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EP1867798B1 - Système de bloc en béton - Google Patents

Système de bloc en béton Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1867798B1
EP1867798B1 EP20070109051 EP07109051A EP1867798B1 EP 1867798 B1 EP1867798 B1 EP 1867798B1 EP 20070109051 EP20070109051 EP 20070109051 EP 07109051 A EP07109051 A EP 07109051A EP 1867798 B1 EP1867798 B1 EP 1867798B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
block
blocks
support block
support
cast
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP20070109051
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1867798A2 (fr
EP1867798A3 (fr
Inventor
Denis Hamel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Transpave Inc
Original Assignee
Transpave Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Transpave Inc filed Critical Transpave Inc
Publication of EP1867798A2 publication Critical patent/EP1867798A2/fr
Publication of EP1867798A3 publication Critical patent/EP1867798A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1867798B1 publication Critical patent/EP1867798B1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C1/00—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings
    • E04C1/39—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra
    • E04C1/395—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra for claustra, fences, planting walls, e.g. sound-absorbing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/02—Retaining or protecting walls
    • E02D29/025—Retaining or protecting walls made up of similar modular elements stacked without mortar
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2/04—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements
    • E04B2/12—Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements using elements having a general shape differing from that of a parallelepiped
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0202—Details of connections
    • E04B2002/0243—Separate connectors or inserts, e.g. pegs, pins or keys
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0256—Special features of building elements
    • E04B2002/0269—Building elements with a natural stone facing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to concrete blocks, in particular those with a natural stone appearance, that may be used in walls, columns, steps and other types of structures.
  • Concrete blocks intended to serve as wall blocks e.g., retaining wall blocks
  • column blocks, step blocks or other types of structural blocks are sometimes provided with a natural stone appearance over an exposed portion thereof. Such concrete blocks can then be assembled into walls, columns, steps or other structures that have a natural and aesthetic look.
  • concrete blocks can be broadly divided into dry-cast concrete blocks and wet-cast concrete blocks. Different processes are used to manufacture these two types of concrete blocks and, in particular, to provide them with a natural stone appearance.
  • dry-cast concrete blocks may have a natural stone appearance realized directly during casting, but relatively long production times and requirements for numerous molds typically render impractical their efficient mass-production.
  • dry-cast concrete blocks normally have relatively short production times and require only one or a few molds, which facilitates their mass-production.
  • these relatively short production times impose constraints on a degree of surface irregularity that may be imparted to dry-cast concrete blocks during casting, thereby preventing realization of a natural stone appearance during casting.
  • Dry-cast concrete blocks are thus typically subjected after casting to a mechanical artificial aging/weathering process (e.g., tumbling, splitting/breaking, object impacting, etc.) to realize desired natural stone characteristics, which decreases production efficiency.
  • a mechanical artificial aging/weathering process e.g., tumbling, splitting/breaking, object impacting, etc.
  • U.S. Patent 5,788,423 describes an architectural retaining wall made up of block units each having a masonry block that supports a decorative facing panel. While the masonry block can be made of low-cost concrete material, the decorative facing panel is made of more expensive material such as marble, granite, metal, glass, etc., thereby allowing the retaining wall to match or otherwise compliment an adjacent building or walkway material in a relatively inexpensive manner. Each of the decorative facing panels is coupled to only one masonry block.
  • U.S. Patent 5,688,078 describes a retaining wall system made of successive layers several interconnected I-shaped subassemblies, each subassembly having a face block, trunk block and tail block. Each of face blocks is coupled to only one trunk block.
  • each of the face blocks of these patents does not comprise a cast texture with a natural stone appearance and the stability of such face block can be improved.
  • a dry-cast face block comprising a portion having a cast texture with a natural stone appearance and wherein the dry-cast face block is coupled to a first support block via a first protrusion fitting into and being surrounded by a first groove and to a second support block via a second protrusion fitting into and being surrounded by said second groove.
  • the support blocks are adapted to be embedded in material to be retained by the retaining wall.
  • the invention provides a plurality of concrete blocks for use in a retaining wall as defined in claim 1.
  • Figures 1 to 3 show a wall portion 10 comprising a plurality of concrete block systems 12 1 ... 12 N for use in a retaining wall where the wall portion 10 is part of the retaining wall that holds back material 11 such as soil, drainage aggregate, etc.
