A beam and bolting construction method and an example dwelling (10) according to the method are provided. The method involves preliminary steps of selecting a site and determining a bolt array (19) and selection of dimensions and materials. Actual construction steps include forming a foundation slab (14) having vertical bolts (18) embedded therein in accordance with the bolt array (19). Alternating layers of beams (B), having aligned bolt bores (52) for receiving the bolts, are successively laid down over the bolts (18), with sides meeting at corners (29) with alternating sides encompassing the corner bolt. Once a desired height is achieved, washers (72) and nuts (78) are placed on the bolts and are tightened to desired pressure levels. The dwelling (10) is formed with beams (42) compressed together by threaded bolts (18) in a bolt array (19).

An insulated concrete block assembly includes a plurality of blocks is provided and each of the blocks is comprised of a mixture of 60.0 percent Portland cement, 30.0 percent expanded polystyrene foam and 10.0 percent lime. The blocks are stackable on each other to define an exterior wall of a building. A fluid insulation is pourable into each of the voids in each of the blocks when the blocks are stacked, and the fluid insulation is comprised of 70.0 percent polystyrene foam. 25.0 percent Portland cement and 5.0 percent lime. A tensioning cable is provided and a base of the tensioning cable is embedded into a foundation upon which the blocks are stacked. The tensioning cable is tensioned to a pre-determined tension load when the tensioning cable is routed through the voids of the blocks that are stacked.

A beam and bolting construction method and an example dwelling (10) according to the method are provided. The method involves preliminary steps of selecting a site and determining a bolt array (19) and selection of dimensions and materials. Actual construction steps include forming a foundation slab (14) having vertical bolts (18) embedded therein in accordance with the bolt array (19). Alternating layers of beams (B), having aligned bolt bores (52) for receiving the bolts, are successively laid down over the bolts (18), with sides meeting at corners (29) with alternating sides encompassing the corner bolt. Once a desired height is achieved, washers (72) and nuts (78) are placed on the bolts and are tightened to desired pressure levels. The dwelling (10) is formed with beams (42) compressed together by threaded bolts (18) in a bolt array (19).

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).

An insulated concrete block assembly includes a plurality of blocks is provided and each of the blocks is comprised of a mixture of 60.0 percent Portland cement, 30.0 percent expanded polystyrene foam and 10.0 percent lime. The blocks are stackable on each other to define an exterior wall of a building. A fluid insulation is pourable into each of the voids in each of the blocks when the blocks are stacked, and the fluid insulation is comprised of 70.0 percent polystyrene foam. 25.0 percent Portland cement and 5.0 percent lime. A tensioning cable is provided and a base of the tensioning cable is embedded into a foundation upon which the blocks are stacked. The tensioning cable is tensioned to a pre-determined tension load when the tensioning cable is routed through the voids of the blocks that are stacked.

A building element formed as a sandwich of outer panels (22) made from high strength thin-walled geopolymer concrete (GPC) and a high insulation core material (21) of high-density polystyrene providing thermal efficiency. The outer panels are offset from the core material to provide an edge interconnecting mechanism with adjacent elements and, furthermore, the core material (21) includes surface features/profile (26) that abut/mate with corresponding features in the adjacent core material. A building system utilising the element in block or panel form provides simple and fast construction, without the need of skilled labour. Furthermore, since the insulating core provides a locking and locating interconnection means between the elements this effectively results in a zero-loss system due to bridging. When combined with a compressive vertical tie bar system the outcome is a wall construction of exceptional strength and accuracy.

The present invention generally relates to a precision dry-stack masonry unit made of two spaced-apart face shells and at least one connector joining the face shells. The connector has a top surface, a right surface and a left surface. The top surface of the connector and the face shells form a horizontal channel above the connector, and the right surface and the left surface of the connector and the face shells form vertical channels to each side of the connector. Each of the channels is configured to accommodate one or more reinforcement bars.

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 closed wall hold down system is provided including at least one closed wall panel, at least one first tie rod, at least one second tie rod, at least one coupler nut, and at least one ratcheting take-up device. The at least one closed wall panel includes a bottom plate and a top plate. The at least one first tie rod projects through the bottom plate. The at least one coupler nut is coupled to the at least one first tie rod and to a first end of the at least one second tie rod. A second end of the at least one second tie rod extends through the top plate. The at least one ratcheting take-up device engages the second end of the at least one second tie rod. A method of installing the closed wall hold down system is also provided.

Beam segments made of a somewhat compressible material may be arranged with the top surface of each beam segment substantially in contact with the bottom surface of a next beam segment between a first beam segment and a last beam segment. A plurality of bolt bores extends between the top and bottom surfaces of each of the beam segments in substantial alignment through each of the beam segments. The bolt bores are spaced apart to receive corresponding bolt segments and tightening fasteners compressed between the first beam segment and the last beam segment. The beam segments may be compressed to form a combined beam structure that forms a building structure unit. The combined beam structure may be joined with other combined beam structures to form walls and floors for a building structure.