opposing surface. One or more points of intersection may be located where the first pattern and the second pattern overlie, and a depression may be disposed at the points of intersection. The depressions are preferably sized and configured to increase the strength and/or rigidity of the panel.

Abstract: Wall blocks and methods of constructing walls from the wall blocks which have a side connection system interlocking adjacent blocks whereby a side of the block is provided with a channel or slot that is configured to engage a corresponding projection on the adjacent block. The side connection system may alternatively have a connection receiving cavity formed by channels or slots on the sides of the blocks which are configured to align with a channel or slot from adjacent blocks where a connector may be received to interlock the blocks.

Abstract: A veneer panel system is used with a wall or a retaining wall to provide a natural stone appearance and/or to improve the appearance of an existing wall. Panels can be interlocked to form a stable veneer structure. The structure is attached to a wall by various attachment means.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall panel has a precast body including at least one decorative design element. In addition, the wall panel includes a mounting element having a first end embedded in the precast body and a second end projecting from the precast body. A groove is formed between the precast body and the second end of the mounting element along a first edge of the precast body. A tongue is formed along a second edge of the precast body opposite the first edge. The tongue and groove cooperate to allow prefabricated wall panels to be more easily installed on a support substrate.

Abstract: A masonry wall system includes a plurality of blocks. Each block has two external side walls and is adapted for use adjacent to further said blocks such that the side walls form at least one wall surface of a wall structure (40) constructed from the blocks. A plurality of the blocks include a tongue (8) projecting from a sidewall thereof. The blocks can be arranged such that a plurality of the tongues (8) combine to form a plurality of furring ridges (42) on the wall structure having a required spacing therebetween. In a preferred embodiment the spacing between the furring ridges (42) is greater than the length of the longest of the blocks used. A method of assembling a masonry wall is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the combination of a structural block with a facing element. The facing element is hung to the structural block for at least partially covering its longitudinal face by means of a hanger affixed to the facing element. The hanger has a tab extending from the facing element for engaging the structural block. The tab and the block are engaged by means of at least one substantially vertical post and at least one aperture for receiving the at least one substantially vertical post. The at least one substantially vertical post is part of either the tab or the structural block, while the at least one aperture is part of the other.

Abstract: A corner brace configured to support a tile-bearing panel includes a pair of transverse brackets, disposed at a transverse angle to one another and being configured to be disposed in a corner between the tile-bearing panel and another panel or a support surface. At least one of the brackets has at least two ribs, each of which extends from an inner base to an enlarged outer head. The at least two ribs form at least one mortar receiving channel therebetween which has an enlarged chamber and a narrower opening with respect to the enlarged chamber. The mortar receiving channel is configured to at least partially interlock with mortar applied between the panel and the bracket to aid in securing the panel to the corner brace and thus to the other panel or support surface.

Abstract: A seamless simulated stone panel has a top edge, a bottom edge, two side edges, a front surface, a rear surface, stone-like patterns, at least one engaging portion and at least one mounting recess. The stone-like patterns are formed on the front surface and has at least one non-straight stone overhang formed along the stone-like patterns. The at least one engaging portion is optionally formed on the top edge. The at least one mounting recess is optionally defined in the bottom edge. After lightweight, user friendly and seamless simulated stone panels are assembled on a surface, a natural looking stone wall is easily and quickly achieved.

Abstract: A precast concrete retaining wall construction element for retaining a soil mass in a railway installation or the like includes an upstanding solid face panel having the shape of a hexahedron where a rectangular front wall and an integral stem. The front wall defines an area of between about 18.75 and 75 square feet and wherein the ratio of the width of the face panel to its height is between about 0.75 to about 3.0. A reinforced element including an upward extension, an improved shear key and stacked arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-use building structure has a base, roof and four wall panels, one of which provides a doorway. The wall panels are assembled to the base by a tab and slot connection and the wall panels are connected together with lengthwise corner connectors engaging the edges of the wall panels at both interior and exterior surfaces. A liner insert having a non-porous inner surface covers the inner surfaces of the wall panels. The liner insert is sized to completely cover the wall panels, however, it can be formed or trimmed to fit around various elements of or mounted to the wall panels. The liner insert can include relief grooves at bend regions corresponding to the corners of the structure. The edges of the liner insert engage either the corner connectors or catch surfaces of the wall panels.

