Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing the width of an existing roadway. The system incorporates a reverse-oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports. The retaining wall is formed by a first set of soil nails, wire mesh material, and one or more geotextile material layers. An alternate embodiment forms the retaining wall with a plurality of concrete blocks stacked and spaced to form a block wall. The blocks are mounted over the first set of nails and can be filled with mortar. Backfill material fills a gap between the existing sloping surface and the retaining wall. A second set of soil nails can be provided for additional subsurface support. An upper surface of the backfill material can be paved to form the extended roadway width. The cantilevered configuration of the reverse-oriented retaining wall provides a solution for a less costly retaining wall structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an earthen formation to a concrete facing of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure, and a method of manufacturing the same. A one-piece, flat, plate-like connector has a stem and a tab, wherein the stem is resistance welded to a soil reinforcing element embedded within the earthen formation. The tab is connected to a facing anchor attached to the concrete facing. The stem of the plate connector has grooves formed in its opposing sides and longitudinal channels to increase the strength of the resistance weld.

Abstract: A stackable masonry unit having male and female elements that cooperate with complementary female and male elements on identical, opposing, adjoining units to create an interlocking two- or three-unit module from single design element. Each interlocking module comprises a portion of a course in a block wall made of cementitious material, e.g., a concrete masonry unit or insulating concrete foam.

Abstract: A soil reinforced structure and method of manufacturing the structure is disclosed, the structure includes fill, reinforcement strips including reinforcement sections extending in a reinforced area of the fill at the rear of a front face of the structure, and a facing along the front face, the reinforcement strips are anchored to the facing in anchoring regions, and at least one anchoring region includes a path formed for a reinforcement strip between two protruding points located on a rear face of the facing adjacent to the fill, and at least two reinforcement sections each prolong a rectilinear portion of a path beyond a protruding point and are connected together by at least one linking member and each of the reinforcement sections is a part of a reinforcement strip arranged according to the path, and the linking members are flexible strips fastened to the reinforcement strips above or underneath the reinforcement strips.

Abstract: A two-stage MSE system for securing a facing to an earthen formation is disclosed. The system includes a wire grid laterally-offset from the facing and a formation anchor coupled to the wire grid. The formation anchor includes a face plate, a wave plate, and an eyebolt extensible through the face plate and wave plate to secure the plates on opposing sides of the wire grid. The wave plate has transverse protrusions that align with and seat adjacent vertical wires of the facing. A facing anchor is coupled to the facing and a turnbuckle assembly secures the facing to the wire grid by coupling to the facing anchor and the formation anchor. A soil reinforcing element may also be attached to the formation anchor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an earth anchor bracket supported by a girder coupled to a side surface of an earth wall to fix a free length of an anchor body inserted into a boring hole formed at the earth wall according to an earth anchor method. The earth anchor bracket of the present invention includes two side plates each including a curved portion including saw-teeth and facing each other; a coupling material coupling and fixing the two side plates; and a pressure bearing means, supported by the two side plates and including obstacle protrusions engaged with the saw-teeth of the two side plates and a through portion withdrawing the free length of the anchor body.

Abstract: A facing anchor assembly for securing a facing to a soil reinforcing element, the facing anchor assembly including first and second horizontally-disposed plates vertically-offset from each other and having at least one transverse protrusion disposed on each plate. The transverse protrusions can receive and seat at least one transverse wire of the soil reinforcing element and a coupling assembly can be configured to secure the at least one transverse wire in place, and also frictionally engage a pair of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element between the first and second horizontally-disposed plates, thereby preventing removal of the soil reinforcing element.

Abstract: A system and method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure. A wire facing is composed of horizontal and vertical elements. A soil reinforcing element has a plurality of transverse wires coupled to at least two longitudinal wires having lead ends that upwardly-extend. A bearing plate includes one or more longitudinal protrusions configured to receive and seat the upwardly extending lead ends and couple the soil reinforcing element to the wire facing, and in particular to the vertical element. Multiple systems can be characterized as lifts and erected one atop the other to a desired MSE structure height.

Abstract: A geogrid using fiber-reinforced polymeric strips and its producing method are disclosed. The geogrid of a lattice shape includes plural longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymeric strips longitudinally arranged in parallel at regular intervals and formed by reinforcing fiber in a thermoplastic polymer resin, and plural lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strip laterally arranged in parallel at regular intervals and formed by reinforcing fiber in a thermoplastic polymer resin. Each longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymer strip has at lease one first contact point crossed with the lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strip on the upper surface and at least one second contact point crossed with the lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strips on the lower surface. The contact points are fixed by welding the longitudinal and lateral fiber-reinforced polymer strips.

