Abstract: A system of stem wall foundation blocks is a set of reinforced precast, post-tensioned modular footing and stem wall foundation blocks with a unique interconnecting design optimized for both residential and commercial applications that eliminates the need for on-site manufacturing of a foundation mold. The apparatus provides a unique modular foundation design for a variety of applications within construction. A series of wall blocks of different shapes and arrangements interlock, thus enabling users to modify the dimensions of their foundation mold to a desired purpose. Engineered bolts and lapped connections enable the modular wall pieces to securely connect after they have interlocked. This arrangement enables construction workers to move the interlocking blocks into position and then begin pouring concrete inside to lay the foundation.

Abstract: In one or more arrangements, a stackable pad system is provided. The system has a plurality of blocks with each block having a flat upper surface with an upward extending lip positioned at opposing ends of the flat upper surface. Each block has a flat lower surface with a downward extending lip positioned at opposing ends of the flat lower surface. In some arrangements, the system includes a bottom locking plate and a top locking plate. When placed together, in a stacked arrangement, wherein a bottom most pair of blocks are stacked on top of the bottom locking plate with bottom lips fitting within the recesses of the bottom locking plate, additional pairs of blocks are stacked on the first pair of blocks and the top locking plate placed on the top most pair blocks, the blocks are all locked together and resist shifting and movement.

Abstract: A panel for shoring a wall of a trench, the panel including an outer face arranged to face the wall, an opposing inner face, opposing sides, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the panel includes fixed couplings located at or adjacent to the inner face and toward the opposing sides, the fixed couplings being adapted to couple with a removable coupling which is inter-connectable in a first installed condition between a respective one of the fixed couplings of the panel and a respective one of the fixed couplings of an adjacent further panel. A panel assembly including at least two panels and a removable coupling is also disclosed as well as a system and method including interchangeable panels and couplings that allow for the formation of trenching supports in a variety of geometric configurations.

Abstract: A wall system includes a face joint member including a web and a flange. The wall system further includes a counterfort beam coupled to the face joint member. The counterfort beam is coupled to the face joint member by a connecting threadbar that extends through the counterfort beam and into the face joint member. The connecting threadbar includes an inner metal threaded bar and an outer protective sleeve. The inner metal threaded bar is configured to rotate relative to the outer protective sleeve.

Abstract: A wall comprises building blocks with opposing like outer members spaced apart by at least two risers as cross members inward from outer member ends leaving a center open with a void between the outer members and the risers. The risers extend from the bottom of the block to above the outer member tops. A continuous tongue projects upward from the top of the outer members parallel thereto along the length of the outer member and mates with grooves along the bottom of a similar outer member stackable thereon for ease of block alignment. A next stacked block is nailed to the risers projecting into its center.

Abstract: A counterfort retaining wall system includes a plurality of wall panels and a face joint member positioned between a first wall panel and a second wall panel. The face joint member is partially positioned on a first side of the wall panels and extending between the wall panels through to a second side of the wall panels. The system further includes a counterfort beam coupled at a first end to the face joint member and including a counterfort web and a counterfort flange. The counterfort beam extends away from the wall panels and is configured to extend into a backfill behind the plurality of wall panels. The counterfort beam is coupled to the face joint member such that a bottom surface of the counterfort flange is above a bottom edge of the face joint member.

Abstract: A wall assembly for forming an external wall on a building structure is disclosed. The wall assembly comprises a cladding and a plurality of vertical formwork members spaced along the wall assembly, and a horizontal formwork member extending along the top of the wall assembly. The formwork members are elongate profiles having a substantially constant cross sectional shape and they are arranged so that with the cladding they form an interconnected formwork defining a formwork space. A cementitious material cast within the formwork space is interconnected and forms a single underlying structural frame within the constructed wall assembly. The assembly includes connectors extending between the vertical and horizontal formwork members and the cladding on which they are mounted. Each connector extends from the cladding through the formwork space to the formwork member and is cast within the cementitious material. A method of building a wall assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a double sided wall having a corner or closed end using facing panels having a face surface and a back surface with a retaining structure. The facing panels are stacked in a back-to-back arrangement into a pair of first and second wall components bridged by separate connectors. An end wall component forming an end or corner of the wall includes facing panels stacked to extend across the intermediate space. A branched connector and link are used for bridging a concrete facing panel in the end wall component with an adjacent concrete facing panel of the first or second wall component. The branched connector has a first connecting end and an opposite branched end with at least a pair of second connecting ends for attachment to the retaining structure of the adjacent facing panel and the link has a first end for attachment to a facing panel in the end wall component and a second end for linking to the branched connector.

