MODULAR RETAINING WALL

Abstract

A modular retaining wall with improved features is illustrated and described. Open or closed polygonal modules having channels disposed therein are set at least partially below a surface, said surface either being land-based or aqueous-based, and interfaces therebetween, e.g., shoreline, and attached to each other by respective fastening means which provide engaging connectivity between the modules.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to retaining walls, and more specifically to retaining walls for use in controlling land erosion in contact with water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the many years, there has long existed the problem of land erosion adjacent waterways, rivers, lakes and oceans wherein seawalls of various types have heretofore been constructed of wood, steel or cement. Heretofore, efforts have been made to provide a series of seawall elements which are laterally aligned and in some manner interconnected and pounded down into the ground and anchored. Illustrative of earlier prior art efforts to provide a seawall, constructed of reinforced concrete, is U.S. Pat. No. 1,332,655 issued to R. B. Willard in 1920. The problem then as recognized by the inventor and thereafter, has been the enormous pressures and loads applied to the seawall which have ultimately destroyed the connection between adjacent seawall elements to render the seawall less than effective and ultimately requiring replacement and repairs.

It is known to form seawalls of a plurality of panels formed of extruded PVC material and interconnected edge to edge, as shown in Berger, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,674,921 issued Jun. 23, 1987 and 4,690,588 issued Sep. 1, 1987. In Berger, panel strips of corrugated or sinusoidal shape are formed with alternating groove edges and tongue edges, permitting the panels to be interlocked along their vertical marginal edges. Wale elements are mounted along outer surfaces of the panel strips and accept tie bolts or tie rods extending to ground anchors on the opposite side of the seawall. Berger also discloses angled strips for making corners, and connectors for joining adjacent strips in edge-to-edge relation.

Sinusoidal or corrugated sheets have been mounted in facing relation and connected or joined by tie rods, and the spaces therebetween have been filled with concrete or mortar to provide a water-tight joint, to form a revetment, as shown in Schneller, U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,673 of Apr. 26, 1966.

Sinusoidal or corrugated panel sections have been used to make up retaining walls or seawalls, with wale elements on a front surface tied back to anchors, as shown in a number of prior patents. Caples, U.S. Pat. No. 1,947,151 of Feb. 13, 1934 shows panel sections formed with interconnecting locking vertical edges in alternating inwardly and outwardly directed portions to form a sinusoidal wall. In Caples, the interlocking ends are identical. In Frederick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,557 of Jul. 9, 1974, one panel vertical edge is formed with a tongue and the opposite panel vertical edge is formed with a groove proportioned to receive the tongue of an adjacent panel.

Another example of a retaining wall made of interlocking sections of sheet material is McGrath, U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,931 of Jan. 24, 1961. In McGrath each panel section is bent into three angular portions, and each panel section is reversed when connected, edge to edge to form a sinusoidal-like pattern.

Earlier examples of wall systems having interlocking panel sections which are assembled in longitudinal alignment, with interlocking vertical edges, include Clarke, U.S. Pat. No. 972,059 of Oct. 4, 1910; Boardman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 1,422,821 of Jul. 18, 1922; and Stockfleth, U.S. Pat. No. 1,371,709 of Mar. 15, 1921.

It is also known to use a series of individual arcuate sections which are then joined or interconnected to form a retainer wall, as shown in Van Weele, U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,612 of Oct. 4, 1983.

While walls formed by corrugated panel sections are extensively shown in the prior art in which the corrugations or the axes of the corrugations run vertically, is also known to form panel sections in which the axes of the corrugations run horizontally, as shown in Sivachenko U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,359 of Jul. 11, 1978. FIGS. 7 and 8 also show opposed facing pairs of corrugated sections in which the spaces therebetween may be filled with concrete to form a revetment.

It is common to use wale brackets or wale elements in combination with panel-type seawalls or retainer walls. Berger, Schnabel, Jr. and Caples show wale elements in longitudinal alignment. Schnabel, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,798 of Nov. 24, 1970 shows individual longitudinally spaced wale elements along the wall front face. The wale elements receive tie-back rods, which rods extend through or between the panels to suitable anchors.

Essentially two-dimensional polymeric retaining wall members with interlocking members along the edges that are universally mateable to like members are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,315, issued Sep. 5, 1989 to Wickberg while a wall system which employs a plurality of individual panels formed of extruded polymer joined in edge-to-edge relation including wale members which are vertically offset and interlocked at end portions thereof with adjacent wale members is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,543, issued Apr. 17, 1990 to Cole et al.