Abstract: A retaining wall system comprising an earth structure defining an earth surface, a wall system arranged on the earth surface, and a backfill structure arranged on the earth surface behind the wall system. The backfill structure comprises a base portion, a plurality of backfill members, and a cap portion. The base portion comprises at least one layer of loose backfill material. The plurality of backfill members are arranged in at least one course on top of the base portion. The cap portion comprises at least one layer of loose backfill material.

Abstract: A block wall or fence and methods for constructing a block wall or fence with a footing framework encased in concrete to form a footing support structure wherein the blocks of the wall or fence may be laid without first constructing the footing support framework or first enclosing the footing framework in concrete. Additionally, vertical reinforcing members located in vertical columnar cavities within blocks of the wall and/or horizontal reinforcing members located in horizontal channels within blocks of the wall form a reinforcing framework; wherein some or all of the blocks of the wall or fence may be laid before encasing the reinforcing framework and/or the footing support framework in concrete.

Abstract: A retaining wall or a counterfort retaining wall incorporates a vertical stem wall section, a base section having a toe, a heel, and a number of shallow piles at the bottom of the base section to improve the sliding and overturning safety factor of the wall. To further improve the sliding and overturning safety factor of the wall, an edge of the heel is slanted with a bevel or a batter with an angle to pick up more resisting load.

Abstract: A modular block wall system is provided. In one embodiment, among others, the system comprises a modular block wall adjacent to earth material, the wall exhibiting an elevational angle; a first elongated member passing through the wall along the angle, the first elongated member secured at a bottom end and secured at a top end to the wall; and a second elongated member coupled, directly or indirectly, to the top end of the first elongated member and passing generally vertically downwardly into and secured in the earth material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mass confinement cells that may be used in retaining walls and earth retention systems that has a natural earthen appearance or other aesthetic design and is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment. The mass confinement cells are generally light-weight and include a continuous chamber that at least partially aligns with confinement cells positioned above and below, thereby allowing the intermingling of fill material between adjacent cells. The mass confinement cells are capable of accepting and retaining any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such mass confinement cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an earth anchor bracket supported by a girder coupled to a side surface of an earth wall to fix a free length of an anchor body inserted into a boring hole formed at the earth wall according to an earth anchor method. The earth anchor bracket of the present invention includes two side plates each including a curved portion including saw-teeth and facing each other; a coupling material coupling and fixing the two side plates; and a pressure bearing means supported by the two side plates and including obstacle protrusions engaged with the saw-teeth of the two side plates and a through portion withdrawing the free length of the anchor body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to environment resistant landscaping products, such as retaining wall and earth retention products, edgers, paving stones and the like, that provide a natural earthen appearance, such as rock, stone, sand, soil, clay, wood, trees and foliage, water, or any other natural earthen appearance. The present invention also includes a mass confinement cell that may be used in retaining walls and earth retention systems that has a natural earthen appearance and is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment. The mass confinement cells are generally light-weight and include a continuous chamber that at least partially aligns with confinement cells positioned above and below, thereby allowing the intermingling of fill material between adjacent cells. The mass confinement cells are capable of accepting and retaining any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such mass confinement cells.

Abstract: The facing element for a stabilized soil structure comprises a body of cast material inside which a path is formed for a reinforcement strip between two points of emergence situated on a rear face of the element. This path includes two rectilinear portions which are respectively adjacent to the two points of emergence and are each arranged so as to position the strip in the same plane of emergence perpendicular to the rear face, two curved portions which respectively continue the two rectilinear portions and are arranged so as to deviate the strip from the plane of emergence, and a connection portion which joins the two curved portions to one another and has at least one loop situated outside the plane of emergence.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for connecting an earthen formation to a concrete facing of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure. The connection apparatus may include a soil reinforcing element configured to be coupled to a facing anchor having a pair of longitudinally extending portions connected by a transverse member, wherein the soil reinforcing element may be inserted into an opening created by the pair of longitudinally extending portions, seated near or adjacent to the transverse member, and be secured therein by means of a clasp. The connection apparatus allows the soil reinforcing element to swivel in at least one horizontal plane, thus being capable of avoiding obstructions in the MSE mass.

Abstract: A boot for attaching a geosynthetic layer to a vertical member in a soil, where the geosynthetic layer extends substantially horizontally outwardly from the vertical member. The boot includes a stack of flexible rings. Each ring has an inner edge defining a center opening larger than the horizontal cross section of the vertical member and an outer edge, and is secured around its inner edge to the inner edge of a ring adjacent one side and around its outer edge to the outer edge of a ring adjacent its other side. The bottom ring of the stack of rings is adapted to secure to the geosynthetic layer. A securement ring is secured around the top ring of the stack of rings and has a center opening adapted to be secured to the vertical member.

