Masonry Block

Abstract

A masonry block ( 1 ) comprising outer walls ( 2 ), at least one abutment wall ( 3 ) and at least one vertical cavity, at least one first channel in the upper surfaces of the abutment walls and/or in the lower surfaces of the abutment walls, wherein the abutment walls include vertical edge surfaces ( 7 ) for engagement with abutting blocks, a vertical land ( 8 ) disposed between the vertical edge surfaces wherein said land has a keyway ( 9 ) for receiving a key to lock adjacent blocks in position and a pair of vertical channels ( 10 ) disposed between the vertical land and the edge surfaces, the arrangement and construction being such that when blocks are laid one upon another the channels and the said at least one cavity of the blocks can be aligned to provide an internal network of horizontal and vertical grouting passages which can be filled with settable material to seal joints between the blocks and to provide load bearing support between respective layers of blocks.

1 . A masonry block comprising outer walls, at least one abutment wall and at least one vertical cavity, at least one first channel in the upper surfaces of the of the abutment walls and/or in the lower surfaces of the abutment walls, wherein the abutment walls include vertical edge surfaces for engagement with abutting blocks, a vertical and disposed between the vertical edge surfaces wherein said land has a keyway for receiving a key to lock adjacent blocks in position and a pair of vertical channels disposed between the vertical land and the edge surfaces, the arrangement and construction being such that when blocks are laid one upon another the channels and the said at least one cavity of the blocks can be aligned to provide an internal network of horizontal and vertical grouting passages which can be filled with settable material to seal joints between the blocks and tp provide load bearing support between respective layers of blocks.  
   
   
       2 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the masonry block includes the abutment walls at opposed ends of the block such that the block may be used to form a straight wall.  
   
   
       3 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the masonry block includes the abutment walls on adjacent sides of the block such that the block may be used for form a corner.  
   
   
       4 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the masonry block includes a single abutment wall such that the block may be used to form an end to the wall.  
   
   
       5 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the masonry blocks include one or more vertical webs such that a number of cavities are formed within each block.  
   
   
       6 . A masonry block according to  claim 5  wherein the vertical webs are of a corresponding dimension to that of the abutment walls such that the continuity of the grouting channels is maintained.  
   
   
       7 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the masonry blocks are formed from concrete and manufactured in moulds.  
   
   
       8 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the walls, webs and other sections to be at least 25 mm in cross section.  
   
   
       9 . A masonry block according to  claim 8  wherein the walls, webs and other sections are of about 30 mm in thickness.  
   
   
       10 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the outer walls have stepped upper and lower surfaces such that the blocks are locatable on and can locate adjacent layers of blocks.  
   
   
       11 . A masonry block according to  claim 1  wherein the outer walls are preferably braced where they extend below the abutment walls and any webs.  
   
   
       12 . A masonry block according to  claim 11  wherein the bracing is tapered from the abutment walls and any webs.  
   
   
       13 . A wall structure comprising multiple courses of masonry blocks according to  claim 1  wherein said blocks are in an end to end abutting relation ship including keys fixed in the keyways of the blocks.  
   
   
       14 . A wall structure according to  claim 13  wherein the wall structure includes including vertical and/or horizontal steel reinforcing members positioned in aligned cavities and channels in the blocks.  
   
   
       15 . a wall structure according to either  claim 13  wherein the horizontally disposed passages and vertically disposed cavities within the structure are grouted.