GB2140053A - Building system - Google Patents

Abstract

Walls, floors, roofs, paths and roads are constructed from prefabricated blocks having compound shapes which are such that at least a majority thereof each exhibit projections and/or recesses arranged to co-operate interlockingly with the projections and/or recesses of other blocks of the system, whereby said interlocking blocks can be assembled without the essential use of mortar or other intervening binding material. The blocks illustrated in Fig. 16 are basically T- shaped, having a hollow formation and being flat-laid (rather than being disposed upright as are those illustrated on Fig. 1). in horizontal courses in walls. Each block is horizontally reversed relative to its immediate neighbours where the courses are straight. The hollow interiors of the blocks may be filled with strengthening material or heat and sound insulating material and/or reinforcing bars may extend through aligned hollow interiors in the superposed courses. Compound-shaped corner and junction blocks are employed, where required. Many other basic block shapes and shapes of interlocking key are both described and illustrated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building system This invention seeks to provide a building system in which bricks or blocks are employed that are of compound shape, that is to say, are not basically rectangular parallelepipeds.

The term "brick(s) or block(s)" will be shortened to "block(s)" alone throughout the greater part of the remainder of this document for the sake of brevity. The block employed in a system in accordance with the invention may be basically T-shaped, basically Z-shaped and/or may be dove-tailed and may co-operate with other compound-shaped blocks to produce buildings or other structures in which the various blocks strengtheningly support one another with, or without, interlocking cooperation, it being possible for the buildings or other structures to be completed, in some cases, without mortar or other binding material between the blocks or, in other cases, to employ a relatively small amount of mortar or other binding material between the blocks as compared with buildings and other structures produced from conventional bricks or blocks.

A system in accordance with the invention employs blocks which are pre-fabricated to a high degree of precision and the required fitting together and/or interlocking of the blocks will not be achieved, during the erection of a building or other structure, unless the individual blocks are correctly disposed relative to one another and register accurately.

If a mistake is made in positioning a block relative to others that have already been laid, the error will almost immediately be very obvious and can quickly and easily be corrected. No cutting or breaking of any block is necessary since the system includes the use of complimentary blocks such as end blocks, corner blocks, junction blocks and so on. In the case of a building or other structure having upright walls, a minimum of checking is necessary upon the erection of those walls once the dimensions of the base of the building has been calculated and said base has been accurately marked out.An important feature of the system is the fact that the same block can be employed in the construction of floors and roofs as are used to erect walls thus producing a fully integrated building system in which, once an initial choice of the various possible block shapes has been made, the number of different shapes of pre-fabricated block that are actually employed in a single building or other structure can be quite small.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, the various basic forms of building block which this system employs will now be separately described, except inasmuch as different shapes of block co-operate with one another, reference being made to the accompanying drawings which, similarly, are grouped to relate as far as possible to the different shapes of building block. Reference is made firstly to Figures 1 to 20 of the drawings which Figures show the use of building blocks that are basically T-shaped. Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings show two walls of a building or other structure formed from such T-shaped blocks.It will be seen that, in each horizontal course of blocks, neighbouring blocks are alternately upright and inverted and that, in the structure of Figure 1, each block is inverted relative to blocks which are vertically thereabove and/or therebeneath whereas, in the structure shown in Figure 2, each block in each course has the same disposition as does each block which is vertically thereabove and/or therebeneath. It will particularly be noted that, in both cases, the T-shaped blocks co-operate to form a 90 junction between two upright walls without the need to employ blocks of any other shape.

It will immediately be apparent that the horizontal limb or crossbar of each block is three units wide and that the vertical limb or upright thereof is two units tall measured from the lowermost extremity thereof to the top of the horizontal limb or crossbar.

