Abstract: An earthen containment reinforcement system has a plurality of connected panels containing recycled rubber vehicle tire material forming a retaining or barrier wall. The panels are connected by interlocking joints, and secured by a reinforcing cable that traverses the length of the connected panels. For added structural integrity, the reinforcing cable is connected by a plurality of tether cables to a corresponding plurality of anchors that are sunken in the earthen containment. An erosion shield is connected to the top edge of the retaining wall, and extends away from the top of the wall toward a land side of the earthen containment that is opposite the water side. By virtue of their construction from recycled vehicle rubber tire material, the panels are not only impervious to water and burrowing rodents and resistant to erosion, earth tremor, and explosion, but are easy and economical to fabricate and maintain.

Abstract: A civil engineering structure, intended for ensuring protection against impacts of moveable masses, has a face exposed to the impacts of moveable masses. The structure includes, in the region of the face exposed to the impacts of moveable masses, a set of individual construction elements secured to one another and filled completely or partially with at least one material having a capacity for being deformed elastoplastically, the individual construction elements liable to be damaged by impacts of moveable masses being capable of being replaced individually by similar individual construction elements.

Abstract: A dry-cast concrete block system for use in a structure. The dry-cast concrete block system comprises a support block comprising a first coupling part and a face block comprising a second coupling part. The first coupling part and the second coupling part enable the face block to be coupled to the support block. The face block comprises a surface adapted to be exposed when the face block is coupled to the support block and the dry-cast concrete block system is positioned in the structure. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the surface has a cast texture with a natural stone appearance. In one embodiment, the structure is a wall and the concrete block system is a wall block system. For example, the wall may be a retaining wall and the wall block system may be a retaining wall block system. In another embodiment, the structure is a column and the concrete block system is a column block system. In yet another embodiment, the structure is steps and the concrete block system is a steps block system.

Abstract: Three-dimensional soil nail walls employing geosynthetic materials and methods of installation thereof. The soil nail walls are suitable for supporting an upright face of earth and comprise tensioned geosynthetic material held up against the face.

Abstract: A construction of a geogrid integrated with a mesh used in geodetic engineering includes a reinforcement grid and a web; multiple longitudinal and lateral ribs of the geogrid being synchronously knitted with the web to become an integral part; the appearance of the integral part showing meshes of the geogrid and internally containing geodetic compound materials comprised of the web knitted with the ribs surrounding the web; the solid construction increasing friction resistance of the geodetic compound materials; the grids and multiple openings in different sizes of the web achieving good mutual containing behavior with gravels and sandy soil in different grains to improve mutual agreeable and separation functions between geodetic compound materials and the soil while improving the reinforcement function of the geogrid.

Abstract: The invention provides a long steel reinforced concrete deadman with superior strength for anchoring underground storage tanks (USTs). Reinforcing steel bars about 0.88 inches in diameter provide an advantageously high ultimate flexural strength capacity for a concrete deadman. Among the advantages offered by high flexural strength is the ability to use a longer deadman about 30 feet or more in length, which simplifies installation of USTs, especially in a flooded hole.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: A geosynthetic reinforcement comprising a container formed of semipermeable material mutually conformed with a portion of earthen material contained therein. A structural member such as a geogrid may engage (e.g. frictional) the container and extend therefrom to engage and support a structure such as a retaining wall, earthen slope, etc. Accordingly, the container may function as an anchor to the structure. Due to the containment provided by the container, the physical characteristics of the earthen material therewithin become less important. Thus, low quality fills such as fine-grained fill or fill with a high moisture content may be used in structural applications. If desired, more than one container and structural member may be incorporated. Containers may be stacked, positioned side-by-side, positioned end-to-end, etc. Structural members may be incorporated as needed to adequate support the structure. Drain layers may be incorporated to control moisture.