Abstract: A block having at least one front face, at least one back face, sides connecting the front and back faces, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one cavity passing through the entire height of the block from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the cavity is positioned so that the centre of mass of the block lies closer to the back face than does the geometric centre of the block.

Abstract: A block assembly includes integral connection mechanisms specifically designed for incorporation into engineered retaining walls. These connection mechanisms specifically accommodate the use of reinforcing grids in the formation of a retaining wall which, when used, will stabilize the retaining wall and provide additional strength. The connection mechanism is formed prior to fabrication of the block itself, and thus can be integrally incorporated during casting/fabrication of the block itself. The connection mechanism defines a connection slot usable during retaining wall fabrication (by allowing easy connection to the reinforcing grid) while also accommodating holding and lifting of the block assembly. Due to the fabrication method, the configuration of the connection mechanisms inserted into the block can be uniquely designed to provide desired physical coupling once the concrete is hardened.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of connecting an earthen formation to a concrete facing of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure. A one-piece connector having a stem and a tab, wherein the stem is connected to a soil reinforcing element embedded within the earthen formation and the tab is connected to a facing anchor attached to the concrete facing. The connection allows soil reinforcing mats to swivel in a horizontal plane, but also to shift vertically in reaction to MSE settling or thermal expansion/contraction of an MSE structure.

Abstract: Stabilizing strip (10) intended for use in reinforced earth structures comprising laterally-opening notches (16) and/or pre-notches (17) making it possible to impose a finite radius of curvature on said strip (10).

Abstract: A system of blocks for building a free standing wall. The system includes at least one size of wall block and a generally rectangular column block. The height and depth of the column block are the same as those of the wall block and the length of the column block is twice its depth. The exposed surfaces of the blocks in the free standing wall are textured to a greater extent than the other surfaces. The blocks are used to form a wall with a rectangular column, where the wall is tied into the column to enhance the stability of the wall.

Abstract: A reinforcing fabric for use in various applications, including retaining walls. Artificial grass is strategically provided on the fabric so that, when the fabric is positioned in the retaining wall installation, the artificial grass is at least visible on the vertical face of the wall.

Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system utilizing extruded strips for soil reinforcement. The retaining wall is composed of a plurality of wall blocks that are stacked securely using interlocking pins and an extruded strip. The wall can be built such that it has vertical or battered angle dependant on the orientation of the interlocking pins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foundation-unit structure of a structural object such as a retaining wall installed fixedly on a foundation ground, in which the foundation ground is formed therein with a concavity, a sliding resistive element is placed within the concavity, and at least the front surface side of the sliding resistive element is filled with a grain-sized material so as to form a layer thereof, and an internal frictional angle of the grain-sized material forming the grain-sized material layer is equal to or greater than that of a grain-sized material comprising the ground and supporting the grain-sized material layer, and the grain-sized material layer exerts a reaction force (passive) via the sliding resistive element so as to reinforce a sliding resistance of the structural object mounted on the grain-sized material layer. In this way, a retaining wall excellent in a sliding preventive function is provided.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for securing a facing to a soil reinforcing element wherein the soil reinforcing element has a pair of adjacent longitudinal wires with horizontally extended converging portions, a stud having a first end attached to the horizontally extended converging portions, and a second end bent upwards and terminating at a head, a facing anchor having a pair of vertically disposed loops adjacently extending from the facing and having an opening for receiving a vertical portion of the stud, and a device configured to secure the vertical portion of the stud against separation from the opening between the vertically disposed loops, wherein the stud and the attached soil reinforcing element are capable of swiveling in the horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for a retaining wall which minimizes cost, assembly time and environmental impact while providing substantial load-bearing capacity. The system includes: a plurality of vertical helical piers driven into the ground, tie-back helical piers driven at a non-vertical angle into the ground, substantially horizontal waler rods, and substantially vertical extensions, which are interconnected through interlocking connectors. Multiple levels of the load-bearing structure can be built on top of each other depending on the height of the soil to be retained. Loads from the retained soil may be transferred to the extension bars and waler rods through wood lagging, wood planks, different types of plates, or some other intermediary. A mesh support for the soil can be provided in addition to the load-bearing structure. Trees, bushes or other plants can be planted through the mesh in the retained soil to improve the environmental impact of the invention.