A shoreline erosion prevention bulkhead system which employs a series of interlocking fiberglass panels is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,353 issued Nov. 19, 1991, to Bourdo while a plastic structural panel and ground erosion barrier is illustrated which in general is a stretched Z-shaped cross-sectional design with opposed male and female interlock edges for mating association with adjacent panel strips in U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,287 issued Sep. 8, 1992 to Hooper et al.

Corner adapters for use with corrugated barrier sections are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,208 issued Mar. 8, 1994 to Berger and a sheet piling extrusion with locking members is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,883 to Irving et al. A reinforced Z-shaped configuration of the same with strengthening ribs is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,155 issued Mar. 7, 200 to Irvine et al. A generally U-shaped seawall panel is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,667 issued Jun. 10, 2003 to Burt et al.

This invention was developed to continue to advance the state-of-the-art for retaining walls, particularly extruded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) retaining walls which offer easier installation and greater structural integrity than those found in the Prior Art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a modular barrier or retaining wall, particularly for use in tidal environments where land erosion is a particular problem.

It is another aspect of the invention to provide a modular barrier wall which utilizes linear U-shaped (optionally polygon-shaped—whether open or closed polygon) channel modules and angled (optionally polygon-shaped—whether open or closed polygon) channel modules which through mating engagement of male projections and female receptacles, effect wall construction which is self-aligning.

It is still yet another aspect of the invention to provide a modular retaining wall which permits wall construction to angle either outward or inward by inserting the appropriate end of an angled module, the angled module being essentially a mirror-image of each other as viewed through a bisecting horizontal line through the angled module.

It is a further aspect of the invention to improve on existing seawall “sheet pilings” of plastic material by exposing a smooth face toward both the sea and the land using a substantially rigid three-dimensional structure which employs a double connection system which is locked into a fixed location. A connection hook is employed which allows for clearing of external material during installation. The final structure is hollow and can be filled with gravel, concrete, etc., to achieve a higher strength. The smooth surfaces are not only more visually appealing, but also make installation easier due to the ease of concrete form construction. Additionally, angled modules are provided which allow for a radiused appearance.

It is still a further object of this invention to employ a two point connection that makes for faster installation because the three-dimensional profile cannot twist or bow to the degree of existing two-dimensional products. This means less driving energy will be absorbed by the pile making it faster to drive. It also reduces rework required to correct misplaced piles in that they will not have to be withdrawn and replaced.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular retaining wall illustrating a 45° bend interposed therein with end caps positioned at opposed ends of the wall;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the modular retaining wall illustrating the incorporation of a middle retaining rib and a different linking geometry;

FIGS. 5-7 are top plan views of alternative embodiment of the modular retaining wall illustrating alternative linking geometries including middle side wall support;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of closed polygonal shaped modules for use in an embodiment of the retaining wall;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an end or middle module of the modular retaining wall illustrating the open polygon shape; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an end module of the retaining wall illustrating the closed polygon shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate the best mode known to the inventor at the time of the filing of the application illustrating the modular retaining wall of the invention.

As better illustrated in FIG. 1, retaining wall 10 consists of various modules which form a contiguous barrier wall across a length of the modules when in their assembled state. Some modules are essentially interlocking linear U-shaped channels, e.g., 12a, 12b, and 12c whereas other interlocking modules, e.g., angled module 14, are used to impart non-linearity to the wall. As illustrated in the figure, the imparted angle is approximately 45°, although this is but an example of any angle between 1° and 180°, the end-use application, which in an aqueous environment will be the shoreline defining the requisite angularity required for the non-linear modules. The combination of linear U-shaped modules with non-linear modules provides essentially limitless geometries for retaining wall 10. At each end of the wall, is an end-cap 16, 18, with an appropriate geometry so as to interlock or mate with its adjacent module, whether that module is linear or angled.

