Abstract: A facing element (2), for use in a stabilized earth structure (1), comprises a reinforcing portion (60) extending substantially across the facing element, the reinforcing portion having at an end thereof a connection point for connection to an earth stabilizing member (4) and/or an adjacent facing element.

Abstract: A modular block wall includes dry cast, unreinforced modular wall blocks with anchor type, or frictional type or composite type soil stabilizing elements recessed therein and attached thereto by vertical rods which also connect the blocks together. The soil stabilizing elements are positioned in counterbores or slots in the blocks and project into the compacted soil behind the courses of modular wall blocks. Alternative stabilizing element designs may be used with the modular wall blocks and other types of facing elements in a mechanically stabilized earth structure.

Abstract: A modular block wall includes dry cast, unreinforced modular wall blocks with anchor type, or frictional type or composite type soil stabilizing elements recessed therein and attached thereto by vertical rods which also connect the blocks together. The soil stabilizing elements are positioned in counterbores or slots in the blocks and project into the compacted soil behind the courses of modular wall blocks. Alternative stabilizing element designs may be used with the modular wall blocks and other types of facing elements in a mechanically stabilized earth structure.

Abstract: An earthen work bulk form construction has a wire mesh facing and granular compactable fill with stabilizing members projecting horizontally into the fill from the front facing. The front facing is comprised of modular shaped panels which form a mosaic pattern that enables construction of the wall with non-adjacent panels serving to facilitate and support adjacent panels. Connection of the stabilizing members to the front panels is effected through a quick engagement and locking handle bar connector. A handle bar connector is used for connecting a cast in place front wall to the front panels and bulk form.

Abstract: A strip for use in a stabilized earth structure has a tensile portion in the form of an elongate core which supports lateral friction wings and optional ribs. The elongate core may be steel or a polymer material and the wings are fabricated from a plastic material. Alternatively, the strip may be made from a single material (e.g., plastic) with a thickened region defining the core and thinner regions providing the friction wings.

Abstract: A facing panel (1) is provided for assembly with like facing panels to form a facing of a stabilized earth structure. The facing panel has two opposed side edges (2) for arrangement edge-to-edge with the side edges of laterally adjacent facing panels, each side edge having a front portion (5) which is straight over substantially the full height of the facing panel, and a rear portion comprising a lateral projection (8) over part of its length and an abutment (6, 7) over another part of its length, the lateral projection being provided for engagement behind a respective abutment on the side edge of a laterally adjacent facing panel to restrain forward movement of the facing panel, and the abutment being provided for engagement in front of a respective lateral projection of said laterally adjacent facing panel or of another laterally adjacent facing panel to restrain rearward movement of the facing panel.

Abstract: An earth structure includes a plurality of elongated stabilizing elements in an earth mass behind a facing made up of facing panels. A plurality of connectors behind the facing connects the facing to the stabilizing elements. Each connector has a rear attachment portion attached to a respective stabilizing element, and each connector also has at least two spaced apart front attachment portions attached to a facing panel. The earth mass includes a first region of soil suitable for plant growth which also defines the region in which the connectors are located. A second region of structural back fill is provided which includes the stabilizing elements.

Abstract: An earthen work bulk form construction has a wire mesh facing and granular compactable fill with stabilizing members projecting horizontally into the fill from the front facing. The front facing is comprised of modular shaped panels which form a mosaic pattern that enables construction of the wall with non-adjacent panels serving to facilitate and support adjacent panels. Connection of the stabilizing members to the front panels is effected through a quick engagement and locking handle bar connector. A handle bar connector is used for connecting a cast in place front wall to the front panels and bulk form.

Abstract: A modular block wall includes dry cast, unreinforced modular wall blocks with anchor type, or frictional type or composite type soil stabilizing elements recessed therein and attached thereto by vertical rods which also connect the blocks together. The soil stabilizing elements are positioned in counterbores or slots in the blocks and project into the compacted soil behind the courses of modular wall blocks. The soil stabilizing elements may also comprise hollow core precast blocks connected to the facing blocks.

Abstract: An earthen work bulk form construction has a wire mesh facing and granular compactable fill with stabilizing members projecting horizontally into the fill from the front facing. The front facing is comprised of modular shaped panels which form a mosaic pattern that enables construction of the wall with non-adjacent panels serving to facilitate and support adjacent panels. Connection of the stabilizing members to the front panels is effected through a quick engagement and locking handle bar connector.

Abstract: A method of constructing a retaining wall structure for retaining an earth mass involves the use of a footing, at least one counterfort and a plurality of facing panels, with the facing panels and the counterfort including either a bolt cast therein and projecting therefrom or a hole formed therein. The one counterfort and the plurality of facing panels are secured together by placing each bolt through one of the holes and mounting a fixing device on the free end of the bolts. The counterfort and the facing panels are mounted on the footing so that the counterfort is vertically positioned and the facing panels are arranged vertically above one another on the counterfort to form a retaining wall structure. The retaining wall structure is then backfilled such that the rear faces of the facing panels are in contact with an earth mass to thereby retain the earth mass.

Abstract: A prefabricated concrete facing panel is connected to a prefabricated counterfort by way of a pair of bolted connections. Each connection includes a bolt projecting rearwardly from the panel and passing through a hole provided in a connecting arrangement of the counterfort, and a nut mounted on the threaded end of the bolt. The connection is not visible from the front of the facing. Both the facing panel and the counterfort are flat elements and are therefore easy to transport to the site.

Abstract: An earth structure has a facing formed of a plurality of laterally spaced support members. The top and bottom of each support member is connected to a stabilizing element that extends rearwardly into an earth mass. A mesh cover extends between adjacent support members. The support members include a front portion and integral lower and upper extensions that define a C-shaped strap. The mesh cover is also somewhat C-shaped as defined by a front portion and integral upper and lower rear projections which stiffen the cover against forward movement under earth pressure.

Abstract: A concrete facing panel is joined to a counterfort by means of a pair of bolted joints. Each joint comprises a hole in the panel through which a bolt projecting from the counterfort passes, and a nut mounted on the threaded end of the bolt. A resilient plug is located in the hole at its end facing the counterfort to form a first watertight seal, the plug including an integral spacing ring to space apart the panel and the counterfort. A second watertight seal is provided by a layer of epoxy resin applied over the nut.

Abstract: A facing for an earthwork includes an array of polygonal frames that are connected to the forward ends of stabilizing elements which are embedded in the soil. The polygonal frames are flexibly connected to each other at their corners by joints which allow independent movement of each frame in the plane of the facing without movement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the facing. Each frame includes a cover which is capable of limited resilient forward movement in a direction perpendicular to the frame and which is capable of resisting the pressure of the soil.

Abstract: A stabilized earth structure includes a front face and a plurality of layers of reinforcements that extend rearwardly from the front face. Individual layers of compacted earth are disposed between the layers of reinforcements. The frictional force that is mobilized between the layers of reinforcements and the earth in the rear one-third of the length of the reinforcements is greater than that mobilized by the front one-third of the length of the reinforcements. The frictional forces mobilized by the reinforcements create a tension in the reinforcements which is sufficient to stabilize the active zone of the earth structure while also being less than the tensile strength and pull-out resistance of the reinforcements.

Abstract: A facing system for a frictionally stabilized earth structure comprises an assembly of facing units each having a sloping facing panel with a substantially horizontal upper edge and a lower edge situated rearward of said upper edge and substantially parallel thereto, the facing panel being supported by a pair of laterally spaced side panels. The facing units are assembled to form a series of superimposed substantially horizontal tiers wherein the sloping facing panels in the tiers are laterally spaced and are positioned vertically above corresponding lateral spaces between facing panels in the tier below, whereby earth immediately behind the structure in contact with the facing panels, forms an open sloping surface from the lower edge of each facing panel through the space in the tier immediately below to the upper edge of the facing panel vertically below the space, the slope of the surface being less than the angle of repose of the earth.

Abstract: A concrete facing panel is joined to a counterfort by means of a pair of bolted joints. Each joint comprises a hole in the panel through which a bolt projecting from the counterfort passes, and a nut mounted on the threaded end of the bolt. A resilient plug is located in the hole at its end facing the counterfort to form a first watertight seal, the plug including an integral spacing ring to space apart the panel and the counterfort. A second watertight seal is provided by a layer of epoxy resin applied over the nut.

Abstract: A retaining wall comprises a facing, a counterfort connected to the rear of the facing, a footing supporting the facing and the counterfort, backfill behind the facing to provide a support surface for traffic, and a traffic barrier along the top of the wall. The counterfort comprises a reinforced concrete slab having a substantially vertical front portion at right angles to a base portion, and a rear portion running from substantially the top of the counterfort to the rear of the base portion thereof, the angle between the rear portion and the front portion being smaller in the vicinity of the top of the counterfort than in the vicinity of the base. The counterfort and the traffic barrier are connected to each other such that impact loads on the traffic barrier are transferred directly to the footing.

Abstract: An apparatus for moulding prefabricated curved concrete sections for use in the construction of arched or vaulted structures comprises a curved, upwardly convex mould made up of a series of reusable substantially flat mould plates pivotally supported by vertical pillars of adjustable height. The mould plates are hingedly connected to each other such that the angle of each plate to the adjacent plate is adjustable. The spacing between the vertical pillars is also adjustable, so that the mould plates provide a polygonal mould surface adjustable for moulding prefabricated concrete sections of different curvatures.