U.S. patent application number 14/856655 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for self-locking block and complementary pieces for the raising of pillars and free-standing walls.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alberto Rodriguez Carassus. Invention is credited to Alberto Rodriguez Carassus.
Application Number | 20160002917 14/856655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53270591 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160002917 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rodriguez Carassus;
Alberto |
January 7, 2016 |
SELF-LOCKING BLOCK AND COMPLEMENTARY PIECES FOR THE RAISING OF
PILLARS AND FREE-STANDING WALLS
Abstract
The present invention relates to rooms or buildings constructed
by raising walls using prefabricated blocks made of Portland cement
mortar reinforced with steel fibers, that are stable without
requiring a mortar mixture, or any additional internal or external
structural support for the construction of the walls.
Inventors: |
Rodriguez Carassus; Alberto;
(Montevideo, UY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rodriguez Carassus; Alberto |
Montevideo |
|
UY |
|
|
Family ID: |
53270591 |
Appl. No.: |
14/856655 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14103465 |
Dec 11, 2013 |
9187895 |
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14856655 |
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13073232 |
Mar 28, 2011 |
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14103465 |
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12123783 |
May 20, 2008 |
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13073232 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/604 ;
52/596 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 1/40 20130101; E04B
2/44 20130101; E04B 2/18 20130101; E04B 2/06 20130101; E04B
2002/0217 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/18 20060101
E04B002/18; E04C 1/40 20060101 E04C001/40 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A construction block consisting of: portland cement; sand;
water; and steel fibers wherein the portland cement, the sand, the
water, and the steel fibers are mixed and then pressure molded at
room temperature.
10. The construction block of claim 9, wherein the construction
block is a block, a semi-block, a lintel beam, a crown beam, or a
head beam.
11. The construction block of claim 9, wherein the block comprises:
a base having a top end, a bottom end, two separate cavities
symmetrically placed inside the base, and hollow protrusions
extending over the top end of the block, wherein the cavities run
from the top end to the bottom end of the base; and each hollow
protrusion is connected to one of the cavities; each cavity
includes: a first segment located near the bottom end of the base
having a square shape with a first longitudinal dimension; a second
segment connected to the first segment, the second segment having a
square base with a second longitudinal dimension; the first
longitudinal dimension is greater than the second longitudinal
dimension; and a step formed at a point where the first segment
connects with the second segment; wherein the block connects to at
least one second block free of without using an external structural
support, a plaster, an internal structural support, an adhesive, a
mortar mixture, or support beams.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/103,465 filed Dec. 11, 2013, entitled
SELF-LOCKING BLOCK AND COMPLEMENTARY PIECES FOR THE RAISING OF
PILLARS AND FREE-STANDING WALLS, pending, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/073,232 filed
Mar. 28, 2011, entitled "SELF-LOCKING BLOCK AND COMPLEMENTARY
PIECES FOR THE RAISING OF PILLARS AND FREE-STANDING WALLS",
abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/123,783 filed May 20, 2008, entitled "SELF-LOCKING BLOCK AND
COMPLEMENTARY PIECES FOR THE RAISING OF PILLARS AND FREE-STANDING
WALLS", abandoned, the disclosure of these applications, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to the construction field.
More specifically, the present invention relates to prefabricated
blocks suitable for the construction of pillars, walls, rooms, and
buildings that do not require the use of any external or internal
structural support, adhesive, mortar mixture, or support beams.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The construction industry is continuously searching for ways
to obtain firmness, stability, and high resistance for the use of
prefabricated pieces destined to raise walls, rooms, and
buildings.
[0004] In many cases, the use of larger amounts of elements for the
raising of walls has been avoided so the task becomes as simple as
possible for the workers without qualification or even by the
future occupants of the house.
[0005] Unfortunately, the proposed solutions for prefabricated
pieces of the prior art that do not require the use of a mortar
mixture did not offer satisfactory levels of firmness, stability,
or high resistance. At the same time, the proposed solutions in the
matter of fit in prefabricated pieces had demonstrated that the use
of elements to help in the construction as metal supports or beams
had not been totally avoided.
