Abstract: A method of constructing a retaining wall structure for retaining an earth mass involves the use of a footing, at least one counterfort and a plurality of facing panels, with the facing panels and the counterfort including either a bolt cast therein and projecting therefrom or a hole formed therein. The one counterfort and the plurality of facing panels are secured together by placing each bolt through one of the holes and mounting a fixing device on the free end of the bolts. The counterfort and the facing panels are mounted on the footing so that the counterfort is vertically positioned and the facing panels are arranged vertically above one another on the counterfort to form a retaining wall structure. The retaining wall structure is then backfilled such that the rear faces of the facing panels are in contact with an earth mass to thereby retain the earth mass.

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 system for a frictionally stabilized earth structure comprises an assembly of facing units each having a sloping facing panel with a substantially horizontal upper edge and a lower edge situated rearward of said upper edge and substantially parallel thereto, the facing panel being supported by a pair of laterally spaced side panels. The facing units are assembled to form a series of superimposed substantially horizontal tiers wherein the sloping facing panels in the tiers are laterally spaced and are positioned vertically above corresponding lateral spaces between facing panels in the tier below, whereby earth immediately behind the structure in contact with the facing panels, forms an open sloping surface from the lower edge of each facing panel through the space in the tier immediately below to the upper edge of the facing panel vertically below the space, the slope of the surface being less than the angle of repose of the earth.

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: An apparatus for moulding prefabricated curved concrete sections for use in the construction of arched or vaulted structures comprises a curved, upwardly convex mould made up of a series of reusable substantially flat mould plates pivotally supported by vertical pillars of adjustable height. The mould plates are hingedly connected to each other such that the angle of each plate to the adjacent plate is adjustable. The spacing between the vertical pillars is also adjustable, so that the mould plates provide a polygonal mould surface adjustable for moulding prefabricated concrete sections of different curvatures.