Retaining Wall Patents (Class 405/284)
  • Patent number: 11866901
    Abstract: Aspects of a geogrid system and method for improving substrate interactions within a geotechnical environment is disclosed. In one aspect a geotechnical environment is configured with a horizontal multilayer mechanically stabilizing geogrid. In said aspect the geogrid is extruded with a polymeric material and a compressible cellular layer, wherein the geogrid comprises a heightened aspect ratio with a patterned structure of engineered discontinuities and a plurality of strong axes. The combination of elements provides for a system and method of stabilizing soils and aggregate, by resisting lateral movement from the strong axes, and trapping particles in the patterned structure of engineered discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tensar International Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Curson, Tom Ross Jenkins, Andrew Edward Waller, Daniel John Gallagher, Daniel Mark Baker, Manoj Kumar Tyagi, Joseph Cavanaugh
  • Patent number: 11767653
    Abstract: Geosynthetic reinforced wall panels comprising soil reinforcing hoop members and retaining wall system formed therewith is disclosed. Namely, a geosynthetic panel wall system is provided that includes at least one concrete facing panel that has at least one stabilizing hoop coupled thereto and wherein a soil reinforcing element or strip may be coupled to the stabilizing hoop. Additionally, a method of using the presently disclosed geosynthetic panel wall system reinforced with at least one stabilizing hoop and soil reinforcing element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Tensar International Corporation
    Inventors: Willie Liew, Kord J. Wissmann, Andres F. Peralta, Aaron D. Smith
  • Patent number: 11426972
    Abstract: Described herein is an anti-capillary barrier geotextile which includes a wicking yarn in its structure and has a volumetric moisture content at breakthrough of less than 0.30 as determined by the TenCate Test. In one aspect the anti-capillary barrier geotextile is a single-layer woven geotextile and includes a wicking yarn set and, optionally, a first non-wicking yarn disposed in one axis of the geotextile; and a second non-wicking yarn disposed in another axis of the geotextile and interweaving the wicking yarn set and optional first non-wicking yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: NICOLON CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Michael Jones, Kevin Nelson King
  • Patent number: 11401679
    Abstract: A retaining wall block includes a block body having: a top and a bottom spaced from the top by a height H; a front and a rear spaced from the front by a depth D; and a first side and a second side spaced from the first side by a length L; a vertical interlock system comprising: a female component comprising a groove in the bottom of the block body, the groove being spaced from the front by a depth FB and having a depth G, the groove extending from a distance F from the first side through to the second side, wherein F<FB and FB+G<D; and a male component extending across the top of the block body between the first side and the second side, the male component being spaced from the front by at least a depth of FB and having a depth no greater than G, wherein a plurality of gaps in the male component comprise: a first gap extending from the first side and having a first gap length of at least FB; a second gap spaced from the first gap by no more than G and having a second gap length of at least D?FB?G+F, the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Risi Stone Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler Matys
  • Patent number: 11078666
    Abstract: Disclosed is a form work system (100) that comprises first (102a) and second (102b) building formwork components that are connected by a building formwork connector (104). The connector (104) comprises a moveable portion (128) that is moveable from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position, one or more sidewalls of the connector (104) define a cavity (144) for receipt of cementitious material. The cavity (144) of the connector (104) is located with respect to cavities (110) of the first (102a) and second (102b) formwork components. In the open position, access is provided to the cavity (144) of the connector (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen W. Darwell
  • Patent number: 11072934
    Abstract: A wind turbine foundation comprising a concrete support slab having a horizontal rebar grid therein, a concrete pedestal integral with the support slab and having vertical post tensioning elements therein and a plurality of concrete ribs on top of and integral with the support slab and integral with the pedestal, the ribs having rebar therein and extend outwardly from the pedestal, the pedestal, slab and ribs are connected to each other to form a monolithic foundation. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Ahmed M. Phuly
  • Patent number: 11060309