In fact, the basic T-shaped block of Figures 1 and 2 is preferably given tapered projections and depressions as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 or is provided with projecting nibs and matching recesses as shown in Figure 5. These projections and depressions or nibs and recesses provide a significantly improved and strengthened key between the blocks enabling them to be fitted satisfactorily together without the use of mortar or other binding material when a wholly or principally dry construction is required.It will be apparent from Figures 3 to 5 of the drawings that the blocks which are being described are of hollow formation and it is noted that the projections and depressions or nibs and recesses co-operate with each other to form a satisfactory seal at the joints between the blocks which is a considerable advantage if the hollow blocks are to be filled with an initially foamed or liquid insulation material or with foamed or other concrete.

Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate the formation and use of blocks which may conveniently be known as Z-key, T-blocks. The various views which are given in each of Figures 6 to 10 of the drawings adequately show the compound shape of each basically T-shaped block and the compound shape of the co-operating Z-key, T-block. Figure 9 shows, on the left, the co-operation between two such blocks A and B at the 90 junction between, for example, two upright walls whereas the right-hand side of Figure 9 shows the similar co-operation between two Tblocks of simpler non-keyed shape (compare with Figures 1 and 2).Figure 10 is a plan view illustrating the use of dove-tailed basically T-shaped blocks in co-operation with basically Z-shaped blocks and a "corner'' block designed to co-operate with two neighbouring Z-blocks at the 90 junction between, for example, two upright walls. The basically T-shaped blocks of Figures 6 to 10 of the drawings are, in any construction employing them, keyed ta their neighbours on ail sides and this produces an equilibrium between the forces acting on each block, it being noted that Z-keyed blocks are usable in slab form as floors and also in slab form as roofs which latter can be employed either with, or without, additional supports.

There are four basic versions of the ernbodi- ment of the system which principally uses T- shaped building blocks, these four versions having been found to be the most satisfactory as regards ease of construction, handling, simplicity, ease of production of the blocks, versatility in use of the blocks and the need to produce a minimum number of accessory blocks for use at, for example, wall ends, wall junctions and the like. The first of these four versions is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the second in Figures 11 to 17, the third in Figure 32 and the fourth in Figures 18 and 19.It wili be apparent that all of the embodiments shown in Figures 10 to 19 inclusive employ the basically T-shaped blocks liying on their sides (i.e. with their uprights horizontally disposed) and that the blocks shown in the four views of Figure 17 are basically T-shaped having surfaces that are to co-operate with those of other blocks either cylindrically concave or matching cylindrically convex.

In the version of Figure 18, each basically T-shaped block is of elongate formation, the blocks of Figure 18 being un-keyed whereas those of Figure 19 are shaped to key together, it being noted that elongate blocks of basically L-shaped cross-section are required in the embodiments of both Figures 18 and 19 where wall ends are produced and T- shaped (in plan view) junctions between wails are made.

Each of the four versions of the system which principally employs T-shaped blocks may be solid, wholly or partly hollow and may have plain and or patterned or other textured surfaces. It will be apparent that many different combinations of precise shape, size, materials, surface texturing and so on are possible that are too numerous to discuss individually. The particular type which is chosen will depend upon individual preference, climatic conditions, geographic situation and local traditions of building.It is noted that, whilst prefabricated concrete will generally be em employed and most blocks will be hollow in construction, other materials can equally well be used, if preferred, such as pre-stressed concrete to form blocks usable for walls, floors, roofs and so on but a construction employing concrete is not essential and the blocks can be made from, for example, glass reinforced plastics materials, natural wood and/or plywood.