[0006] Additionally, the proposed solutions until this moment have
not allowed obtaining a suitable finish for the walls including
openings for doors and windows or for forming the 90 degree angle
when connecting two walls to form a room.
[0007] The present invention proposes an alternative to solve these
problems.
[0008] The present invention includes a prefabricated block and
complementary blocks that allows the user to build pillars, walls,
rooms, and buildings without the need of an external or internal
structural support, adhesive, mortar mixture, support beams, or
plaster. The prefabricated blocks and complementary blocks
interconnect between themselves and are made of Portland cement
mortar reinforced with steel fibers. The Portland cement mortar
reinforced with the steel fibers provides the block with enough
strength so that the wall, room, or building can be raised without
the need of external or internal structural support, adhesive,
mortar mixture, or support beams.
[0009] The pillars, walls, rooms, and buildings constructed by the
blocks and complementary blocks of the present invention are
self-locking because their connecting mechanism is absent external
or internal structural support, adhesive, mortar mixture, or
support beams. In addition, the pillars, walls, rooms, and
buildings constructed by the blocks and complementary blocks of the
present invention are free-standing because they do not require the
use of additional external or internal structural support
elements.
[0010] The complementary blocks may be derived from the design of
the block and they are a lintel beam which can also be used as a
career beam or crown beam; a head-block; and a semi-block.
[0011] The block and complementary blocks interact in a way that is
described next, providing a technical alternative for the solution
of the described technical problems. By the interaction of these
elements, pillars, walls, rooms, and buildings having firmness,
stability, and high resistance and free-standing capacity are
constructed, obtaining a suitable finish in spaces destined to
openings, doors and windows, as well as a suitable encounter
between the right angle walls that offer a solid mechanical
entailment between the convergent walls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention relates to a prefabricated block made
of Portland cement mortar reinforced with steel fibers fit in
self-locking form, suitable for the raising of firm pillars, walls,
rooms, and buildings that are stable without requiring external or
internal structural support, adhesive, mortar mixture, or support
beams. The blocks are designed to work as elements of a
freestanding wall of great strength, able to act without the
cooperation of other structural elements. Due to the composition of
Portland cement mortar and steel fibers in the appropriate
proportions, each block sustains loads of 16 tons during a
compression test.
[0013] It is also an objective of the present invention to provide
complementary block elements derived from the design of the block
that complements the block in the task of raising the pillars,
walls, rooms, and buildings. They complementary blocks are: lintel
beam, head-block, and semi-block.
[0014] The block and the complementary block interlock with each
other allowing the raising of the pillars, walls, rooms, and
buildings by using a dry method.
[0015] In the present invention, the term dry method refers to a
method that allows raising pillars, walls, rooms, and buildings
without the use of a mortar mixture, and any additional external or
internal structural support.
[0016] Additionally, the high resistance design that the
prefabricated material grants to the blocks and the derived
complementary block elements does not require plaster, mortar
mixture, adhesives, during the construction of the pillars, walls,
rooms, or buildings.
DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1--illustrates a perspective view of the block
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
block is a parallelepiped of rectangular base (1) and the two
protrusions 2 that overpass the rectangular base (1). In the same
figure a top view is shown where the hollow interior cavities (3)
of the base (1) can be seen;
[0018] FIG. 2--illustrates a front view, longitudinal section,
lateral view, and cross-sectional view of the block showing the
parallelepiped of rectangular base (1) of which the two protrusions
(2) overpass;
[0019] The longitudinal and cross-sectional sections show the two
hollow cavities (3) of the base (1), hollow cavities, each one of
the hollow cavities (3) includes two segments of straight prismatic
form of square base, having each one of them different segment
dimensions (4, 5).
