Load bearing interlocking structural blocks and modular building system

Abstract

Construction materials intended for use as structural elements, such as structural blocks, used in the construction of buildings and civil engineering structures. In one aspect, the blocks may comprise a body shape configured so as to allow it to interlock with other blocks in the construction of a structure. Methods for manufacturing the blocks and structures comprising such materials and methods for building such structures are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interlocking structural block comprising:
 a block body having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces;   a plurality of members embedded within the block, one end of the member extending through one surface of the structural block and an opposite end of the member terminating partway within the structural block;   a plurality of apertures extending within the structural block from a second surface of the structural block, the apertures adapted for engaging with an extending end of an adjacent structural block.   
     
     
         2 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded members extend through one surface of the structural block and the plurality of apertures extend within the structural block from an opposed surface of the structural block. 
     
     
         3 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of embedded members extend through the top surface of the structural block and the plurality of apertures extend within the structural block from the bottom surface of the structural block. 
     
     
         4 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of embedded members extend through one end surface of the structural block and the plurality of apertures extend within the structural block from the opposed end surface of the structural block. 
     
     
         5 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of embedded members extend through one side surface of the structural block and the plurality of apertures extend within the structural block from the opposed side surface of the structural block. 
     
     
         6 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the apertures extend within the structural block from an opposed surface of the structural block to the terminating end of an embedded member of the structural block. 
     
     
         7 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 6 , wherein the distance the embedded members extend from the surface of the structural block is less than or equal to the distance the apertures extend within the structural block. 
     
     
         8 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 7 , wherein the distance the embedded members extend from the surface of the structural block is at least one inch and the distance that the apertures extend within the structural block is about equal to the distance that the embedded members extend. 
     
     
         9 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the embedded members and the apertures are square in cross section. 
     
     
         10 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the embedded members and the apertures are round in cross section. 
     
     
         11 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the embedded members are hollow. 
     
     
         12 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the embedded members is slotted. 
     
     
         13 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one perforated tube embedded within the structural block. 
     
     
         14 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the embedded members comprise material which is substantially non-compressible along its length and contribute to the load bearing attributes of the structural block under compression. 
     
     
         15 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 2 , wherein the embedded members comprise wooden materials, organic fibers, inorganic fibers, composite materials, polymers, metallic materials, polymers, plastics, resins, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 15 , wherein the embedded member comprises hemp, carbon fibers, composites of carbon fibers, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The interlocking structural block of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one conduit for accommodating electrical wiring, piping or utilities. 
     
     
         18 . An interlocking structural block comprising:
 a block body having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces;   a plurality of members embedded within the block, one end of the member extending through the top surface of the structural block and an opposite end of the member terminating partway within the structural block, wherein the embedded members comprise material which is substantially non-compressible along its length and contribute to the load bearing attributes of the structural block under compression;   a plurality of apertures extending within the structural block from the bottom surface of the structural block to the terminating end of an embedded member of the structural block, the apertures adapted for engaging with an extending end of an adjacent structural block;   at least one perforated tube embedded within the structural block; and   at least one conduit for accommodating electrical wiring, piping or utilities.   
     
     
         19 . A system of auto-aligning interlocking structural blocks comprising:
 A plurality of structural blocks, each block having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed side surfaces and opposed end surfaces, a plurality of members embedded within the block, one end of each member extending through one surface of the structural block with an opposite end of the member terminating partway within the structural block, a plurality of apertures extending through the structural block from an opposed surface;   wherein the embedded member extending end of a first structural block engages with the aperture of a second block, such that the embedded member terminating end of the second block is in direct contact with the embedded member extending end of the first block.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising an agent for binding the embedded member of a structural block into an aperture of an adjacent structural block. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the binding agent is lime mortar, polymer based agent, cement, plaster, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . Use of the interlocking structural block of  claim 1 , in the manufacture of a structure.