Abstract: 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 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 atop, 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: A soil reinforced retaining wall for an earthen formation is provided by embedding planar soil reinforcing mats in the formation at vertically spaced intervals and securing face mats between the soil reinforcing mats. The face mats include fingers extending distally from the edges thereof for engagement with opposite sides of a complimental face mat, whereby the mats are held in general vertical alignment. Certain of the fingers are of a gently curved configuration to frictionally hold edge portions of the face mats in spaced relationship for compression toward one another to accommodate settlement of the earthen formation, without bulging of the face mats. An L-shaped starter mat is engaged within a recess formed at the foot of the formation to provide an upstanding portion engaged with the lowermost is face mat to hold the mat in a generally vertical orientation. A tail is provided on the uppermost face mat for embedment within the backfill to cap the wall.

Abstract: A stabilizing element in a stabilized material particle structure, particularly an earthen embankment, wherein the material stabilizing elements that are inextensible (material with a higher modulus of elasticity than that of the surrounding particles) in composition nature but made more extensible because of its configuration. This extensibility gives the stabilizing elements the ability to mobilize more of the material shear resistance and adapt to current design standards under extensible type elements. The configuration also enhances the frictional engagement with the adjacent particles. The soil stabilizing elements are attached to facing elements and project into the compacted fill behind the facing. In some structures there may not be a facing element. Additionally, a material coating for metallic stabilizing elements that gives the elements improved corrosion protection, additional service life and/or expands the electrochemical environment in which they can be used.

Abstract: A retaining wall structure for retaining soil, including a retaining wall including a plurality of non-molded blocks disposed side-by-side and adjacent each other, the retaining wall having a width and a height. The wall structure further includes a plurality of joints being defined by adjacent of the non-molded blocks, a cementitious compound disposed in the plurality of joints, the cementitious compound securing adjacent ones of the non-molded blocks to each other, and an anchor sheet including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the anchor sheet is embedded in the cementitious compound, the anchor sheet extending outwardly from the retaining wall, and backfill is disposed about the anchor sheet such that the backfill retains the wall structure in a desired position.

Abstract: An improved element for forming ground covering, restraining and reinforcing structures, comprising a lower wall, an upper wall and a front wall connected in an articulated manner, at one of its end edges at least, to an edge of the lower wall or the upper wall.

Abstract: A concrete block system for retaining walls. Generally L-shaped concrete blocks are laid side by side and are laid in courses, each of which is positioned slightly inward from the course immediately below it to form a retaining wall. The retaining wall, the concrete blocks used to construct the retaining wall, and a method of constructing a retaining wall using these blocks comprise the system disclosed herein.

Abstract: The stabilized earth or reinforced soil structure comprises a fill, a facing placed along a front face of the structure, main reinforcements disconnected from the facing and extending in a reinforced zone of the fill situated behind the front face, and secondary elements connected to the facing and extending in a zone of the fill which exhibits, with the reinforced zone, a common part where loads are transmitted between the main reinforcements and the secondary elements by the material of the fill.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A modular block wall system includes a vertical passageway formed within the wall from a top surface of the wall to a bottom surface of the wall and a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock and each having a proximal portion extending into the passageway. The system further includes at least one elongate member positioned within the vertical passageway directly adjacent the proximal portions of the tieback rods, wherein tensile forces imposed upon the tieback rods are transmitted to the at least one elongate member so as to distribute the tensile forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A geosynthetic reinforcement comprising a container formed of semipermeable material mutually conformed with a portion of earthen material contained therein. A structural member such as a geogrid may engage (e.g. frictional) the container and extend therefrom to engage and support a structure such as a retaining wall, earthen slope, etc. Accordingly, the container may function as an anchor to the structure. Due to the containment provided by the container, the physical characteristics of the earthen material therewithin become less important. Thus, low quality fills such as fine-grained fill or fill with a high moisture content may be used in structural applications. If desired, more than one container and structural member may be incorporated. Containers may be stacked, positioned side-by-side, positioned end-to-end, etc. Structural members may be incorporated as needed to adequate support the structure. Drain layers may be incorporated to control moisture.

Abstract: A precast concrete retaining wall construction element for retaining a soil mass in a railway installation or the like includes an upstanding solid face panel having the shape of a hexahedron where a rectangular front wall and an integral stem. The front wall defines an area of between about 18.75 and 75 square feet and wherein the ratio of the width of the face panel to its height is between about 0.75 to about 3.0. A reinforced element including an upward extension, an improved shear key and stacked arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for constructing a pre-stressed modular construction for supporting or retaining an applied load. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for pre-stressed modular retaining walls. The system comprises a plurality of header stacks constructed from a variety of header units. The header stacks are coupled by structural members. Active reinforcement elements are used to induce a pre-stressing force into the header stacks to support or retain the applied load. A method for constructing the modular construction is provided.

