US1293898A - Concrete block construction. - Google Patents

Description

W. C. PARMLEY.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18. 1918.

1,293,898. Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

02$ WZZWO W 81 .7

WALTER C. PARMLEY, .OIE UPPER MONTGLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11 1919.

Application filed. March 18, 1918. Serial No. 223,018.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER C. PARMLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Upper Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Concrete Block Construction, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to structures composed of blocks, preferably concrete blocks, and the structure may assume a tubular arch or tunnel form, or it may be useful in other forms of construction. The object of the invention is to provide a block construction such that pressure may readily be applied to certain portions of the block without injury to the remaining portions thereof.

The subject matter of this application is substantially a division of certain matter contained in applicants co-pending application Serial No. 33,681, filed June 12, 1915.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 shows inv perspective a tubular construction embodying applicants invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of a structure embodying one form of applicants invention; Fig. 3 is an elevation with portions in section showing in detail a modified form of applicants construction; Fig. 4 is an elevation with portions in detail of a construction embodying theinvention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view [showing a detail of construction; and Fig. 6

is a perspective view showing a detail of construction.

The invention as. herein described embodies a tubular concrete construction in which the blocks are laid in successive transverse rows, the blocks ineach row abutting against the forward edgeofthe row against which it is laid. Perhaps the most general use for a structure of the kind herein set forth will be found as a lining for tunnels, although the invention is not limited to this particular use. V

In the excavation of tunnels it is very common to use a tunneling machine which works within a shield at the forward or dead end of the tunnel, or by hand excavation to remove the earth under the protection of a shield. As the earth is removed the shield is intermittently moved forward by means of power appliances, such as hydraulic jacks, which push the shield forward, and in this operation the face of the last row of blocks is made to serve as I an abutment against which the ends of the jacks are placed.

The pressure to which the blocks are thus.

subjected is at times enormous, and under such condit ons it 1s a frequent occurrence for blocks to fracture under the pressure applied. This fracturing of blocks is very frequently, perhaps it might be said generally, due to the condition that blocks in each transverserow or ring do not bear equally and flatly against the blocks in the adjacent ring or row of blocks. In theory there should be complete contact between the adj acent rows of blocks, but in practice this is difficult to attain,and it usually happens for various reasons that the blocks do not match up and engage each other flatly, but that they engage each other irregularly at one or more points, and frequently blocks more or less overhang the edges of an adjacent row of blocks.

In the invention disclosed in this application it is my purpose to provide a form of construction which will remedy or prevent the failure of the blocks under the conditions which have been discussed, and in car 'rying out this idea I have provided a construction in which the contact portions'of each block withan adjacent block in the two rows contiguous to it are at one or two points only, and the points of contact are so arranged with relation to the block that the [pressure applied may be transmitted through these points and elements f contact, to the back rows of blocks, and so transmitted through a line, or, more correctly speaking, through an area which is in contact with the succeeding row of blocks, thus relieving the main portion of the block from all or a great portion of the stressesdue to the applied pressure. 7

' In Fig. 1 there is indicated a plurality of transverse rows of blocks which are arra'nged as shown to form in this instance a tubular structure suitable for a tunnel lining.

. Preferably the blocks in each row are staggered with respect to its two contiguous rows, although this is not absolutely essential. i j l v e V The blocks in each row may be constructed in a manner such as shown in Fig. 2, in f which the block 2 is provided with portions which'in effect form a banded core extending through the block. 7

The block 2 at the time of molding has inserted therein one or more, in the present instance two, spiral membersB. These members are suitably held in' proper position within the mold. for the block, andthe con. crete of which the block is made is molded so as to embed these members 3 in the block. It will be obvious that the concrete material fills all the interstices between the: convol u tions of the members 3 and within the cen tral part of the member 3, so that in the finished block. there may be said to be a core of concrete Within the member 8 which is handed by the member 3. This produces a core within the member 3 which is of much greater strength per unit of area than the concrete material of the block itself.

These blocks thus prepared may be arranged in a structure such as shown in Fig. 1, so that the core portions of the blocks in succeeding rows of the tunnel structure are in alinement, and when the jacks or other pressure is applied, the pressure will becarried through the successive rowso-f blocks by the banded or core portions of the blocks in-a straight line, orsubstantially straight line back through the successive rows of blocks. I

In Fig. 3 there is a modified construction embodying the same idea as that described with respect to Fig. 2.. I

In Fig. 3 the block 4: has inserted therein at the time of molding a tubular member 5 which may be a section of pipe or similar section. This pipe at the. time of molding is filled with cementitious material either of the same general mix as that composing the block 4, or if desired, a cement of richer mixture may be used with equal facility.

The manner of use of the block shown in Fig. 3 in a finished structure is the same as that described with respect to Fig. 2.

In both. of the structures as shown in Figs. 2 and 3-, preferably the cementitiousmaterial forming what I have termeda core may be made to extend beyondv the side surfaces of the block for a short distance, so-as toafi'ord a-bearing point for a similar core when the blocks are assembled in. the structure, such asv shown in Fig. 1. These projecting portions may be upon one or both sides of the block as may be desired.

InFig. 4 the core is. made to assume a slightly difi'rentform. The block 6 when molded is left with one or more openings, such-as indicated at 7, these extending ,entirely through the block, and. are; adapted for the receptionofa separately made core. As shownin 4, the, core is of'cylindrical shape, although it may be of any desired cross. sectional shape, and after the core .is madeand the block is made and hardened,

. the two may be brought together in themannerjsuggested in the drawing. Or, the cores may be set in the mold when, the blockis cast and thus form a part oifthe block or a part separated therefrom by a, layer ofpapeme'tc.

As shown in Fig. 5 the core is made up of a number of sections, indicated at 8, which are assembled'upon arod 9 which serves as a reinforcing member. I

The core sections '8 may be made of the same mixture as that of which the block 6 is made, or it may be made of a richer mixture. The core 7 may be held within the opening 14 in' any desired manner, and as one way of accomplishing this I may use pitch, paper orany other; substance which will cause the core to remain within the opening 14:. I r I In Fig. 6 I have shown a core 1O of continuous structure with a longitudinal member 11 embodied within the same, and exing within a block, and held therein by the use of pitch or paper as previously suggested. I V I With respect to the constructlons shown in Figs. 4:, 5,'and 6,it may be said that the core may be made of the exact length of the b1ock,.,.orit may be made slightly longerthan the width of the block, so that the core may extend. a slightdistance beyond one or both of the faces of the block, as may be desired. y

The construction of the block and vcore as just described has-an advantage in that the core under pressure may move with respect to the block, and thus would prevent injury to the block in case of exceedingly high pressure. r I

If desired, the exposed orextending ends of the cores which have been i-llustratedin the various figures of the drawings'may be madeof a cementitious mixture, which" is of less strength thanthat composing'the core within the block, so that there may be a adjustment of this pressure when the pressure exceeds a certam amount.

. Having described} my invention, I claim 1. In a structure of the character described, a pluralityof contiguous rows of blocks, each of said blocks having one or more core portionsv extending therethrough which core portions in adjacent rows of blocks are in alinement, each core portion comprisinga reinforcing element, and concre'te intimately associated withthe reinforcing element. L i

2 I In astructure ofthe character described, a plurality of contiguous rows ofblockseach of said blocks having one or more core por- I tions. extendingv 'therethrough which .core portlons in adjaoentrows. of blocks are in al'inement, each core ortion comprising a metal reinforcing element with. which. concretei intimately,- associated. I 3. In a structure of; the character described,

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