The use of the building system which has so far been described enables strong buildings or other structures to be made either in dry form or semi-dry form using very much less mortar or other binding material than is em employed in the formation of traditional brick block buildings and the like. The described system has considerable advantages as compared with traditional building systems and these advantages include stability both during and after erection of a building or other structure, ease of erection, simplicity in aligning the blocks without long experience of such work being necessary and with the use of an absolute minimum of auxiliary tools, measuring instruments and other gadgets.The blocks can be such as to interlock giving increased strength to the wall, floor, roof or the like which is being produced whilst simultaneously eliminating errors such as discrepancies in level and the formation of crooked, zig-zag, curved or other incorrectly disposed courses of blocks. The system is versatile since it can employ different forms of keying and interlocking and can employ any chosen one, or any chosen combination, of the different blocks that have already been described and those that will be described below. As well as being very suitable for the construction of dwelling houses and other buildings, the system can be used for many other purposes such as, for example, the paving of roads, pathways, pavements and the like and for the cladding of new or existing buildings.Although the blocks will usually be formed from conventional concrete, they can, as has al- ready been mentioned above, be formed from other materials which include, in addition to the examples already mentioned, light-weight concrete, clay, gypsum and synthetic plastics materials whether or not reinforced with glass fibre or the like. Where appropriate, buildings or other structures can be produced without mortar or other binding material between the blocks but grouted cavities can be included, where required, for strength and/or insulation. If required, a building or other structure can be formed in such a way as to be capable of being readily dismantlable by including therein removable keying blocks and/or removable locking bolts. Although referred to generally throughout this document as being ''blocks'' the fourth version that has so far been described with reference to Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings can be considered also as constituting panels. The blocks or panels may be given surface textures de signed to simulate the use of a traditional method of construction when viewing the exposed surfaces of a building or other structure formed from such blocks or panels.

Figure 20 of the drawings somewhat diagrammatically illustrates the use of the basically T-shaped blocks, arranged as shown in Figure 1, in forming an irregularly shaped structure having a plurality of right-angled corners and a number of access openings to its interior. It will be seen that, at the margins of the access openings, additional L-shaped blocks or cuboid blocks are required to produce upright straight edges.

It has been found that, using principally the basically T-shaped blocks to form a building or other structure, those blocks, when accurately produced, fit together in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4 or Figure 5 of the drawings in such a way as automatically to prevent inaccuracies in horizontal or vertical disposition, provided only that the foundation or footing is itself correctly disposed. The interengagement of the blocks automatically prevents vertical and horizontal inaccuracies from occurring and the fact that said blocks fit tightly together produces a strength which is comparable with that achieved by using traditional bricks or blocks that are connected to one another by mortar or other binding material.Considerable time is, of course, saved by wholly or principally omitting mortar or other binding materials since the builders do not have to wait for the mortar or the like to set before the blocks can be relied upon for supporting purposes. Although the blocks are pre-fabricated, a building or other structure which is to be formed principally therefrom is actually constructed in a very similar manner to the use of tradtional bricks and blocks except that, generally speaking, mortar is used very sparingly, if at all. The final building or other structure will not have the appearance of a monolithic concrete mass but rather the appearance of a somewhat differently patterned, but otherwise traditional, block or brick construction thus avoiding an alien external appearance which tends to discourage builders and the customers for their products.Builders that work substantially only in the traditional way will find no difficulty nor strangeness in using this system since the system comprises placing a large number of relatively small blocks in pre-determined posi- tions relative to one another as is, of course, done when using traditional bricks and building blocks. The present system does not envisage the use of relatively large prefabricated panels as forms the basis of a number of modern methods of building construction.

As well as being employed in the construction of actual buildings, paths, roads and the like and the cladding of new or existing buildings, this system can be employed in producing either permanent or temporary shuttering, basically T-shaped blocks which are formed from glass fibre reinforced plastics materials or wood being particularly suitable for shuttering purposes. If exceptional strength is required in the blocks, they may be formed from glass fibre reinforced concrete but the particular choice of material will naturally de pend upon the nature of the building or other structure that is to be formed and the purpose for which it is required.The hollow interiors of the blocks can, for extra strength, be filled with concrete or cement grout and it is possible to insert reinforcing bars into those interiors, before pouring the concrete or grouting, and it has already been mentioned that the hollow blocks can be filled with insulation material, such as urea-formaldehyde foam, by either pouring or injection.

The system is particularly convenient for forming temporary buildings or other structures since the blocks and other necessary items can be supplied in a partially assembled condition with post units bolted to beam units merely requiring the interlocking blocks to be correctly positioned. Under such circumstances it is, of course, necessary that provision should be made for disassembling the temporary building or other structure in one of the ways briefly discussed above.