    Abstract: Pools, methods of fabricating pools, and pool panel junctions are provided. The pool includes a first internal surface having a first radius; a second internal surface, for example, of a wading pool, having a second radius; a third internal surface having a third radius, different from the second radius; and a junction where the first internal surface transitions to the second internal surface at a first elevation and the first internal surface transitions to the third internal surface at a second elevation, different from the first elevation. The pool panel junction includes at least one elongated member having a pair of opposing sides defining planes that converge at an apex, such as, a triangular member, and wherein each of the opposing sides is adapted to engage an adjacent connector operatively mounted to a pool panel. An elongated pool panel structural member and a method of fabricating a pool are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Trojan Leisure Products, LLC
    Inventors: Collin J. Sirco, David A Steele, Stephen E. Deeb
  • Patent number: 10975586
    Abstract: A wind turbine foundation comprising a concrete support slab having a horizontal rebar grid therein, a concrete pedestal integral with the support slab and having vertical post tensioning elements therein and a plurality of concrete ribs on top of and integral with the support slab and integral with the pedestal, the ribs having rebar therein and extend outwardly from the pedestal, the pedestal, slab and ribs are connected to each other to form a monolithic foundation. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Ahmed M. Phuly
  • Patent number: 10947747
    Abstract: A fatigue resistant gravity based spread footing under heavy multi-axial cyclical loading of a wind tower. The foundation having a central vertical pedestal, a substantially horizontal continuous bottom support slab, a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs extending radially outward from the pedestal. The pedestal, ribs and slab forming a continuous monolithic structure. The foundation may have a three-dimensional network of post-tensioning elements that keep the structural elements under heavy multi-axial post compression with a specific eccentricity intended to reduce stress amplitudes and deflections and allows the foundation to have a desirable combination of high stiffness and superior fatigue resistance. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Ahmed Phuly
  • Patent number: 10760269
    Abstract: A wall block having a block body and a vertical plane of symmetry. The block body having a front portion, a rear portion and a neck portion. The wall block including a core extending through the neck portion and dividing the neck portion into first and second neck wall members extending rearward from the front portion to the rear portion. The wall block having a flange extending downward from the block body. The wall block having a channel positioned in the rear portion of the block body. The wall block having a first plane parallel to the plane of symmetry that passes through the first neck wall member and a second plane parallel to the plane of symmetry that passes through the second neck wall member, the first and second planes being located approximately midway between the plane of symmetry and the lateral outermost points of the wall block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert John Lundell, Craig D. Moritz
  • Patent number: 10689814
    Abstract: A modular railing system for on-site assembly of a railing system along a roadway is provided. The modular railing system can include a deck with an edge beam along one side and a railing that can be attached to the edge beam. Attachment of the railing to the edge beam raises the joint between the deck and the railing to inhibit water seepage into the joint. In a specific embodiment, UHPC can be used to attach the railing to the edge beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventor: Atorod Azizinamini
  • Patent number: 10648187
    Abstract: A foundation having a central vertical pedestal, a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs extending radially outward from the pedestal. The pedestal and ribs forming a continuous monolithic structure. An anchoring system under the ribs with anchoring the foundation to the ground by anchoring elements connected to rock anchors, soil anchors, piles or the like. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Ahmed Phuly
  • Patent number: 10577772
    Abstract: A soil reinforcing element for use in a mechanically stabilized earth structure. The soil reinforcing element may include a longitudinal wire including a helical portion and a connection element disposed at a first end of the longitudinal wire and configured to couple to a facing of the mechanically stabilized earth structure. The helical portion included in the longitudinal wire may introduce extensibility to the longitudinal wire under loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: BIG R MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10513834
    Abstract: A modular block retaining wall construction system with a plurality of blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks include (i) a front wall defining a face surface, (ii) a pair of exterior sidewalls extending from the front wall, (iii) an exterior rear wall extending partially between the pair of exterior sidewalls, (iv) an interior rear wall extending partially between the pair of exterior sidewalls and spaced between the front surface and the exterior rear wall, (v) a pair of interior sidewalls extending between the exterior rear wall and the interior rear wall, and (vi) a divider extending from the interior rear wall, extending between the pair of interior sidewalls, and partially defining a plurality of channels. In this manner, each channel can be filled with a predetermined amount of material, e.g., gravel, to facilitating proper drainage of liquid, e.g., water, from the soil and/or other material retained by the retaining wall of the present inventive concept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Amrein, Darren O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 10513833
