Patent ID: 6240686
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: E04B

Abstract:
A building construction, including:an arched wall having an upwardly convex curvature and a sheltered space defined thereunder, said arched wall including opposed, lower edge portions;said arched wall being comprised of a plurality of blocks formed of a lightweight rigid cellular material having compression strength;each of said plurality of blocks subtending a similar angular increment of said convex curvature and all being substantially similar in configuration;means for adhering said blocks in abutting relationship to form said arched wall;said arched wall having a curved outer surface extending substantially continuously between said opposed lower edge portions;an outer skin layer secured to and impinging on substantially all of said continuous curved outer surface of said arched wall; and, means for applying tension to said outer skin layer to cause said outer skin layer to apply compression to substantially all of said continuous curved outer surface and strengthen said arched wall, said compression directed generally normally inwardly of said outer surface of said arched wall.