  • the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N can thus be referred to as retaining wall block systems.
  • the concrete block system 12 j comprises a face block 13 adapted to be coupled to a support block 15.
  • the face block 13 is intended to be at least partly exposed when the concrete block system 12 j is positioned in the wall portion 10, i.e., the face block 13 has a surface adapted to be exposed when the face block 13 is coupled to the support block 15.
  • the face block 13 is a dry-cast concrete block, i.e., it is made of no-slump concrete.
  • No-slump concrete also known as zero-slump concrete
  • the face block 13 may be made of other types of concrete (e.g., measurable-slump concrete).
  • the face block 13 can be said to have a generally rectangular prism configuration with six surfaces 14 1 ...14 6 . In other embodiments, the face block 13 may have any desired configuration with any desired number of surfaces.
  • the surface 14 1 is intended to be exposed when the concrete block system 12 j , including the face block 13, is positioned in the wall portion 10.
  • at least a portion 16 of the surface 14 1 has a cast texture having a natural stone appearance, i.e., an aged, worn, or weathered appearance that resembles natural stone.
  • the cast texture of the portion 16 of the surface 14 1 is realized during casting of the face block 13 and may be based on a natural stone's surface which has been used to produce a mold for casting the face block 13.
  • the portion 16 of the surface 14 1 and its cast texture with a natural stone appearance will hereinafter be referred to as the "natural stone-like surface portion" 16.
  • the natural stone-like surface portion 16 has a visually discernible boundary 22.
  • the natural stone-like surface portion 16 substantially corresponds to the entire surface 14 1 with its boundary 22 substantially corresponding to edges of the surface 14 1 .
  • the natural stone-like surface portion 16 may be only a limited portion of the surface 14 1 (i.e., not all of that surface).
  • the natural stone-like surface portion 16 may be one of a plurality of natural stone-like surface portions of the surface 14 1 .
  • any number of natural stone-like surface portions may be provided.
  • Such a plurality of natural stone-like surface portions 16 1 ...16 Q results in a wall portion seeming to include several blocks of various sizes and configurations.
  • the boundary 22 of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 is considered to be configured such that the chamfered, rounded or otherwise non-natural stone looking edge portion 28 is not part of the natural stone-like surface portion 16.
  • the natural stone-like surface portion 16 comprises a pattern of cast relief elements 18 1 ...18 M formed during casting of the face block 13.
  • This pattern of cast relief elements 18 1 ...18 M may include a plurality of bumps or peaks and a plurality of valleys or depressions, which are sized so as to be visually distinguishable when the concrete block system 12 j , including the face block 13, is positioned in the wall portion 10.
  • various other patterns of cast relief elements are possible.
  • the natural stone-like surface portions 16 1 ...16 Q in Figures 8A and 8B illustrate various other examples of possible patterns of cast relief elements.
  • the cast texture of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 defines a "surface level difference" ⁇ L , which refers to the normal distance between a maximum level L max of that surface portion and a minimum level L min of that surface portion.
  • the face block 13 can be viewed as defining orthogonal X, Y and Z axes, where the X-Y plane is parallel to a plane that would be formed by the natural stone-like surface portion 16 if that surface portion was flat, i.e., the plane in which lies the boundary 22 of the natural stone-like surface portion 16.
  • a level L at a given point of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 can be viewed as a plane parallel to the X-Y plane, and the surface level difference ⁇ L can be viewed as being measured along the Z axis.
  • the minimum level L min of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 is located at its boundary 22.
  • the minimum level L min of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 may be located anywhere on that surface portion.
  • Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment in which the minimum level L min of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 is not located at its boundary 22.
  • the maximum level L max of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 may also be located anywhere on that surface portion, including at its boundary 22.
  • the surface level difference ⁇ L may be greater than 15 mm, for example, between 15 mm and 25 mm. For instance, in a particular case, the surface level difference ⁇ L may be about 20 mm. This enables the natural stone-like surface portion 16 to exhibit desired natural stone appearance characteristics. However, it is generally contemplated that a surface level difference ⁇ L of greater than 4 mm achieves satisfactory results in terms of natural stone appearance of a surface portion of a face block since it enables presence of visually distinguishable cast texture features mimicking surface texture of natural stone.
