GB2245629A

GB2245629A - Concrete blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2245629A
Application number: GB9114580A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leonard David Foresy; Timothy Burns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-07-06
Filing date: 1991-07-05
Publication date: 1992-01-08
Also published as: GB9114580D0

Abstract

A concrete block for use in heavy duty applications such as prevention of coastal erosion, has a flat base, two vertical parallel side walls (11), and two vertical end walls (12, 13). The wall (13) has a vertical channel (21) extending the height of the block, and the wall (12) has a vertical tongue (20) of complementary shape to the channel so as to allow the block to engage with another like block in a manner which permits relative movement between the blocks. The channel (21) in plan view is of the shape of a trapezium with sloping mutually symmetrical sides which converge inwardly and the tongue is of a corresponding complementary shape. Lifting hooks (18) are provided on the top face (14) of the block. The tongue (20) and the channel (21) may be located along the same axis or at right angles to one another. <IMAGE>

Description

CONCRETE BLOCKS The present invention relates to concrete blocks and in particular to concrete blocks for heavy duty applications, such as for example the prevention of coastal erosion, storm damage or the like.

Traditionally, coastal erosion or storm damage is prevented by building large gravity walls and/or placing large boulders at the sea front to form groins or breakwaters.

These boulders are used to dissipate the energy of waves on the sea. A large gravity wall is normally of concave shape from the top of the wall to the bottom so as to direct the waves back out to sea and is high enough to prevent the sea water from coming over it. Such constructions are excellent primary defences against the sea but due to the large amount of material required to build them and high cost normally involved in their construction they are not feasible to be used to protect large lengths of coastline which only need some form of protection occasionally during the year, i.e. secondary defences.

The object of the invention is to provide a structure which can be used as a secondary defence against coastal erosion and if necessary in conjunction with known primary defences.

The present invention provides a concrete block for use in heavy duty applications, such as prevention of coastal erosion, the block having a flat base, vertical parallel side walls, vertical end walls, one of said walls having a vertical channel extending the height of the block and a second of said walls having a vertical tongue of complementary shape to the channel so as to allow the block to engage with another like block in a manner which permits relative movement between the blocks.

To operate effectively as a secondary defence, concrete blocks of the invention would be used to form a structure above the high water mark and thus would only suffer direct wave attack under storm or extreme conditions. The vertical orientation of the channel and the key allows one to be engaged easily to another usually by lowering one block to engage another while providing a good connection between the block. In the event that they blocks are subjected to an extreme force they can separate without breaking.

Advantageously, the channel in plan view is of the shape of a trapezium with sloping mutually symmetrical sides which converge inwardly and the tongue is of a corresponding complementary shape.

Conveniently, the channel is provided in one end wall and the tongue is provided in the opposite end wall.

Preferably, the block is oblong in shape.

Advantageously, lifting hooks are provided on the block to enable it to be easily lifted and manipulated.

Conveniently, the lifting hooks are embedded in the top surface of the block.

Preferably, the block is reinforced internally.

Advantageously, the internal reinforcement comprises a plastics mesh or fibre, such as polypropylene Conveniently, a decorative finish is provided on some or all of the exposed faces of the block.

Preferably, an orifice or void is provided between one wall and an opposite wall and may be used for drainage or may be large enough to allow the passage of a large quantity of water.

Conveniently, one or more sockets are provided on at least one face of the block, said sockets being adapted to receive fencing posts, plants, flowers or other objects.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only two embodiments of a concrete block according to the invention and how they may be used to form structures. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of block for use as a standard block; Figures 2, 2a, 2b and 2c are respectively, a side elevation, an end elevation, a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the standard block; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of block for use as a right angled corner unit block; Figures 4, 4a, 4b and 4c are respectively, a side elevation, an end elevation, a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the corner unit block; Figure 5 is a plan view of a straight wall including a corner, constructed from blocks according to the invention;; Figure 6 is a front elevation of a straight wall constructed from standard blocks according to the invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of a curved wall constructed from standard blocks according to the invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a block being installed in a wall constructed from blocks according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figures 1 to 2c, the standard block 10 is rectangular is shape and comprises two side faces 11, an end face 12, an end face 13.