    Abstract: A fatigue resistant gravity based spread footing under heavy multi-axial cyclical loading of a wind tower. The foundation having a central vertical pedestal, a substantially horizontal continuous bottom support slab, a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs extending radially outward from the pedestal. The pedestal, ribs and slab forming a continuous monolithic structure. The foundation may have a three-dimensional network of post-tensioning elements that keep the structural elements under heavy multi-axial post compression with a specific eccentricity intended to reduce stress amplitudes and deflections and allows the foundation to have a desirable combination of high stiffness and superior fatigue resistance. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Ahmed Phuly
  • Patent number: 10486344
    Abstract: A system of retaining wall blocks, a method of assembling a retaining wall block assembly, and a mold for manufacturing retaining wall blocks having adjustable engagement configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Pavestone, LLC
    Inventor: William H. Karau
  • Patent number: 10480150
    Abstract: A precast H block (3) interlock each other to form sloping wall and similarly precast Y block (10) interlock each other to form straight wall, both block having a pin hole (4) through side walls. A wire rope (5) passing through said pin hole to make a wall strengthened by nailing horizontally (14) into the earth (8) adjacent to the block and vertically nailing (9) at top and bottom level. As well as wire rope (5) passing through said pin hole (4) of uppermost blocks, from underneath the road, to make a wall/barrier strengthened by nailing vertically (9) into the earth across the road (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Rajendra Vithal Ladkat
  • Patent number: 10443206
    Abstract: A block reinforcement cage made from reinforcing material and adapted for loading within a machine during a block manufacturing process for molding a concrete U-wall construction block structure. The block cage includes an open aperture formed in each of its stem reinforcing portions. During the block manufacturing process, the first and second support members of a support mechanism are inserted within the open apertures formed in the stem reinforcing sections of the block cage, and cooperate with the open apertures of the block cage so as to (i) support the block cage when being loaded into a block manufacturing machine, (ii) define central apertures molded in each stem portion of the concrete U-wall construction block structure, and (iii) lift the molded concrete U-wall construction block when being unloaded from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: Stable Concrete Structures, Inc., Conrete Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond O'Neill, Dennis Carr
  • Patent number: 10294665
    Abstract: A structural building unit, a form for making a structural building unit, and a method of forming a structure from structural building units are disclosed. A structural building unit comprising left, right, back, and front portions with the front portion extending inward and downward from the left and right front edges creates a void into which soil and plants may be placed, allowing plants to grow from any structure created with the structural building units. These structural building units are suitable for improving the aesthetic value of the structure and providing any structure built therefrom with shade and other methods of cooling, including evapotranspiration, reducing the contribution of the structure to any heat island effect. The plants also lead to improved air quality through conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen and carbohydrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Kurt Edward Sadler
  • Patent number: 10273683
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to blocks for building landscape walls and similar structures, the molds used to make the blocks, and the methods for making the blocks. Such block can be securely coupled to another block. A block can be vertically coupled to another block by coupling the dorsal face of one block to the ventral face of another block. The block can be horizontally coupled by coupling the male side of one block to the female side of another block. A secure, exemplary landscape wall may be created by coupling the blocks both horizontally and vertically to reach a desired height, width, and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Vaughn Fryfogle
  • Patent number: 10266992
    Abstract: A perforated geocell is made from a plurality of strips that form cells. Each cell wall has a single pattern of perforations spaced evenly over the cell wall. This avoids uneven distributions of stress over the cell wall, reducing deformation of the geocell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GeoTech Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Izhar Halahmi, Oded Erez
  • Patent number: 10202735