  • different ones of the natural stone-like surface portions 16 1 ...16 Q may define a common or distinct surface level difference ⁇ L and may have common or distinct maximum levels L max and minimum levels L min .
  • each of the cast relief elements 18 1 ... 18 M of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 reaches a respective level L that is the maximum level L max , the minimum level L min , or a level therebetween.
  • a plurality of the cast relief elements 18 1 ... 18 M are seen in Figure 5 as extending to the maximum level L max of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 and separated from each other by other ones of the cast relief elements 18 1 ...18 M that only extend to lower levels.
  • the natural stone-like surface portion 16 is configured such that at least three of the cast relief elements 18 1 ...18 M extend to the maximum level L max and are positioned relative to each other to provide an effective support on which at least one other face block may be supported.
  • the maximum level L max of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 provides at least three points that are located relative to each other such that at least one other face block may be supported thereon in a stable manner. This facilitates stacking or palletizing of face blocks for storage or transportation purposes. In embodiments such as those shown in Figures 8A and 8B , these at least three points may be distributed among the plurality of natural stone-like surface portions 16 1 ...16 Q .
  • each of the cast relief 18 1 ...18 M of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 that is a valley can be viewed as having a respective "depth" D, which refers to the normal distance between the maximum level L max of the surface portion 16 and that valley's deepest point.
  • the respective depth D of each of one or more valleys of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 may be greater than 4 mm, for example, between 4 mm and 10 mm. This may further enhance natural stone appearance characteristics exhibited by the natural stone-like surface portion 16.
  • each point of the cast texture of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 defines a respective "texture angle" ⁇ , which refers to the angle between a plane parallel to the X-Y plane and a plane tangent to the natural stone-like surface portion 16 at that point.
  • the respective texture angle ⁇ of each of a plurality of points of the natural stone-like surface portion 16 may be between about 75 ° and about 90°. This may contribute to creation of shadows on the natural stone-like surface portion 16 that further enhance its natural stone appearance.
  • each coupling part 29 is integral with the face block 13 (i.e., not an element distinct from the face block 13).
  • each coupling part 29 may be formed during casting of the face block 13.
  • each coupling part 29 is a respective female part, which, in this example, is implemented as a respective groove provided on the surface 14 2 .
  • each coupling part 29 may be a respective male part.
  • the plurality of coupling parts 29 allows the face block 13 to be coupled to the support block 15 at different positions relative to the support block 15 and/or to be coupled to the support block 15 and a support block of an adjacent one of the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N .
  • the face block 13 may include one or any other number of coupling parts.
  • the support block 15 is adapted to be positioned into the material 11 and its structure and weight, along with that of support blocks of other ones of the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N , contribute to effecting retention of the material 11 by the wall portion 10.
  • the support block 15 is a dry-cast concrete block.
  • the support block 15 may be made of other types of concrete (e.g., measurable-slump concrete).
  • the support block 15 comprises a first end portion 34, a second end portion 36, and a central portion 38 therebetween.
  • the central portion 38 is configured as a neck portion that is relatively narrower than the first end portion 34 and the second end portion 36 such that the support block 15 can be said to have a generally "I"-shaped configuration.
  • This provides a space 40 on each side of the support block 15 that cooperates with a similar space provided by a support block of an adjacent one of the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N to receive part of the material 11, thereby enhancing stability of the support block 15 while reducing its weight and cost.
  • the support block 15 may have various other configurations.
  • the first end portion 34 has a coupling part 41 that is complementary to each coupling part 29 of the face block 13.
  • This enables the face block 13 to be coupled to the support block 15 by positioning the face block 13 above or below the support block 15 such that one of its coupling parts 29 is aligned with the coupling part 41 of the support block 15 and then fitting the coupling part 41 of the support block 15 into the coupling part 29 of the face block 13.
  • the face block 13 may simultaneously be coupled to a first support block 15 and a second support block 15 of the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N via fitting of another one of its coupling parts 29 with a complementary coupling part of the second support block. This may further enhance stability of the wall portion 10.
  • the coupling part 41 is integral with the support block 15 and may be formed during casting of the support block 15.
