GB2149828A - Wall block - Google Patents

Abstract

Blocks adapted to be piled in tiers without the need for jointing mortar have upper and lower surfaces one of which is provided with at least one projection 11 extending therealong and the other of which is provided with a corresponding at least one groove (2) extending parallel to the at least one projection. The projections have a height and width each less than the corresponding depth and width of the grooves so that when the blocks are piled in tiers the projections and grooves are interengaged but without contact therebetween. The upper and lower surfaces of the blocks have respective flat surfaces (4) and (5) alongside the projections and grooves. These flat surfaces are adapted to be placed in direct and intimate contact without jointing mortar when the blocks are piled in tiers to form a wall or other structure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Structural element This invention relates to structural elements.

Conventional blockwork walls are built by piling blocks with intervening jointing mortar and adjusting the height by the thickness of mortar. The blocks are not required to meet strict dimensional precision and may have errors of j 3mm error in the dimension both at the top and bottom thereof. Thus, if the jointing mortar crumbles or is displaced, such errors may lead to a cumulative error of as much as 18 cm in a blockwork wall of 30 tiers. There is difficulty in achieving precise dimensions for a blockwork wall. Partial loss of mortar unbalances the load which the blocks in the wall have to bear. Heretofore, it has been thought essential in the building of blockwork walls to employ workers especialy skilled in this work.

The present invention has arisen from work seeking to obviate the inherent inconveniences of prior construction methods and to allow the construction of blockwork walls by reiatively unskilled workmen.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide a structural element comprising a block adapted to be piled in tiers; the block having upper and lower surfaces one of which is provided with at least one projection extending therealong and the other of which is provided with a corresponding at least one groove extending parallel to said at least one projection; the height and width of the projection(s) being less than the depth and width of the groove(s) so that said projection(s) of one block and said groove(s) of a block in the next adjacent tier may be inter-engaged without contact therebetween; and the said upper and lower surfaces having respective flat surfaces alongside said projection(s)/groove(s) adapted to be placed in direct and intimate contact without jointing mortar when said blocks are piled in tiers to form a wall or other structure.

The invention is hereinafter more particularly described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a block constructed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof as seen from the right in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a similar end view of a second embodiment of block also in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a partial enlarged detail plan view; Figure 6 is a partial enlarged end view illustrating engagement; Figure 7 is an end view showing two blocks in engagement; Figure 8 is a plan view showing two blocks in engagement; and Figure 9 is a cross section of a wall built employing embodiments of block constructed according to the present invention.

The block shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is suitably formed of concrete and provided with projections (1), (1) and corresponding concave grooves (2), (2) on the upper and lower surfaces respectively and which act as male and female elements in engagement. The grooves and projections extend on either side of a series of through holes (3) - (3). Smooth, flat surfaces (4) - (4) and (5), (5) which extend alongside projections (1), (1) and grooves (2), (2) on the laterally outer sides thereof are adapted to make contact with each other and to adhere closely to each other as the blocks are piled in tiers to form a wall or other structure.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the projections (1) and the concave grooves (2) are given the form of a trapezoid, the height h of the projection (1) being made shorter than that h' of the groove (2), and the angle a of the leg of the trapezoid of the projection (1) being made larger than that 8' of the inclined surface of the groove (2), and the horizontal upper flat surface (6) of the central region of the block between the projections (1), (1) being recessed relative to the flat surfaces (4), (4), thereby creating a difference X between the levels.

Accordingly, the upper and lower surfaces of respective blocks adapted to be placed face-to-face are formed in such a way that only the flat surface (4) and the flat surface (5) adhere to or make intimate contact with each other, the rest being separated from each other as to form the gap m.