It will be realised that the blocks or panels that have been described can be provided in any required sizes although, in the case of blocks, it is desirable that the size and weight should not exceed that which can readily be handled by a single workman. The panels that have briefly been described with reference to Figures 18 and 1 9 of the drawings can, on the other hand, be of such a size that mechanical assistance is required to move them, it being possible to provide panels other than those shown in Figures 1 8 and 1 9 to form a range of modular units that are basically of Tshaped cross-section together with accessory units as may be required at wall ends, wall junctions, the margins of access openings and the like.The second and third versions of the T-blocks may, if required, be substantially brick-sized and may be made from baked clay and other materials from which conventional bricks are formed. In a building or other structure using such bricks, it is desirable to grout the junctions between them at regualar intervals, as may be necessary having regard to the particular building or other structure that is being produced, or, in the case of hollow bricks of this form, to fill them with mortar to produce columns or pillars and to strengthen the construction at the junctions between walls.

When erecting a building or other structure using the first version of the T-blocks that has been described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be remembered that these blocks do not possess any interlocking or keying features and it is therefore desirable, although not absolutely essential in all cases, to use mortar, grouting or other binding material in each pair or tier of blocks, using further mortar, grouting or other bind ing material between superposed pairs or tiers of blocks. The blocks that are required at the corners and ends of walls are basically similar to the T-shaped blocks themselves only the form of keying or interlocking has, of course, to match that employed in the T-shaped blocks.Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings show various constructions that can be employed at junctions between walls, the references A and B being employed to desigate co-operating blocks that exhibit Z-keying. It will already be apparent that the blocks of the second version are assembied in a similar way to those of the first version except that each T-shaped block has its upright limb substantially horizontally, rather than substantially vertically, disposed.

In employing the third version to form a building or other structure, much the same technique is used as with the first version but the relative disposition of the blocks is different, T-shaped blocks being employed whose thicknesses can be varied, and in particular reduced, to allow different external patterns to be produced together with different crosssectional relative dispositions of the blocks.

This third version of the system can, if desired, be combined with the second version, using the two versions alternately in successive tiers of the blocks. The fourth version that is shown in Figures 1 7 and 1 8 of the drawings employs elongate panels, rather than blocks, but it is noted that these basically Tshaped cross-section panels are of significantly smaller widths than panels employed in known pre-fabricated building systems which has the result that the individual panels are not too heavy in weight and can, if desired, be keyed to one another eliminating, where appropriate, the use of mortar or grouting between the panels. If required, the strength of a wall or partition formed from such panels can be increased by employing a top beam that may, if required, be bolted or otherwise secured to the tops of the upright panels.

A second basic embodiment of this building system employs blocks that are not T-shaped but that co-operate with one another by way of keys that are substantially Z-shaped. Such blocks are particularly, but not exclusively, useful in forming prefabricated panels, partitions and the like, a minimum of mortar or other binding material being required at the junctions between the blocks.

The shape of the Z-key can be varied but it has been found convenient to employ four basic forms of Z-key any of which will join the blocks quickly and effectively together without essentially employing any mortar or other binding material.

It is possible to build a wall or other structure employing Z-keyed blocks in a semi-dry form overlaying every tier of Z-keyed blocks with mortar or other binding material to secure the superposed tiers together in a conventional way. If a fully dry construction is preferred, it is desirable to incorporate end keying systems of substantially M-, substantially S-, or substantially Z-form into the blocks to ensure that a building or other structure can be erected quickly and accurately whilst automatically maintaining stabil ity and both vertical and horizontal alignment.

