Abstract: Concrete modules stacked in courses are used in making a retaining wall. Each module has unitary front, lateral, and bottom walls. The front wall may extend above the lateral walls. Each lateral wall has front ribs extending outwardly and inwardly and adjoining the front wall. Each lateral wall has back ribs extending outwardly and inwardly. In each intermediate course, the front and back ribs of each module partly support modules of the next course above and are partly supported by the front and back ribs of modules of the next course below. For post-tensioning of the retaining wall, plural elongate tensioning members are employed, each extending through an aperture of the bottom wall of one module of a lower course, between two modules of every other one of the intermediate courses, through an aperture of the wall of one module of an upper course.

Abstract: An articulated, predominantly concrete mat. Discrete, concrete blocks conforming generally to rectangular solids are arranged in a grid, preferably a rectangular grid. A geogrid of a type capable of being handled in one piece by itself is embedded in each block. In a preferred form, the geogrid is a flexible, one-piece sheet of oriented, polymeric material. In an alternative form, the geogrid is a weave of flexible, discrete straps of oriented, polymeric material that are joined where they intersect. Each block has a hole extending therethrough and communicating with an aperture of the geogrid.