Abstract: A building block has opposing like outer members spaced apart by at least two risers as cross members inward from outer member ends leaving a center open with a void between the outer members and the risers. The risers extend from the bottom of the block to above the outer member tops. A continuous tongue projects upward from the top of the outer members parallel thereto along the length of the outer member and mates with grooves along the bottom of a similar outer member stackable thereon for ease of block alignment. A next stacked block is nailed to the risers projecting into its center.

Abstract: A retaining wall system, as well as embodiments of blocks and other devices for use in a retaining wall system. In some embodiments, a retaining wall includes a plurality of face blocks and a plurality of trunk blocks arranged in a plurality of courses of blocks. In some embodiments, a face block can include a face portion and a pair of leg portions, and each of the leg portions can be adapted to be coupled to a trunk block. In some embodiments, various block connecting devices can be used to connect blocks in a single course of blocks and various block alignment devices can be used to align blocks in adjacent courses.

Abstract: A device for withstanding mechanical impact in which at least one corrugated sheet is configured to form a complete hollow enclosure. At least one joiner strip joins together two vertical flanks of a corrugated sheet. Typically, one of the corrugated sheets is made of construction material.

Abstract: The invention provides a gabion which may be used to protect military or civilian installations from weapons assault or from elemental forces, such as flood waters, lava flows, avalanches, soil instability, slope erosion and the like, the gabion comprising side walls connected together at spaced intervals by partition walls, the side walls comprising at least one substantially closed side wall element panel, which acts in use of the gabion to prevent a gabion fill material from falling through the side wall, the said action of the substantially closed side wall element panel being effective without the aid of a gabion lining material.

Abstract: A gabion system is disclosed which includes a gabion (1) for use in protecting military or civilian installations from weapons assault or from elemental forces such as flood waters, lava flows, avalanches, soil instability, slope erosion and the like. The gabion (1) comprises opposed side walls (2, 3) connected together at spaced intervals by a plurality of partition walls (4,5,6) such that spaces between neighbouring pairs of partition walls define, together with the side walls (2,3), compartments (7, 8, 9) of the gabion, adjacent side and partition walls being connected to one another by pivotal connections (41) enabling the gabion to be folded between fully flattened and deployed configurations, the pivotal connections allowing the gabion to fold concertina-wise for storage or transport.

Abstract: The invention concerns a recoverable gabion for use in protecting military or civilian installations from weapons assault or from elemental forces, such as flood waters, lava flows, avalanches, soil instability, slope erosion and the like. The gabion comprises opposed side walls comprising a plurality of side wall elements connected together at spaced intervals by a plurality of partition walls such that spaces between neighbouring pairs of partition walls define, together with the side walls, individual compartments of the gabion, adjacent side and partition walls being connected to one another by pivotal connections enabling the gabion to be folded between fully flattened and deployed configurations, wherein at least one of the pivotal connections is a releasable connection which when released allows a side wall element to open with respect to the gabion to allow access from the side of the gabion to any contents of the gabion compartments.

Abstract: A system and method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure. A wire facing is composed of horizontal and vertical elements, where a soil reinforcing element is coupled to initial and terminal wires of the horizontal element. The soil reinforcing element may have a hook or similar coupling device on its end in order to be coupled to the initial wire. A strut may be coupled to the top-most cross wire of the vertical element and the terminal wire of the horizontal element to maintain the vertical element at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal element as backfill is added to the wire facing.

Abstract: A soil reinforcing element for use in a mechanically stabilized earth structure is disclosed. The soil reinforcing element may include a pair of longitudinal wires extending substantially parallel to each other and having a connection end. A plurality of transverse wires is coupled to the pair of longitudinal wires and laterally-spaced from each other, thereby forming a welded wire gridworks. To increase the tensile capacity of the soil reinforcing element and also improve pullout valued from the backfill, the soil reinforcing element is made of positively deformed wire or bar stock. An end connector is coupled to the connection end and facilitates connection of the soil reinforcing element to a vertical facing.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements through an engineered metal crib element for construction of cribs in mines to provide support between two surfaces and use of crib elements to construct cribs. The engineered metal crib element consists of a center elongate structural element and at least two outer load carrying steel members. The outer load carrying members may be composed of solid or hollow metal with one or more reinforcements within each load carrying member. Each outer load carrying member is attached to the center elongate element at the distal ends of the elongate structural element. The crib structure may be constructed by superimposing only these steel crib elements in 2×2 layers, 2×3 layers, 3×3 layers or in any other suitable layering system.