As better illustrated in FIG. 2, a combination of one linear U-shaped channel module 12a with adjacent angled channel 14 with respective end caps 16, 18 is shown in an unassembled state. Linear module 12a is comprised of a pair of essentially parallel vertically-extending sides 20 in connected engagement with an essentially vertical third side 24 positioned normal to the vertical plane of sides 20 at one end of each side 20 forming an essentially open “U-shaped” channel 66 within module 12a. Affixed to the exterior of third side 24 and positioned interiorly of each of the ends of the side, is a pair of outwardly facing “J-shaped” or “U-shaped” hook protrusions 26 defining an open longitudinal channel 28. Affixed to each end of lateral sides 20 at the open end of U-shaped channel 66 are a pair of inwardly facing end wall segments 30. Spaced apart from end wall segments 30 and penetrating inwardly and curvilinearly toward the open end of the channel are interior curvilinear wall segment protrusions 32, the combination of end wall segments 30 and interior curvilinear wall segment protrusions 32 defining open vertically-extending longitudinal channel 34. While curvilinear wall segments 32 are defined as curvilinear, in an alternative embodiment, these segments could be intersecting linear segments, the end-use application defining the need for a geometry which is either curvature-based or intersecting perpendicular line based in a manner similar to that defined for outwardly-facing J-shaped hooks 26.

In constructing retaining wall 10, either a second linear U-shaped channel module 12b is attached to the first linear U-shaped channel module 12a or a non-linear or angled module 14 is affixed through mating channels and protrusions. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a non-linear module 12b is shown adjacent to the closed end of linear U-shaped module 12a. This angled module, shown to produce an angle of approximately 30°, although both larger and smaller angles are within the scope of this invention, ranging from 1° to 180° are envisioned. Angled module 14 is essentially J-shaped or hook-shaped in which side 44 and curvilinear or curved side 46 intersect, the degree of curvature defined by an angle α (shown to be approximately 45° in the Figure) formed by the intersection of the vertical plane of side 44 and the vertical plane of curvilinear side 46. In a manner analogous to that discussed with vertical third side 24 of linear module 12a, and affixed to the exterior of side 44 and positioned interiorly of each of the ends of this side, is a pair of outwardly facing “J-shaped” hook protrusions 52 defining an open longitudinal channel 62. Affixed to non-intersecting end of side 44 at the open end of open triangular shaped channel 68 and to non-intersecting end of curvilinear side 46 at the same open end of channel 68 is a pair of inwardly facing end wall segments 48. Spaced apart from end wall segments 48 and penetrating inwardly and curvilinearly toward the open end of the channel are interior curvilinear wall segment protrusions 50, the combination of end wall segments 48 and interior curvilinear wall segment protrusions 50 defining open longitudinal channel 54. While curvilinear wall segments 50 are defined as curvilinear, in an alternative embodiment, these segments could be intersecting linear segments, the end-use application defining the need for a geometry which is either curvature-based or intersecting perpendicular line based in a manner similar to that defined for outwardly-facing J-shaped hooks 26.

Attachment of angled module 14 to a linear module, e.g., 12a or 12b or 12c, is effected by mating engagement of male J-shaped hook protrusion 26 into open female longitudinal channel 54 formed by end wall segments 48 and curvilinear segments 50. By having mating engagement occur with two channels simultaneously, the modules become self-aligning.

Retaining wall 10 is constructed by matingly securing linear U-shaped modules 12 and angled modules 14 in combination to meet the geometry required by the end-use application. It is recognized that since the modules are mirror images when dissected through a horizontal plane, that the direction of the turn of the retaining wall through the utilization of an angled module can be in either direction by simply turning the angled module upside-down. At either end of the retaining wall, is an end cap, the configuration of which is dictated by whether the end cap is designed to close an open U-shaped channel or to mate with a pair of outwardly facing J-shaped hooks. In FIG. 2, channel closing end cap 16 is constructed with side 36 essentially parallel to third side 24 at the closed end of channel 66. Spaced inwardly and interiorly of each opposed end 38 of the end cap is a pair of outwardly facing “J-shaped” hook protrusions 40 defining an open longitudinal channel 42. Attachment of channel closing end cap 16 with linear module 12a occurs via mating engagement of male J-shaped hook protrusion 40 into female longitudinal channel 34 formed by end wall segments 30 and curvilinear segments 32. At the opposed end of retaining wall 10 from channel-closing end cap 16 is terminating cap 18 having a side 56 with a pair of inwardly facing J-shaped hooks 58 at each end with a pair of inwardly facing fingers 60 spaced apart and inward from the pair of J-shaped hooks. Attachment of terminating end cap 18 with angular module 14 occurs via mating engagement of male J-shaped hooks 52 into open female longitudinal channels 64 formed by J-shaped hooks 58 and inwardly facing fingers 60 thereby closing and simultaneously forming channel 70 between side 56 of terminating end cap 18 and side 44 of angled module 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, terminating end cap need not be affixed to angled module 14, but rather could also terminate a linear U-shaped channel module 12c. Attachment of terminating end cap 18 with linear module 12c occurs via mating engagement of male J-shaped hooks 26 into open female longitudinal channels 64 formed by J-shaped hooks 58 and inwardly facing fingers 60 thereby capping retaining wall 10.

