Abstract: A system and method for adjustably connecting traffic barriers and pre-cast wall facing panels to the soldier beams of a pile wall is provided, which includes a connecting structure cast-in-place between the upper ends of the beam and the panels for structurally interconnecting both a traffic barrier and the upper ends of the panels to the beam. The system further includes an anchor member projecting from the upper end of the soldier beam for securing the connecting structure to the beam, as well as a depth-adjustable array of reinforcing members that are cast within the structure for accommodating variations in the distances between the beams and panels. At least one of the array of reinforcing members projects upwardly out of the connecting structure to link the traffic barrier to the connecting structure.

Abstract: A system and method for adjustably connecting pre-cast wall facing panels to the soldier beams of a tie-back or anchor wall is provided, wherein the system comprises an array of panels stacked in rows having mutually adjacent side edge portions which are spaced apart from one of the soldier beams, a connecting column cast-in-place between the beam and the adjacent side edge portions of the panels for structurally interconnecting both of the panels to the beam, and an adjustable array of reinforcing members within the column for interconnecting the adjacent side edge portions of each of the panels with the beam and for reinforcing the resulting column. The depth of the cast-in-place connecting column advantageously accommodates variations in the distances between the beams and panels. In the method of the invention, a first row of wall facing panels is stacked in front of the soldier beams, and a first section of the connecting column is cast therebetween.

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: 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 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 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: The invention relates to a precast concrete traffic barrier element and a method of construction for a traffic barrier using the element on a vertical face of a retaining wall. The barrier element is a profiled block of precast concrete having a bottom surface with a longitudinally extending channel therein. The traffic barrier element is supported on the retaining wall with a top surface of the vertical face being received within the channel. Anchoring bars projecting from an interior portion of the traffic barrier element are embedded in a cast in situ counterweight positioned adjacent to the barrier. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of traffic barrier elements are anchored in a single counterweight.