Abstract: A building element adapted to be assembled with a similar element to form a retaining wall, including a front panel section disposed at an angle relative to a first plane, having a rear planar surface lying in a second plane disposed at an angle relative to the first plane and inclined forwardly; a rear beam section spaced from the first panel section, having a height less than the height of the front panel section, a front planar surface lying in a third plane disposed at an angle relative to the first plane and inclined rearwardly and a rear planar surface lying in a plane disposed at an angle to the first plane and inclined forwardly; and at least one panel section interconnecting the front and rear panel sections.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements through 1) a composite, engineered wooden support element for construction of cribs in mines to provide support between two surfaces, 2) use of support elements to construct cribs, and 3) a wedge system to provide substantial sustained preload on a crib. The wooden support element consists of a center elongate element wherein the wood grain runs transversely to the crib element loading direction, and at least two outer plate elements wherein the wood grain runs axially with the crib element loading direction. Each outer plate element is attached to a surface of the center elongate element using fastening means and the outer plate element wood grain direction is aligned transversely to the grain direction in the center elongate element. The crib structure may be constructed by superimposing only these support elements in 2×2 layers or in conjunction with solid prismatic wooden elements.

Abstract: A retainer tie system 10 and method including a wall tie 120 having on the lower side 126 of the wall tie 120 triangular-shaped grooves 140, and a lip 150; a block tie 220 including a first and a second ridge 240, 242 on the upper side 224 of the block tie 220 such that the block tie 220 may fit across a deadman tie 320; and the deadman tie 320 including triangular-shaped tongues 340 on the upper side 120 of the deadman tie 320 for assembling a straight, concave, or convex interlocking retainer wall; and a forward and an aft ridge 350, 352 disposed on the upper side 324 of the deadman tie 320 for interlocking the deadman tie 320 with the block tie 220.

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 gabion 10 comprising side walls 12 defining a cavity 20 suitable for retaining a quantity of fill material 36 and a base 14 connected to at least one side wall 12 for substantially closing the bottom of the gabion 10, said base 14 comprising two or more apertures 27 defining channels 22 arranged to receive lifting means therethrough.

Abstract: A building element adapted to be assembled with a similar element to form a retaining wall, including a front panel section disposed at an angle relative to a first plane, having a rear planar surface lying in a second plane disposed at an angle relative to the first plane and inclined forwardly; a rear beam section spaced from the first panel section, having a height less than the height of the front panel section, a front planar surface lying in a third plane disposed at an angle relative to the first plane and inclined rearwardly and a rear planar surface lying in a plane disposed at an angle to the first plane and inclined forwardly; and at least one panel section interconnecting the front and rear panel sections.

Abstract: A trussed embankment dam and wall structure includes a cantilever structure group and a rod member group, and each cantilever structure of the cantilever structure group includes an anchor supporting pillar and a multidirectional connecting board. The lower portion of the anchor supporting pillar is built at a stratum or foundation to support the cantilever structure, and the upper portion of the anchor supporting pillar installs a multidirectional connecting board to a trussed joint structure. After a force is exerted to a rod member of the invention, the force is acted onto the joints of the cantilever structure and transmitted by other rod members. Therefore, each cantilever structure maximizes the supporting effect and provides a dispersive supporting type structure. Unlike the centralized supporting type truss structure, the invention uses the hollow portion of the structure and the malleability of components to create landscapes, fill soil and plant vegetation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a recoverable gabion for use in protecting military or civilian installations from weapons assault or from elemental forces, such as flood waters, lava flows, avalanches, soil instability, slope erosion and the like. The gabion comprises opposed side walls comprising a plurality of side wall elements connected together at spaced intervals by a plurality of partition walls such that spaces between neighbouring pairs of partition walls define, together with the side walls, individual compartments of the gabion, adjacent side and partition walls being connected to one another by pivotal connections enabling the gabion to be folded between fully flattened and deployed configurations, wherein at least one of the pivotal connections is a releasable connection which when released allows a side wall element to open with respect to the gabion to allow access from the side of the gabion to any contents of the gabion compartments.