Abstract: A soil reinforced retaining wall for an earthen formation is provided by embedding planar soil reinforcing mats in the formation at vertically spaced intervals and securing face mats between the soil reinforcing mats. The face mats include fingers extending distally from the edges thereof for engagement with opposite sides of a complimental face mat, whereby the mats are held in general vertical alignment. Certain of the fingers are of a gently curved configuration to frictionally hold edge portions of the face mats in spaced relationship for compression toward one another to accommodate settlement of the earthen formation, without bulging of the face mats. An L-shaped starter mat is engaged within a recess formed at the foot of the formation to provide an upstanding portion engaged with the lowermost face mat to hold the mat in a generally vertical orientation. A tail is provided on the uppermost face mat for embedment within the backfill to cap the wall.

Abstract: Briefly described, the present invention relates to a wale for use in forming a driven wall structure including a plurality of elongated structural panels. The wale includes a base wall, a top wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The base wall and the top wall are parallel, the first side wall and the second side wall extend between both the base wall and the top wall such that the wale is of a trapezoidal cross-section.

Abstract: A precast concrete retaining wall construction element for retaining a soil mass in a railway installation or the like includes an upstanding solid face panel having the shape of a hexahedron where a rectangular front wall and an integral stem. The front wall defines an area of between about 18.75 and 75 square feet and wherein the ratio of the width of the face panel to its height is between about 0.75 to about 3.0. A reinforced element including an upward extension, an improved shear key and stacked arrangement are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retaining wall and face for an earthen formation is provided by embedding generally horizontally disposed welded wire soil reinforcing mats within the formation at vertically spaced intervals and securing face members between successive soil reinforcing mats at the face of the formation. The soil-reinforcing mats comprise spaced longitudinal elements extending into the formation and spaced transverse elements welded to and extending across the longitudinal elements in a disposition wherein an outer of the transverse elements extends across the face of the formation and an inner of the elements is spaced inwardly of the face. Each face member is secured between successive upper and lower soil-reinforcing mats by extending an upper portion of the face member behind the outer transverse element of the upper soil reinforcing mat and securing an inwardly extending portion of the face member to connection with an inner transverse element of the lower soil reinforcing mat.

Abstract: A method of lining a wall face comprises assembling a wall of concrete panels (16) close to the face to be lined, attaching the panels to the face to be lined by ground anchorages (12) pretensioned to provide the required resistance to hydrostatic pressure, the anchorages being grouted into the face at one end, and anchored to the respective panel at the other end, and filling the void between the wall and the face with free-draining material (14). The invention also relates to a system of lining a wall face using concrete panels and ground anchorages. Preferably the panels are cast in molds and have a synthetic low permeability sheet (29) incorporated into one or both sides of the panel during the casting process.

Abstract: A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall. The retaining wall system comprises a panel structure, an anchor mesh panel, and a lock member. The wall panel defines an exposed face and a rear face. An insert is partly embedded within the wall panel such that a portion of the insert is spaced from the rear face of the wall panel to define a lock opening. The anchor mesh panel comprises at least one tension member defining an anchor axis. The tension member is bent at a first edge location to define a bearing portion. The lock member is inserted through the lock opening to engage the tension member and the insert to inhibit relative movement between the anchor mesh panel and the wall panel.

Abstract: A soil nailing system includes a temporary retaining wall for an excavation sidewall. Soil nails extend outwardly into the soil sidewall and are integrated with the temporary retaining wall. The soil nails comprise an easily shearable reinforcing rod made, for example, of fiberglass so that the area containing the soil nails can be excavated after permanent walls are provided in the excavation.

Abstract: A retaining wall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wall comprising a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock with a proximal portion extending therefrom, at least one elongated force distribution member positionable directly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one of the tieback rods, a washer positionable about the proximal portions of the tieback rod in abutment with the force distribution member, and a fastener fixedly securable to the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clamp the washer against the force distribution member such that tensile forces imposed on the tieback rod are transmitted to the force distribution member so as to distribute these forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall.

