Interlocking Construction Block with Reinforcement Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional construction blocks lack sufficient bonding strength, especially in regions prone to tremors or liquefaction, leading to instability and damage during earthquakes, even with reinforcements, due to reliance on mortar for bonding and lack of direct connections between blocks.
Innovation Solution
A construction block design featuring a rectangular cube form with parallel front and rear face walls, horizontal and vertical grooves for reinforcement insertion, protrusions on the bottom face to engage with horizontal grooves, and recessed slits on side faces to enhance bonding by filling mortar into grooves and holes, providing a robust and versatile wall structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional concrete blocks with hollow structure are used and reinforcements are inserted, then the wall structure can be constructed, but the bonding strength between blocks is insufficient especially in seismic regions
Solution Approach 1:
The block is divided into multiple functional elements: protrusions on the bottom face, recesses on the top face, vertical grooves on side faces, and horizontal grooves. These segmented features work together to create multiple bonding interfaces and reinforcement pathways, distributing stress and improving overall bonding strength and seismic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs nested reinforcement structures where vertical reinforcements are placed in vertical grooves and horizontal reinforcements are placed in horizontal grooves, creating a layered reinforcement system. The protrusions and recesses also nest together to form interlocking joints, providing multiple levels of structural support.
2Strength
If mortar is used to fill between blocks for bonding, then blocks can be connected, but the connection strength is insufficient without direct mechanical engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges mechanical engagement features (protrusions and recesses) with chemical bonding (mortar filling) into a unified bonding system. The protrusions fit into recesses to provide mechanical interlocking, while mortar is simultaneously applied to fill gaps and provide adhesive bonding, creating a composite bonding mechanism that leverages both physical and chemical attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding system combines multiple materials and mechanisms: the concrete block material itself, reinforcement bars (steel), mortar (cement-based adhesive), and the geometric interlocking features. This composite approach integrates different material properties and bonding mechanisms to achieve superior connection strength.
3Strength
If blocks are designed with simple rectangular shape, then manufacturing is simple, but bonding between adjacent blocks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The block design segments the bonding interface into multiple discrete features: protrusions at the bottom, recesses at the top, vertical grooves on side faces, and horizontal grooves. Each segment serves a specific bonding function, and while they add geometric complexity, they can be formed using standard concrete molding techniques, balancing manufacturing feasibility with bonding performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction block and a wall face structure with high durability and versatility are provided. The construction block including: a front face wall and a rear face wall being parallel to each other; a top face wall with a horizontal groove formed for inserting a horizontal reinforcement; side face walls formed with at least one vertical groove for inserting a vertical reinforcement; at least one vertical hole formed between both of the side face walls and closed off by the top face wall and opened at a bottom face; a plurality of protrusions formed on the bottom face in a shape to engage with the horizontal groove; and recessed slits respectively formed in vertical direction on each side face of the front face wall and the rear face wall, is used.