[0020] FIG. 3--illustrates a top view, a front view, and a lateral
view of the semi-block (6) showing a single protrusion (2);
[0021] FIG. 4--illustrates a bottom view of the head-block (7)
showing the two hollow cavities (8) symmetrically placed; 7a
represent a top view of the head-block, 7b represents a front view
of the head-block, and 7c represents a side view of the
head-block;
[0022] In same FIG. 4, 7 represents a longitudinal cross sectional
view of the head-block showing the hollow cavities (8) and the
solid superior part (9);
[0023] FIG. 5--illustrates a perspective view of the lintel beam
(10) showing its two ends (11);
[0024] FIG. 6--illustrates a top view of the lintel beam (10) of
FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7--illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of the
ends (11) of the lintel beam;
[0026] FIG. 8--illustrates a front view of the lintel beam (10) of
FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 9--illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of
the lintel beam (10) showing the stirrups (12), the main
reinforcement (13) and the secondary reinforcement (14);
[0028] FIG. 10--Illustrates a top view of a pillar of square
section (15) where two blocks (1) are placed one next to the
other;
[0029] FIG. 11--illustrates a front view of a pillar of square
section (15) showing the alternative disposition of layers of two
blocks (1) that link with the superior layers when turning ninety
degrees their direction;
[0030] FIG. 12--illustrates a back view of a pillar of square
section (15);
[0031] FIG. 13--illustrates a perspective front view of the
superior part of a pillar of square section (15;
[0032] FIG. 14--illustrates a wall (16) constructed on the basis of
the present system with the use of the block (1), semi-block (6),
head-block (7), lintel beam (10). The pieces used are observed at
the foot of the representation. Also, a pillar of square section
(15) is shown;
[0033] FIG. 15--illustrates a perspective front view of a room
constructed on the basis of the system according to the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 16--illustrates a perspective front view of a building
including at least two rooms interconnected by an internal door and
constructed on the basis of the system according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The basic piece is constituted by a block. From the shape of
the block, the other three mentioned complementary block elements
are derived.
[0036] The block comprises a parallelepiped of rectangular base 1
whose length is double than its width and its height is a third of
the length, with two small identical protrusions 2 that overpass
its superior face.
[0037] The parallelepiped protrusions overpass the block.
Nevertheless, in this chapter, for the single effects to give
clarity to the description that follows, reference to the
parallelepiped and the protrusions will be made separately.
[0038] The base has in its interior two hollow cavities
symmetrically disposed. Each one of the hollow cavities is made up
of two segments having square base straight prismatic form. The
segments are placed one on top of the other and each one of the
segments has different dimensions. The superior and inferior ends
of the segments are opened.
[0039] The system to interconnect the blocks between them is
similar to the male/female interconnection system. The inferior
segments of each one or both hollow cavities in the parallelepiped
are predicted to function like the cavities or female elements in
this system.
[0040] Both hollow cavities provide the block a favorable
contribution to thermal insulation that is desirable in a wall
designed to serve as a closing outer wall.
[0041] The weight of the block is lightened, allowing easy work
manipulation. The approximated weight of the block may be 6.5 kg,
for an example, in which the rectangular base blocks have a length
of 30 cm, width of 15 cm and a height of 10 cm, obtaining in
addition a wall with its own weight of approximately 217 kg/m.sup.2
in walls of 15 cm, comparable to the weight of a plastered solid
brick wall of the same thickness.
[0042] The two protrusions that overpass the superior face of the
base of the block are symmetrically arranged and have a square base
straight prismatic form. Each one of the protrusions includes an
interior hollow volume also with a straight prismatic form of
square base, being the hollow cavities symmetrically located. The
superior and inferior ends of the hollow prism are open.
[0043] The inferior ends of the hollow cavities of the protrusions
are in communication with the superior ends of the hollow cavities
of the base, so that each one of the hollow cavities of the
protrusions is continued in each one of the hollow cavities of the
base.
[0044] The main function of the protrusions is to serve as a
mechanical bond between the blocks constituting the male element in
the mentioned male/female system. Each one of the blocks is fit in
with another by introducing the protrusions of one of them in the
inferior segments of the hollow cavities of the base.
[0045] The interconnection between the blocks of the present
invention allows to eliminate the necessity of a mortar mixture
because conferring the wall, at the same time, stability and a
monolithism similar to the one obtained in a traditional wall with
the use of a mortar mixture. It is for this reason that the block
is called self-locking.