Each end surface of the block of Figs. 1 and 2 is provided with a convex groove (7) extending therealong, and flat surfaces (10), (10) or (11), (11) respectively laterally outwardly of the groove (7) with intermediate tapered concave portions (9) or tapered convex portions (8). Each tapered concave portion (9) gently declines from the flat surface (10) to the concave groove (7). On the laterally inner side of each flat surface (11) is a drop or inset (12) and each tapered convex surface gradually inclines from the drop or inset portion (12) towards the edge of the concave groove (7). By employing the same angle of inclination, a gap n results corresponding to the drop (12), when the end surfaces of adjacent blocks are joined to each other (Fig.

8).

The blocks are engaged together so that the flat surface (10) and (11) closely adhere to or make intimate contact with each other, the tapered convex portion (8) and the tapered concave portion (9) also being engaged but with the gap n formed therebetween.

Reference numerals (13) and (14) denote face joints, which are provided along the upper edge of the side faces of the block, and along end edges of the side faces for preventing seepage of rain water.

The block shown in Fig. 3 is provided with a broken groove (1 5) through which iron bars, particularly transverse bars, or other reinforcement may be extended in building a wall or other structure by piling the blocks in tiers.

The rest of the construction is identical to that of the block shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The block shown in Fig. 4 has a flat surface (16) on one side, and is used as an end or corner block in a block wall. The other side of this block may have either the tapered concave portion (9) as shown in the drawing, or the tapered convex portion (8) appropriate for the other end of the block. The rest of the construction of this block is identical to that of the block shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to Fig. 9, I shall describe the building of a wall employing my blocks piled in tiers.

First in concrete base (17) is poured. Vertical bars (18) are set in the base as it solidifies, and a sufficiently horizontal level surface is secured on this base.

A small amount of mortar (19) is placed on the base (17) as shown, and the blocks are positioned on the base (17) in parallel. Additional blocks are placed on each other without using mortar up to the point where a horizontal bar (20) is to be inserted. This piling work of blocks should be performed in such a way that the concave groove (2) of one block to be piled is inserted over the projection (1) of the block next beneath, and the tapered concave portion (9) on the end of one block is engaged with the tapered convex portion (8) on the end of the next adjacent block. The vertical reinforcement bars (18) may extend through selected through holes (3) and/or holes defined by two grooves (7) coming together.

This will achieve tiers of blocks engaged with each other only at the grooves and projections (2) and (1), and at the tapered concave portion (9) and the tapered convex portion (8), with positioning of vertical and horizongal layers automatically conducted.

This will eliminate professional brick laying or other skills previously needed in laying in blocks, and offers accurate and speedy construction of block walls and other structures by those yet unskilled in the art.

After the blocks have been piled as shown, mortar (21) is suitably filled inside the gaps between blocks penetrated by horizontal bars (20) and vertical bars (18) in order to give protection to the iron or steel bars thus inserted, and also to continue the block piling for the next section.

Use of the described embodiments of block has the following advantages: (1) As the blocks are piled by placing the flat surfaces (4), (5) and (10), (11) closely to each other, dimensional accuracy for the block tiers is obtained, thereby eliminating the need for levelling adjustments which used to be necessary in partially completed block-work construction. As a result, even those unskilled in the art can complete the construction work for partition walls, etc. in a single session and with accuracy. Conventional blocks had to be piled in tiers by applying mortar in between blocks to adhere them to each other and to correct dimensional differences on the block joint faces. This required special skills on the part of the workers, as well as extra steps.As mortar was used as the joint between blocks, it was necessary to wait for mortar to solidify after each 5 to 10 tiers of blocks were piled.

Therefore, it was considered generally impossible to construct a complete blockwork wall in a single session of work.

(2) As the block surfaces (4), (5) are flat, warps of blocks which used to appear after construction was completed are reduced almost to nil, and if the base (17) is accurately poured, a blockwork construction with correct dimensions becomes possible.

