EP3161220B1

EP3161220B1 - Building element suitable for forming a wall of a building

Info

Publication number: EP3161220B1
Application number: EP15736677.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johannes Adriaan Martinus KANTERS
Original assignee: Stichting Jarie
Current assignee: Stichting Jarie
Priority date: 2014-06-30
Filing date: 2015-06-26
Publication date: 2019-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-26
Also published as: NL2013089B1; EP3161220A1; WO2016003267A1; ZA201700464B

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a building element suitable for forming a wall of a building, comprising, in a position of use:

a bottom surface,
a top surface positioned at a distance from the bottom surface,
a first pair of opposite side surfaces, spaced-apart in a length direction,
a second pair of opposite side surfaces, spaced-apart in a width direction, connecting the first pair of side surfaces,
wherein the first and second pairs of side surfaces connect the top surface and the bottom surface,
a central through-hole extending substantially vertically from the top surface to the bottom surface, the central through-hole having a circumferential surface being substantially impermeable to fluid concrete to be poured into the central through-hole,
a side through-hole extending substantially vertically from the top surface to the bottom surface, parallel to the central through-hole, having a width in width direction smaller than a width of the central through-hole.

The invention also relates to an assembly of two or more of such building elements, a wall comprising one or more of such building elements or assemblies of building elements, a building comprising such a wall and a method for constructing a wall of a building using such building elements.

Background of the invention

It is known in the art to construct walls or buildings by assembling building elements. These building elements may comprise sandstone blocks, bricks, et cetera and can be connected to form a wall e.g. by means of conventional masonry or otherwise.
Such a building element can be provided with the mentioned through-hole, allowing for the bottom surface of one building element to be placed on the top surface of another building element in such a way that the through-hole of the one building element is aligned with the through-hole of the other building element, thereby forming a continuous through-hole. This continuous through-hole can subsequently be filled with concrete such that a rigid column is formed. On top of that concrete column a further structure such as a floor or a roof can be placed (although intermediate steps may have to be performed).
Due to the concrete column forming the load bearing structure, the material for the building element (being essentially non-lead bearing) can be selected from a wide range of building materials as the constructive demands pertaining to the building element are lower: it is merely used to provide insulating properties to the building element and not to provide substantial constructive strength. The function of the building elements is essentially to constitute the formwork for the (cast) concrete columns. The preceding features allow the building element to be produced locally, decreasing cost.
Such a building element allows for fast and cost-effective construction: the building elements can be assembled in a relatively short time span because the formation of the actual load bearing structure in the form of the concrete columns takes only a relatively small amount of time. Additionally, local construction personnel require only a minimal amount of instruction to start using the building elements.
Furthermore, the concrete column of the building element can be provided with so-called 'side wings' to improve sound insulation. The side wings are usually made of concrete and formed at the same time as the concrete column, i.e. in a single concrete pouring step. NL 2 009 796 C discloses such a building element according to the preamble of claim 1.
The inventor has found, however, that a severe disadvantage of the known way of forming side wings is that the building element has a tendency to tearing and cracking at the transition from the concrete column to the side wings. This is especially the case when the building element comprises expanded polystyrene (EPS) as its main construction material.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a building element suitable for forming a wall of a building having a concrete column and side wings during use, wherein cracking and tearing at the transition from the concrete column to the side wings is prevented.

