A construction block unit includes a construction block including a bottom plate having a rectangular shape, sidewalls attached to each side of the bottom plate via hinges, wherein the sidewalls rotate on the hinges from a position planar with the bottom plate for storage to a position perpendicular to the bottom plate to form a receptacle configured to receive and contain a weight, and a pair of interlocking portions, each at opposite sides of the construction block to fasten the sidewalls in the position perpendicular to the bottom plate. Each of the pair of interlocking portions is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion.

A construction block unit includes a construction block including a bottom plate having a rectangular shape, sidewalls attached to each side of the bottom plate via hinges, wherein the sidewalls rotate on the hinges from a position planar with the bottom plate for storage to a position perpendicular to the bottom plate to form a receptacle configured to receive and contain a weight, and a pair of interlocking portions, each at opposite sides of the construction block to fasten the sidewalls in the position perpendicular to the bottom plate. Each of the pair of interlocking portions is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion.

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.

A construction block unit includes a construction block including a bottom plate having a rectangular shape, sidewalls attached to each side of the bottom plate via hinges, wherein the sidewalls rotate on the hinges from a position planar with the bottom plate for storage to a position perpendicular to the bottom plate to form a receptacle configured to receive and contain a weight, and a pair of interlocking portions, each at opposite sides of the construction block to fasten the sidewalls in the position perpendicular to the bottom plate. Each of the pair of interlocking portions is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion.

A construction block unit includes a construction block including a bottom plate having a rectangular shape, sidewalls attached to each side of the bottom plate via hinges, wherein the sidewalls rotate on the hinges from a position planar with the bottom plate for storage to a position perpendicular to the bottom plate to form a receptacle configured to receive and contain a weight, and a pair of interlocking portions, each at opposite sides of the construction block to fasten the sidewalls in the position perpendicular to the bottom plate. Each of the pair of interlocking portions is shaped to receive a corresponding interlocking portion of a second construction block by vertically sliding the corresponding interlocking portion into the interlocking portion.

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 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.

An insulated construction panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, a second end, a front side and a rear side, the panel for constructing a single or multi-thickness concrete form, the panel including regularly spaced coplanar passages extending completely through the panel from the top end of the panel toward and through to the bottom end of the panel. For each of the regularly spaced coplanar passages, an angular passage perpendicularly intersecting each coplanar passage at the top end and extending toward and through a portion of a front side surface of the front side and rear side surface of the rear side of the panel, each angular passage extending only partially through the panel from the top end toward the bottom end. For each of the regularly spaced coplanar passages, an angular passage perpendicularly intersecting each coplanar passage at the bottom end and extending toward and through a portion of the front side surface of the front side and the rear side surface of rear side of the panel, each angular passage extending only partially through the panel from the bottom end toward the top end.