A construction block unit includes a construction block and a lid. The construction block includes a bottom plate having a shape, a sidewall extending perpendicularly from the bottom plate at an outer edge of the bottom plate to form a container configured to receive and contain a weight, and fasteners coupled to a top edge of the sidewall opposite the bottom plate. The lid has a congruent shape to the shape such that the lid is fastenable to the top edge of the side wall via the fasteners to enclose the container. An interlocking portion of the construction block is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion, interlocking the construction block and the second construction block to prevent separation by a horizontal force.

A concrete building block (30) includes a body (32) having opposite first (34) and second sides (36), opposite first (38) and second end faces (40) extending between the first and second sides (34, 36), and opposite first (42) and second bearing faces (44) extending between the first and second sides (34, 36) and the first and second end faces (38, 40). The first side has a first section (52) and second section (54). The first section (52) and first end face (38) are shaped to mate with each other when a like block (30) is rotated 90 and oriented adjacent thereto so that the center plane for the two blocks (30) are perpendicular to each other; and the second section (54) and second end face (40) are shaped to mate with each other when a like block (30) is rotated 90 and oriented adjacent thereto so that the center plane for the two blocks (30) are perpendicular to each other. The building block (30) can be used for structures such as a free standing wall, retaining wall, garden wall, or columns.

A concrete building block (30) includes a body (32) having opposite first (34) and second sides (36), opposite first (38) and second end faces (40) extending between the first and second sides (34, 36), and opposite first (42) and second bearing faces (44) extending between the first and second sides (34, 36) and the first and second end faces (38, 40). The first side has a first section (52) and second section (54). The first section (52) and first end face (38) are shaped to mate with each other when a like block (30) is rotated 90 and oriented adjacent thereto so that the center plane for the two blocks (30) are perpendicular to each other; and the second section (54) and second end face (40) are shaped to mate with each other when a like block (30) is rotated 90 and oriented adjacent thereto so that the center plane for the two blocks (30) are perpendicular to each other. The building block (30) can be used for structures such as a free standing wall, retaining wall, garden wall, or columns.

An outdoor structure and structural system including a plurality of structural blocks having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed front and rear surfaces and opposed first and second side surfaces, the bottom surfaces of the plurality of structural blocks having a receiving channel extending along the bottom surface from the first side surface towards the second side surface, the receiving channel sized and shaped to receive and retain a hanger. The outdoor structure and structural system also including at least one bridging lintel, the bridging lintel having an upper surface, front and rear sides and first and second sides, the bridging lintel having first and second hangers extending from the upper surface of the bridging lintel, the first hanger extending a distance along the upper surface and a distance outward from the upper surface beyond the first side of the bridging lintel, the second hanger extending a distance along the upper surface and a distance outward from the upper surface beyond the second side of the bridging lintel.

A brick includes outer walls defining a hollow interior space, the outer walls including: substantially flat top and bottom walls; and side walls angled inwards toward a central portion of the NPR brick, such that application of a compressive force between the top and bottom walls causes a lateral dimension of the brick between opposite side walls to decrease. At least some of the outer walls of the brick include a material having a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR).

A brick includes outer walls defining a hollow interior space, the outer walls including: substantially flat top and bottom walls; and side walls angled inwards toward a central portion of the NPR brick, such that application of a compressive force between the top and bottom walls causes a lateral dimension of the brick between opposite side walls to decrease. At least some of the outer walls of the brick include a material having a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR).

A dry stack block structure, comprising: at least one course comprising blocks, each comprising: a first and second side walls and a central wall positioned between and parallel to the side walls, wherein the walls are rectangular and having a bottom and top edges located in a first plane and a parallel second plane, a first end and a second end located in a third plane and a parallel fourth plane, perpendicular to the first plane; a first and second end transverse webs connecting the ends respectively of the walls in the third and fourth planes respectively, wherein the end transverse webs having a bottom edge located in the first plane; and two intermediate transverse webs positioned between the third and fourth planes and connecting the second and central walls, the intermediate transverse webs having a bottom edge and a top edge located in the first and second planes.

A dry stack block structure, comprising: at least one course comprising blocks, each comprising: a first and second side walls and a central wall positioned between and parallel to the side walls, wherein the walls are rectangular and having a bottom and top edges located in a first plane and a parallel second plane, a first end and a second end located in a third plane and a parallel fourth plane, perpendicular to the first plane; a first and second end transverse webs connecting the ends respectively of the walls in the third and fourth planes respectively, wherein the end transverse webs having a bottom edge located in the first plane; and two intermediate transverse webs positioned between the third and fourth planes and connecting the second and central walls, the intermediate transverse webs having a bottom edge and a top edge located in the first and second planes.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for providing

an improved building block. The disclosure provides for a block made from recycled or new thermoplastic materials or other blend of materials. The new block design provides for geometric interlocking capabilities from block to block, layer to layer and wall to wall via an Interlocking Post and screws. This Post will not only mechanically interlock the block system but will as well mechanically hold the block in position via a metal screw.

A set of interlocking blocks consists a plurality of first blocks and a plurality of second blocks capable of forming kinematic interlock. Each of the first blocks and second blocks comprise at least one male joint and female joint for mating with its counterpart. The motion of the first blocks and second blocks are constrained by joints. Subsequent first blocks and/or second blocks reinforce and immobilize prior first blocks and/or second blocks. Assembly of an interlock structure consisting the set of interlocking blocks may be performed via translation motions.