Figure 21 of the drawings shows various views of a block and illustrates the first, third and fourth versions of the Z-key, Figure 22 gives various views of a number of blocks provided with the first version of the Z-key fitted together, Figure 23 is an elevational view showing a hollow block, provided with the second version of the Z-key, from which it will be seen how said block will interengage neighbouring similar blocks, Figure 24 is a plan view showing walls of a building that are formed by employing hollow blocks exhibiting the first version of the Z-key but Figure 24 also shows the shapes of blocks that are required at a right-angled junction between two walls, two forms of T-shaped junction between walls and a cruciform junction between four walls, Figure 25 shows further details of the basic blocks and junction blocks that are illustrated in Figure 24 and additionally shows, in black, one block that is required at the end of an upright wall when said end should present a flat surface that extends perpendicularly between the opposite side faces of the wall, and Figure 26 illustrates hollow Z-keyed blocks which are used as permanent formwork for the construction of beams together with details of one way of fitting those blocks together and, at the top of the Figure, the shape of auxiliary hollow blocks that may be used surroundingly to support upright reinforcing rods or the like that are interconnected by strengthening wires.

The Z-keyed blocks that have just been described can be employed in much the same situations as the basically T-shaped blocks discussed above and, to a large extent, have the same advantages, as compared with the bricks or blocks that are employed in conventional building systems, as do those previously described blocks.

There now follows a description of a third basic embodiment of blocks employed in a building system in accordance with the invention which blocks are dove-tailed and will hereinafter be called, for the sake of brevity, "dove" blocks. Such blocks are again particularly, but by no means exclusively, useful in constructing pre-fabricated panels, partitions and the like, very little, if any, mortar or other binding material being required at the junctions between the blocks. The dove blocks again employ Z-keys for interengagement and, once again, these Z-keys may be varied in shape but conveniently are provided in four different versions as has already been described above with reference to Figures 21 to 26 of the drawings.

As already briefly described with reference to Figures 21 to 26 of the drawings, the dove blocks can advantageously be used in buildings or other structures of semi-dry form, each tier of Z-keyed dove blocks being overlaid with mortar or other binding material to secure it to the superposed tier in a substantially conventional manner. Again, if a substantially fully dry construction is required, it is preferable for the dove blocks to incorporate end keys of one of the same forms, and for the same purposes, as have already been mentioned with reference to Figures 21 to 26 of the drawings.

Each dove block is actually shaped to comprise two half Z-form blocks of symmetrically identical form, the two halves being integrally produced. This form of block has the particular advantage that, in use, the forces acting on the opposite ends thereof will almost always substantially counterbalance one another so that a particularly structurally stable building will result.

The dove blocks have subsantially the same versatility of usage, and advantages as compared with the bricks or blocks that are employed in conventional building systems, that have already been discussed above in regard to the version of the system which principally employs basically T-shaped blocks.

Figure 27 of the drawings gives several different views of a hollow dove block as just described, and Figure 28 is a plan view, somewhat similar to Figure 24, showing a plurality of the hollow dove blocks 4 employed in walls which also include matchingly shaped cruciform connecting blocks 1, "half" wall end blocks 2, Tjunction blocks 3 and right-angled corner blocks 5.

A description will now be given of ways in which the various forms of block that have so far been described can be employed in forming buildings and other structures. When basically T-shaped or other blocks of the kind that have been described, having Z-keys, are used in co-operation with one another, the Z-keys will effectively lock adjoining blocks together by directing the forces which act upon the junctions between the blocks and otherwise upon the blocks themselves in such a way as to enhance or reinforce the stability of the structure that is composed of said blocks. in particular, the Z-keys transform the tensile forces to which the described blocks or slabs are subject into compressive forces which latter forces will not normally crush building materials of the kind used to produce blocks, bricks and slabs unless said forces are excessively strong.

Figures 29, 30 and 31 of the drawings illustrate three different forms of floor that may be constructed using the building system of this invention. Figure 29 shows the employment of the previously described dove blocks or slabs arranged in a pre-cast concrete or steel beam or timber joist framework that is of matching cross-sectional shape and that provides said beams or joists at pre-determined substantially regular intervals.

