Abstract: In the case of earth coverings made from concrete paving slabs, the noise generated by rolling traffic is disadvantageous. In order to reduce the generation of noise, plate-shaped concrete blocks exhibiting a significantly larger format than traditional paving slabs are proposed. The top side of the concrete blocks consists of a sound absorption layer (13) of porous concrete. On the bottom side, the concrete block is curved inwards, so that the fringe areas are subjected to a higher load. This results in a stable situation. For the purpose of draining off the surface water, the concrete block is equipped at the sides with upright slots (16), which adjoin the absorption layer (13) of porous concrete.

Abstract: Shaped slabs (10) made of concrete for forming groundcoverings have spacers (15 to 20) on their edges with which the shaped slabs are braced against one another when the groundcovering is completed. This bracing of the shaped slabs (10) on their spacers (15 to 20) determines the permissible traffic weights such a groundcovering may carry. This means that different shaped slabs have to be provided for groundcoverings which are suitable for heavier traffic weights. The invention is concerned with creating a universal shaped slab (10) which can be used for different traffic weights and therefore suggests shaped slabs (10) the spacers (15 to 20) of which being arranged on the side faces (11 to 14) of said shaped slabs (10) such that depending on the relative positioning of the side faces (11 to 14) when laying the shaped slabs (10), said spacers (15 to 20) are either interlocking or abutting. This way, wide or narrow joints can alternatively be formed between adjacent shaped slabs (10).

Abstract: A retaining wall (20) of shaped blocks (22) arranged one above the other in layers (43, 58, 62) is defined with respect to the stability by the seating width and the core cross-section determined from the latter. By maximizing seating surfaces (27, 38 . . . ) of the shaped blocks resting one above the other, the seating width which is a decisive factor for determining the core cross-section is considerably increased.

Abstract: An earth retaining wall formed by stacked, alternately staggered rows of spaced, nesting, chevron-shaped concrete blocks. Adjacent blocks in some rows are coupled together by connecting tubes extending into holes through the blocks, and elongated anchoring devices are connected to the tubes and extend horizontally into the earth. Alternatively, the anchoring devices may be concrete extensions integrally moulded with the blocks.