A self-contained truck-mounted brick laying machine can include a frame that can support packs or pallets of bricks placed on a platform. A transfer robot can pick up and move the brick(s). A carousel can be coaxial with a tower. The carousel can transfer the brick(s) via the tower to an articulated and/or telescoping boom. The bricks can be moved along the boom by, e.g., linearly moving shuttles, to reach a brick laying and adhesive applying head. The brick laying and adhesive applying head can mount to an element of the stick, about an axis which is disposed horizontally. The poise of the brick laying and adhesive applying head about the axis can be adjusted and can be set in use so that the base of a clevis of the robotic arm mounts about a horizontal axis, and the tracker component is disposed uppermost on the brick laying and adhesive applying head. The brick laying and adhesive applying head can apply adhesive to the brick and can have a robot that lays the brick. Vision and laser scanning and tracking systems can be provided to allow the measurement of as-built slabs, bricks, the monitoring and adjustment of the process and the monitoring of safety zones. The first, or any course of bricks can have the bricks pre machined by the router module so that the top of the course is level once laid.

A control system for a base supporting a boom assembly comprises long telescopic boom and telescopic stick. Mounted to the remote end of the stick is an end effector that supports a robot arm that moves a further end effector to manipulate the items. The robot arm has a robot base, and mounted above the robot base is a first target in the form of a position sensor, that provides position coordinates relative to a fixed ground reference. Mounted on the end of the robot arm immediately above the end effector is a second target that provides position coordinates relative to the fixed around reference. The fixed ground reference tracks the sensors and feeds data to the control system to move the stick with slow dynamic response and to control movement of the robotic arm and end effector with fast dynamic response.

The invention concerns a dry stacking system (1) comprising: bricks (2, 3, 4, 5, 27, 29), with a flat top face (8) and a flat bottom face (9) in which a groove (14, 15) is provided in the length direction; a wall tie (6); and an anchoring clamping element (7) which can be attached to the wall tie (6) and in adjacent grooves (14, 15) of a top-stacked brick (2, 3, 4, 5, 27, 29) and a corresponding under-stacked brick (2, 3, 4, 5);
wherein at least one brick (2, 29) as an anchoring brick (2, 29) has one or more recesses (16) in its top face (8) and/or its bottom face (9) for receiving the wall tie (6) therein, wherein each recess (16) extends from a rear face (10) to beyond the corresponding groove (14).

The invention also concerns an anchoring brick (2, 29) for such a dry stacking system (1), a facade (26) erected therewith, and a method for erecting such a facade (26).

A concrete wall section manufactured with a weight that allows the user of the concrete wall section to transport manually the concrete wall section. Combinations of concrete wall sections can be used to replace traditional frames of a structure.

A concrete wall section manufactured with a weight that allows the user of the concrete wall section to transport manually the concrete wall section. Combinations of concrete wall sections can be used to replace traditional frames of a structure.

A method of engineering monolithic earthen masonry consists of selecting sufficient amount of subsoil mixture and straws, wherein physical characteristics of the subsoil mixture are determined from a sieve analysis test and a hydrometer analysis. The proper mixing ratios of the subsoil mixture and the straws provide a composite sample. The composite sample is then dried and lastly exposed to a compressive test. If optimal plurality of particle size percentage distributions within the subsoil mixture is not obtainable due to lack of resources, the end-product of the non-ideal subsoil mixture is adjusted within the aforementioned method or thickness and/or height of a building to compensate for the load-bearing capacities of the building.

A multi-use block including a block body having at least a first leg. The blocks can be placed in different orientations with respect to each other to form multiple interlocking structures. The block can be a variety of materials, including concrete, and when concrete, used for making walls and columns. Methods of making and methods of use are provided.

A multi-use block including a block body having at least a first leg. The blocks can be placed in different orientations with respect to each other to form multiple interlocking structures. The block can be a variety of materials, including concrete, and when concrete, used for making walls and columns. Methods of making and methods of use are provided.

A method of engineering monolithic earthen masonry consists of selecting sufficient amount of subsoil mixture and straws, wherein physical characteristics of the subsoil mixture are determined from a sieve analysis test and a hydrometer analysis. The proper mixing ratios of the subsoil mixture and the straws provide a composite sample. The composite sample is then dried and lastly exposed to a compressive test. If optimal plurality of particle size percentage distributions within the subsoil mixture is not obtainable due to lack of resources, the end-product of the non-ideal subsoil mixture is adjusted within the aforementioned method or thickness and/or height of a building to compensate for the load-bearing capacities of the building.

A shear wall assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first anchor, a second anchor, a third anchor, a first bolt, a second bolt, a seismic fuse, and a rod. Each anchor includes a hollow tubular body including a first open end, a second open end, an interior including female threads, and an exterior including male threads. Each bolt includes a head and a shank. The shank includes male threads. The shank extends through an open end of an anchor. The male threads of the bolt engage with the female threads of the anchor. The seismic fuse is configured to receive the heads of the bolts and includes a hole. The rod includes an end with male threads. The rod extends through the hole of the seismic fuse into the open end of an anchor. The male threads of the rod engage with the female threads an anchor.