Building blocks with integrated assembling design

Abstract

A new building material made of chopped straw, cement, mortar cement or lime combined together with a bonding agent is pressed into building blocks of different sizes and shapes. The blocks come in different sizes and shapes to serve different building needs and / or to fit an integrated assembly system. The blocks are interlocked or fitted to correspond to specific requirements. Depending on the proportions of the elements and the pressure exercised to make the blocks, the density can be controlled to increase either the insulation value or the structural value. The grooves, which are part of the interlocking system, can also be filled with concrete either vertically or horizontally or both to create a stronger structure calibrated according to additional structural needs. The resulting concrete structure can also be reinforced with steel rod to further increase its strength. This building material is highly adaptable and environmentally friendly.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention is related to the field of building construction and more specifically to a new building material and building blocks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In 1981, Louis Gagné built his first straw bales and mortar house. The objective was an affordable house which was well insulated, structurally sound, simple and easy to build. Louis Gagné received a CMHC grant to test this wall system, and published the results in the following report: GAGÉ, Louis, A Straw Bales And Mortar House Demonstration Project, CMHC, Ottawa, Canada, 1986. This report reveals the exceptional fire resistance, the structural soundness and the insulation value of this straw bales and mortar building method. It is generally known that straw is a hollow stem derived from agriculturally produced cereals, which is traditionally used for bedding in stables, thatching, stuffing, insulating, etc. Furthermore, straw is commonly available in the form of bales. In the following years...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In still another aspect of the present invention, the chopped straw (mainly cereal straw such as wheat, rye, barley, oats and rice where available) of ideal lengths comprise between 5 cm and 10 cm substantially (the straw lengths can be shorter or longer) is the filler element and represents the bulk of the block's volume. The cement surrounding each piece of straw gives it rigidity and strength. The gluing factor and the adherence of the cement to the pieces of straw is provided by a polymer emulsion diluted and water.

[0010] In still another aspect of the present invention, while straw constitute the bulk of the volume of the building material, the proportion of straw, Portland cement, mortar cement or lime and the polymer emulsion diluted in water is one of the factors which determine the density of the blocks. Therefore, if the amount of cement is augmented in the mix, the density of the block will increase, and hence its structural value will also be increased. If the mix is made to be lighter by increasing the proportion of straw and using less cement, the blocks will have less structural value but a higher insulating value.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the density of the blocks will vary with the compression force used to make the blocks. Increasing the pressure to form a block will increase its density and its structural value. Diminishing the pressure to form a block will reduce its structural value while increasing its insulating factor.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the sizes of the blocks can be changed to suit different building needs. If the width of the block is increased, the structural value and the insulating factor are increased, and a larger volume of concrete could also be poured to increase the structural strength of the wall. If the length and the height of the block is increased it will take less time and fewer blocks to build a wall.

Problems solved by technology

In spite of these improvements, building with straw bales and concrete remains a method with limited commercial value, because it is a labour intensive process where individuals build singles houses, and where standards are hard to define since the bales from the field escape control as to size and density.

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