  • the coupling part 41 is a male part, which, in this example, is implemented as a protrusion provided on the first end portion 34 and configured to fit into the respective groove forming each coupling part 29 of the face block 13.
  • the coupling part 41 may be a female part.
  • the second end portion 36 has a coupling part 43 that enables the support block 15 to be coupled to another support block.
  • the coupling part 43 of the support block 15 may be coupled to a complementary coupling part of another support block in order to coupled together these two support blocks.
  • the coupling part 43 is integral with the support block 15 and may be formed during casting of the support block 15.
  • the coupling part 43 is a male part, which, in this example, is implemented as a protrusion provided on the second end portion 36 and configured to fit into a complementary female part of another support block.
  • the coupling part 43 may be a female part.
  • Figures 11A to 11C illustrate an embodiment in which the support block 15 has a male coupling part 41 and a female coupling part 43.
  • each of the first end portion 34 and the second end portion 36 is provided with a respective depression 50 on each of its top and bottom sides.
  • the depression 50 can take the form of a groove or a recess.
  • the depression 50 can also be an open-ended groove extending from one side to the other side of the support block 15.
  • each depression 50 is adapted to receive an alignment key 52 that may be used to adjust an angle ⁇ of the support block 15 relative to an overlapping support block of the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N . This enables the wall portion 10 to have a corresponding setback angle or slope.
  • each alignment key 52 may be placed in different positions in a given depression 50 to effect the desired angle ⁇ .
  • each alignment key 52 is placed in a first position, wherein it is aligned longitudinally with and entirely lies within the respective depressions 50 in which it is placed.
  • the angle ⁇ is substantially zero degrees and it is then possible to erect a wall that is substantially vertical.
  • each alignment key 52 is placed in a second position different from the first position, wherein it partly overhangs support block portions contiguous to the respective depressions 50 in which it is placed.
  • the angle ⁇ has a nonzero value such as 7°, 10° or any other permitted value, and it is then possible to erect an inclined wall.
  • FIGS 13A to 13C illustrates an example of implementation of the alignment key 52.
  • the alignment key 52 comprises a first portion 54 and a second portion 56 that respectively define overhang sections 58 and 60. Placing the alignment key 52 in a given depression 50 of the support block 15 such that both of the overhang sections 58 and 60 lie within the depression 50 achieves a zero degree value for the angle ⁇ (e.g., Figure 2 ). When the alignment key 52 is placed such that one of the overhang sections 58 and 60 overhangs a portion of the support block 15 contiguous to the depression 50, a nonzero degree value for the angle ⁇ is achieved (e.g., Figure 12 ).
  • the alignment key 52 is made of a polymeric material such as polypropylene. In other embodiments, the alignment key 52 may be made of various other materials.
  • each depression 50 is shown as having a certain configuration and as being located at a certain location on the first end portion 34 or the second end portion 36, in other embodiments, each depression 50 may have various other configurations and may be located at various other locations on the support block 15.
  • the alignment key 52 is an element distinct from the support block 15, in other embodiments, the support block 15 may be provided with an alignment key that is integral with the support block 15 (e.g., a male or female key part).
  • the support block 15 has a plurality of fractionation areas 64 1 ... 64 p for facilitating controlled fractionating of the support block 15 into separate parts.
  • each of the fractionation areas 64 1 ...64 P is implemented as a respective groove formed on the support block 15 and sized to facilitate controlled mechanical splitting (e.g., cutting, sawing, etc.) of the support block 15 at that area. This enables removal of selected portions of the support block 15 such as the first end portion 34, the second end portion 36, the central portion 38, or fractions thereof in order to reconfigure the support block 15 such that it may accommodate design requirements of the wall portion 10.
  • each concrete block system 12 1 ...12 N when the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N are positioned in the wall portion 10, the natural stone-like surface portion 16 of the face block 13 of each concrete block system contributes to providing a natural and aesthetic look to the wall portion 10.
  • the support block 15 of each concrete block system contributes to effecting retention of the material 11 by the wall portion 10, may interact with the alignment key 52 to provide a desired setback angle ⁇ to the wall portion 10, and may be selectively reconfigured so as to accommodate design requirements of the wall portion 10.
