An apparatus includes a monolithic retaining wall formed by combinable modular retaining wall blocks. Each of the combinable modular retaining wall blocks defines (A) vertical grooves extending along a vertical direction, and (B) horizontal grooves extending along a horizontal direction. This is done in such a way that the monolithic retaining wall, which is formed by the combinable modular retaining wall blocks, defines (A) spaced-apart instances of the vertical channels extending vertically through the monolithic retaining wall, and (B) spaced-apart instances of the horizontal channels extending horizontally through the monolithic retaining wall, in which at least some of the spaced-apart instances of the horizontal channels intersect at least some of the spaced-apart instances of the vertical channels.

This disclosure provides methods, systems, and kits for building seawalls using mechanically interlocking blocks. The interlocking blocks have interiors that can be filled with sand, gravel, or cementitious material after formation of a wall. The interlocking blocks that can be connected on any side to form a structure, wall, foundation, floor, building, flotation device, gardening structure, or toy. The interlocking blocks typically comprise center openings and connecting openings on each side and can be connected with hardware through the connecting openings. The center openings allow for materials such as pipes, wires, conduit, and rebar to pass through interlocked blocks. Connected blocks can also be filled with fortifying material to strengthen the structure. Sides of connected blocks can be covered with faceplates to direct flow of fortifying material and aid in the creation of desired configurations. Also provided are connectors for connecting sides of the interlocking blocks.

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.

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.

The present disclosure provides a building block (100) that is designed to hold utilities, including but not limited to, electricity and plumbing. The building block (100) of the present disclosure can resist compression forces and moment and can connect to other building blocks (100) to form a modular wall system with the ability to distribute the forces in a way that reduces the stresses on each individual block. The building block (100) of the present disclosure may include a body with an upper end (11) and a lower end (10), one or more main compartments (16, 17), and one or more inner pass-through openings (19), wherein the upper end (11) comprises a first upper cut (13), a second upper cut (14), and one or more protrusions (18), and the lower end (10) comprises a first lower cut (12) and one or more slots (110). The present disclosure also provides a building system including more than one multi-purpose building blocks (100) and a base (2).

A glass brick having a luminescent solar concentrator inserted inside it, between the preformed glass portions which constitute the body of the glass brick is provided.

A multifunctional design housing is disclosed. In some examples, the multifunctional design housing includes an outer case with a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The back wall includes a first back wall edge and a second back wall edge. The first side wall extends forward from the first back wall edge, and the second side wall extends forward from the second back wall edge. The front wall includes a first side wall front edge and a second side wall front edge. A front opening is formed between the first side wall front edge and the second side wall front edge providing access to an interior volume within the outer case. A conduit control arm with a support element is spaced forward from the back wall and coupled to the outer case by a spacing element.

A multifunctional design housing is disclosed. In some examples, the multifunctional design housing includes an outer case with a back wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The back wall includes a first back wall edge and a second back wall edge. The first side wall extends forward from the first back wall edge, and the second side wall extends forward from the second back wall edge. The front wall includes a first side wall front edge and a second side wall front edge. A front opening is formed between the first side wall front edge and the second side wall front edge providing access to an interior volume within the outer case. A conduit control arm with a support element is spaced forward from the back wall and coupled to the outer case by a spacing element.

A concrete building block includes indicators along each end to assist in aligning a pin placed in the block with a channel in a like block in a course below as a wall is being constructed.

A concrete building block includes indicators along each end to assist in aligning a pin placed in the block with a channel in a like block in a course below as a wall is being constructed.