Abstract: A reinforcing device for earthworks comprises at least one reinforcing base element (3) from which extend a front wall (9) and a containment wall (15) which are spaced from each other to delimit, in an operative configuration in which they are erected with respect to the reinforcing base element (3), a facing region which is to be filled with filling material, such as stones or the like. The device also comprises bracket means (23) which can be coupled, in use, to the front wall (9) and to the containment wall (15). It is also possible to produce a second front wall which extends from the reinforcing base element (3) on the side opposite the first. A method for the production of a reinforced earthwork provides for laying on the ground a device of the type indicated.

Abstract: A prefabricated cribbing column for supporting a mine roof. The column includes a plurality of concrete cribbing elements the majority of which are interleaved with load transfer disks. Two of the cribbing elements are interleaved with a handle element. The column assembly of cribbing elements, load transfer disks, and handle element are secured together in an integral unit by a steel strap. The handle element extends substantially beyond the outer periphery of the cribbing elements enabling access and lifting by a forklift or similar machinery. The handle element enables the integral column to be easily moved from one location to another. The cribbing elements are preferably constructed of steel fiber reinforced concrete. A column consisting of five cribbing elements has shown to be capable of supporting a load of 575 tons with a deflection of 2.5 inches or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining wall block that is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment it is placed into. The deterioration resistant block is generally a hollowed frame or shell of a deterioration resistant material that is lightweight and is configured to accept and retain any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight and stability to the retaining wall block and also provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such blocks.

Abstract: A crib platform device, kit and associated method of using for building a temporary buttress underneath an overhanging obstruction. The crib employs a two platforms, and a lock bar for reversibly locking together the platforms. Alternatively, the platforms may be mated by connecting blocks of one platform unit to beams of the other platform, and locked together with a lock beam traversing through the mated blocks and beams of the platforms. The unassembled components of the device form a kit. The method of using comprises the steps of adjusting, aligning, carrying, crawling, dropping, grabbing, mating, obtaining, positioning, placing, pulling, putting, reposing, sliding, taking, and wearing.

Abstract: A mine roof support crib. The crib includes a plurality of chocks that are connected together through notches in the chocks to form at least three planes and able to support at least five tons of load. Each notch has at least one edge. A method of forming a mine roof support crib. A method of forming a chock for a mine roof crib to support a mine roof.

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 cage frame for shore protection and so on with improves durability, the construction/execution on site can be easily performed, can easily create the best environment for organism to live and can be effectively used as a gathering place for fish. The hollow framing is formed by joining many plane frames with many openings on each and then filled with stones and/or broken stones. Each plane frame is formed by cast iron with joint structures integrally formed therewith. The joint structures are joined together to form the hollow framing on site.

Abstract: A retaining element system is provided that improves face stability in poorer quality soils that are not suited to conventional soil nailing. The method includes inserting retaining elements substantially vertically into an earthen mass to shore the face of an excavation. The earthen mass can be any material or combination of materials, such as soil, clay or rock that requires excavation for the installation of a shoring wall. The plurality of retaining elements are placed side by side in a substantially linear arrangement. A plurality of soil nails are then inserted into the excavation plane, at the approximate midpoint between a pair of adjacent retaining elements. An exposed tip portion of each soil nail attaches to a wale, which is a substantially horizontal element that contacts a retaining element on both sides of each soil nail. The wale can be a beam, bracket, or a set of concrete reinforcement bars.

Abstract: A cribbing system for supporting a mine roof or the like includes a multi-sided column. Each column is formed of a stack of cribbing elements with each cribbing element having upper and lower surfaces wherein substantially the entire upper and lower surface of each cribbing element is a bearing surface for transmitting a substantially vertical load to a vertically adjacent cribbing element of one stack. Each cribbing element is interconnected with at least one cribbing element of an adjacent side. The interconnection between interconnected cribbing elements is formed by a slot extending through one of the interconnected cribbing elements in the direction of the column and a matching projection on at least the other interconnected cribbing elements, with each projection extending in the direction of the column for the height of the cribbing element. The cribbing system may be a wooden cribbing system having two distinctly different sets of cribbing elements.

Abstract: A trench shoring system using panels as shoring walls to prevent possible collapse of natural ground walls of trenches in trenches such as for burying pipes underground, having a sliding panels type trench shoring system that offers increased safety during the job, and higher job efficiency.

Abstract: A breast wall construction which can be constructed easily, quickly and safely at any execution sites includes many breast wall panels arranged in rows. On the back of the breast wall panel rows, many joint brackets with truss construction are placed with the front vertical area of the joint brackets joined to the back of the breast wall panel row which forms the bottom step and the back of the upper horizontal area of the joint brackets joined to the bottom of the top step breast wall panel row which is formed one step higher than the breast wall panel row which forms the bottom step.