Summary of the invention

Hereto the building element suitable for forming a wall of a building is characterized in that the circumference of the side through-hole is positioned at a horizontal distance from the circumference of the central through-hole, such that the side through-hole is substantially fluidly isolated from the central through-hole along a height of the central through-hole, wherein between the top surface and the bottom surface a sideways fluid connection (i.e. substantially horizontal) is present between the central through-hole and the side through-hole for allowing fluid concrete poured into the central through-hole to enter the side through-hole, a height of the fluid connection being at most 20%, preferably at most 10% or even at most 5% of a height of the central through-hole.
The inventor has found during experiments that the above measures solve the problem of cracking and tearing at the transition from the central column to the side wings. This is probably due to a reduced weight and/or contact area of fluid concrete pressing against the main material of the building element during the concrete pouring step. The protection conferred by the attached set of claims, however, does not depend on the validity of this theory. At the same time sufficient exchange of fluid concrete is realized between the central through-hole and the side through-hole.
Preferably, the building element has a brick-like shape. These brick-like building elements are cheap to manufacture and easy to stack. The central through-hole preferably has a substantially circular cross-section.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein the horizontal distance is at most 5-10 cm. The inventor has found from practice that this distance provides an optimal balance between sound proofness (i.e. preventing sound from traveling through the gap between the central through-hole) and ease of construction of the side column in the side through-hole, i.e. the ease with which the fluid concrete enters the side through-hole during the concrete pouring step.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein in the length direction a length of the side through-hole is larger than the width of the side through-hole in the width direction, wherein a cross-sectional area of the side-through-hole is at most 50% of the cross-sectional area of the central through-hole. The inventor has found that more than sufficient sound insulation can be achieved by doing so, without needing excessive amounts of concrete.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein two side through-holes are provided at opposite sides of the central through-hole. Thus, less central concrete column are needed, since each concrete column fluidly connects to two side through-holes. This also allows the two side though-holes to be filled with fluid concrete in a single concrete pouring step.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein a width of the fluid connection is smaller than or equal to the width of the side through-hole. The inventor has found this relatively small width of the fluid connection provides the best resistance to cracking and tearing.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein the fluid connection is embodied by a groove or channel provided at the bottom surface or the top surface of the building element. Thus, no additional drilling of holes is needed to create the sideways fluid connection. The top or bottom surface can be conveniently used as a(n upper or lower) delimitation for the sideways fluid connection.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein the groove or channel is formed by a dam-like protrusion, extending upwardly from the top surface, having a U-like shape when seen from above, the side through-hole being positioned in a concave part of the U-shape, wherein legs of the U-shape extend to the circumference of the central through-hole, such that fluid concrete poured into the central through-hole is guided towards the side through-hole by the dam-like protrusion. At the same time, the protrusion may be used advantageously to accurately position another building element on top of the building element.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein a height of the dam-like protrusion is 1-5 cm. The inventor has found that this height allows sufficient fluid concrete flow through the sideways fluid connection.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein the width of the side through-hole is at most 50%, more preferably at most 40%, even more preferably at most 30%, most preferably at most 25% of the width of the central through-hole. Sufficient sound proofness is achieved in this way, without needing excessive mounts of concrete.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, wherein the top surface is provided with one or more rows of protrusions extending along the intersection of the top surface and the second pair of side surfaces for connecting to one or more corresponding rows of recesses comprised by a bottom surface of a further building element to be placed on top of the building element. Thus, accurate positioning can be achieved, especially for creating a proper fluid-tight fluid connection at the upper surface of the building element.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned building element, comprising expanded polystyrene (EPS). EPS has good insulation properties, with respect to sound insulation as well as thermal insulation and, in most countries, can be produced locally. Furthermore, it has low density thus decreasing the weight of the final structure. Another advantage is that the EPS used is fire/flame retardant. A yet further advantage is that EPS is not susceptible to rot or problems relating to fungus deposits. Preferably, the EPS has a volumetric mass of 20 kg/m3. More preferably, the heat conduction coefficient is about 0,038 W/m.K. Even more preferably, the compressive strength/stiffness is about 100 kPa at a deformation of 10%. Most preferably, the EPS also has a deflective strength of 150 kPa. Other light-weight materials can, however, also be used, especially materials having a relatively low density of for instance lower than 50 kg/m3, such a lower than 40 kg/m3, more preferably lower than 30 kg/m3, most preferably 20 kg/m3 or lower.
An embodiment concerns an aforementioned building element, wherein a lower surface of the sideways fluid connection is downwardly sloped in a direction from the central through-hole to the side through-hole. Thus, fluid concrete is encouraged to flow from the central through-hole into the side through-hole. At the same time, the pressure exerted by the fluid concrete on the main material of the building element is lowered, further preventing crack formation.
Preferably, the slope with respect to the vertical is 30-60°, for instance around 45°.
The invention also relates to an assembly of two or more aforementioned building elements, wherein the bottom surface of one building element is placed on the top surface of another building element in such a way that the central through-hole of the one building element is aligned with the central through-hole of the other building element, thereby forming a continuous central through-hole and the side through-hole of the one building element is aligned with the side through-hole of the other building element, thereby forming a continuous side through-hole. This assembly of building elements facilitates the creation of a central concrete column to be formed in the continuous through-hole and a side concrete column to be formed in the continuous side through-hole.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned assembly, wherein the continuous central through-hole is filled with concrete forming a central concrete column extending through the building elements and the continuous side through-hole is filled with concrete forming a side concrete column extending through the building elements.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned assembly, wherein the central concrete column comprises reinforcement in longitudinal direction of the central column, whereas the side concrete column is reinforcement-free. This saves substantial amounts of reinforcement material, since the inventor has found that in practice only the central concrete column will be used to absorb axial (vertical) construction forces. The inventor has found that 3-5 reinforcement rods running in the longitudinal direction of the concrete column, more preferably 4 rods, provides optimal strength.
The invention also relates to a wall comprising one or more aforementioned building elements or assemblies of building elements.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned wall, wherein an outer surface of the wall is provided with a covering layer comprising a resin mortar or a loam, the layer having a thickness of at most 3 cm, preferably at most 2 cm. This covering layer provides a good basis for applying a finishing layer, which can be of any type, such as a simple layer of paint, a layer of wood or stone strips. Preferably, a wire gauze or wire mesh, for instance comprising glass fibers, is distributed over the wall surface to facilitate attachment and strength of the covering layer. If desired, a layer of mineral mortar can be put on top of the layer of resin mortar. The inventor has found the stated thickness to be optimal for connecting the covering layer thereto.
An embodiment relates to an aforementioned wall, wherein the side concrete column is provided with one or more anchorings projecting transversely from the concrete column and connecting to one or more layers of plaster on the covering layer. For durable attachment to the wall, the one or more layers of plaster is connected to anchorings attached to the concrete columns.
An embodiment furthermore concerns an aforementioned wall, comprising a window frame, wherein, when a groove or channel is present in the top surface or the bottom surface of the building element, a horizontal concrete supporting beam is formed in the groove or channel of the building element, wherein the concrete supporting beam is arranged underneath a lower horizontal bar of the window frame when the groove or channel is formed in the top surface of the building element, or the supporting beam is arranged on top of an upper horizontal bar of the window frame, when the groove or channel is formed in the bottom surface of the building element.
The invention also relates to a method for constructing a wall of a building using aforementioned building elements, comprising the following steps:

placing the bottom surface of one building element on the top surface of another building element,
aligning the central through-hole of the one building element with the through-hole of the other building element, thereby forming a continuous central through-hole, and aligning the side through-hole of the one building element with the side through-hole of the other building element, thereby forming a continuous side through-hole,
repeating the previous steps until the desired wall height is achieved,
filling the continuous central through-hole with concrete such that a central concrete column and a side concrete column are formed.

An embodiment relates to an aforementioned method, furthermore comprising the step of inserting reinforcement into the continuous central through-hole in the longitudinal direction of the continuous through-hole, whereas the continuous side through-hole remains reinforcement-free, before filling the continuous central through-hole with concrete.
The Dutch patent publication NL 2.009.796 C discloses a building block similar to the one disclosed in the present patent application. However, problems related to tearing and cracking are particularly prevalent with this building element.
The British patent publication GB 2.472.068 A discloses a wall structure formed by insulating blocks. The blocks are provided with multiple vertical through-holes to be filled with concrete, and sideways connection channels to connect the vertical through-holes. As opposed to the present invention, the sideways channels of GB 2.472.068 A extend along the full height/length of the through-holes.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of a building comprising building elements according to the invention, as well as embodiments of a wall and an assembly of such building elements, will by way of non-limiting example be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a building comprising building elements according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows an assembly in perspective view of multiple buildings blocks according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows a perspective cut-away view of a building element 7 according to the invention;
Figure 4a shows a top view of an embodiment of a building element according to the invention;
Figure 4b shows a side view of a cross-sectional plane of an embodiment of a building element according to the invention;
Figure 4c shows a front view of an embodiment of a building element according to the invention;
Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an assembly of building elements in side view;
Figure 6 shows an embodiment, wherein a building element is shown that is to be used as corner element of a wall; and
Figure 7 shows building elements according to the invention used in conjunction with a window frame.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a building 1 comprising building elements 7, 8 according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a building 1 positioned on a piece of land 2 having front walls and side surfaces, of which only one front wall 5 and one side wall 4 are visible. In front of the front wall 5 three roof support columns 3 are arranged for supporting a roof 6 near the front wall 5. Please note that when the exemplary building is seen in top view, the roof extends past all side walls, not just the front wall 5. The roof support columns 3 are also constructed using the building elements 7. Although a specific building type is shown in figure 1, comprising the building elements 7, the person skilled in the art will understand that many building types can be realized with the building elements 7 according to the invention. The embodiment of the building element according to the invention is denoted by reference numeral 7 in figures 1-7. A variant of the building element 7 having half the height of that building element 7 is indicated by reference numeral 8. Please note that the building element according to the invention can be used in an endless variety of building designs. Furthermore, the corner of the building is preferably to be formed by using corner building elements as depicted in figure 6, which will lead to a building corner structure slightly different from the one shown in figure 1.
Figure 2 shows an assembly 14 in perspective view of multiple buildings blocks 7 according to the invention. The building elements 7 are arranged in three layers L1, L2 and L3, staggered along by a length Lb of half a building element 7. The length of a typical building element 7 as shown is for instance 1-2 m, whereas the typical height Hb is 0.25 - 1 m and the typical width Wb is 10-40 cm, preferably around 30 cm. The building elements 7 as shown each comprise a bottom surface 18, a parallel top surface 17 and four side surfaces, of which two side surfaces are longitudinal side surfaces 21 and two side surfaces are transversal side surfaces 19. Each building element 7 as shown is provided with two central through-holes 10 having a cylindrical shape. The inner circumferential wall 20 of a central through-hole 10 forms an outer surface of a respective building element 7. The building element 7 preferably comprises expanded polystyrene (EPS) or a similar light-weight material having a relatively low density. The central through-holes 10 of the building elements 7 in the different layers L1-L3 are aligned to form single, continuous through-holes 16. In each continuous through-hole 16 a concrete column 13 is present. The concrete columns 13 are reinforced with reinforcement rods 11. However, the skilled person will understand that other types of concrete, especially reinforced concrete with different types of reinforcement, are also conceivable.
Furthermore, the building elements 7 are provided with two parallel rows of protrusions 12 on their top surfaces, these protrusions 12 being designed for engaging two rows of recesses of building elements 7 in the layer above the layer in which the respective building element 7 is arranged.
The central through-holes 10 have a circumferential surface 20 being substantially impermeable to fluid concrete to be poured into the central through-hole 10. As can be seen, a side through-hole 9 extends substantially vertically from the top surface 17 to the bottom surface 18, parallel to the central through-hole 10, having a width in width direction smaller than a width of the central through-hole 10. Preferably, each central through-hole 10 is accompanied by a side through-hole 9, or more preferably a pair thereof. Each side through-hole 19 comprises a side concrete column 30. Preferably, the central concrete column 13 comprises reinforcement cables or wires 11 in longitudinal direction, such as 3-8, for instance 4.
