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Abstract

A low cost building is made of modular parts in the absence of special tools. Light-in-weight wall blocks having a facade of conventional appearance include a thick, insulating mixture of a cementitious material, polystyrene, and organic fiber aggregates capable of retaining water. The blocks have interlocking top and bottom surfaces so that they are easily stacked to form walls. A floor is built by spanning foundation beams with floor trusses that have a key along their respective tops and by sliding modular floor panels between contiguous floor trusses, each floor panel having opposite edges that slidingly engage the keys of the floor trusses. A roof is made in a similar manner by sliding modular roof panels between contiguous roof trusses. Tensioning rods are extended from a top surface of the walls to the building foundation to compress the walls. In a second embodiment, channels for receiving electrical wiring and plumbing conduits are formed in the wall panels, and an air conditioning duct is formed by slabs that surmount the walls. Shock absorbing springs positioned between foundation blocks and foundation beams cushion the effect of earthquakes. Door and window openings are framed with special channels that facilitate door and window installation. Cementitious compositions which are useful in the method of the present invention are also disclosed.

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First Claim