  • the natural stone appearance of each face block 13 may be realized during casting thereof, without requiring any subsequent mechanical artificial aging/weathering process (e.g., tumbling, splitting/breaking, object impacting, etc.).
  • concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N may be made of no-slump concrete, production time for the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N may be significantly less than that required for wet-cast concrete blocks. Concrete block systems such as the concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N may therefore be mass-produced with high efficiency.
  • FIG. 14 there is shown a flowchart illustrating an example of implementation of a process for manufacturing face blocks of concrete block systems such as the above-described concrete block systems 12 1 ...12 N .
  • no-slump concrete is placed into a mold.
  • the mold has a plurality of cavities.
  • a plurality of molds each with a single cavity or each with a respective plurality of cavities may be used.
  • the mold may be located such that face blocks are placed on a production board when removed therefrom.
  • Each cavity of the mold is configured to form a respective face block comprising a surface that includes a natural stone-like surface portion (e.g., the face block 13 with its natural stone-like surface portion 16).
  • each cavity is defined in part by a surface of the mold that comprises a portion with a surface texture corresponding to the desired natural stone appearance (hereinafter referred to as "the natural stone-like surface portion of the mold").
  • This surface portion thus defines a surface level difference ⁇ L ' that corresponds to the desired surface level difference ⁇ L ( Figure 5 ) of the face block to be formed.
  • Each point of this surface portion also defines a respective texture angle ⁇ ' corresponding to the desired texture angle ⁇ ( Figure 5 ) of each point of the face block to be formed.
  • each cavity of the mold that is intended to form such face blocks defines a corresponding plurality of natural stone-like surface portions.
  • each given natural stone-like surface portion of the mold is based on a natural stone's surface.
  • data representative of at least a portion of the natural stone's surface is obtained, for instance, via three-dimensional scanning of the natural stone's surface.
  • the obtained data may then be computer processed using software in order to generate data representative of the given natural stone-like surface portion of the mold.
  • this processing may include modifying the obtained data representative of at least a portion of the natural stone's surface to set the desired surface level difference ⁇ L ' and texture angles ⁇ ' of the given natural stone-like surface portion.
  • This processing may also ensure that the data representative of the given natural stone-like surface portion of the mold will result in the corresponding natural stone-like surface portion of face blocks to be formed by the mold having at least three points that are located relative to each other such that at least one other concrete block may be supported thereon in a stable manner.
  • each cavity of the mold may be designed to each have a common volume in order to facilitate production.
  • a first cavity intended to form concrete blocks with natural stone-like surface portions having a first configuration may have a first volume
  • a second cavity intended to form concrete blocks with natural stone-like surface portions having a second configuration different from the first configuration may have a second volume substantially corresponding to the first volume.
  • the mold may be manufactured via computer-aided manufacturing based on the data representative of each given natural stone-like surface portion of the mold. With no-slump concrete being used, the mold may be made of metal or other rigid material. There is no requirement for one or more portions of the mold to be made of elastomeric material (e.g., rubber), which is typically used in molds for casting wet-cast concrete blocks with a natural stone appearance.
  • elastomeric material e.g., rubber
  • each cavity of the mold is filled with no-slump concrete in order to form a face block with at least one natural stone-like surface portion.
  • the no-slump concrete in the mold is consolidated.
  • Consolidation may include inducing vibration of the no-slump concrete in the mold so as to cause it to compact itself and closely conform to each cavity of the mold.
  • a pre-vibration phase may be effected during step 200 to facilitate filling of the no-slump concrete in the mold and its eventual consolidation.
  • Consolidation may also include application of pressure on the concrete in combination with its vibration. It will be appreciated that consolidation may be effected using various other techniques.
  • the no-slump concrete in each cavity of the mold has formed into a face block with at least one natural stone-like surface portion.
  • the face block in each cavity of the mold is removed therefrom and continues on the production board.
  • the face blocks may be directly stored for curing purposes. Since provision of a natural stone appearance is effected during casting, the face blocks do not require a subsequent mechanical artificial aging/weathering process (e.g., tumbling, splitting/breaking, object impacting, etc.) to impart them with such an appearance. Also, the face blocks may directly be stacked or palletized in a stable manner since the at least one natural stone-like surface portion of each face block has been configured to provide at least three points that are located relative to each other to ensure such stable supporting. With the face blocks being made of no-slump concrete, curing times are relatively short such that they are available for use within a short period of time (e.g., one day).