As used in the field and in a preferred embodiment only, subsequent to driving the modules into the seabed using mechanized driving equipment, each closed cavity which is formed through mating engagement with a subsequent module, is filled with pea gravel or concrete or combinations thereof. The filling operation creates outward lateral pressure on each module. For those modules which have relatively small horizontal dimensions, the inherent structural strength of the walls of the module are sufficient to resist any lateral bowing of the module. However, for those modules which have a larger horizontal dimension, e.g., 12a, 12b, 12c in the Figures, it is often desirable to include T-shaped (or other geometried) male anchors 72 positioned on opposing side walls 20 on the inside of cavity 66, thereby forming two separate cavities, 66a and 66b. This lessens the tendency of the larger modules to lateral bowing when the male anchors 72 are in mating engagement with at least one rib 74 (better illustrated in FIGS. 5-7) which are in mating engagement with the male anchors. While a pair of T-shaped male anchors 72 are illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and shown to be in engagement with a rib 74 having a pair of open oval channels 76a positioned at each end of the rib for mating engagement with the male anchors, there is no need to limit the invention to this geometry. As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7, reinforcing rib 74 can mate with male anchors 72a (inwardly facing bent finger positioned normal to the vertical plane of wall 20) or 72b (inwardly facing bent angular finger). When in either of these geometries, it is important that the geometry of the opposed ends 76b of reinforcing rib 74 successfully mate or securely or lockingly engage with the male anchor.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4-7, each of the modules can have mating attachment locking mechanisms which employ slightly different geometries, and the invention is not limited to any one geometry. For example, inwardly facing wall segments 30 may be geometried as inwardly facing J-shaped hooks 30b which bend backwards 180°, or as inwardly facing J-shaped hooks 30c which form an acute angle with wall 20, said angle ranging from 1-90°, or as outwardly-facing J-shaped hooks 30d. Additionally J-shaped hooks 26 may be geometries as outward-facing J-shaped hooks 26a which form an acute angle to the initial normal projection from third end wall 24, said angle ranging from 1-90°, or outward-facing J-shaped hooks 26b which bend backwards 180°, or outward-facing J-shaped hooks 26c or inward-facing hooks 26d. Similarly, inwardly-facing wall segments 48, namely 48a, 48b, 48c or 48d may be possessed of different geometries, the key being mating or secure or locking engagement with their corresponding J-shaped hooks 26. Similar comments are pertinent to protrusions 52, namely 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d which would need to correspondingly securely or matingly engage with their associated next modular unit.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the modular retaining wall construction wherein each module is of a closed geometry for additional stability if required by the application. Module 12a comprises a closed rectangular polygon having a pair of parallel sides 20 and a pair of connecting ends. End 24a simply closes the polygon on one side and is used as a terminating end module to the retaining wall 10. When used in this configuration, there is no need for end cap 36 as illustrated in FIG. 3 for example. Opposed end 24 has a pair of outwardly-facing male J-shaped hook protrusions 26 for engagement with inwardly-facing J-shaped hooks of inner module 12b. This module is the building block module when the wall is constructed with closed polygon modules. Module 12b comprises similar parallel sides 20 with opposed end walls, one end wall having a pair of inwardly-facing J-shaped hooks 30 while opposed end 24 has a pair of outwardly-facing J-shaped hooks. Construction of the retaining wall includes linking as many modules 12b as is necessary until the wall either ends or is angled. When angularity is required to the construction of the wall, a closed triangular-shaped module is added to end 24 of module 12b through gripping or securing engagement of outwardly-facing J-shaped hooks 26 with inwardly-facing J-shaped hooks. Completion of a modular retaining wall is effected by the attachment of module 12c, a module similar to 12a with the exception that the securing fingers are inwardly-projecting J-shaped hooks 30 in contrast to the outwardly-facing J-shaped hooks 26 of module 12a.

