Method of constructing a wall

Claim 1

A method of constructing a wall utilizing precast concrete elements, comprising the steps of: installing a plurality of column foundations at selected, spaced-apart locations; erecting a pair of removable spaced-apart end members on each column foundation, each end member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a length which extends vertically upward from its respective foundation, the interior surface of each end member being surrounded by a thin membrane to facilitate later removal of each end member from each column; erecting a vertical column on each column foundation by vertically stacking a series of precast concrete elements which overlap the spaced-apart end members on opposite sides of the spaced-apart end members to form a space between the end members and the concrete elements, each element having a pair of lateral edges which are separated by a pair of vertical edges, the lateral edges of adjoining elements being joined by a mortar joint to form the vertical column, the space between the end members and the overlapping elements comprising an open interior which defines a vertical passageway within the vertical column; pouring concrete through each vertical passageway to fill the open interior of each vertical column; allowing the concrete to harden within the interior of each column; removing the spaced-apart end members from each column to leave behind vertically extending recesses which extend along opposing vertical edges of each column;and spanning the distance between two completed columns by sliding a panel within the vertical recesses of two adjacent columns, the panel having vertical edges which are adapted to matingly engage the column vertical recesses.

Claim 2

A method of constructing a wall utilizing precast concrete elements, comprising the steps of: installing a plurality of column foundations at selected, spaced-apart locations; erecting a pair of removable spaced-apart end members on each column foundation, each end member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a length which extends vertically upward from its respective foundation, the interior surface of each end member being surrounded by a thin membrane to facilitate later removal of each end member from each column; erecting a vertical column on each column foundation by vertically stacking a series of precast concrete elements which overlap the spaced-apart end members on opposite sides of the spaced-apart end members to form a space between the end members and the concrete elements, each element having a pair of lateral edges which are separated by a pair of vertical edges, the lateral edges of adjoining elements being joined by a mortar joint to form the vertical column, the space between the end members and the overlapping elements comprising an open interior which defines a vertical passageway within the vertical column; pouring concrete through each vertical passageway to fill the open interior of each vertical column; allowing the concrete to harden within the interior of each column; removing the spaced-apart end members from each column to leave behind vertically extending recesses which extend along opposing vertical edges of each column;and spanning the distance between two completed columns by sliding a panel within the vertical recesses of two adjacent columns, the panel having vertical edges which are adapted to matingly engage the column vertical recesses.