A structural block has a body which is yieldable in a transverse direction; and a plurality of reinforcing elements provided on the body and extending in a vertical direction, so that loads applied in a vertical direction are adequately taken by said reinforcing elements, while under the action of transverse forces the body can yield and therefore the whole structural element can yield.

A five-sided interlocking block. At least one side, and preferably at least three sides, of the block is adapted to engage the same side of a similar block to interlock the blocks. At least one side of the block may also be adapted to rotatably engage the same side of a similar block. At least three sides of the block may also include anti-shear receptacles. The anti-shear receptacles on any side of two blocks may be aligned and shear prevention components inserted therein to interlock the blocks. The block may further include an optional interior space, enabling the block to be used as a container for appropriate material.

A container for liquids is configured for two-plane stacking with one or two similarly constructed containers; it comprises a body having a rectanguloid configuration with a top wall defining a recessed liquid pouring spout area and a raised handle area. The bottom wall has an underface included within a downwardly extending peripheral border defined by a series of spaced legs and pockets between the legs. The configurations of the top and bottom walls allow such containers to be stacked in two planes: one plane includes containers one directly above the other or one above the other but vertically offset thereto; a second plane includes containers in vertical planes 90.degree. to one anoother. The handle area has rectangular planar faces and a handle bar therebetween, both cooperating with the legs and pockets of one or two superposed containers to secure them in stacked relations.