Abstract: A first voussoir for use in an arched structure between second and third voussoirs includes a first end bearing surface with a protrusion which extends from the surface and which is mateable with a corresponding recess in an abutting end bearing surface of the second voussoir. The second end bearing surface includes a recess in the surface which is mateable with a corresponding protrusion in an abutting end bearing surface of the third voussoir. Preferably the protrusions and the recesses have both longitudinal and transverse components of structure. A connector is secured to the first voussoir for connecting one end of an associated tension member to the first voussoir while an opposed end of the tension member is connected to an associated mooring positioned at a distance away from the horizontal span of the arched structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.

Abstract: A retaining wall block system having multiple sizes and shapes of blocks with differently dimensioned, interchangeable front and back faces. The blocks are used to construct an irregularly textured wall having a weathered, natural appearance. Multiple channels in the lower face of the block are used to engage pins in pin-receiving apertures to form an attachment system. A side connection system is particularly useful for stabilizing free-standing walls. Horizontal reinforcing members are also used in the channels and vertical reinforcing members are used in cores of adjacent blocks for reinforcing a wall. Reinforcing geosynthetic materials can also be firmly held in a wall by means of the pins or by connectors adapted to fit in the block channels.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining a seawall disposed between a body of water and retained earth includes at least two anchoring devices installed on the seawall at spaced locations and a connecting member for rigidly interconnecting the anchoring devices to maintain the separation distance therebetween. The connecting member may have a fixed length or may be adjustable in length to adjust the separation distance between the anchoring devices. A method of maintaining a seawall involves forming a passage through the seawall from a water facing side to an earth facing side of the seawall, inserting an anchoring member in the passage, advancing the anchoring member into the retained earth to anchor an anchor of the anchoring member in the retained earth, and securing a retaining member on the anchoring member along the water facing side of the seawall to apply compressive force against the seawall.

Abstract: A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall comprising a plurality of face panels, a plurality of anchor mesh panels, and a plurality of connecting pins. The face panels each comprise first and second connecting portions and a wall portion. Each connecting portion comprises an upper surface and a bottom surface and defines a void system. The wall portion defines a face surface and a retaining surface. The face panels are stacked in a plurality of vertically spaced rows. The first vertically spaced row is arranged above the second vertically spaced row. A wall face is defined by the face surfaces of the wall portions and openings formed between vertically spaced wall portions and between horizontally spaced connecting portions. A portion of the anchor mesh panels is inserted into the void system. The connecting pins are inserted into the void system to secure the portion of the anchor mesh panel to the face panels. The earthen wall is accessible through the openings in the wall face.

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: An tensile reinforcement-to retaining wall connection for a retaining wall (10) having stacked tiers (14, 16) of blocks (12) having channels (52, 54) in opposing surfaces (48, 50), which channels (54, 56) in adjacent tiers (14, 16) align to define a receiving conduit (18) between the adjacent tiers. An isolator sheet (20) overlies the channels (52) in the blocks (12) of the lower tier (14) at selected vertical intervals in the wall (10). A tensile reinforcement sheet (28) partially overlapped (26) defines a pocket (24) that receives a connector bar (22), which sit on the isolator sheet (20) in the receiving conduit (18). A portion of the tensile reinforcement sheet (28) extends from the wall (10) for receiving backfill to mechanically secure the wall to the backfill. The isolator sheet (20) protectingly reduces abrasion of the tensile reinforcement sheet (28) in the receiving conduit (18). A method of connecting a tensile reinforcement to a retaining wall with reduced abrasion is disclosed.

Abstract: A soil reinforced retaining wall for an earthen embankment is formed by screwing nails into the embankment at spaced intervals. The nails have helical threads extending therearound of such proportion and pitch as to screw into the formation as the nails are driven into place with a vibratory hammer, without prior boring of the embankment to accommodate the nails, or the necessity of cementing the nails into place. The wall is constructed from the top down and face panels are progressively assembled over the embankment and secured in place by the nails. In a preferred embodiment the nails have an elongate tubular body of a polyhedral cross-section and the threads are formed by twisting the body about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A retaining-wall block has a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded cavity having a sealable opening for filling the cavity with a fill material to add weight, and a seal element for sealing the sealable opening. In some cases the block has a second cavity with openings for collecting liquid and for passing collected liquid out of the second cavity to adjacent blocks in an assembly.