In the conventional type of block tier construction, the joint mortar was liable to collapse under the influence of block weight and external shocks, causing dimensional flaws after the block wall was completed. The joint mortar also tended to collapse as rain water invading the mortar, particularly if frozen with consequent expansion. Problems also occurred during the summer when adhesion between mortar and blocks was destroyed due to the difference in expansion coefficients of the mortar and blocks. Thus, in the past block walls have gradually assumed a state where they are piled with intermediate brittle and fragile mortar material. This induces not only naturally occurring collapse, but also leaves the wall open to destruction caused by external shocks and impacts, particularly in regions of the world liable to earthquakes.

(3) By providing flat surfaces (4), (5) to the blocks, the blocks resist stresses from the side by frictional forces generated at the contact surfaces of the blocks, thereby eliminating almost completely the horizontal displacement of the blocks.

In conventional blockwork construction, on the other hand, joint mortar, if collapsed, acts as a roller to facilitate horizontal displacement by a sideways force, and the blocks are hardly supported by vertical and horizontal iron bars placed in the block tiers.

(4) By providing gaps m, n at the contact surfaces other than the flat surfaces (4) and (5) and the flat surfaces (10), (11) of the blocks, the rain water is prevented from entering into the through holes (3) and concave groove (7), particularly by the capillary action, thereby enabling the use of blocks for outer walls.

The joint mortar provided in conventional blockwork construction induces capillary ac tion, and allows infiltration of a great quantity of the rain water at the lower portion on the inner side of a block wall when it rains sideways.

(5) The force applied on the block is distri buted on the surfaces (4) and (5), and reduces the problems of partial destruction of the blocks. External forces are not transmitted to the engagement portion of the projections (1) and grooves (2), or of the tapered convex portion (8) and the tapered concave portion (9).

In the conventional blockwork construction, the concentrated weight of superposed blocks or an external force is applied to the blocks as the joint mortar becomes destroyed, leading to destruction of the block itself.

(6) Provision of the face joints (13) and (14) gives a fine finish to the block wall and aids in protection against rainwater infiltration at the joints. Rain water dripping down the block wall is made to fall in drops a at the joint edges to prevent it from entering into the joint, the joint surfaces effectively being re cessed to prevent rain water from entering.

The joint edges in conventional blockwork construction are exposed, and rainwater tends to enter the joint.

The appearance and shape of blocks con structed according to the present invention are not limited to the precise features shown in the drawings so long as they retain the basic construction.

It should be understood that features of the top and bottom or of the opposed ends may be interchanged.

To further enhance the advantages dis cussed above, the surfaces (4) and (5) may be ground, thereby securing excellent adhesive surfaces (4) and (5), high friction resistance and even better piling precision.

Claims (5)

1. A structural element comprising a block adapted to be piled in tiers; the block having upper and lower surfaces one of which is provided with at least one projection extend ing therealong and the other of which is provided with a corresponding at least one groove extending parallel to said at least one projection; the height and width of the projec tion(s) being less than the depth and width of the groove(s) so that said projection(s) of one block and said groove(s) of a block in the next adjacent tier may be inter-engaged without contact therebetween; and the said upper and lower surfaces having respective flat surfaces alongside said projection(s)/groove(s) adapted to be placed in direct and intimate contact without jointing mortar when said blocks are piled in tiers to form a wall or other structure.

2. A structural element according to Claim 1 characterised in that said block is adapted to be laid in tiers of horizontal layers; the block having respective end surfaces adapted to be placed in direct and intimate contact without jointing mortar with corresponding end surfaces of next adjacent blocks in the same horizontal layer; one said end surface having a tapered concave surface and the other end surface having a corresponding tapered convex surface, and both said end surfaces having respective flat surfaces alongside said tapered surfaces, which flat surfaces are adapted to be placed in direct and intimate contact without jointing mortar when said blocks are laid in a horizontal layer with said concave and convex tapered surfaces inter-engaged without contact therebetween.

3. A structural element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

4. A wall or other structure built by laying structural elements in accordance with any preceding claim in tiers of horizontal layers without jointing mortar to bind each block to its neighbours.

5. A wall or other structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings.