Abstract: A retaining wall and face for an earthen formation is provided by embedding generally horizontally disposed welded wire soil reinforcing mats within the formation at vertically spaced intervals and securing face members between successive soil reinforcing mats at the face of the formation. The soil-reinforcing mats comprise spaced longitudinal elements extending into the formation and spaced transverse elements welded to and extending across the longitudinal elements in a disposition wherein an outer of the transverse elements extends across the face of the formation and an inner of the elements is spaced inwardly of the face. Each face member is secured between successive upper and lower soil-reinforcing mats by extending an upper portion of the face member behind the outer transverse element of the upper soil reinforcing mat and securing an inwardly extending portion of the face member to connection with an inner transverse element of the lower soil reinforcing mat.

Abstract: A soil reinforced retaining wall for an earthen embankment is formed by screwing nails into the embankment at spaced intervals. The nails have helical threads extending therearound of such proportion and pitch as to screw into the formation as the nails are driven into place with a vibratory hammer, without prior boring of the embankment to accommodate the nails, or the necessity of cementing the nails into place. The wall is constructed from the top down and face panels are progressively assembled over the embankment and secured in place by the nails. In a preferred embodiment the nails have an elongate tubular body of a polyhedral cross-section and the threads are formed by twisting the body about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for constructing a soil reinforced earthen retaining wall wherein successive soil reinforcing mats embedded within an earthen formation have bent-up face elements which are slidably engaged to enable the earthen formation to settle without bulging the face elements. Backing mats are disposed behind the face elements for movement relative thereto in generally vertical planes. The backing mats serve to support the successive soil reinforcing mats and permit the mats to more toward one another to accommodate settling of the formation without bulging of the face elements.

Abstract: A soil filled wall which accommodates the growing of plant life. The wall comprises welded wire structures which contain soil. In one embodiment the wall is free standing to provide a fence-like structure suitable for use as a sound barrier. In another the wall is erected at the situs of an earthen formation to retain and provide a face for the formation. In the latter embodiment, anchors secure the wall to the earthen formation.

Abstract: A retaining structure for an earthen formation wherein spaced anchor members in the form of rock anchors or gridwork mats are embedded in the formation and wire retainers are secured between the anchor members. The retainers comprise primary retention rods secured to the anchors and secondary retention members secured to the rods to span the space between adjacent anchor members. In certain embodiments the anchors are provided with extensions to support form panels in spaced relationship to the secondary retention members and a concrete wall is formed in place between said panels and the secondary retention members.

Abstract: Precast stretchers in four basic configurations may be used to construct cribbing faces, end walls, and corners for virtually every retaining wall requirement. Each stretcher of the invention comprises an elongated body having two support heads with flat upper and lower surfaces for stacking the stetchers one on another. All the support heads are equally spaced and each head contains a vertical hole for receiving a steel tie rod that extends, in several threaded sections, from the footing to the top of the wall for tying together the stacked support heads and stretchers. Anchor rods for deadmen, bin wall anchorages, or rock bolts are connected to the vertical tie rods to form a rigid interlocked retaining structure.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for constructing a soil reinforced earthen retaining wall wherein successive soil reinforcing mats embedded within an earthen formation have bent-up face elements which are slidably engaged to enable the earthen formation to settle without bulging the face elements. Backing mats are disposed behind the face elements for movement relative thereto in generally vertical planes. The backing mats serve to support the successive soil reinforcing mats and permit the mats to more toward one another to accommodate settling of the formation without bulging of the face elements.