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.