Abstract: A concrete-protecting panel with integrated undercut protuberances which has an enhanced resistance to groundwater pressure. The protuberances or wing-element pairs (3) of the plastic panel (1) have spread wing elements (3) which may spread open even further in their top region 3.1. The wing elements 3 are connected to one another by a supporting web 4, of which the height is at least 70% of one wing-element pair. The wing-element pairs 2 are fastened on the base plate 5 of the protuberance-containing panel 1 via a foot widened in an arcuate manner.

Abstract: The present invention is provided for considerably shortening the construction time of a building that is applied to nuclear power plants. When constructing the building, megablocks having a height that extends to a plurality of floors are produced, and together with combining those megablocks, concrete is poured inside them to form a wall member composed of a megawall structure of steel plate reinforced concrete construction. Alternatively, in addition to the wall megablocks, floor megablocks for forming the floor member of the building are used, and together with combining those megablocks, concrete is poured inside or above them to form a structural member (wall member and floor member) composed of a megawall structure of steel plate reinforced concrete construction.

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 face and rear, top and bottom, and opposing sides. A locking shear key extends outwardly from either of the top or bottom of the wall block, and is adapted for residing between respective adjacent sides of like blocks in an adjacent upper or lower course to anchor the wall block in position. A severable area is formed with the shear key for being removed to accommodate placement and orientation of the wall block between respective adjacent sides of like blocks in an adjacent upper or lower course.

Abstract: A composite lightweight building element comprises a first layer of aggregate based material (7, 8 and 9) extruded, sprayed, molded or cast onto a lightweight base form (1) which becomes an integral part of the element. This element can be manufactured in a panel to emulate common face brick (52), a smooth or chipped surfaced cut stone (60) or a floor tile. Integral with the first and second layers are cooperating dovetail ridges and grooves (4) respectively which serve to provide mechanical locking between the layers and a strengthening to the first layer. Integral with the second layer are male and female interlocking members (6 and 6a) to facilitate installation, to resist air or water infiltration between the panels and to provide mechanical locking between panels.

Abstract: A block, in particular a shuttering block or standard block, has two longitudinal walls which form an outer wall and an inner wall. These are connected to one another by at least one transverse wall, which extends over at least part of the height of the block. The outer wall is produced from an insulating material and is connected to the inner wall via positively locking connecting devices. In this arrangement, the at least one transverse wall is integral with the outer wall.

Abstract: A modular retaining wall composed of prefabricated concrete elements incorporating a panel with rearwardly extending legs, and a method of constructing the modular retaining wall in a straight or drafted configuration. The rearwardly extending legs have holes that can be used for lifting and moving the individual elements. The holes can also be used for attaching mechanical elements that anchor the panel to the earth if the conditions of the slope require the retaining wall to be reinforced and anchored. The holes are in the legs, and not on the panel. Therefore, the integrity of the panel remains structurally sound and is not compromised, improving the overall stability of the wall. All that is required to produce a drafted wall is to rearrange the positioning of the panel with respect to the ground under the wall.

Abstract: A building block is provided with coupling means on the upper and lower faces allow the blocks to be interconnected to form structures. The coupling means includes protrusions on one face and a set of sockets or receptacles sized to engage the protrusions formed on the opposite face. The sockets are preferably laid-out in two cross-like formations of four sockets each and optionally may include a further two central sockets disposed between the two cross-like formations.

Abstract: A plate structure block for establishing a surface layer ground is formed integrally with an iron plate on an upper surface of a reinforced concrete member. A lift metal fittings for transporting the block is installed on the block. The surface layer ground establishment block has a large ground bearing pressure and is a portable block. This block is covered on the surface layer ground and establishes the ground for operating a heavy material machinery and/or for maintaining a heavy material member. By operating a mobile heavy crane on the established ground, the working for constructing a plant is carried out. The material for constructing the ground is reused, the shape of the ground site is easily changed, and the dismantling and removal of the ground is simplified.

