Structural building element

Claim 2

A building element comprising: (a) a continuous phase of cementitious material including: 1. a matrix having a first density, and 2. at least one zone dispersed within the matrix having a second density lower than the first density, wherein said continuous phase of cementitious material extends throughout said matrix and said lower density zone; and wherein (b) the matrix includes a first wall section and a generally parallel and opposing second wall section, said first wall section having at least one first lateral section extending away therefrom at least half the distance between said first and second wall sections but terminating short of said opposing second wall section at a lower density zone disposed between the terminal end of the lateral section and the second wall section, and said second wall section having at least one second lateral section, spaced longitudinally from said first lateral section, extending away therefrom at least half the distance between said first and second wall sections but terminating short of said opposing first wall section at a lower density zone disposed between the terminal end of the lateral section and the first wall section.

Claim 3

The element of claim 1 wherein the element is of a substantially rectangular block configuration.

Claim 4

The element of claim 2 wherein at least one exterior wall section of the element includes a frangible portion that is removable to define a space for receiving means for interlocking adjacent elements together.

Claim 5

The element of claim 3 wherein: (a) a frangible portion is provided in each of two opposing exterior wall sections, and (b) each frangible portion has a substantially rectangular configuration that extends for at least a major distance between two opposing extremities of each exterior wall section.

Claim 6

The element of claim 1 wherein: (a) the first wall section is an exterior wall of the element that includes two inwardly directed first lateral sections, and (b) the second wall section is an interior wall of the element that includes one second lateral section extending away therefrom and terminating short of the first wall section.

Claim 7

The element of claim 5 wherein: (a) the second lateral section is disposed between the first lateral sections, and (b) each of the first lateral sections terminates in an end having a single flange, with both single flanges being directed in opposite directions towards each other, and (c) the second lateral section terminates in an end having double flanges that are directed in opposite directions away from each other.

Claim 8

The element of claim 6 wherein portions of cementitious material having a third density within the density range of the first and second densities are disposed between the flanges of the first lateral sections and the corresponding adjacent flanges of the second lateral section.

Claim 9

The element of claim 1 wherein: (a) at least two lower density zones are dispersed within the matrix, and (b) the matrix substantially completely surrounds the lower density zones and defines three continuous spaced layers that extend substantially along the longitudinal axis of the element.

Claim 10

The element of claim 1 wherein the transverse cross-sectional configuration of the lower density zone is substantially convolute.

Claim 11

The element of claim 1 wherein: (a) the first density is of a range from about 60 to 200 pounds per cubic foot, and (b) the second density is of a range from about 10 to 50 pounds per cubic foot.

Claim 12

The element of claim 1 wherein the overall average density of the element is of a range from about 20 to 200 pounds per cubic foot.

Claim 13

The element of claim 1 wherein: (a) the matrix has a composition including a continuous phase of cementitious material and a first discontinuous phase selected from the group consisting of aggregate particles, organic fibers, inorganic fibers and mixtures thereof, and (b) the lower density zone has a composition including a continuous phase of cementitious material and a second discontinuous phase of a filler having a density lower than the density of the cementitious material.

Claim 14

The element of claim 12 wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of perlite, vermiculite, expandable polymers and mixtures thereof.

Claim 15

The element of claim 13 wherein: (a) the matrix has a density of a range of about 90 to 150 pounds per cubic foot and the first discontinuous phase is aggregate, and (b) each lower density zone has a density of a range of about 22-36 pounds per cubic foot and the second discontinuous phase is perlite.

Claim 16

The element of claim 5 wherein: (a) the second lateral section is disposed between the first lateral sections, and (b) the first lateral sections and the second lateral section each terminate in an end edge having a substantially cylindrical configuration.

Claim 17

The element of claim 2 wherein the matrix includes at least one transverse channel therethrough.

Claim 18

The element of claim 16 wherein the matrix includes a bridging portion for subdividing the transverse channel into first and second subsidiary transverse channels.

Claim 19

The element of claim 17 wherein each of the subsidiary transverse channels are filled with lower density material.

Claim 20

The element of claim 17 further including a longitudinal channel for receiving means for securing a plurality of the elements together.

Claim 21

The element of claim 2 wherein one exterior wall of the element includes a ribbed formation.

Claim 22

The element of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises an interconnected matrix.

Claim 23

The element of claim 5, wherein (a) the second lateral section is disposed between the first lateral sections, and (b) each of the first lateral sections and the second lateral section terminate in an enlarged portion.

Claim 24

The element of claim 1, wherein the continuous phase of cementitious material extending throughout said matrix and said lower density zone is produced by substantially simultaneously curing said matrix and said lower density zone.

Claim 25

A wall assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally abutting building elements, wherein each building element comprises: (a) a continuous phase of cementitious material including: 1. a matrix having a first density, and 2. at least one zone dispersed within the matrix having a second density lower than the first density, wherein said continuous phase of cementitious material extends throughout said matrix and said lower density zone; and wherein (b) the matrix includes a first wall section and a generally parallel and opposing second wall section, said first wall section having at least one first lateral section extending away therefrom at least half the distance between said first and second wall sections but terminating short of said opposing second wall section at a lower density zone disposed between the terminal end of the lateral section and the second wall section, and said second wall section having at least one second lateral section, spaced longitudinally from said first lateral section, extending away therefrom at least half the distance between said first and second wall sections but terminating short of said opposing first wall section at a lower density zone disposed between the terminal end of the lateral section and the first wall section.

Claim 26

A wall assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally abutting building elements, wherein each building element comprises: (a) a continuous phase of cementitious material including: 1. a matrix having a first density, and 2. at least one zone dispersed within the matrix having a second density lower than the first density, wherein said continuous phase of cementitious material extends throughout said matrix and said lower density zone; and wherein (b) the matrix includes a first wall section and a generally parallel and opposing second wall section, said first wall section having at least one first lateral section extending away therefrom at least half the distance between said first and second wall sections but terminating short of said opposing second wall section at a lower density zone disposed between the terminal end of the lateral section and the second wall section, and said second wall section having at least one second lateral section, spaced longitudinally from said first lateral section, extending away therefrom at least half the distance between said first and second wall sections but terminating short of said opposing first wall section at a lower density zone disposed between the terminal end of the lateral section and the first wall section.

Claim 27

The wall assembly of claim 24 wherein: (a) the abutting exterior walls of adjacent elements each include a space, which spaces cooperate to define a recess, and (b) an interlocking member is disposed within each recess for securing adjacent elements together.

Claim 28

The wall assembly of claim 25 wherein the interlocking members are formed of lower density material and directly engage the respective lower density zones of adjacent elements.