Figure 3 shows a perspective cut-away view of a building element 7 according to the invention. Figure 4a shows a top view of an embodiment of a building element 7 according to the invention. Figure 4b shows a side view of an embodiment of a building element 7 according to the invention. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an assembly of building elements in side view.
In figure 4b a section plane PS is shown dividing the building element 7 in two substantially symmetrical portions. Between the section plane PS and both transversal side surfaces 19 two central through-holes 10 are arranged, each central through-hole 10 being accompanied by two opposite side through-holes 9. Each central through-hole 10 is arranged halfway between the section plane PS and the respective transversal side surface 19 to facilitate the staggering along by half a building element's length (i.e. at a length of 1/4L and 3/4L to facilitate staggering of 1/2L).
As shown in figures 3-5, according to the invention, the circumference 24 of the side through-hole 9 is positioned at a horizontal distance d from the circumference of the central through-hole 10, such that the side through-hole 9 is substantially fluidly isolated from the central through-hole 10 along a height Hc of the central through-hole 10. Somewhere between (or at) the top surface 17 and the bottom surface 18 the sideways fluid connection 27 is present. The sideways fluid connection 27 between the central through-hole 10 and the side through-hole 9 allows fluid concrete poured into the central through-hole 10 to enter the side through-hole 9 to form a side concrete column 30. A height Hfc of the fluid connection 27 therein is at most 20%, preferably at most 10% of a height of the central through-hole 10 in a building element 7. The horizontal distance d preferably is at most 5-10 cm.
The length direction a length Ls of the side through-hole 9 is larger than the width Ws of the side through-hole 9 in the width direction, wherein a cross-sectional area of the side-through-hole 9 is at most 50% of the cross-sectional area of the central through-hole 10. A width Wfc of the fluid connection is preferably smaller than or equal to the width Ws of the side through-hole 9. The fluid connection 27 can be embodied by a groove or channel 28 provided at the bottom surface 18 or the top surface 17 of the building element 7. The lower surface of the fluid connection 27 may be downwardly sloped in a direction from the central through-hole 10 to the side through-hole 9, having a slope of for instance 30-60°, for instance around 45° with respect to the vertical. Thus, fluid concrete is encouraged to flow from the central through-hole 10 into the side through-hole 9. At the same time, the pressure exerted by the fluid concrete on the main material of the building element 7 is lowered, further preventing crack formation.
Therein, the groove or channel 28 can be formed by a dam-like protrusion 29, extending upwardly from the top surface 17. The dam-like protrusion 29 may have a U-like shape when seen from above. The side through-hole 9 is preferably positioned in a concave part of the U-shape, wherein legs of the U-shape extend to the circumference 20 of the central through-hole 10, such that fluid concrete poured into the central through-hole 10 is guided towards the side through-hole 9 by the dam-like protrusion and the groove 28. The height Hd of the dam-like protrusion is for instance 1-5 cm.
The width Ws of the side through-hole 9 is preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 40%, even more preferably at most 30%, most preferably at most 25% of the width Wc of the central through-hole 10.
Figure 4c shows a front view of an embodiment of a building element 7 according to the invention. The top surface is provided with a raised part 25 extending in the viewing direction, which simultaneously forms or comprises the dam-like protrusion 29. The bottom surface 18 is provided with a groove 26. When placing one building element 7 on top of another building element 7, the raised part/ groove 25, 26 construction significantly simplifies positioning. Analogously, the transversal side surfaces 19 may be provided with a vertical groove 34, or a pair of vertical grooves 34, wherein an adjacent building element is provided with a corresponding elongated protrusion 35.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment, wherein another exemplary embodiment of a building element is shown that is to be used as corner element of a wall. In principle, the only thing being different from the previous embodiment is that a pair of corner side through-holes 9 are placed at an angle of around 90° with respect to each other in the actual corner, resembling an L-shape when seen from above. The central through-hole 10, positioned in the corner, is fluidly connected to both perpendicular side through-holes 9. Preferably, the corner element of figure 6 is to be used in the building shown in figure 1.
Figure 7 shows another advantageous aspect of using the building element 7 according to the invention. Figure 7 shows the situation around a window frame 32. When the building element 7 is provided below the window frame 32, i.e. supports the window frame 32, a longitudinal recess can be provided in the top surface thereof, i.e. running parallel to the respective beam of the window frame. The longitudinal recess can be advantageously filled with concrete to form a supporting beam 33 as shown. This can be done simultaneously with the filling of the central-through-hole of the building element, i.e. in a single filling step. Analogously, a building element can be provided on top of the window frame 32 having a recess in its bottom surface. During the filling of the central through-hole of this building element with fluid concrete, a supporting beam 33 will be formed on top of the window frame 32. Instead of a window frame, the above may also apply to other types of frames, such a door frames, or in general to a frame having a lower and/or an upper horizontal beam.
Thus, the invention has been described by reference to the embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Reference numerals