  • each cavity of the mold is cleaned such that casting of new face blocks may be effected.
  • a cleaning unit uses a fluid to clean each cavity of the mold.
  • the fluid may be a gas (e.g., compressed air) or a liquid whose flow relative to each cavity of the mold, and particularly each natural stone-like area of the mold, removes therefrom substantially any remaining no-slump concrete.
  • a fluid-based cleaning action advantageously enables rapid cleaning of each cavity of the mold, thereby increasing production efficiency.
  • the cleaning unit may also use, in addition to the fluid, one or more brushes to clean each cavity of the mold, whereby the fluid-based cleaning action is combined with a brushing cleaning action. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may employ various other types of cleaning action.
  • the process returns to step 200 where a new production cycle begins.
  • utilization of no-slump concrete in combination with rapid cleaning of the mold and other elements of the process may enable a production cycle to take a relatively short period of time (e.g., 15 to 20 seconds in some cases).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Retaining Walls (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Pluralité de blocs de béton à utiliser dans un mur de soutènement, ladite pluralité de blocs de béton comprenant : un premier et un second bloc de support (15) adaptés pour être encastrés dans le matériau à soutenir par le mur de soutènement, ledit premier bloc de support (15) comprenant soit une première pièce d'accouplement mâle formant saillie (41), soit une première pièce d'accouplement femelle formant rainure (43), ledit second bloc de support (15) comprenant soit une seconde pièce d'accouplement mâle formant saillie (41), soit une seconde pièce d'accouplement femelle formant rainure (43), et un bloc de parement (13) comportant une surface (141) qui est exposée quand ledit bloc de parement est positionné dans le mur de soutènement,
    caractérisé en ce que ledit bloc de parement (13) est un bloc moulé à sec fabriqué au moyen d'un processus de moulage à sec tel que ladite surface (141) comprend une partie de surface (16) présentant une texture moulée ayant l'apparence d'une pierre naturelle qui comprend un motif d'éléments moulés en relief formés pendant le processus de moulage à sec, ledit bloc de parement moulé à sec (13) comprenant soit une première pièce d'accouplement mâle formant saillie lorsque ledit premier bloc de support (15) comprend ladite première rainure d'accouplement femelle (43), soit une première pièce d'accouplement femelle formant rainure lorsque ledit premier bloc de support (15) comprend ladite première saillie d'accouplement mâle (41), et soit une seconde pièce d'accouplement mâle formant saillie lorsque ledit second bloc de support (15) comprend ladite seconde rainure d'accouplement femelle (43), soit une seconde pièce d'accouplement femelle formant rainure lorsque ledit second bloc de support (15) comprend ladite seconde saillie d'accouplement mâle (41), ledit bloc de parement moulé à sec (13) étant configuré de telle sorte que, lorsque ledit bloc de parement moulé à sec (13) et lesdits premier et second blocs de support (15) sont positionnés dans le mur de soutènement, ledit bloc de parement moulé à sec (13) est accouplé audit premier bloc de support (15) par ladite première saillie d'accouplement mâle qui s'emboîte dans, et est enveloppée par, ladite première rainure d'accouplement femelle, et audit second bloc de support (15) par ladite seconde saillie d'accouplement mâle qui s'emboîte dans, et est enveloppée par, ladite seconde rainure d'accouplement femelle,
  2. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon la revendication 1, étant entendu que chacun desdits premier et second blocs de support (15) comprend une première partie d'extrémité (34), une seconde partie d'extrémité (36) et une partie centrale (38) entre les deux, ladite partie centrale (38) étant plus étroite que ladite première partie d'extrémité (34) et que ladite seconde partie d'extrémité (36).