[0046] The system of the present invention allows, in addition, to
eliminate the necessity of additional structural elements, such as
supports or metal beams, which are use to provide the walls with
the necessary raising capacity. The pillars and the walls that are
constructed are by design free-standing for important wall height
and with capacity to support reinforced concrete slabs with usual
design overloads. Without damage to it, in the case of being needed
as a structural reinforcement destined to other aims, this one can
be implemented by adding reinforcement and concrete in the
continuous hollow columns that are formed in the walls as a product
of placing the blocks in successive layers.
[0047] The two protrusions allow an average adult worker to take
the block comfortably with a single hand, which facilitates its
manipulation and positioning in the work area.
[0048] As the blocks are fit into one another, walls can be
perfectly raised saving in manual labor from the qualitative point
of view. Non-specialized workers and people who work under the
modality of auto-construction or mutual aid can execute the walls
with professional finishing.
[0049] A result of the block design and placing them in successive
layers is the formation of pillars and walls with continuous
vertical hollow columns in its interior.
[0050] Another result of both is the greater yield per time because
walls can be raised with a non-possible speed by other methods.
[0051] The pillars and walls do not need any fresh element that
sets; they have high resistance which, along with the
characteristics already mentioned, makes them suitable to offer
immediate raising capacity.
[0052] In a preferable embodiment, the pillars are of square
section with free-standing capacity, which is obtained by providing
alternatively successive layers of two blocks that are linked to
successive superior layers when turning ninety degrees their
orientation. In the walls with free-standing capacity, somewhat,
the standing capacity is obtained when successive block layers are
placed and the link with the superior successive layers is made
without the need to turn the direction of such.
[0053] Regarding the strength, due to the composition of Portland
cement mortar and steel fibers in the appropriate proportions, each
block supports loads of 16t pure compression.
[0054] Another result of the block design and alternatively
intercalating in the junction of the walls encounter the blocks so
they are simultaneously fit in both walls; its right angle walls
are obtained that allow achieving, at the same time, in the
considered corner a monolithism of equal order of the one of each
wall itself.
[0055] The corners are conformed in the same hollow columns that
are in the rest of the walls. These hollow columns can be used to
produce reinforced concrete pillars in their interior if it is
considered useful to the effects of providing additional
stability.
[0056] Also, it is distinguishable to the facility to implement the
installation of lights, water, or other services by means of
interior canals that use the vertical hollow spaces of the
walls.
[0057] The link between the blocks with each other causes the block
to be set under compression forces, supported fundamentally by the
mortar, and flexion and cut that are essentially supported by the
steel fibers that integrate the mortar matrix. The content of steel
fiber additionally confers a high resistance to impacts.
Lintel Beam
[0058] For the effects to totally allow the raising of walls with
prefabricated elements a lintel beam is introduced.
[0059] The lintel beam is a piece having a cross-sectional section
identical to the block, the length is equivalent to a multiple of
the block length and the longitudinal section is equal to the one
obtained by placing several aligned blocks. The volume is
equivalent to the volume of combining several blocks in which the
hollow openings symmetrically placed have been filled up; thus,
they are parallelepipeds having a solid rectangular base with solid
protrusions that overpass them, joined among them.
[0060] Its reinforcement is equivalent to that of a traditional
beam.
[0061] The ends of the lintel beam have the same form of a block
which confers a type of uniform fit in for the whole structure.
These ends are those that link the lintel beam to the masonry
allowing a fit in with the rest of the wall.
[0062] Its function is double: they can serve as lintel beam in
openings; but, in addition, placing them in series, can function as
career beam or crown beam, according to the case.
[0063] They may be prefabricated of several lengths being advisable
to limit them, for simplicity as well as for economy, in addition
to the inherent conditioning to the work manipulation and design
factors.
[0064] The lintel beam has main reinforcement, secondary
reinforcement, and stirrups according to the usual design
hypotheses in reinforced concrete, and they are made with the same
material of the blocks including the steel fibers.
Head
[0065] The head block is use to provide a space for windows and
doors.