Abstract: A dry-stackable masonry brick having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and opposing side surfaces. The brick is provided with a plurality of channels, which extend along the top, bottom and one side of the brick. The channels are configured and arranged so that they are able to receive a projection from one or more adjacent bricks in an interlocking relation. The brick may be positioned on either of the opposing sides in a vertical orientation, with the bottom side up, or even with the rear surface facing forwardly. The front and rear surfaces of the brick may be provided with different surface treatments to increase the number of differently configured walls that may be constructed. Moreover, the front and rear surfaces may be provided with marginal areas that are configured so that they are able to receive and retain filler material.

Abstract: A system for securing a facing comprising a wire grid that is positionally fixed relative to an earthen formation in a substantially vertical position, a formation anchor that is positionally fixed between the wire grid and the earthen formation, a facing that is laterally offset a distance from the wire grid and having a facing anchor, and a turnbuckle that is rotatably coupled between a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector is coupled to the facing anchor and the second connector is coupled to the formation anchor, such that rotation of the turnbuckle relative to the first and second connectors adjusts the distance between the wire grid and the facing.

Abstract: A facing anchor for securing a soil reinforcing element to a facing comprising an unbroken length of continuous wire originating with a pair of lateral extensions cast into a concrete wall and including a series of loops extending from the concrete wall, wherein the loops each include an angularly inclined distal end segment configured to receive corresponding ends of the soil reinforcing element.

Abstract: A method for constructing a mechanically stabilized earthen embankment has the steps of first constructing a wall facing element. A plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements are attached to the wall facing element. A middle portion of each of the elongate soil reinforcement elements has a plurality of semi-extensible bent segments. Fill soil is added to build the earthen embankment over the reinforcement elements. Movement of the fill soil may create sufficient force to straighten some of the plurality of semi-extensible bent segments, allowing the earthen embankment to move to an active condition thereby reducing the stress on the soil reinforcement elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a wale for use in bracing a retaining wall. The wale is comprise of a back wall, a front wall having a channel formed therein, and a plurality of connecting walls connecting the back and front walls to form at least one chamber between the back and front walls. In one embodiment, the wale is of unitary construction and the plurality of connecting walls includes top and bottom walls which form a single chamber between the back and front walls. In an alternative embodiment, the wale is of a unitary construction and the plurality of connecting walls includes a top, upper reinforcing, lower reinforcing, and bottom walls, which form a plurality of chambers between the back and front walls. The wale may by made of a pultruded composite material such as a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) resin impregnated composite. A seawall system using such a waler is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a permanent earth retaining wall having small diameter casings that remain in the ground to become vertical micropile soldier beams of the retaining wall, and a method for forming a retaining wall. The method includes a top-down method of constructing a retaining wall. The retaining wall may be constructed by placing a plurality of relatively small diameter micropile casings into the ground using overburden percussion drilling methods. The casings are configured to remain in the ground and form micropile soldier beams of the retaining walls. Tiebacks may be coupled to the micropiles via horizontal support wales that span multiple micropiles.

Abstract: A retaining wall block and method of forming a retaining wall block are provided. The block includes front, back, top, bottom and side surfaces. The top surface of the retaining wall block includes a set of protrusions and the bottom surface includes a channel for engaging with the protrusions of adjacent blocks. Side surfaces of the block are tapered from the front surface to the back surface. A block form and a method of securing a stabilizing sheet to a block are also provided.

Abstract: A wave attenuator structure for dissipation of wave energy of a body of water is described. The structure preferably is equipped with a substantially horizontal base, a foot extending substantially vertically downward from the base, and a wall extending substantially vertically upward from the base. The wall forms a water-facing face, which face slopes in the direction of the body of water. The wall and the base define a plurality of channels sized and configured to receive one or more respective anchor devices for anchoring the wave attenuator structure in soil.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks. The retaining means includes a pair of retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. Each retaining bar has at least front, base, and side faces. The reinforcement member is secured between the front faces of the retaining bars through wedging action produced by force being applied to the base face of the second one of the retaining bars. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A composite form for stabilizing an earthen embankment includes a floor section and a face section and is couplable to other like forms. The floor section includes integrally formed anchoring members for securing a geogrid with at least one anchoring rod. Advantageously, the face section of the form may included integrally formed hydroseeding screens. Also disclosed is a structure for stabilizing an earthen embankment, the structure comprising such a support form together with a geogrid anchored to the floor section of the form advantageously by a pair anchoring rods, an end portion of the geogrid being wrapped back and forth around the anchoring rods.

