Block wall construction system and components thereof

Details Block wall construction system and components thereof Block wall construction system and components thereof

1996-07-28

1999-06-01

Kent, Christopher

Static structures (e.g., buildings)

Visible translucent block or embedded component

With preform of nontranslucent material

52477, 52601, 526561, 526569, 52762, 52764, 52779, 527813, 527861, E04C 142

Patent

active

059079371

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a block wall construction system and components thereof including a reinforcing interstitial spacer system and an interstitial junction spacer for use therewith.
The invention has particular utility in the construction of glass block walls, but is not limited to walls constructed of such blocks, whereby the invention may also have utility in walls constructed from other types of blocks.


BACKGROUND ART

With particular respect to glass block wall construction, a number of different types of construction systems are employed, each of which have their own associated advantages and disadvantages due to the special and somewhat unique characteristics of glass blocks.
One of the features of glass block construction which is making it become increasingly popular, is its high aesthetic appeal. This is enhanced by the use of modular blocks of substantially identical size and shape which are bonded in a rectangular matrix as opposed to an offset bond, the latter being preferred for brickwork in order to maintain the strength thereof. Subsequently, the bonding of glass blocks in a rectangular matrix generally requires interstitial reinforcement between the blocks to maintain the strength thereof.
Two principal types of binders are used with glass blocks namely mortar and silicone caulking. In mortar, a relatively strong bond can be achieved, however the appearance of mortar joints in glass block walls differs markedly from the appearance of silicone joints, and so these types of binder have different appeal to different people.
Silicone can provide an aesthetically appealing joint between glass blocks, it being of a similar colour to glass or alternatively being able to be pigmented to any desirable colour, and is able to be used with smaller spaced joints so that the joints do not detract from the appearance of the glass blocks.
With both types of binder, expansion and contraction of the glass blocks with variations in temperature needs to be accommodated. This is a major problem where the glass block wall needs to connect to either a frame or a wall made of some other material which has a different rate of expansion or contraction. As glass is extremely fragile this expansion or contraction can result in cracking of the glass blocks themselves or the joints if this expansion and contraction is not accommodated. Consequently, the use of a modular framing system has become popular with the construction of glass block walls, wherein a glass block wall matrix is constructed within a rectangular frame of a predetermined size which allows for a void to be disposed between the interface of the periphery of the glass block wall and the inner surface of the frame itself along the jambs, the head and the sill of the frame. The void along the jambs may be occupied by a suitable flexible medium such as polystyrene foam to allow for the expansion and contraction of the glass blocks within the frame.
A series of these glass block wall frames can be constructed and interconnected to form a matrix of glass block wall frames which in turn form a composite wall of the appropriate size.
Notwithstanding the adoption of these types of framing systems for the laying of glass blocks, there is still a need to reinforce the joints due to the orthogonal bond required for the blocks. This is particularly so with the use of silicone as a binder which simply does not have the same inherent strength characteristics as mortar. Even with the increased strength characteristics of mortar, it is still necessary to use some kind of reinforcement when using this as a binder, particularly with external walls.
In the case of wall construction using mortar as a binder, 6 mm diameter galvanised steel rod has been used which is embedded within the mortar layer to reinforce the bonding. In the case of wall construction using silicone as a binder, it has been found necessary to use a stronger reinforcement such as galvanised flat bar of 50 mm.times.3 mm, which is positioned within the interstices of the joints by

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patent: 5224314 (1993-07-01), Chen
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