Figure 30 is similar to Figure 29 but shows the use of basically T-shaped blocks or slabs, arranged with their uprights in horizontal positions, in a framework that is similar to the framework of Figure 29. It will be noted that the basically T-shaped blocks exhibit Z-keys of substantially the kind shown in Figure 23 and that similarly keyed dove blocks or slabs are also employed to fill the gaps which would be left if T-blocks or slabs alone were used.

Figure 31 of the drawings illustrates the employment of Z-keyed blocks arranged between the beams or joists of a framework that is similar to the framework of Figure 29 except that said beams or joists necessarily have a cross-section which matches those of the blocks or slabs with which they are to cooperate.

It is important, when using the blocks in one of the ways that is illustrated in Figures 29 to 31 of the drawings that said blocks should be forced tightly against one another in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the lengths of the beams or joists of the cooperating framework. Under such circumstances, the blocks or slabs will co-operate effectively with one another to form a stable floor in which no underneath support, between the beams or joists, is necessary. A tie beam may often advantageously be employed to maintain the blocks firmly pressed against one another as just described, such tie beam being either pre-cast or cast in situ. The use of a tie beam for this purpose is particularly advantageous when the blocks are in the form of roof slabs.Obviously, there is a limit to the span of blocks which will remain reliably interconnected, without support, merely by the co-operation of their own interlocking portions, this limit being dependent upon the sizes of the blocks or slabs that are employed, the strength of the material from which they are made and the load that, in use, they will be called upon to bear. It is again possible to employ pre-cast or pre-stressed beams in supporting co-operation with the blocks or slabs, the blocks or slabs of a floor or the like that is formed in this way needing no mortar, grouting or other binding material.

When using blocks or slabs that have Zkeys as shown in Figure 31, those blocks or slabs have symmetrically identical Z-keys at their opposite sides for co-operation with the neighbouring blocks or slabs and/or with the similarly keyed beams or joists of the supporting framework. In the case of basically Tshaped blocks or slabs as shown in Figure 30, each block or slab has Z-keys at its two opposite sides which keys are identical, but not symmetrically identical, to one another.

These keys are to be found both at the opposite sides of the upright of each basically T-shaped block or slab and at the opposite ends of the horizontal limb or crossbar thereof. If necessary, further strengthening can be produced by forming Z-keys or substantially right-angled S-keys on the surfaces of the floor blocks or slabs that are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces carrying the keys that have already been mentioned.

Examples of such surfaces are those which are shown as facing a viewer of Figure 29, 30 or 31 of the drawings at the foot of each such Figure.

Blocks or slabs that have Z-keys at their opposite sides and that, as can be seen in Figure 31, are themselves basically Z-shaped in cross-section, are advantageously employed in erecting buildings and other structures, the blocks or slabs co-operating, as shown in Figure 31, with the beams and/or joists of a framework. It can sometimes be an advantage to secure pre-cast or pre-stressed beams together to form a slab and this has the advantage that said beams or joists will be lighter in weight than is conventional, thus avoiding the need for heavy lifting machinery and other mechanical handling equipment to move various parts of the building or other structure that is being erected into their appointed positions.Once again, the advantage that the blocks or slabs automatically position themselves relative to one another in both vertical and horizontal directions is immediately attained. Also, since no mortar or other binding material is really necessary between the automatically interlocking blocks or slabs, a roof can be placed on a building or other structure erected using this system without having to wait for mortar or other binding material to set and attain a required degree of strength.

When using the dove blocks to produce a floor or the like as shown in Figure 29, each block has Z-keys at its opposite sides and is inverted relative to its immediate neighbour(s).

The form of construction is basically very similar to that illustrated in Figure 31 and, similarly, the dove blocks can be formed as pre-cast and pre-stressed slabs.

It remains only to emphasise that the various forms of key, which most of the blocks, slabs and panels that have been described exhibit, are intended for interlocking purposes rather than for joining the blocks, slabs and panels together. The keys re-direct the forces to which the blocks and so on are. subject, when in use, in such a way as to strengthen the junctions between them and to strengthen the blocks, slabs and panels themselves. No mortar or ot,her binding material is really necessary in most cases although, as has been described, there are circumstances in which the use of a minimum quantity thereof is advantageous.The blocks, slabs or panels can be formed from almost any material that has the required strength, durability, resistance to the climate in which it will be used and that is not inherently hazardous (i.e. an otherwise suitable material that is highly inflammable or that omits poisonous fumes when exposed to fire would clearly not be satisfactory).