Abstract: A corner block is provided for use in constructing an exterior corner of a retaining wall. The corner block is designed to receive a portion of a retaining member that is used to secure a reinforcement member to blocks that are adjacent to the corner block. The corner block permits construction of a retaining wall having an exterior corner, where the right and left sides of the exterior corner can be reinforced.

Abstract: A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall. The retaining wall system comprises at least one panel structure, at least one anchor mesh panel, and at least one connecting pin. The panel structure comprising a wall panel and at least one insert. The wall panel defines an exposed face and a rear face. A first portion of the insert is embedded within the wall panel. A second portion of the insert extends from the rear face of the wall panel such that the second portion and the rear face of the wall define at least one lock opening. The anchor mesh panel defines a bearing portion and a bearing bar. The anchor mesh panel is arranged such that the bearing bar engages the second portion of the insert and the bearing portion is arranged adjacent to the rear face. The connecting pin is inserted through the at least one lock opening to inhibit relative movement between the anchor mesh panel and the wall panel when loads are applied to the wall panel.

Abstract: A soil reinforced wall earthen retaining wall for an earthen formation is provided by embedding planar soil reinforcing mats in the formation at vertically spaced intervals and securing face mats between the soil reinforcing mats. The face mats comprise welded wire gridworks having upper and lower portions engaged behind wires of the soil reinforcing mats which extend across the face of the formation. In one embodiment the face mats comprise paired separate face mat elements secured one above the other in edge-to-edge relationship and intermediate stabilizing anchors are embedded in the formation to hold the face mat elements in vertical alignment. In the paired face mat element embodiment, the lifts of soil between successive soil reinforcing mats are compacted in stages corresponding to the depth of the face mat elements.

Abstract: A stablized retaining wall structure comprising concrete blocks stacked in an array of superimposed rows, and with a stable anchoring assembly being in restraining contact with selected blocks. An access bore extends from the rear surface of the block to the surface of the wall comprising the hollow core. An earthen fill zone is arranged in spaced apart relationship to the rear surface of the wall and clean granular back-fill is interposed between the wall and the earthen fill zone. A keeper device is provided to couple selected wall blocks to the stable anchoring assembly, with the keeper device being configured to be restrainably held within the hollow core. An elongated fastener is coupled to the keeper device, with the fastener extending through the access bore and secured to the stable anchoring assembly.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an earth retaining wall system, definable with reference to an x,y,z Cartesian coordinate system, for stabilizing an earthen wall, the system comprising a y-axis footing having an x-axis width, the footing embedded within the earth along a y-z plane at a base of an earthen mass to be retained by the system, the footing having a flat xy upper surface thereof; and upon the upper surface of the footing, a retaining wall comprising a multiplicity of courses of constructional blocks, each block thereof defining a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration, an x-axis thereof defining a width axis of the wall, a y-axis thereof defining a segment of a length of the wall, and a z-axis thereof defining a segment of a height of the wall, in which one xz end surface of each block comprises a positive y-axis deep key geometry and each opposing xz end surface thereof comprises a negative y-axis deep key geometry complementally interlockable to a part of a substantially planar xy geo

Abstract: A retaining wall block is provided. The retaining wall block includes top, bottom, front, back, first side and second side surfaces. A tongue set is provided on the top surface of the block and a groove in the bottom surface of the block. The tongue set includes a rear-facing surface set that includes first and second curved sections. A block form for forming retaining wall blocks is also provided. A face form for placement on the bottom surface of a block form is also provided. A method of molding retaining wall blocks with a form having hinged doors is also provided. A method of using a face form for forming two blocks of reversed front surface ornamentation is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wall that is easy to construct and is able to utilize the long-term design strength of a geosynthetic reinforcement connection or anchor. In accordance with one or more of the embodiments, the wall comprises a multifaceted rotatable locking bar in contact with one end of a geosynthetic reinforcement; a lower block with an edgeless surface section adjacent a receiving channel which accepts the locking bar and geosynthetic reinforcement; and, an upper block with a receiving channel which also accepts the locking bar and geosynthetic reinforcement. A force applied to an opposite end of the geosynthetic reinforcement is transferred, via the geosynthetic reinforcement, to the locking bar causing the bar to rotate and engage the geosynthetic reinforcement with at least one side of a receiving channel. In this manner, the reinforcement is engaged with the stacked blocks and the stacked blocks are united with the adjacent support or backfill.

