Abstract: A construction element is disclosed for retaining a soil mass. In general, the construction element comprises a face panel and a plurality of protruding arms. The face panel has a forward wall, a rearward wall, side walls and a top and bottom wall. Such protruding arm extends from the rearward wall of the face panel, and each have an upper wall, lower wall, a back wall and side walls. The upper and lower walls of these protruding arms are each provided with engaging means for facilitating stacking of at least a portion of the protruding arm of one construction element, on top of at least a portion of the protruding arm of another construction element, and for preventing relative sliding movement therebetween. These construction elements can be used to construct a retaining wall and soil reinforcement subsystem, which comprises one or more free-standing retaining wall construction elements and at least one grid structure positioned behind each such construction element.

Abstract: A cast concrete construction element particularly suitable for use in constructing a retaining wall for a soil mass. The construction element includes a face panel in the form of a rectangular prismatic solid. Extending rearwardly from the face panel is an embedment beam which will extend into and engage firmly with the soil mass. The embedment beam includes a sloping rearward wall to penetrate the soil mass, pan inserts and grooves to increase frictional resistance with the soil mass. The embedment beam also includes notches for interengagement with support beams in the soil mass. The embedment beam may take a variety of configurations which may be used to construct differing retaining wall arrays.

Abstract: A construction element for forming breakwaters. The element includes a massive inner core that is trapezoidal in configuration with the longest base of the trapezoid disposed downwardly. The inner core is supported by four legs. The legs extend above the upper surface, below the lower surface and beyond the outer periphery of the inner core so that the core will be spaced apart from any surface on which it rests, regardless of which face of the construction element is disposed downwardly. The longitudinal cross section of the legs is also trapezoidal with the longest base downward so as to enhance stability. Construction elements may be arranged in either patterned or random array to form breakwaters.

Abstract: A crib unit of heavy, rugged character and which is useable in erecting bin wall structures for various purposes such as sea walls, retaining walls, etc. The unit has a pair of spaced side walls with a connector arm extending between the side walls and joined thereto with merger segments, the merger segments being of laterally widening character to effect strengthening of the side walls to render same more resistive to bending. The crib unit when paired with a like unit encloses a bin space having a configuration which facilitates substantially uniformly distributing bin fill pressure acting against the crib unit structure defining the bin.

Abstract: An improved revetment construction is provided. Each individual revetment unit has a base section and legs extending from its corners, the legs and base sections are so constructed and arranged that the individual units when placed in array interlock with each other, yet permit water inflow and outflow. The interlocking action is provided even though the individual units are not contacting each other. A variety of arrangements may be provided on the base section to control wave action. The units may also be inverted to further provide wave control action.