Abstract: A retaining wall system and method for stabilizing earthen walls comprises box members assembled together to form a reinforcing wall assembly and anchor mesh connected to the box members and buried within the earthen wall. The box members define an interior cavity and a rear wall that engages the face of the earthen wall. Waste material such as used tires or waste dirt may be placed within the interior chambers of the box members. The anchor mesh is attached to the rear wall to inhibit lateral movement of the reinforcing wall assembly. The box members are connected to the anchor mesh by locking pins that extend through loop portions of the anchor mesh and engage a front face of the wall panels. Anchor bars are connected to the loop portions of the anchor mesh. These anchor bars engage a back face of the box members to control and limit the movement of the box members relative to the anchor mesh as earth is back-filled against the box members.

Abstract: A mine cribbing system includes a mine cribbing column having a discrete number of sides, each side including a series of stacked blocks. Each block includes an elongated body and a pair of spaced slots extending into one side of the body. The slots are utilized for interconnecting the adjacent sides. Preferably, the column is a three-sided structure with a first pair of slots in each body extending 1/3 of the thickness of the body and a second slot of each body extending in 2/3 of the thickness of the body.

Abstract: A retaining wall system to align panels into a plurality of horizontally adjacent vertical assemblies of stacked cells to retain soil placed between the cells.

Abstract: A wall construction block for the construction of earth retaining walls includes a pair of spaced-part transverse pin receiving channels in the end walls of the block and disposed parallel to one another along respective longitudinal axis of the block which are parallel with a front face of the block. The pin receiving channels extend transverse from a top surface to a bottom surface of the block and are of substantially uniform cross-section throughout. Arresting pin elements are received in sliding fit within some of the receiving channels and are retained captive therein. Elongated parallel grooves are provided on a top surface of the block and extend across the end walls and parallel to the front wall. One of the groove is aligned between a first set of the pin receiving channels and the other of the parallel grooves is offset a predetermined distance between the other set of pin receiving channels.

Abstract: An trench shoring transport device having a trench box depending from a frame, the frame including a pair of side frame subassemblies which are slideably and adjustably engaged to each other allowing the width of the frame and hence the width of the device's wheelbase to be widened or narrowed as required. The frame is supported by a number of wheel assemblies which allow the device to be rolled along the ground. A trench box or a series of trench boxes depend below the frame from a pair of hydraulic vertical support members. The device is configured to allow the trench box to be raised between the pair of side frame subassemblies and substantially above the elevation of the frame. In addition the trench shoring transport device may include a feature which allows a pair of trench boxes to be split during operations to allow for passage of an obstruction encountered during excavation to pass through the pair of trench boxes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a housing (18), in a trench falsework panel, designed to hold the support shoe for a strut (17) so that the strut is secured in place at a spring joint. The housing permits the support shoe, which is directly associated with the strut, to be mounted simply in place by virtue of the fact that the longitudinal ends of the housing have a collar (21) projecting out from the surface of the panel, at a certain distance from the strut, with a bore running at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the support shoe has a collar, matching that on the housing, with a bore, aligned with that in the housing collar, into which a bolt (25) can be inserted to hold the shoe in place.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a mine support crib of the type which comprises a series of superimposed layers of elongate chocks. There is a plurality of parallel, spaced apart chocks in each layer with the chocks in one layer arranged transversely to the chocks in the adjacent layer or layers so that the chocks in a given layer, other than the bottom layer, cross the chocks in the layer below at crossing points which are located inwardly of the ends of the chocks. According to the invention, operatively upper and lower surfaces of the chocks are formed with notches at the crossing points. The notches interlock with one another to lock the chocks together. The notches are of such depth that portions of the chocks which are located between and beyond the notches bear on corresponding portions of chocks in the next layer but one below.

Abstract: A gridwork or crib structure is formed from reinforced, injection molded plastic or injection molded structural foam plastic crossbeams, stringers and fascia members by interlocking the members and pinning the stringers together to form a structure which can function as a gravity retaining wall to retain earth, as a structural wall, or as a water wall. The individual crossbeams are laid end-to-end on conventional base footings and define elongated slots and holes into which are connected the stringers, which are then locked and pinned together, thereby forming an initial crib or grid layer at ground level. This crib or grid layer can be built up in height and depth to provide an open structure defining securement channels into which earth is filled. Use of slot and hole connections produce an adjustable interfitted grid which can assume a convex or concave curvature, or the usual linear form, or the grid can form a square corner.