1.: Building
2.: Ground
3.: Roof support column
4.: Building side surface
5.: Building front wall
6.: Roof
7.: Building element (block)
8.: Building element (1/2 height)
9.: Side through-hole
10.: Central through-hole
11.: Reinforcement rod
12.: Protrusion
13.: Concrete column
14.: Assembly of building elements
15.: Recess
16.: Continuous central through-hole
17.: Building element top surface
18.: Building element bottom surface
19.: Building element transversal side surface
20.: Central through-hole circumferential wall
21.: Building element longitudinal side surface
22.: -
23.: -
24.: Circumference of the side-through-hole
25.: Raised part
26.: Groove
27.: Sideways fluid connection
28.: Fluid channel
29.: Dam-like protrusion
30.: Side concrete column
31.: Continuous side through-hole
32.: Window frame
33.: Supporting beam
34.: Vertical groove in transversal side surface
35.: Vertical protrusion in transversal side surface

Ws: = width of side through-hole in width direction
Wc: = width of central through-hole in width direction
Hc: = height of the central through-hole
Hfc: = height fluid connection
Wfc: = width of fluid connection
Ls: = length side through-hole
Hd: = height of dam-like protrusion

d: = horizontal distance

Claims

Building element (7) suitable for forming a wall (3, 4, 5) of a building (1), comprising, in a position of use:
- a bottom surface (18),

- a top surface (17) positioned at a distance (Hb) from the bottom surface (18),

- a first pair of opposite side surfaces (19), spaced-apart in a length direction (X),

- a second pair of opposite side surfaces (21), spaced-apart in a width direction (Y), connecting the first pair of side surfaces, wherein the first and second pairs of side surfaces connect the top surface (17) and the bottom surface (18),