While the invention has been described in terms of open U-shaped modules and closed rectangular modules for the essentially linearly oriented modules, there is no need to limit the shape of the modules to such. In fact, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, both open and closed polygons are useful in the invention. As shown particularly in FIG. 9, end 12a or middle module 12b which was illustrated to be an open U-shaped three-sided polygon, may be envisioned as an open seven-sided polygon, wherein side panel 20 has been modified by inwardly-positioned side panels 20a and 20b. It is noteworthy that the apex of side panels 20a and 20b need not be equally spaced between bottom side 24 and end cap 36, but may be positioned off-center. It is also noted that the length of side panels 20a and 20b need not be equal. In a similar manner, this concept may be extended to the closed polygons which were originally shown to be rectangular in shape in FIG. 8, but are illustrated to be polygonal in FIG. 10. This concept may equally be extended to the non-linearly oriented modules, e.g., 14.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the Prior Art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

This invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, including the respective best modes for carrying out each embodiment. It shall be understood that these illustrations are by way of example and not by way of limitation.

Claims

1. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

at least two generally U-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

each of said modules having an open end, an opposed bottom end connected to a pair of generally parallel sides and a fastening means near each corner of said ends;

said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said modules connected by mating engagement of a pair of fastening means on at least one first module with a pair of fastening means on said at least one second module.

2. The wall of claim 1 which further comprises at least one polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said end cap, said end cap fastening means mating with said module fastening means.

3. The wall of claim 2 which further comprises:

at least one generally L-shaped polymeric module having a pair of interconnected sides forming an acute angle and a channel having an open end;

each side of said open end having a fastening means near said end for engagement with said module fastening means; and

one of said sides of said at least one L-shaped polymeric module having a pair of fastening means near opposed ends of said side.

4. The wall of claim 2 which further comprises a second polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said second end cap, said second end cap fastening means mating with one pair of said module fastening means.

5. The wall of claim 1 wherein said fastening means near each corner of said end is a pair of fastening means on an exterior of said bottom side and a pair of fastening means on an interior of said open side.

6. The wall of claim 1 which further comprises a support rib within said U-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

7. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of generally U-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface;

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module;

at least one non-rectangular polymeric module having two sides, an intersection of said two sides forming an acute angle and a channel disposed therebetween, said non-rectangular module having a pair of fastening means on one said two sides and a fastening means near each open end in interconnected relationship between two of said U-shaped modules; and

at least one end panel with a pair of fastening means on said panel for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

8. The wall of claim 7 which further comprises a second end panel having a fastening means at each end, said second panel fastening means mating with one pair of module fastening means.

9. The wall of claim 7 wherein said fastening means near each corner of said end is a pair of fastening means on an exterior of said bottom side and a pair of fastening means on an interior of said open side.

10. The wall of claim 7 which further comprises a support rib within said U-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

11. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of generally U-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module.

12. The wall of claim 11 which further comprises at least one non-rectangular polymeric module having two sides, an intersection of said two sides forming an acute angle and a channel disposed therebetween, said non-rectangular module having a pair of fastening means on one said two sides and a fastening means near each open end in interconnected relationship between two of said U-shaped modules.

13. The wall of claim 12 which further comprises at least one end panel with a pair of fastening means on said panel for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

14. The wall of claim 13 which further comprises a second end panel having a fastening means at each end, said second panel fastening means mating with either said first or said last modules.

15. The wall of claim 11 wherein said fastening means near each corner of said end is a pair of fastening means on an exterior of said bottom side and a pair of fastening means on an interior of said open side.

16. The wall of claim 11 which further comprises a support rib within said U-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

17. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

at least two generally rectangularly-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

each of said modules having a fastening means near each corner of said modules;

said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said modules connected by mating engagement of a pair of fastening means on at least one first module with a pair of fastening means on said at least one second module.

18. The wall of claim 17 which further comprises at least one polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said end cap, said end cap fastening means mating with said module fastening means.

19. The wall of claim 18 which further comprises:

at least one generally triangularly-shaped polymeric module having a channel disposed therein; and

said triangularly-shaped polymeric module having a pair of fastening means on two sides of said module.

20. The wall of claim 18 which further comprises a second polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said second end cap, said second end cap fastening means mating with one pair of said module fastening means.

21. The wall of claim 17 which further comprises a support rib within said rectangularly-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

22. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of rectangularly-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface;

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module;

at least one non-rectangular polymeric module having at least three sides and having a channel disposed therein, said non-rectangular module having a pair of fastening means on two of said sides in interconnected relationship between two of said modules; and

at least one end panel with a pair of fastening means on said panel for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

23. The wall of claim 22 which further comprises a second end panel having a fastening means at each end, said second panel fastening means mating with one pair of module fastening means.

24. The wall of claim 22 wherein said fastening means near each corner of said end are a pair of fastening means on an exterior of said opposed sides.

