Patent ID: 8839593
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: E04C,E04H

Abstract:
1. A modular column comprising: a center post; a plurality of pre-cast cementitious blocks, each block having a hole extending therethrough so the pre-cast blocks slide onto the center post and remain in place on the center post, each pre-cast block being stacked upon another pre-cast block to achieve a desired column height, the cementitious blocks produced from a mixture of lightweight concrete comprised of rotary kiln expanded slate lightweight aggregate; and a compressible liner completely surrounding the hole of each pre-cast block, wherein the lightweight concrete does not encase an upper surface and a lower surface of the compressible liner, the compressible liner configured to facilitate alignment of the stacked blocks and to prevent binding between the blocks and the center post, a central aperture in the compressible liner comprising a cross-sectional shape dimensionally consistent with a cross-sectional shape of the center post thereby allowing passage of the center post through the compressible liner, wherein the compressible liner is selected from the group consisting of extruded polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene foam, extruded polypropylene foam, cellulosic foam, polyurethane foam, cellular polyvinyl chloride, polymers of ethylene, propylene, vinyl acetate, diisocyanate, cellulose acetate and isobutylene.