Abstract: A modular retaining watt has tiers of headers which extend into compacted backfill material and tiers of stretchers which extend between headers to form the front face of the wall. Vertical pins, extending between successive headers in each stack of headers, facilitate precise emplacement of headers during construction of the wall. Layers of geosynthetic mesh reinforcement reinforce the load bearing capability of the backfill. Load forces in the backfill are sustained by forward ends of the layers of geosynthetic mesh reinforcement, which extend upward in front of the backfill and then backward into the backfill, instead of being sustained by the stretchers. A sizable space behind the stretchers may be filled with loose topsoil to facilitate growth of landscaping plantings on the face of the wall.

Abstract: A soil retaining system combining flat sheet pile walls in an open cell configuration includes integral soil anchors providing an improved earth retaining system. Another aspect of the invention is a method of designing and installing a soil retaining system with an open sheet pile cell structure having integral soil anchors. The method includes, inter alia, calculating soil forces by taking into account material strength of sheet pile, soil friction against the sheet pile in combination with the strength of the integral soil anchor, selecting sheet pile size and length based on soil forces calculation; and installation of sheet pile to form a soil retaining system. The integral soil anchors serve to provide higher load resistance to the improved earth retaining system.

Abstract: Mechanically stabilized retaining wall structures are comprised of a stabilized earth mass connected to a precast concrete panel facing wall. A lengthwise adjustable turnbuckle style connector assembly accommodates horizontal and vertical offsets in the connection points. An array of the connection assemblies comprise a three-dimensional space truss that accomodates wall movement horizontally and vertically with respect to the wall face as well as perpendicular to the wall.

Abstract: A soil nailing system includes a temporary retaining wall for an excavation sidewall. Soil nails extend outwardly into the soil sidewall and are integrated with the temporary retaining wall. The soil nails comprise an easily shearable reinforcing rod made, for example, of fiberglass so that the area containing the soil nails can be excavated after permanent walls are provided in the excavation.

Abstract: A mortarless concrete wall system. An insulation panel is connected to a brick by a connector. The insulation panel is spaced inwardly from the brick so as to form a space therebetween that is filled with concrete. The brick includes a plurality of bulbous projections, a first plurality of blind bores, a second plurality of blind bores, and a plurality of alignment pins that are received in the first plurality of blind bores in an associated brick and in the second plurality of blind bores in a brick of a next upper course. The insulation panel has a plurality of dove tail slots for plaster to grip, a dove tail slot, a dove tail projection received in the dove tail slot of an insulation panel in a lower adjacent course. The connector includes a pair of end pieces, a center piece, a pair of intermediate pieces, and an end cap.

Abstract: A stablized retaining wall structure comprising concrete blocks stacked in an array of superimposed rows, and with a stable anchoring assembly being in restraining contact with selected blocks. A retainer detent extends from the top surface of a wall of the block between the outer surface of the block and the hollow core. An earthen fill zone is arranged in spaced apart relationship to the rear surface of the retaining wall and clean granular back-fill is interposed between the retaining wall and the earthen fill zone. A retainer device is provided to couple selected wall blocks to a remote stable anchoring assembly, with the retainer device being configured to be restrainably held within the hollow core. One end of an elongated fastener is coupled to the retainer device, with the fastener extending outwardly through the retainer detent and secured to the remote stable anchoring assembly.

Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system comprising a plurality of wall blocks. Each wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In addition, a plurality of wall blocks include apparatus for retaining a reinforcement member to the segmental retaining wall. In one arrangement, this apparatus comprises a channel that is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface. This channel is provided in one of the faces and surfaces, and includes an inwardly extending shoulder.