Patent ID: 8209911

Claim:
A structural element comprising: at least one first component comprising: a top; a bottom; at least one elastic tube of a first type sealed to said top and said bottom; and at least one valve in operable communication with said tube of a first type to permit pressurization thereof; an elastic tube of a second type sealed to said top and said bottom and incorporating at least one opening for filling and co-extensive with, and adjacent to, said at least one tube of a first type, said tube of a second type establishing at least one chamber of a first type between said top and said bottom and said elastic tube of a second type and establishing a chamber of a second type, the external dimensions of which chamber of a second type are defined by the internal perimeter of said tube of a second type and said top and said bottom; at least one port for access near the top of and at least one port for access near the bottom of said tube of a second type; and cohesion-less particles, wherein upon pressurizing said at least one chamber of a first type and filling said chamber of a second type with said cohesion-less particles, said structural element becomes a rigid mass capable of supporting loads significantly greater than when said at least one chamber of a first type is not pressurized.