Abstract: An inflatable building block is provided with collapsible sides. Coupling means on the upper and lower faces allow the blocks to be interconnected to form structures. A preferred format relies on pleated sides that will collapse in an accordion-like fashion.

Abstract: Hemispherical dome comprising a plurality of rigid longitudinally extending and radially oriented cells of like size and shape, and arranged in a plurality of circular rows. Each cell is essentially frustopyramidal in shape, having a polygonal cross-sectional shape and tapering slightly in the longitudinal direction from one end to the other. The longitudinal edges of each cell lie along radii of the hemisphere. Each cell is a hollow structure, having side wall means which completely surround an interior air space and which include spaced apart top and bottom walls. It can be formed of a lightweight material, preferably a plastic and especially polycarbonate. The hemispherical dome of this invention provides a lightweight, strong and energy efficient structure which does not require internal supports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety tile, including a tile body of rigid material, such as concrete, and a cover plate provided with an enclosing edge and being of an elastically flexible material, such as rubber. The cover plate has ribs integrally formed therewith uniformly distributed at its bottom side directed towards the tile body, of which the bottom ends hang down and rest on the upper surface of the tile body. The ribs extend diagonally across the bottom side of the plate with main diagonals extending between two opposite corners of the cover plate. Near each of the two opposite corners, each main diagonal rib has a widened bearing face which forms the basis of a locking part connected therewith, which locking parts have been locked in the tile body.

Abstract: A tile for use in the construction of a false floor consists of a rectangular tray into which concrete is poured. The tray is of metal, a strong plastic material or any other suitable material. The concrete is preferably pliable concrete. The tray has a diagonal ridge which has a cross-sectional shape of a narrow inverted V, extending into the concrete. Preferably the tray has at least one shear pin extending from the floor of the tray into the concrete, to reinforce the bond between the concrete and the material of the tray. The side walls of the tray may be shaped to provide an additional key for the concrete, which also reinforces that bond. To form a false floor, the tile is placed on pedestals located under each corner of the tile.

Abstract: The invention relates to means and method of making a multiple castable structural panel in a single pouring operation. A mold-envelope constructed from a plurality of pieces is provided. The mold-envelope is constructed without any external fastening means. The poured core holds the pieces of the mold-envelope together.

Abstract: S-bar refractory anchors having at least one elliptical tab formed in the main body section are resistant to stress cracking.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to building blocks, especially for erecting shielding walls in nuclear facilities. Each building block is made of a cubeshaped metal jacket consisting of steel plate, especially special steel, which jacket is closed on all sides and is filled with concrete. To facilitate the handling and to permit the erection of shielding walls with building blocks in fixed positions, the top surfaces and the bottom surfaces (2, 4) of the jacket (1) are provided with bulging formations in the form of projections (3) and depressions (4) [sic, (5)] which engage with each other between adjacent building blocks to mutually fix the positions of the building blocks.

Abstract: A building construction element such as insulative siding is disclosed having an outer skin with an inner surface on which a plurality of individual, spaced-apart, arcuate-shaped projections are cut or gouged from the inner surface by a cutting tool means. A low density polymetric foam material is disposed over the inner surface so as to completely surround each arcuate projection to thereby securely lock the skin to the foam material after it sets.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cementitious slab and to apparatus and procedure for making it in such a manner that it may be used in an interconnected relation for providing a longitudinally extending side edging along a street or roadway. The slab product is made in a frame assembly that is positioned for turnover movement on a pair of stands. The frame assembly in its upper or mold space defining positioning has an integral enclosing side wall frame and a bottom wall, with one pair of side walls of the frame spaced from ends of the bottom wall and adapted to removably receive a pair of opposed end wall forming members for completing the mold cavity and providing the cementitious slab with tongue and groove portions. After the concrete or cement has been poured into the mold cavity, the opposed end wall members are removed and a pair of cross-ending support members are secured across a pair of the side walls to support the slab when it is turned-over or rotated 180.degree.