  3. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon la revendication 1, étant entendu que chacun desdits premier et second blocs de support (15) comprend une première partie d'extrémité (34) et une seconde partie d'extrémité (36), ladite première saillie d'accouplement mâle (41) ou ladite première rainure d'accouplement femelle (43) étant située sur ladite première partie d'extrémité (34) dudit premier bloc de support (15), ladite seconde [première] saillie d'accouplement mâle (41) ou ladite seconde rainure d'accouplement femelle (43) étant située sur ladite première partie d'extrémité (34) dudit second bloc de support (15), chacun desdits premier et second blocs de support (15) comprenant une seconde [première] pièce d'accouplement mâle formant saillie (41) ou une seconde pièce d'accouplement femelle formant rainure (43) sur ladite seconde partie d'extrémité (36) pour permettre que chacun desdits premier et second blocs de support soit accouplé à un autre bloc de support.
  4. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, étant entendu que chacun desdits premier et second blocs de support (15) comprend un évidement (50) pour recevoir une clavette d'alignement (52) adaptée pour régler un angle de chacun desdits premier et second blocs de support par rapport à un bloc de support de recouvrement.
  5. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, étant entendu que ladite texture moulée présente une différence de niveau des surfaces supérieure à 4 mm.
  6. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon la revendication 5, étant entendu que ladite différence de niveau des surfaces est supérieure à 15 mm.
  7. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, étant entendu que ladite partie de surface (16) comporte une pluralité de points définissant un angle de texture Θ mesuré entre un plan parallèle à ladite partie de surface (16) et un plan tangent à ladite partie de surface (16) en chaque point respectif et étant entendu que ledit angle de texture Θ fait entre 75° et 90°.
  8. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, étant entendu que ladite texture moulée comprend une pluralité de crêtes et de creux, étant entendu qu'au moins un creux a une profondeur D correspondant à la distance normale entre un niveau maximal Lmax de ladite partie de surface (16) et un point le plus bas dudit au moins un creux et étant entendu que ladite profondeur D est supérieure à 4 mm.
  9. Pluralité de blocs de béton selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, étant entendu que ladite partie de surface (16) de ladite surface (141) est la totalité de ladite surface (141), sa limite (22) correspondant aux bords de ladite surface (141).
EP20070109051 2006-06-14 2007-05-29 Système de bloc en béton Ceased EP1867798B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002550359A CA2550359C (fr) 2006-06-14 2006-06-14 Systeme de blocs de beton

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EP1867798A2 EP1867798A2 (fr) 2007-12-19
EP1867798A3 EP1867798A3 (fr) 2009-04-15
EP1867798B1 true EP1867798B1 (fr) 2012-03-28

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9206599B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2015-12-08 Les Materiaux De Construction Oldcastle Canada, Inc. Wall with decorative facing
WO2008092237A1 (fr) * 2007-02-02 2008-08-07 Les Matériaux De Construction Oldcastle Canada, Inc. Mur avec parement décoratif
IT1390955B1 (it) * 2008-07-03 2011-10-27 Tabu Spa Rivestimento, in particolare in legno o in materiale a base di legno, per superfici di costruzioni edili e kit di blocchi o panneli per la formazione di tale rivestimento
MX345638B (es) 2010-09-28 2017-02-08 Les Matériaux De Construction Oldcastle Canada Inc Muro de contención.
US9670640B2 (en) 2010-09-28 2017-06-06 Les Materiaux De Construction Oldcastle Canada, Inc. Retaining wall
US9441342B2 (en) 2010-09-28 2016-09-13 Les Materiaux De Construction Oldcastle Canada, In Retaining wall
FI2959065T3 (fi) 2013-02-25 2024-01-30 Les Materiaux De Construction Oldcastle Canada Inc Seinäkokoonpano
US12053911B2 (en) 2018-05-14 2024-08-06 Pavestone, LLC Manufactured retaining wall block with improved false joint

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US4478021A (en) * 1982-09-30 1984-10-23 Person Gary J Construction material, a modular, pre-insulated and furred structural masonry building block
US5350256A (en) * 1991-11-26 1994-09-27 Westblock Products, Inc. Interlocking retaining walls blocks and system
GB9412646D0 (en) * 1994-06-23 1994-08-10 Forticrete Ltd Insulated building blocks
US5788423A (en) * 1995-09-08 1998-08-04 G.P. Industries, Inc. Masonry block retaining wall with attached keylock facing panels and method of constructing the same

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EP1867798A2 (fr) 2007-12-19
EP1867798A3 (fr) 2009-04-15
CA2550359C (fr) 2009-11-03

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