A method for designing block layouts for use in block placement during construction, the method including, in one or more electronic processing devices, acquiring plan data indicative of a construction plan, identifying walls and intersections within the construction plan, identifying a number of possible intersection layouts for each intersection, generating different block layouts, each block layout including a combination of intersection layouts, the combination including one of the number of possible intersection layouts for each intersection and at least one wall layout for each wall, the wall layouts being generated based on the combination of intersection layouts and selecting one of the different block layouts.

A method for designing block layouts for use in block placement during construction, the method including, in one or more electronic processing devices, acquiring plan data indicative of a construction plan, identifying walls and intersections within the construction plan, identifying a number of possible intersection layouts for each intersection, generating different block layouts, each block layout including a combination of intersection layouts, the combination including one of the number of possible intersection layouts for each intersection and at least one wall layout for each wall, the wall layouts being generated based on the combination of intersection layouts and selecting one of the different block layouts.

A 3D printable clay-based mortar cementitious ink includes a blend of commercially available Type I/II Portland cement, and a fine and coarse silica sand. The ratio of Portland cement to fine sand or fine clay, may be approximately 1.02. The ratio of water-to-binder (Portland cement and SCM) may be approximately 0.55, and the ratio of water-to-powder (binder plus fine clay smaller than 75 microns) can be approximately 0.416. Included with the water and binder/powder mix is an admixture. According to one embodiment, the admixture can include a water reducing admixture, or plasticizer. The fine clay within the aggregate material is unprocessed, and the binder material is approximately 84 to 90 percent cement and 10 to 16 percent SCM. The unprocessed clay, or fine sand, does not undergo any heating, any chemical modification or sifting before being added to the aggregate material.

A 3D printable clay-based mortar cementitious ink includes a blend of commercially available Type I/II Portland cement, and a fine and coarse silica sand. The ratio of Portland cement to fine sand or fine clay, may be approximately 1.02. The ratio of water-to-binder (Portland cement and SCM) may be approximately 0.55, and the ratio of water-to-powder (binder plus fine clay smaller than 75 microns) can be approximately 0.416. Included with the water and binder/powder mix is an admixture. According to one embodiment, the admixture can include a water reducing admixture, or plasticizer. The fine clay within the aggregate material is unprocessed, and the binder material is approximately 84 to 90 percent cement and 10 to 16 percent SCM. The unprocessed clay, or fine sand, does not undergo any heating, any chemical modification or sifting before being added to the aggregate material.

The invention relates to a construction block (2) made of inert material, such as concrete, comprising two opposite main faces (4, 6), an upper face (8), a lower face (10), and two opposite lateral faces (12, 14), the upper and lower faces (8, 10) and the lateral faces (12, 14) having, respectively, complementary reliefs that are able to interlock when several of the blocks are juxtaposed. The relief of the upper face (8) comprises two tenons (16) extending in parallel and at a distance from the two main faces (4, 6), respectively, and the relief of the lower face (10) comprises two corresponding slots (16′) extending in parallel and at a distance from the two main faces (4, 6), respectively.

A foam wall structure includes a frame, at least one primary support member, a slab of polyiso board and a foam layer. The frame can include: a first member, a second member spaced apart from the first member; and two side members extending between the first and second members. The frame defining a front frame surface and an opposite rear frame surface. The at least one primary support member can be positioned between the two side members and extend between the first and second member. The primary support member defines a front support surface and an opposite rear support surface. The slab of polyiso board may be attached to the front frame surface. The foam layer can be received within at least a portion of the frame and overlies the front surface of the primary support member. A method of making a foam wall structure and a pre-fabricated wall is also disclosed.

A foam wall structure includes a frame, at least one primary support member, a slab of polyiso board and a foam layer. The frame can include: a first member, a second member spaced apart from the first member; and two side members extending between the first and second members. The frame defining a front frame surface and an opposite rear frame surface. The at least one primary support member can be positioned between the two side members and extend between the first and second member. The primary support member defines a front support surface and an opposite rear support surface. The slab of polyiso board may be attached to the front frame surface. The foam layer can be received within at least a portion of the frame and overlies the front surface of the primary support member. A method of making a foam wall structure and a pre-fabricated wall is also disclosed.

In general, the present invention is directed to a building panel, such as a gypsum board, comprising a core having a first side and a second side opposing the first side and at least one facing material having a coating comprising at least one fungicide, at least one polymeric binder, and at least one pigment. The panel satisfies at least one of the following: the board exhibits a rating of 2 or less when tested in accordance to ASTM G21-15 or the board exhibits a rating of at least 8 when tested in accordance to ASTM D3273-16. The panel may also exhibit at least a Level 3 finish.

In general, the present invention is directed to a building panel, such as a gypsum board, comprising a core having a first side and a second side opposing the first side and at least one facing material having a coating comprising at least one fungicide, at least one polymeric binder, and at least one pigment. The panel satisfies at least one of the following: the board exhibits a rating of 2 or less when tested in accordance to ASTM G21-15 or the board exhibits a rating of at least 8 when tested in accordance to ASTM D3273-16. The panel may also exhibit at least a Level 3 finish.

A concrete block includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth planar faces. The first and second faces are generally parallel, and the distance between the first and second faces define a thickness of the first block; the third and fourth faces are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first and second faces; the fifth face is perpendicular to the first, second, third, and fourth faces; the sixth face: extends perpendicular to the third face; extends toward the fourth face and ends at a non-planar remainder section; is parallel to the fifth face; is contained in a plane that intersects a plane containing the third face; and a distance from the intersection to the remainder section is at least as long as the thickness of the first block; and the remainder section extends between the sixth face and the fourth face and has a shape such that when a second block of the same construction as the first block has its remainder section engaged against the remainder section of first block, the remainder sections of the first and second blocks mate.