Abstract: Mechanically stabilized retaining wall structures are comprised of a stabilized earth mass connected to a precast concrete panel facing wall. A lengthwise adjustable turnbuckle style connector assembly accommodates horizontal and vertical offsets in the connection points. An array of the connection assemblies comprise a three-dimensional space truss that accomodates wall movement horizontally and vertically with respect to the wall face as well as perpendicular to the wall.

Abstract: Mechanically stabilized retaining wall structures are comprised of a stabilized earth mass connected to a precast concrete panel facing wall. A lengthwise adjustable turnbuckle style connector assembly accommodates horizontal and vertical offsets in the connection points. An array of the connection assemblies comprise a three-dimensional space truss that accomodates wall movement horizontally and vertically with respect to the wall face as well as perpendicular to the wall.

Abstract: Compacted granular or stone columns are constructed in soil to increase the load-bearing capacities or drainage capabilities of the native soil. A vibratory probe is penetrated down into the soil to the desired depth. As the probe is incrementally withdrawn, the cavity is filled with granular material that is compacted in place by the probe. Granular material is transported directly to the tip of the probe through a transfer pipe running along the length of the probe. A material container located at the top of the probe mechanism contains the granular material that feeds the transfer pipe. The rate and quantity of flow of the granular material from the material container is visually monitored in real-time by the operator on a closed-circuit television monitor so that the construction process can continue uninterrupted and the operator can adjust the contents of the material container according to the in situ soil response.

Abstract: A retaining wall construction includes a lower mechanically stabilized earth bulk form with tensile members projecting from the front face of the bulk forms and connected to precast wall panels that are spaced from the front face of the bulk form. The space between the front face of the bulk form and the panels is filled with concrete. Positioned on top of the reinforced concrete and the first bulk form, as well as along the sides thereof, are additional bulk forms which include tensile members connected directly to the front facing panels.

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 apparatus for wedging a road barrier panel between opposed flanges of an I-beam post that includes a spring biased arm retained in a recess hole within the back side of the panel.

Abstract: Decreased weight, improved sound transmission loss, and maintained sound absorption and durability are all achieved by a highway barrier incorporating a new acoustic barrier panel. The panel remains of the type suitable for being forms, in combinations of multiple panels and multiple, earth-anchored or structure-mounted support posts, into sound barrier walls for use along highways, other rights of way, and the like. The invented acoustic barrier panel comprises a sandwich of slabs. The sandwich comprises a central slab, a first, outer slab sandwich alongside the central slab, and a second, outer slab sandwiched alongside the central slab, opposite the first outer slab. Uniquely, a first grout curtain is interposed between and joins the central slab and the first, outer slab, while a second grout curtain is interposed between and joins the central slab and the second, outer slab. As most preferred, all slabs constitute Durisol.TM. wood concrete.

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 version of a handle bar connector is disclosed for connecting a cast in place front wall to the front panels and bulk form.

Abstract: An apparatus for wedging a road barrier panel between opposed flanges of an I-beam post includes a spring biased arm retained in a recess hole within the back side of the panel.

Abstract: A method for mounting a tank in a compatible precast concrete half shell wherein the tank is supported on ribs at a spaced distance from the inner wall of the half shell includes positioning of the half shell by means of at least partially filled, flexible containers of coagulate material which are wedged between the container and the inner wall of the half shell.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically forming a random rake finish on the surface of a cast panel utilizes counter rotating sets of tines which are projected into the material as a form is linearly moved. The apparatus thus is used to implement a unique method of providing a random rake or fuzzy finish on the surface of the cast panel.

Abstract: An improved coping construction is comprised of a precast element attached to a retaining wall. The retaining wall and precast element serve as a portion of the form for a cast in place portion of the coping construction.

Abstract: A retaining wall construction is comprised of a first portion which includes compacted granular fill defining a three dimensional earthenwork bulk form including a plurality of tensile members dispersed within that bulk form to enhance the coherency of the mass. The tensile members project from the bulk form and are connected to a second component portion which defines a face construction. The face construction is comprised of a plurality of facing panels connected to tensile members with concrete layers enveloping the connection between the facing panels and the tensile members.

Abstract: A construction for shielding an item against interference from a microwave radio frequency radiation is disclosed, having a wall structure adapted to minimize radio frequency interference in the vicinity of an antenna. The wall is composed of a plurality of modular wall panels, each having a layer of electrically conductive materials that substantially reflects interfering electromagnetic microwave signals. The wall structure includes a top construction creating a thin, horizontal gap in the conductive material at the wall's top that acts to control diffraction over the wall. In the preferred embodiment, the layer of electrically conductive material is a mesh of expanded metal embedded in the wall modules. The gap comprises the space between the top of the mesh and a pair of vertically adjustable metal strips mounted on the wall. In the preferred embodiment, the wall panels are precast concrete that may be horizontally positioned with a joint allowing up to 180.degree. of relative movement.

Abstract: An improved earthen construction is comprised of horizontal layers of reinforcing elements or tensile members with a fabric over a part of the elements and with a U-shaped cross section basket filled with granular material defining the forward or face of the wall. The U-shaped basket is especially dimensioned and constructed of generally rigid tensile members to ensure the integrity of the wall. Flexible fabric lines the basket and also extends over the basket. Backfill material coacts with the elements by at least partial frictional engagement to provide a soil reinforced structure.

Abstract: An improved retaining wall construction includes a plurality of prefabricated, substantially upstanding soil retention panels connected together to define a wall facing. Each soil retention panel has a bottom surface with at least one cutout portion for receiving a lifting arm to lift and transport the soil retention panel, a first end having a projecting portion and a second end having a cutout slot. The projecting portion of one soil retention panel engages the cutout slot of anothe adjacent soil retention panel to form a keyed construction joint.Earth is exacavated along a line demarking the wall construciton, and a concrete leveling pad is placed along the line. The soil retention panel is positioned on the leveling pad by means of an apparatus for lifting having lifting arms that are slidably engageable into the cutout portion of the soil retention panel.

Abstract: A construction for shielding microwave antennas is disclosed including a plurality of RF reflective modular panels positioned to surround a microwave antenna location. Each modular panel has the surface of at least one side adapted to reflect RF signals away from the antenna location. The construction includes a frame for supporting the panels, and a means for connecting the panels to the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the panels are reflective of RF signals on both sides of the panel, with the side of the panel facing the antenna location reflecting RF signals upward and the side away from the antenna location reflecting signals downward. The preferred embodiment also includes dual inclined-step reflectors to achieve the directional reflection, preferrably prepared with a cross-section defining a plurality of linked Z's.

Abstract: An improved anchor wall includes a series of vertical caissons cast in place along a line defining the boundary of the wall. Soil is executed from one side of the line and anchor rods are used to attach the caissons to the remaining soil. Discrete panels are then stacked one upon the other and attached by a reinforced concrete rib to the vertical caissons.

Abstract: A post and panel barrier system employs posts which are contoured to provide a constant maximum bending stress for anticipated wind pressure distributions. Posts and associated panel assemblies permit adjacent panels to meet at angles ranging from 0.degree. to 360.degree.. Panel assemblies used in the barrier system may be folded so that thermal movement and spacing tolerances are automatically compensated. Posts and panels may be decoupled to allow relative vertical displacements.