GB2427403A

GB2427403A - A building block

Info

Publication number: GB2427403A
Application number: GB0509666A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Donald Selsdon; Stephen Lambert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-11
Filing date: 2005-05-11
Publication date: 2006-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-11
Also published as: GB0509666D0; GB2427403B

Abstract

A building block comprises 47-53% by volume expanded polystyrene beads, 13-15% by volume concreting sand, 24-28% by volume of gravel, 6-8% by volume ordinary Portland cement and 2-4% by volume of pulverised pure ash. The polystyrene beads may be recycled. The polystyrene beads may have a diameter of 4-8mm. The concreting sand may be 300 microns sand. The gravel may be 5-6mm gavel. The Portland cement may be 42.5n ordinary Portland cement. The pulverised ash is in accordance with British Standard EN 4501995.

Description

A BUILDING BLOCK This invention relates to a building block. Building blocks such for example as breeze blocks are well known. The known building blocks often do not have a required strength combined with a required lightness. For example, breeze blocks are light but they lack good strength. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a building block which is of a light weight and which has good strength properties. Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a building block comprising: (i) 47 - 53% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 13 - 15% by volume concreting sand; (iii) 24 - 28% by volume gravel; (iv) 6 - 8% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 2 - 4% by volume pulverised pure ash. The building block of the present invention is advantageous in that the addition of the polystyrene beads prevents the building block from acquiring a mouldy looking appearance, even after exposed use outside. The building block is able to remain fresh looking which is an advantage commercially. The building block may be used for buildings. The present invention also extends to the above mentioned composition when used for making products other than building blocks. Examples of such products may be garden ornaments. The building blocks and the other products are light to carry. Preferably, the building block comprises: (i) 47.5 - 52.5% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 13.3 - 14.7% by volume concreting sand; (iii) 24.7 - 27.3% by volume gravel; (iv) 6.7 - 7.4% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 2.9 - 3.2% by volume pulverised pure ash. A presently preferred building block comprises: (i) 50% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 14% by volume of concreting sand; (iii) 26% by volume gravel; (iv) 7% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 3% by volume pulverised pure ash. Advantageously, the building block is one in which the expanded polystyrene beads are recycled expanded polystyrene beads. The polystyrene beads can be obtained from domestic products which contain polystyrene such for example as discarded fridges. Preferably, the building block is one in which the expanded polystyrene beads have a diameter of 4 - 8mm. Preferably, the expanded polystyrene beads have a diameter of 6mm. The beads may be in the form of short tubes. The beads may be in other shapes if desired. The beads may be produced by extruding pellets which are then di-face cut. The pellets may then be injected with a gas and expanded with steam. Preferably, the concreting sand is medium wash concreting sand. The medium washed concreting sand may be in accordance with BSI 882. Preferably, the concreting sand is 300 micron sand. Preferably, the gravel is 5 - 6mm gravel. Preferably, the ordinary Portland cement is 42.5n ordinary Portland cement. The pulverised pure ash is preferably that required by British Standard EN 4501995. In order to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the following example.

EXAMPLE I Recycled expanded polystyrene beads were obtained from polystyrene packaging waste from electrical goods. The polystyrene was crushed to bead form. A mix was then made comprising the following: (i) 50% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 14% by volume of concreting sand; (iii) 26% by volume gravel; (iv) 7% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 3% by volume pulverised pure ash. The polystyrene beads had a diameter of 6mm. The concreting sand was medium washed concreting sand. The concreting sand was 300 microns sand. The gravel was 5 - 6mm gravel. The ordinary Portland cement was 42.5n ordinary Portland cement. The pulverised pure ash was in accordance with British Standard EN 4501995. The mixture was poured into appropriate moulds. The mixture in the moulds was then fired and building blocks were thus produced. The building blocks were light in weight but had good strength properties. The expanded polystyrene beads did not unduly weaken the building block. The required lightweight properties of the building block and the required good strength properties of the building block are believed to be due to the percentages by volume of the ingredients employed, and also the size of the expanded polystyrene beads. The produced building blocks had good acoustic properties and good thermal properties. It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying Example has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Claims

1. A building block comprising: (i) 47 - 53% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 13 - 15% by volume concreting sand; (iii) 24 - 28% by volume gravel; (iv) 6 - 8% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 2 - 4% by volume pulverised pure ash.

2. A building block according to claim 1 and comprising: (i) 47.5 - 52.5% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 13.3 - 14.7% by volume concreting sand; (iii) 24.7 - 27.3% by volume gravel; (iv) 6.7 - 7.4% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 2.9 - 3.2% by volume pulverised pure ash.

3. A building block according to claim 2 and comprising: (i) 15% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 14% by volume of concreting sand; (iii) 26% by volume gravel; (iv) 7% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 3% by volume pulverised pure ash.

4. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the expanded polystyrene beads are recycled polystyrene beads.

5. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the expanded polystyrene beads have a diameter of 4 - 8mm.

6. A building block according to claim 5 in which the expanded polystyrene beads have a diameter of 6mm.

7. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the concreting sand is medium wash concreting sand.

8. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the concreting sand is 300 microns sand.

9. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the gravel is 5 -6 mm gravel.

10. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the Portland cement is 42.5n ordinary Portland cement.

11. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the pulverised ash is in accordance with British Standard EN 4501995.

12. A building block substantially as herein described with reference to Example I.

12. A building block substantially as herein described with reference to Example I. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1 A building block comprising: (i) 47 - 53% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 13 - 15% by volume concreting sand: (iii) 24 - 28% by volume gravel; (iv) 6 - 8% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 2 - 4% by volume pulverised pure ash

2. A building block according to claim 1 and comprising: (i) 47.5 - 52.5% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii)

13.3 -

14.7% by volume concreting sand; (iii) 24.7 - 27.3% by volume gravel; (iv) 6.7 - 7.4% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 2.9 - 3.2% by volume pulverised pure ash. 3. A building block according to claim 2 and comprising: (i) 50% by volume expanded polystyrene beads; (ii) 14% by volume of concreting sand; (iii) 26% by volume gravel; (iv) 7% by volume ordinary Portland cement; and (v) 3% by volume pulverised pure ash.

8. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the concreting sand is 300 microns sand. 9. A building block according to any one of the preceding claims in which the gravel is 5 -6 mm gravel.