Abstract: A building component for a noise barrier retaining wall which is structurally suitable for retaining materials such as earth or wind. The building component is formed to assist in the construction of the noise barrier retaining wall, and more specifically, to support and position the wall's reinforcing posts during the construction of the wall, such that the reinforcing posts can be permanently set in suitable footings after the wall has been erected. Such a method is in contrast to prior art approaches which require that such reinforcing posts be permanently and accurately in place prior to construction of the wall. Accordingly, the time, labor and costs involved in the construction of the wall are reduced, allowing for a more economical retaining wall, while retaining the structural components necessary to ensure a properly aligned and plumb wall that exhibits suitable strength and stability.

Abstract: A protective panel may be used alone or paired to form a protective structure to provide a protected space in an excavation by buttressing the upright walls of the excavation. The protective panel is constructed of a corrugated aluminum sheet that has alternating, oppositely opening, longitudinal channels. The end edges and the lateral edges of the sheet are rigidified respectively by a transverse and longitudinal rigidifying members. Mounting stations are located on one side of the protective panel and are formed by transverse support plates that extend across the top of a selected channel and that are reinforced by gusset webs to create a beam section. A brace assembly may mount to the mounting station and may support the protective panel against an upright excavation wall; preferably, however, a pair of opposed protective panels are interconnected and retained apart by a plurality of spreader beams extending between opposed mounting stations to create a protective structure in the form of a trench box.

Abstract: A gridwork or crib structure is formed from reinforced, injection molded plastic or injection molded structural foam plastic crossbeams, stringers and fascia members by interlocking the members and pinning the stringers together to form a structure which can function as a gravity retaining wall to retain earth, as a structural wall, or as a water wall. The individual crossbeams are laid end-to-end on conventional base footings and define elongated slots and holes into which are connected the stringers, which are then locked and pinned together, thereby forming an initial crib or grid layer at ground level. This crib or grid layer can be built up in height and depth to provide an open structure defining securement channels into which earth is filled. Use of slot and hole connections produce an adjustable interfitted grid which can assume a convex or concave curvature, or the usual linear form, or the grid can form a square corner.

Abstract: A system for the construction of cribbing and retaining walls includes a series of precast reinforced concrete blocks, the blocks each having a longitudinal ridge along the bottom surface and longitudinal and lateral channels on the upper surface. A number of courses of the blocks may be built up with the longitudinal channels of an underlying course mating with the ridges of the next overlying course to interlock for greater strength. Additionally, positive horizontally and vertically interlocking corners may be formed by mating the underlying lateral channel of one block with the overlying longitudinal ridge. The blocks may be formed using only two molds having two different lengths with all other dimensions the same, so that one longer length block plus the width of another block are equal to the combined length of two shorter blocks. In this way, the various blocks may be overlapped to interlock and form a variety of various structures for retaining and cribbing walls.

Abstract: A structure for the containment of natural and/or artificial embankments, said structure being made up of a plurality of modular envelopes (1), each one of said envelopes (1) being made up of a tub-like fore member (2), whose fore wall (5) is at a slope with respect to the vertical direction; as well as of two transverse members (4) which are provided with fore hammer-like members (8, 9), i.e., lower and upper hammer-like members, which members couple with a suitable seat (7) obtained in the side walls (6) of said tube-like member (2) belonging to the same envelope (1) and to that in the adjacent position; and of a back longitudinal member (3) that bears on its side ends hammer-like members (12, 13) for realizing the coupling with corresponding hammer-like members (10, 11) provided at the back position on the transverse members (4) of the envelope (1) to which it belongs or of the upper envelope.

Abstract: A method for making a corner and a corner formed thereby for a crib wall having a setback includes preparing a base for the two walls to provide the required setback of each wall, laying on the base the wall headers and a corner header of the tier, laying on the wall headers and the corner header the required structures and keys and/or header support blocks to complete the first tier, thereafter laying on stretchers and keys and/or header support blocks of the first tier the wall headers and corner header of the second tier above the substantially corresponding components of the first tier, and continuing tiering of the wall, the arrangement being that each corner header includes a stretcher-receiving groove at the top and bottom thereof with respect to the tiering direction in which the ends of stretchers from the two walls can butt, or almost butt, the lower groove of each corner header being closer to the outside of the corner and the upper groove.