[0066] This piece allows to easily construct a ledge, as well as to
finish off the crowning of a wall or a crown beam in a uniform way
offering a smooth surface when it is required for construction
reasons.
[0067] It is prefabricated with the same material of the above
identified block.
[0068] It derives from the design of the block because starting
from the block design, the protrusions are eliminated and the
rectangular base parallelepiped is provided with a solid superior
face.
[0069] The solid superior face is obtained by filling the superior
prismatic segments of the hollow cavities of the mentioned
parallelepiped.
[0070] It is linked by means of the inferior face where they are
the two cavities or female elements constituted by the prismatic
hollow cavities symmetrically placed that are equivalent to the
inferior segments of the hollow cavities of the rectangular
parallelepiped that forms part of a block.
[0071] The head-block is fit in an inferior block by means of the
previously mentioned male/female, because the protrusions of the
inferior block are fit in the cavities that are opened in the
inferior face of the head-block.
Semi-Block
[0072] In addition, a semi-block is added which, along with the
lintel beam, allows forming a space suitable to tie down windows or
doors by means of suitable adherences.
[0073] It is a piece derived from the block.
[0074] Starting from a block as it has been described; a
transversal cross-sectional section is performed as previously
described to obtain two identical semi-blocks.
[0075] The semi-blocks are fit in blocks in order to complete the
lateral closing of the wall in those places where they need to be
implemented, for example, spaces destined to windows and doors, or
joining of walls.
[0076] Next to the lintel beam, the semi-block allows producing a
space suitable for the frame for the windows or doors by means of
suitable adherences, for example, a wall anchor.
Characteristic of the Wall
[0077] The composition of the elements of the mortar-cement, water,
and sand including its mesh allows to obtain a wall of texture
comparable to texture of a plastered wall, that along with its
resistance, allows leaving out the plaster for interior as well as
for exterior.
[0078] The mentioned texture and consistency grant a suitable
impermeability, making it only necessary to perform the sealing of
the superficial junctions that form in the ornament between the
pieces, with cement mortar or a suitable pastine. This sealing may
be applied by a person that does not have any technical skill in a
similar way to the enforcement of joints, for example, ceramic
pieces or floor tiles.
[0079] The morphology of these pieces and link also grant facility
and monolithism in the execution of the wall joints and the corners
in right angle that prevail at general level.
[0080] From the point of view of the work schedule, it is obtained
a shortening of the same by way of eliminating the necessity of
habitual waiting times that assure a minimum structural resistance
in traditional resistant elements, as well as to eliminate delays
due to the incidence of the adverse weather in outdoor work.
[0081] The use of the block and the pieces derived from it, with
the characteristics described for the raising of pillars and inner
and outer walls, constitutes an integral constructive system. This
system assures the fast emergence of complementary elements like
doors, windows, or ceilings.
[0082] In addition, it is to emphasize the remarkable resistance to
impact that confers the steel fiber content, important point for a
wall that is designed to be without interior or exterior
plaster.
Construction of a Room or a Building
[0083] To build a room having a length "L", a width "A", and a
height "H", the user may carefully calculate that the predetermined
measures of the room are multiples of the measurements of the
blocks and the complementary blocks taking into account the
openings for windows and doors. It is important to avoid having to
modify the size of the blocks and/or the complementary blocks in
order to keep the physical integrity of the blocks or complementary
blocks.
[0084] The room according to the present invention may be built on
any standard foundation for conventional masonry brick or blocks.
The user may check the proper leveling of the foundation, and then
the user may outline the perimeter of the foundation with the
blocks, leaving free the openings for the doors that connect
adjacent rooms.
[0085] The second row of blocks may be placed by interconnecting
the block to two adjacent blocks on the first row. The same
operation occurs for the corners, where even the axes of the blocks
of the concurrent walls form a 90 degree angle, the measurement
allows the upper block to produce a mechanical link between both
walls.
[0086] The complementary blocks are key elements in order to assure
the same type of mechanical linkage to create the openings for
doors and/or windows.
[0087] Several rooms may be linked together in order to create a
building.
