GB2399099A

GB2399099A - Concrete blocks for mechanical lifting

Info

Publication number: GB2399099A
Application number: GB0304976A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Stowell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-04
Filing date: 2003-03-04
Publication date: 2004-09-08
Also published as: GB0304976D0

Abstract

Concrete blocks heavy enough to require mechanical lifting and to stay put under their own weight may be rectangular (Fig 1), rectangular with two voids for filling with aggregate (Fig 2), rectangular with plural voids for splitting (Fig 3), or similar with male / female inter-fitting projections (Figs 4 - 6), or may have bores for receipt of lifting rods (Fig 7).

Description

MACRO BLOCKS 2399099

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of concrete building blocks.

BACKGROUNI:) OF THE INVENTION Building blocks, in particular concrete building blocks, are used extensively in the construction of walls both below ground in the case of foundation walls and above ground in the case of structural walls. Concrete blocks are generally solid or have hollow cores, rectangular faces and rectangular ends and upper and lower surfaces.

With the advent of risk assessments for manual handling, the Heath and Safety Executive suggest repetitive lifting of blocks over 20kg should be restricted. Most manufacturers have tackled the problem by 1. reducing the density of concrete used 2. creating voids to reduce mass 3. making the product smaller then continued with conventional block laying techniques.

This invention uses the idea that if you make the blocks large, then mechanical lifting equipment must be used.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL FEATURES

Due to the mass of the blocks and optional interlocking features, the various types could be dry built or built using conventional block building techniques; e.g. cross bonding, bonding with mortar, filling of voids, reinforcing the voids or reinforcing the mortar etc. The macro blocks are made using conventional block making equipment, using mix designs similar to concrete blocks whether dense, medium dense or lightweight.

The defining features of the Macro Blocks are; 1. Mass/Size - in certain applications the mass/size of the blocks will be stable enough.

2. Mix Design - semidry block mix whether made with dense, medium dense or lightweight concrete.

3. Voids - which can be filled with aggregate, earth or concrete and reinforcement.

4. Interlocking - to restrict sideward movement.

5. Shape - standard block/brick lifting equipment can be employed for handling the blocks.

6. Handling holes - to enable bars to be inserted for mechanical chain lifting if standard block/brick lifting equipment isn't available. at

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Macro blocks could be used for: À Retaining Walls À Bays for loose material À Anywhere a wide block wall could be used À Replacing reinforced concrete walls in certain applications À Foundation stools À Sea defences À Dividing barriers between carriageways This list is not exhaustive and is not intended to restrict the use of Macro Blocks.

Figure I shows a macro block (for mechanical liftingAaying) with no modifications.

Figure 2 shows a macro block (for mechanical lifting/laying) with two large voids (a) & (b) enabling wall strength to be increased by mass filling with aggregate, concrete, earth and reinforcement if required.

Figure 3 shows a macro block (for mechanical liftingllaying) with five voids (c) (d) (e) (f) & (g) to aid cutting/splitting. The perimeter walls along the lengths are also pre-formed to aid cutting/splitting at a range of fractions along the length. (Splitting of some blocks aids cross bonding when building).

Figure 4 shows a macro block (for mechanical lifting/laying) with male (h) and female (i) interlocking features.

Figure 5 shows a macro block (for mechanical lifting/laying) with male (j) and female (k) interlocking features and two large voids (1) & (m) enabling wall strength to be increased by mass filling with aggregate, concrete, earn and reinforcement if required.

Figure 6 shows a macro block (for mechanical lifting/laying) with male (n) and female (o) interlocking features and four voids (p) (q) (r) & (s) to aid cutting/splitting.

The perimeter walls along the lengths are also pre-formed to aid cutting/splitting at a range of Factions along the length. (Splitting of some blocks aids cross bonding when building).

Figure 7 shows lifting holes (t) & (u) on a basic macro block (for mechanical lifting/laying) although these could be added to any of the above.

Figure 8 shows an example of a construction using Figure 6 blocks interlocking and utilising split blocks to create good quality cross bonding in construction of large bays.

Figures 9, 10,11 & 12 show the four layers used to make up figure 8.

Claims

T. Large serni-dy blocks for mechanical liftingdaying utilizing the blocks mass and size for stability.
2. As claim 1 but with voids to enable void filling and reinforcement to increase walling strengths.
3. As claim 1 but with splittin;, voids t.o enable acid filling as claim 2 but also aid splitting of the blocks at a range of fractions along its length.
4. As claim 1 but with male and female interlocking features to help resist sideward movements.
5. As claim 1 but with lifting holes formed in the units.

Triage se.-dy building blocks for mechanical li.mgJ[ayg with reference to Cures 1 - 8 on the accompanying drawing.