Examples of the various keys that have been described are illustrated in the accompanying drawings as follows. The M-key is shown in Figure 15, the substantially rightangled S-key is shown in Figure 14. the S-key is shown in Figure 17, the first version of the Z-key is shown in Figures 6 and 27, the second version of the Z-key is shown in Figures 7, 1 3 and 23, the third and fourth versions of the Z-key are shown in Figures 21 and 22, a wedge key which has previously been referred to as being an auxiliary block required at wall end and the margins of access openings and the like is shown in Figures 16 and 1 9 whilst Figures 3 and 4 show the previously mentioned projections and depressions, which also act as keys, and Figure 5 shows the previously mentioned nibs and recesses which similarly act as keys.

Claims (18)

1. A building system for the construction of walls, floors, roofs, paths and roads, the system comprising the employment of prefabricated blocks having compound shapes which are such that at least a majority thereof each exhibit projections and/or recesses arranged to co-operate interlockingly with the projections and/or recesses of other blocks of the system, whereby said interlocking blocks can be assembled without the essential use of mortar or other intervening binding material.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said blocks are of a primarily cementitious or a primarily clay-based brick formation.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said blocks include individual blocks each of which is of basically T-shaped, basically Z-shaped, or basically dove-tailed configuration.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein, when used in the construction of a wall, said blocks are disposed in courses with each of at least a majority of the blocks in an upright, rather than flat-laid, position in interlocking relationship with at least one relatively inverted immediately neighbouring block.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein, when used in the construction of a wall, said blocks are disposed in courses with each of at least a majority of the blocks in a flat-laid, rather than upright, position in interlocking relationship with at least one relatively horizontally reversed immediately neighbouring block.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a majority of the blocks are of hollow formation.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hollow interiors of at least some of the blocks are arranged in longitudinal register with one another during a building operation, and wherein reinforcing bars are entered longitudinally through at least some of the aligned hollow interiors.

8. A system according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the hollow interiors of at least a majority of the blocks are filled, during a building operation, by concrete or cement grout for extra strength or are filled with a heat and sound insulating material.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat and sound insulating filling material is urea-formaldehyde foam.

10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the blocks are of elongate formation but substantially constant cross-sectional shape and area throughout their elongate lengths, such blocks performing a panel-like function when employed in a building.

11. A system as claimed in claim 2 or in any one of claims 3 to 10 when read as directly or indirectly appendant to claim 2, wherein a plurality of blocks of a primarily cementitious formation are employed, the ce- mentitious material being strengthened/reinforced by the incorporation therein of glass fibre.

1 2. A system as claimed in claim 3 or in any one of claims 4 to 11 when read as directly or indirectly appendant to claim 3, wherein each of at least a majority of the basically T-shaped blocks is formed with substantially Z-shaped projections and recesses or nibs for interlocking co-operation with the recesses or nibs and projections of similar immediately neighbouring blocks in the use thereof.

1 3. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in the use of said blocks in forming floors, flat roofs and the like, they are arranged between the substantially parallel beams or joists of a framework in such a way that said blocks are forced tightly against one another in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the lengths of those beams or joists.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said tight interengagement of the blocks is maintained by the employment of at least one tie beam.

1 5. A system as claimed in claim 2 or in any one of claims 3 to 11 when read as directly or indirectly appendant to claim 2, wherein each of at a plurality of the blocks is formed with end-keying projections and recesses of substantially M-, substantially rectangular S-, or cylindrically-convex/concave shape.

16. A building system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A prefabricated compound-shaped block constructed and arranged for use in a system as claimed in any preceding claim.

18. A building, path or road when wholly or primarily constructed by the employment of a system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.