[0088] The coronation of all openings is ensured through the
positioning and clip-on of the one of the complementary blocks, the
beam, according to the present invention.
[0089] The roofing of the building may be made by means of any
standard roofing system.
[0090] The building according to the present invention does not use
any additional internal or external structural support, for the
purposes of ensuring the stability of the building and the
appropriate surface resistance of the walls.
[0091] The building material of the blocks in conjunction with the
matter of linking the blocks and complementary blocks ensures the
appropriate surface resistance of the walls of the building
comparable to a wall of reinforced concrete or masonry including
internal or external structural support.
[0092] The above statement is based on the values of resistance to
bending and cutting which is capable of withstanding the wall made
with the system described.
A Working Embodiment
[0093] Next, a working embodiment is described without meaning in
any way some limitation in the reach of this request for patent,
since it is possible to always give other measures to the block and
other pieces obtaining the same results, as long as the proportion
between the measures is maintained.
Block
[0094] In a preferred form to obtain an easily manageable volume by
the workers, by its dimensions as well as by its weight, and
considering a suitable wall width, the rectangular base
parallelepiped has a length of 30 cm, a width of 15 cm, and a
height of 10 cm, whereas the protrusions has a length of 10 cm, a
width of 10 cm and a height of 4.5 cm.
[0095] From the inferior face of the rectangular base
parallelepiped, it is possible to access the two cavities or female
elements constituted by the prismatic inferior segments of the
hollow cavities symmetrically placed. Each one of these prismatic
segments has a length of 11 cm, a width of 11 cm, and a height of 5
cm.
[0096] Between the internal faces of the inferior segments of both
hollow cavities there is a separation of 4 cm. From the external
faces of the inferior segments of both hollow cavities there is a
separation of 2 cm with respect to the lateral faces of the
parallelepiped.
[0097] The prismatic superior segments of the hollow cavities
symmetrically placed have a length of 7 cm, a width of 7 cm, and a
height of 5 cm.
[0098] The protrusions measure 10 cm in length, 10 cm in width, and
4.5 cm in height, whereas the inner hollow cavities measure 7 cm in
length, 7 cm in width, and 4.5 cm in height.
[0099] The protrusions symmetrically placed in the superior face of
the block have a separation among them of 5 cm, and each one of
them moved away 2.5 cm of the respective lateral faces of the
parallelepiped. The thickness of the walls of the protrusions is of
1.5 cm.
[0100] The described measures constitute a preferred example by the
inventor, without for that reason, limiting the reach of this
request of patent. The mentioned measures can change if the
proportions are maintained.
[0101] When placing the blocks one next to another, and one fit in
the other as a male/female, layers or rows of blocks are formed
that allow to raise as an example columns, inner or outer
walls.
[0102] The fit in between pieces allows forming square pillars of
30 cm of side with standing capacity, this is obtained by
alternatively placing layers of two blocks that link with the
superior layers when turning ninety degrees their direction.
[0103] The height of the pillars and the walls is a multiple of the
height of the block. In the above mentioned example it is a
multiple of 10 cm. This is particularly useful in the case of using
foundation stall, in which case the pillars may be placed as an
additional ceiling support.
Lintel Beam
[0104] For the case of rectangular base block type of a length of
30 cm, a width of 15 cm, and a height of 10 cm, the beams may be
made with a section of 15 cm of base by 10 cm of height, which
limits the amount of reinforcement to be placed.
[0105] Its weight must be so that it allows to manipulate it and to
place it in the wall with facility, to such effects, in a
manufacture example for the previously mentioned case, is
considered to prefabricate the lintel beams of two lengths, that is
to say: of 1.20 m for lintels of doors, and 1.50 m for lintels of
windows. The fact that the beam door lintel has 1.20 m allows a
free light of 90 cm to the effects to locate the door and the
frame. The length of the lintel beam of window of 1.50 m allows
that the width of the window with the frame is 1.20 m.
[0106] In the case of the beams, section lintels 15 cm by 10 cm and
1.50 cm of overall length, its total weight is approximately of 65
kg, which allows that two workers position it in the work area
without great difficulty.