Abstract: A connection securing a geogrid fabric to between two tiers of stacked concrete blocks which form an earth retaining wall. A groove is formed in the top of each block in the lower tier to extend across the width of the block with grooves in adjacent blocks aligned. The groove is slightly wider that the rod and fabric wrapped around the rod and is deeper than its width. The fabric extends from backfill behind the wall over the groove. A rod is positioned over the fabric above the groove and pushed into the groove. A free end of the fabric wraps around the rod and extends from the groove towards the rear of the block. A wedge is positioned in the groove above the fabric and rod. When an upper tier of blocks is stacked on the lower tier, the rod and fabric are locked into the groove.

Abstract: A concrete block structure useful in forming a retaining wall having upwardly open openings to facilitate planting plants therein. The block has an upright front wall, laterally spaced side walls joined to the front wall, and an upwardly open interior, the side walls having upwardly open and laterally aligned grooves formed in them, and a rod received within the grooves and protruding laterally beyond each side wall. A flexible anchor sheet having a forward edge portion may extend along and above at least two adjacent blocks of the course, the anchor sheet being attached to the rod and extending rearwardly over an upper surface of the rear wall for anchoring reception in an embankment against which the blocks are placed.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintenance of a seawall comprises a plurality of anchoring members for being introduced through the seawall, a single retaining member for being secured on ends of the anchoring members which extend from a water facing side of the seawall, and a plurality of securing members for securing the retaining member on the ends of the anchoring members to tension the anchoring members and apply compressive force against the seawall. Another apparatus for maintenance of a seawall includes a retaining member having a rearward face beyond which the securing member and the end of the anchoring member do not protrude when installed on a seawall. An anchoring device installation system and method involves the use of a rail fixated to a floor at the bottom of a body of water on the water facing side of the seawall to guide formation of a passage in the seawall and the introduction of an anchoring member through the passage at preselected vertical and lateral angles.

Abstract: A masonry block (10) has a rearwardly extending portion (18) which includes a vertical channel (24). In use, soil stabilizing members (46) are passed through channels of aligned masonry blocks (10) and extended rearwardly behind a retaining wall (40).

Abstract: The facing element for a stabilized soil structure comprises a body of cast material inside which a path is formed for a reinforcement strip between two points of emergence situated on a rear face of the element. This path includes two rectilinear portions which are respectively adjacent to the two points of emergence and are each arranged so as to position the strip in the same plane of emergence perpendicular to the rear face, two curved portions which respectively continue the two rectilinear portions and are arranged so as to deviate the strip from the plane of emergence, and a connection portion which joins the two curved portions to one another and has at least one loop situated outside the plane of emergence.

Abstract: A retaining wall has a plurality of tiers. Each tier has a plurality of blocks. At least one pin passes through each block of at least a first tier and extends into material being retained behind at least a portion of a second tier that underlies the first tier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supporting member, a retaining wall structure having the same and a building method thereof. The supporting member includes: a pair of downward protrusions spaced apart and extended to one direction; and a coupling portion for coupling one ends of downward protrusions and being connected to each of the one ends of downward protrusions about vertically to a projecting direction of the downward protrusions.

Abstract: A retaining wall structure built of wall-building units such as sand/soil bags or hardenable building units such as clay bricks has interconnecting members placed between adjacent courses of units to attach the adjacent courses to one another. The interconnecting members have projections on both sides which protrude into the wall-building units of the adjacent courses. Sheets of geogrid preferably extend from between some of the courses of wall-building units into the fill retained by the wall-building units. Projections on the interconnecting members protrude through holes in the geogrid sheet, anchoring the wall face to the reinforced soil structure.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks, the retaining means including a pair of reinforcement member retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. A first of the retaining means secures the at least one reinforcement member against the bottom of the slot and a second of the retaining means secures the first retaining members against the side of the slot, such that the at least one reinforcement member is additionally secured between the pair of retaining means. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A reinforced soil retaining wall system (10) in which a plurality of blocks (12) are arranged in courses (14) to form a wall (16). Soil reinforcement is provided to the wall (16) using a plurality of lengths of strip reinforcement (18) inserted in and extending from the blocks (12), the strip reinforcement (18) being buried under compacted backfill (20) either as each course (14) is laid or after construction of the wall (16). Also disclosed is the use of a second plurality of sections of soil reinforcement, spaced apart from the first plurality of sections and arranged to extend perpendicular to the wall.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for constructing a soil reinforced earthen retaining wall wherein successive soil reinforcing mats embedded within an earthen formation have bent-up face elements which are slidably engaged to enable the earthen formation to settle without bulging the face elements. Backing mats are disposed behind the face elements for movement relative thereto in generally vertical planes. The backing mats serve to support the successive soil reinforcing mats and permit the mats to more toward one another to accommodate settling of the formation without bulging of the face elements.