25. The wall of claim 22 which further comprises a support rib within said rectangularly-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

26. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of rectangularly-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module.

27. The wall of claim 26 which further comprises at least one non-rectangular polymeric module having at least three sides and a channel disposed therebetween, said non-rectangular module having a pair of fastening means on two of said at least three sides in interconnected relationship between two of said modules.

28. The wall of claim 27 which further comprises a pair of end panels with a fastening means on each end of said panels for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

29. The wall of claim 26 which further comprises a support rib within said rectangularly-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

30. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

at least two generally polygon-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

each of said modules having a fastening means near each corner of said modules;

said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said modules connected by mating engagement of a pair of fastening means on at least one first module with a pair of fastening means on said at least one second module.

31. The wall of claim 30 which further comprises at least one polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said end cap, said end cap fastening means mating with said module fastening means.

32. The wall of claim 31 which further comprises:

at least one generally non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having a channel disposed therein; and

said non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having a pair of fastening means on two sides of said module.

33. The wall of claim 31 which further comprises a second polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said second end cap, said second end cap fastening means mating with one pair of said module fastening means.

34. The wall of claim 30 which further comprises a support rib within said polygon-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

35. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of polygon-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface;

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module;

at least one non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having at least three sides and having a channel disposed therein, said non-linear polygon-shaped module having a pair of fastening means on two of said sides in interconnected relationship between two of said modules; and

at least one end panel with a pair of fastening means on said panel for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

36. The wall of claim 35 which further comprises a second end panel having a fastening means at each end, said second panel fastening means mating with one pair of module fastening means.

37. The wall of claim 35 wherein said fastening means near each corner of said end are a pair of fastening means on an exterior of said opposed sides.

38. The wall of claim 35 which further comprises a support rib within said polygon-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

39. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of polygon-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module.

40. The wall of claim 39 which further comprises at least one non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having at least three sides and a channel disposed therebetween, said non-linear polygon-shaped module having a pair of fastening means on two of said at least three sides in interconnected relationship between two of said modules.

41. The wall of claim 40 which further comprises a pair of end panels with a fastening means on each end of said panels for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

42. The wall of claim 39 which further comprises a support rib within said polygon-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

43. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

at least two generally open polygon-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

each of said modules having a fastening means near each corner of said modules;

said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said modules connected by mating engagement of a pair of fastening means on at least one first module with a pair of fastening means on said at least one second module.

44. The wall of claim 43 which further comprises at least one polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said end cap, said end cap fastening means mating with said module fastening means.

45. The wall of claim 44 which further comprises:

at least one generally open non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having a channel disposed therein; and

said open non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having a pair of fastening means on two sides of said module.

46. The wall of claim 44 which further comprises a second polymeric end cap having a fastening means at each end of said second end cap, said second end cap fastening means mating with one pair of said module fastening means.

47. The wall of claim 43 which further comprises a support rib within said open polygon-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

48. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of open polygon-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface;

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module;

at least one open non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having at least three sides and having a channel disposed therein, said open non-linear polygon-shaped module having a pair of fastening means on two of said sides in interconnected relationship between two of said modules; and

at least one end panel with a pair of fastening means on said panel for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

49. The wall of claim 48 which further comprises a second end panel having a fastening means at each end, said second panel fastening means mating with one pair of module fastening means.

50. The wall of claim 48 wherein said fastening means near each corner of said end is a pair of fastening means on an exterior of said bottom side and a pair of fastening means on an interior of said open side.

51. The wall of claim 48 which further comprises a support rib within said open polygon-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.

52. A modular retaining wall which comprises:

a plurality of open polygon-shaped polymeric modules, each having a channel disposed therein;

said plurality of modules interconnected with each other to form a wall;

said wall having a first module, a last module and at least one middle module, each of said modules at least partially extending below a surface; and

each of said middle modules having a pair of fastening means at each end for mating engagement with a module on either side of said middle module.

53. The wall of claim 52 which further comprises at least one open non-linear polygon-shaped polymeric module having at least three sides and a channel disposed therebetween, said open non-linear polygon-shaped module having a pair of fastening means on two of said at least three sides in interconnected relationship between two of said modules.

54. The wall of claim 53 which further comprises a pair of end panels with a fastening means on each end of said panels for mating engagement with either said first or last modules.

55. The wall of claim 54 which further comprises a support rib within said open polygon-shaped polymeric module, each end of said support rib in engagement with an interior fastening means on each of said side walls.