Abstract: A floor plate which is adapted to accommodate a filler material includes a base plate and a frame; a plurality of ribs extending parallel to one another and projecting from the plane of the base plate. The frame extends integrally from the base plate along a perimeter thereof and in the same direction as the ribs. A plurality of reinforcing rails extends parallel to one another and perpendicularly to the ribs; each rail is fastened to several ribs. A channel is formed along a free circumferential edge of the frame; the channel is open in a direction toward the plane of the base plate.

Abstract: A building block or panel having the shape of a right parallelepiped having two opposed major faces (11), the remaining faces being edge faces which are formed to interlockingly engage with the edge faces of similar building blocks wherein two pairs of adjacent edge faces at opposed sides of the block are each formed with an elogate recess (13) extending from the respective corner of said adjacent edge faces to an intermediate location on each edge face, each edge face being formed with an elongate projection (15) which is able to be received in the recess (13) of a corresponding block; the one end (17) of each projection (15) adjacent the respective recess (13) being contoured to define at least a portion inclined at an angle of less than 90.degree. between the face and the base of the respective recess wherein the other end of each projection (15) has a face of a complementary configuration.

Abstract: An insulating building block made up of an insulating core and two concrete walls is configured such that the core comprises locking protrusions to interlock with preformed cavities in the concrete walls.

Abstract: An insulating building block made up of an insulating core and two concrete walls, each cast over one side of the core. The latter comprises a body having opposed parallel flat outer faces, bound by parallel longitudinal edges and parallel side edges, and having a transverse plane normal to the outer faces centrally between the longitudinal edges. Locking protrusions are formed integrally with the body and project from the outer faces. Each protrusion extends from either side of the transverse plane toward the longitudinal edges and terminates short of the longitudinal edges. The protrusions have outer surfaces and lateral edges tapering inwardly between the outer surfaces and the body outer faces. The protrusion side edges further make angles with the transverse plane suitable to facilitate demolding of the core when the core is molded in two half molds having a closure plane co-planar with the transverse plane, aforesaid.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulation module for insulating the walls of a furnace, the method including forming holes at spaced intervals in a cold face of a mat of ceramic insulation material, applying a liquid adhesive to the cold face, vibrating the adhesive to cause the adhesive to penetrate into the holes of the mat, and providing a backing panel on the cold face.

Abstract: A refractory brick unit is disclosed which is resistant to heat induced expansion spalling by virtue of the provision of a metallic sleeve member around four sides of the brick body with the metallic envelope being constructed in a manner such that two adjacent side sections thereof are spaced from proximal side walls of the brick and supported in such disposition by elongated tabs integral with the sleeve member side sections and slidably received in complemental elongated depressions therefor in the opposed sidewall of the brick body. When the brick units are laid in side-by-side relationship with one side of a corresponding metallic side section abutting the side section of a proximal brick unit, the sleeve members as well as the brick units are able to undergo heat induced expansion without placing compression loads on the bricks which could cause spalling of the brick bodies.

Abstract: A refractory fiber blanket furnace lining module with compensation for heat shrinkage, and method of assembly of such a module, are disclosed. In the module as assembled, the refractory fiber material is in compression in horizontal planes coplanar with the hot face and also in compression in planes vertical to the hot face. Upon or after installation, the horizontal compression is removed so that the fibers may expand to compensate for heat shrinkage as such shrinkage occurs and maintain a seal in joints between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A safety panel assembly for covering the walls or floors of areas such as playgrounds and the like is formed with a rigid planar carrier element having a spaced resilient covering element mounted thereto. The carrier element has recesses into which mounting projections integrally formed on the covering element extend. A hardened binder material locks the mounting projections in place and a plurality of spacer elements or ribs abut the rigid carrier element to provide hollow spacing between the elements and to insure a cover panel assembly exhibiting sufficient resiliency upon impact.