- a central through-hole (10) extending substantially vertically from the top surface (17) to the bottom surface (18), the central through-hole (10) having a circumferential surface (20) being substantially impermeable to fluid concrete to be poured into the central through-hole (10),

- a side through-hole (9) extending substantially vertically from the top surface (17) to the bottom surface (18), parallel to the central through-hole (10), having a width (Ws) in width direction smaller than a width (Wc) of the central through-hole, characterized in that the circumference (24) of the side through-hole is positioned at a horizontal distance (d) from the circumference of the central through-hole (10), such that the side through-hole is substantially fluidly isolated from the central through-hole along a height (He) of the central through-hole, wherein between the top surface and the bottom surface a sideways fluid connection (27) is present between the central through-hole and the side through-hole for allowing fluid concrete poured into the central through-hole to enter the side through-hole, a height (Hfc) of the fluid connection being at most 20%, preferably at most 10% of a height of the central through-hole.
Building element (7) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the length direction a length (Ls) of the side through-hole is larger than the width (Ws) of the side through-hole in the width direction, wherein a cross-sectional area of the side-through-hole is at most 50% of the cross-sectional area of the central through-hole.
Building element (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two side through-holes are provided at opposite sides of the central through-hole.
Building element (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a width (Wfc) of the fluid connection is smaller than or equal to the width (Ws) of the side through-hole.
Building element (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid connection is embodied by a groove or channel (28) provided at the bottom surface or the top surface of the building element.
Building element (7) according to claim 5, wherein the groove or channel is formed by a dam-like protrusion (29), extending upwardly from the top surface, having a U-like shape when seen from above, the side through-hole being positioned in a concave part of the U-shape, wherein legs of the U-shape extend to the circumference of the central through-hole, such that fluid concrete poured into the central through-hole is guided towards the side through-hole by the dam-like protrusion.
Building element (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the width (Ws) of the side through-hole is at most 50%, more preferably at most 40%, even more preferably at most 30%, most preferably at most 25% of the width (Wc) of the central through-hole.
Building element (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top surface (17) is provided with one or more rows of protrusions (12) extending along the intersection of the top surface and the second pair of side surfaces (21) for connecting to one or more corresponding rows of recesses (15) comprised by a bottom surface (18) of a further building element (7) to be placed on top of the building element (7).
Building element (7) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower surface of the sideways fluid connection (27) is downwardly sloped in a direction from the central through-hole (10) to the side through-hole (9).
Assembly (14) of two or more building elements (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom surface (18) of one building element (7) is placed on the top surface (17) of another building element (7) in such a way that the central through-hole (10) of the one building element (7) is aligned with the central through-hole (10) of the other building element (7), thereby forming a continuous central through-hole (16) and the side through-hole (9) of the one building element (7) is aligned with the side through-hole (9) of the other building element (7), thereby forming a continuous side through-hole (31).
Assembly (14) according to claim 10, wherein the continuous central through-hole (16) is filled with concrete forming a central concrete column (13) extending through the building elements (7) and the continuous side through-hole (31) is filled with concrete forming a side concrete column (30) extending through the building elements (7).
Assembly (14) according to claim 11, wherein the central concrete column (13) comprises reinforcement (11) in longitudinal direction of the central column (13), whereas the side concrete column (30) is reinforcement-free.
Wall (3, 4, 5) comprising one or more building elements (7) or assemblies (14) of building elements (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer surface of the wall is provided with a covering layer comprising a resin mortar or a loam, the layer having a thickness of at most 3 cm, preferably at most 2 cm.
Wall (3, 4, 5) according to claim 13, when dependent on claim 9, wherein the side concrete column (30) is provided with one or more anchorings projecting transversely from the concrete column and connecting to one or more layers of plaster on the covering layer.
Method for constructing a wall (3, 4, 5) of a building (1) using building elements (7) according to any one of the claims 1-9, comprising the following steps:
- placing the bottom surface (18) of one building element (7) on the top surface (17) of another building element (7),

- aligning the central through-hole (10) of the one building element (7) with the through-hole (10) of the other building element (7), thereby forming a continuous central through-hole (16), and aligning the side through-hole of the one building element with the side through-hole of the other building element, thereby forming a continuous side through-hole,

- repeating the previous steps until the desired wall height is achieved,

- filling the continuous central through-hole (16) with concrete such that a central concrete column (13) and a side concrete column (30) are formed.