Head-Block
[0107] Starting from the design of the block, and having eliminated
the protrusions, the superior hollow segments of the parallelepiped
that are filled up have a length of 7 cm, width of 7 cm and a
height of 5 cm.
[0108] From the inferior face of the head-block, it is possible to
access the two cavities or female elements constituted by the
prismatic hollow cavities symmetrically placed. Each one of these
volumes has a length of 11 cm, a width of 11 cm, and a height of 5
cm.
Semi-Block
[0109] Starting from the block as it has been described; a
cross-sectional section is performed in the block to obtain two
identical semi-blocks.
[0110] Consequently, starting from the measures previously
described for the block, it is possible to easily deduce the
measures of the semi-block.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
[0111] The blocks are feasible products to be produced exclusively
at industrial level by means of matrix or molds, which facilitates
the necessary quality control and made possible the desirable scale
economies.
[0112] The semi-blocks, which can be obtained by sectioning blocks
with common equipment, are feasible industrially prefabricated by
means of matrices or molds.
[0113] The head-block and the beams can only be prefabricated
industrially by means of matrices or molds obtaining the desirable
standardization.
[0114] Being made of Portland cement mortar reinforced with steel
fibers, the prefabricated blocks and complementary blocks included
in this invention need to be made by using pressure molding at room
temperature. Said molds, support abrasion cement ranges typically
ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 cycles or more of use. The use of
processes involving work at temperatures between 50 C..degree. and
250 C..degree., such as injection molding of plastic materials is
completely discarded by three separate reasons:
[0115] a) Accelerated deterioration of internal metal parts of the
injectors:
[0116] You cannot use an injector for plastics to inject cement
because the abrasiveness of the cement will ruin the interior walls
of burnished steel of the apparatus, unless that after each cycle
the apparatus is completely disassembled and thoroughly cleaned.
Obviously, such a process would cost so much and it is not
recommended, since it would be taking about one or two days of work
to disassemble, clean, and assemble the apparatus. Although the
apparatus is perfectly cleaned, could not be used because the
abrasion.
[0117] b) Material properties required by the thermoplastics
injector:
[0118] Regardless of the damage of working with Portland cement
mortar reinforced with steel fibers in the interior of
thermoplastic injectors, which would produce accelerated wear of
metal parts, or nozzle clogging, it is necessary to consider the
type of material required to work with the injectors. The materials
are required to have a deformation temperature within the range of
use of the injector (50 C..degree.-250 C..degree.), since the
viscosity of the material increases as the temperature increases.
This allows the material to flow into the interior of the
injectors, which, combined with the pressure applied, it molds the
piece. In the case of a Portland cement mortar, which is a type of
concrete, the opposite effect occurs in an injector. The injector's
high working temperatures accelerate the chemical setting reaction
of the cement mixture, causing the cement to react rapidly,
presenting a rapid stiffening of the molding mass.
[0119] In case we have two equal cements at different temperatures,
the one that is at the lower temperature is always the more fluid,
just the opposite to thermoplastic materials. Thus, many
specifications require that the concrete to have a temperature
equal or below 32.degree. C. ASTM C 94 (AASHTO M 157),
specification records the difficulties that can occur when the
temperature is about 32 C..degree.. The ideal working temperatures
according to several standards are comprised between 20.degree. C.
to 30.degree. C. (68.degree. F. to 86.degree. F.), as specified in
ASTM C 192 (AASHTO T 126, IRAM 1534, NTC 1377, NMX-C -159).
[0120] c) Loss of strength of the blocks as a result of the
operating temperatures of the injectors:
[0121] There is a third inherent reason for the desired properties
in the block, and is therefore the most important, which completely
excludes subjecting the material of the pieces during the
manufacturing process to high temperatures, just the opposite case
of thermoplastic materials that need high temperatures during the
manufacturing process. Increasing the temperature in the concrete
correlates widely with a low mechanical strength of the pieces at
later ages since the setting.
[0122] In some embodiment, the building may be at least two stories
high.
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