A concrete block includes a dry cast concrete body having opposite first and second sides, opposite first and second end faces extending between the first and second sides, and opposite first and second bearing faces extending between the first and second sides and the first and second end faces. Each of the first and second bearing faces defines an inset region sized to receive a key that will also fit into the inset region of a like block stacked thereon. The body has at least a pair of rod-receiving apertures extending completely therethrough between the first and second sides to permit attachment to a like block through the first and second sides with a rod extending through each of the apertures. The block can be tapered to form curved walls.

A building system used for constructing a building is disclosed in the present invention. The building system includes: a first block, a corner block and a connection block interlocking with each other for constructing the building; wherein, dimensional relations between the first block, the corner block and the connection block satisfying the following conditions: Lco=L+W; Wco=L+W; Lci=L; Wci=L; Lcb=L; Wcb=W; Wherein, is a length of the first block; W is a width of the first block; Lco is an outer length of the corner block; Wco is an outer width of the corner block; Lci is an inner length of the corner block; Wci is an inner width of the corner block; Lcb is a length of the connection block; Wcb is a width of the connection block.

A construction module for constructing a structure, including an elongate member having a substantially L-shaped cross-section provided with connecting portions arranged to detachably attach with connecting portions on second and further construction modules, to form structure. A temporary structure can be formed from two or more of the construction modules. The structure may be temporary, semi-permanent or permanent.

Modular building methods and systems using lightweight modular panels, and specially configured transition panels for transitioning from wall to floor, or from wall to roof. Identically configured standard panels are used for constructing the walls, floor, and roof, with transitions from one structure to the next (e.g., wall to floor, or wall to roof). Each of the variously configured panel types includes channels (e.g., 2 pair of channels) formed through the length of the foam body, where the channels are configured to receive splines (e.g., flanges of an I-beam) therein. In the standard panel, the channels may include pairs of top and bottom channels, with the channels offset towards the respective panel major faces. In the transition panels, the channels may be similarly configured, but positioned differently to make the appropriate transition. The splines are connected to a frame, which acts as a template and transfers loads to a foundation.

The present disclosure relates to an exterior wall for tilt-up construction comprising: (a) a fascia wythe; (b) a structural wythe; (c) a layer of insulating material disposed between the fascia wythe and the structural wythe; and (d) a thermal break in contact with at least the structural wythe, the thermal break comprising an elongate body comprising one or more non-wooden thermal insulating materials, a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first contacting surface, and a second contacting surface opposite the first contacting surface, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. The structural wythe contacts at least a portion of the second contacting surface.

The present invention relates an integrated, post-tensioned building construction system that utilizes a rectangular array of interlocking block components for the shell of building structures. Internal tendons that pass through the interlocking blocks are affixed to beams at the base or foundation of the building walls and terminate above beams atop the building walls. The ends of tendons receive mechanical fasteners that are tightened to the beams and/or foundation. The tendons serve to maintain the integrity of the interlocking block components, which cannot come apart when the tendons are tightened. Build stops secured to tendons help to stabilize the interlocking block components during construction. With interlocking blocks fabricated from a compressible material, like concrete-and-aggregate, the tendons are tensioned to induce a compressive load on the material. Inducing compression in the structure by tensioning the internal tendons augments the strength of the entire building by introducing an internal compressive stress that partially counteracts the tensile stresses caused by external loads applied to the structure, such as by windstorms, seismic events, or settling of the foundation.

This invention relates to the building art, and more particularly to blocks for the construction of buildings, structures, and hardscaping items, and to a method for assembling building blocks without using mortar. A building block, configured as a parallelepiped, comprises three pairs of opposing faces, including four lateral faces and two faces constituting an upper and a lower bases, each of the faces including a plurality of elements constituting projections and recesses, wherein each of the elements is shaped as a regular pyramid with rounded edges, and the pyramid vertex angle between two opposing faces is within the range from 90 to 179.9 degrees. The projections and recesses are arranged in rows and columns, wherein the pyramid bases at each of the parallelepiped faces are arranged in a single plane which is a face of the parallelepiped, and the respective sides of the pyramid bases are parallel to the parallelepiped faces, wherein the sides of the base of a pyramid that constitutes a projection are adjacent to the respective sides of the bases of adjoining pyramids that constitute the recesses. Projections and recesses at the block faces enable coupling of four blocks, three of which having paired adjacent faces that are perpendicular to each other and in contact at the edges. Also described are various embodiments of the block and of a method for assembling building blocks.

A component is a building block having a pair of parallel load-bearing concrete side walls separated by a gap and joined by crossed metal ties which bridge the gap. The outer faces of the side walls can be covered with a decorative finish such as stone. The blocks have an added end wall which enables pillars to be built. The method of casting the blocks utilizes a collapsible metal mold which permits the side walls to be stepped.

A corner block and a building system used for constructing a building are disclosed in the present invention. The building system includes: an inner face, an outer face, an upper face having a base face and a projection protruding upward from the base face, wherein the projection extending longitudinally for the entire length of the upper face; a lower face having a complementary groove for interlocking with the projection of a cooperating interengaging building block; a first end; a second end; each of the first end and the second end has a header face, which is substantially one of a planar face, a male header face and a female header face, the male header face of the building block interlocking with the female header face of a cooperating interengaging building block; the cooperating interengaging building block is substantially similar to the building block.

A building system used for constructing a building is disclosed in the present invention. The building system includes: a first block, a corner block and a connection block interlocking with each other for constructing the building; wherein, dimensional relations between the first block, the corner block and the connection block satisfying the following conditions: Lco=L+W; Wco=1/2 L+W; Lci=L; Wci=1/2 L; Lcb=1/2 L; Wcb=W; Wherein, L is a length of the first block; W is a width of the first block; Lco is an outer length of the corner block; Wco is an outer width of the corner block; Lci is an inner length of the corner block; Wci is an inner width of the corner block; Lcb is a length of the connection block; Wcb is a width of the connection block.