Formed in end face 12 is a vertical tongue 20 which is complementary in shape to the vertical channel 21 formed in end face 13.

The block 10 is 1.8m long x 0.9m high x 0.9m wide. The tongue 20 extends 295 mm from the end face 12 and is 290 mm wide at its base converging to 240 mm wide at its end. The channel 21 extends into the end face 13 to a depth of 300 mm and is 300 mm wide at the end face 13 and 250 mm wide at its internal face.

The corner unit 30 shown in Figures 3 to 4c is similar to the standard block 10, except that the vertical channel 21 is formed in one of the side faces 11.

Embedded in the top face 14 of the blocks 10 and 30 are lifting hooks 18 which enable the blocks to be lifted and manipulated.

Figures 5 to 8 illustrate the ways in which the blocks interengage to form structures. The blocks are engaged with one another but yet can move relative to one another, if subject to a great force, without doing any permanent damage to the tongues or channels. If the blocks have been disturbed, then they may be easily restored to their original positions by an excavating machine 50 or the like.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the blocks are manufactured from a grade 30c concrete mix which is a high density 30N mix of 4:1 ratio with 19mm chips. The reinforcing is 193 steel mesh with 75mm minimum cover. The weight of each block is approximately 3 tonnes. The finishes on the exposed faces may be varied to suit the particular requirements, e.g. plain finish, concrete pattern in relief, exposed aggregate, exposed pebble, exposed cobble stone, stone facing, etc.

In another embodiment of block not shown in the drawings, additional channels or sockets may be provided on the faces of block. These channels or sockets may accommodate soil, etc. for plants or flowers so as toconceal the block.

Alternatively, these sockets may be adapted to receive fencing posts which may be located in the blocks.

Therefore, the blocks may be used in scenic areas and may blend in with the environment as required.

As discussed earlier, a dowel and socket arrangement may be used to secure one block on top of another. Also, the blocks may be arranged in a stepped or a terraced arrangement.

While the primary function of the blocks has been described in relation to coastal erosion protection, the blocks of the invention may be used in all heavy duty applications, e.g. flooding barriers, construction of jetties, slipways, road or track-way foundations through soft ground and many other applications which would be recognisable to a person skilled in the art.

The dimensions given in this description are by way of illustration only and may be varied in absolute or relative terms to suit an application.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A concrete block for use in heavy duty applications, such as prevention of coastal erosion, the block having a flat base, vertical parallel side walls, vertical end walls, one of said walls having a vertical channel extending the height of the block, and a second of said walls having a vertical tongue of complementary shape to the channel so as to allow the block to engage with another like block in a manner which permits relative movement between the blocks.

2. A concrete block as claimed in Claim 1, in which the channel in plan view is of the shape of a trapezium with sloping mutually symmetrical sides which converge inwardly and the tongue is of a corresponding complementary shape.

3. A concrete block as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the channel provided in one end wall and the tongue is provided in the opposite end wall.

4. A concrete block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the block is oblong in shape.

5. A concrete block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which lifting hooks are provided on the block to enable it to be easily lifted and manipulated.

6. A concrete block as claimed in Claim 5, in which the lifting hooks are embedded in the top surface of the block.

7. A concrete block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is reinforced internally.

8. A concrete block as claimed in Claim 7, in which the internal reinforcement comprises a plastics mesh or fibre, such as polypropylene

9. A concrete block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a decorative finish is provided on some or all of the exposed faces of the block.

10. A concrete block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which an orifice or void is provided between one wall and an opposite wall.

11. A concrete block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which one or more sockets are provided on at least one face of the block, said sockets being adapted to receive fencing posts, plants, flowers or other objects.

12. A concrete block as claimed in Claim 11, in combination with one or more dowels with at least one socket being provided on the block into which a dowel or the like may be engaged whereby one block may be stacked on another and may be moved relative to one another by means of the dowel engaging in two mutually aligned sockets.

13. A concrete block substantially in accordance with either of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.