    Abstract: A single box gabion is disclosed. The gabion comprises interconnected side walls. Each side wall comprises at least one substantially closed side wall element panel that prevents a gabion fill material from falling through the side wall without the aid of a gabion lining material. The single box gabion can be coupled together to form a modular gabion structure 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: HESCO BASTION LIMITED
    Inventor: James Heselden
  • Patent number: 10119234
    Abstract: A process for installing a modular retaining wall is illustrated and described having open or closed polygonal modules with channels disposed therein. The wall is set at least partially below a surface, the surface either being land-based or aqueous-based, and interfaces therebetween, e.g., shoreline. The modules of the wall are fastened to each other by respective fastening mating fasteners. The retaining wall is installed by a process employing a fluid-assisted internal mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Truline, LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Yeany
  • Patent number: 10053832
    Abstract: A molded concrete U-wall construction block including a molded concrete U-wall construction block structure formed from cured concrete poured about a block cage made from reinforcing material during a block manufacturing process. The block cage includes an open aperture formed in each of its stem reinforcing portions. During the block manufacturing process, the first and second support members of a support mechanism are inserted within the open apertures formed in the stem reinforcing sections of the block cage, and cooperate with the open apertures of the block cage so as to (i) support the block cage when being loaded into a block manufacturing machine, (ii) define central apertures molded in each stem portion of the concrete U-wall construction block structure, and (iii) lift the molded concrete U-wall construction block when being unloaded from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignees: Stable Concrete Structures, Inc., Concrete Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond O'Neill, Dennis Carr
  • Patent number: 10004181
    Abstract: A water-retaining enclosure for surrounding trees and bushes and holding water, on flat or sloped hillsides. The enclosure is made of a resilient, polymeric material, such as wood/polymer composite. The bottom edge of the enclosure can have a sharpened edge or sawteeth for cutting into the soil. The upper edges can be tapered. The ends can be joined together to make a 360° ring using a watertight joint, or left open to form a 270° (¾) circle. The joint can utilize an elastomeric seal, finned connector, mating conical surfaces, interlocking flanges, or an interference fit to make it watertight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Stewart, Elaine A. Hart
  • Patent number: 9999993
    Abstract: A system of retaining wall blocks, a method of assembling a retaining wall block assembly, and a mold for manufacturing retaining wall blocks having adjustable engagement configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: PAVESTONE, LLC
    Inventor: William H. Karau
  • Patent number: 9982409
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising: a first tubular mesh enclosure having a first opposing pair of ends, at least one of said first opposing pair of ends sealed; a first filling surrounded by said first tubular mesh enclosure; a first geogrid wrapped at least partially around said first tubular mesh enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Conwed Plastics Acquisition Company V LLC
    Inventor: Rodney W. Tyler
  • Patent number: 9937635
    Abstract: A fatigue resistant gravity based spread footing under heavy multi-axial cyclical loading of a wind tower. The foundation having a central vertical pedestal, a substantially horizontal continuous bottom support slab, a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs extending radially outward from the pedestal. The pedestal, ribs and slab forming a continuous monolithic structure. The foundation having a three-dimensional network of post-tensioning elements that keep the structural elements under heavy multi-axial post compression with a specific eccentricity intended to reduce stress amplitudes and deflections and allows the foundation to have a desirable combination of high stiffness and superior fatigue resistance. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Ahmed Phuly
  • Patent number: 9879398
    Abstract: Geocell structures stabilize water body shorelines and beds, slopes and retaining wall bridge abutments in such areas of construction as the oil and gas, transport and hydraulic engineering industries, amongst others. A blank for producing a weld-free geocell is made from a polymer sheet material having incisions therein in the form of segments of parallel lines. Adjacent incisions in the same row have a distance S between the ends thereof and the relationship S/L=K1, where K1 is from 0.1 to 0.5. The incisions of adjacent rows are at a distance D from each other and have the relationship D/L=K2, where K2 is from 0.1 to 0.7. At the ends of the incisions, there are openings which are oval or circular in shape. A weld-free geocell includes at least one blank stretched in a direction perpendicular to the lines of the incisions to form a three-dimensional cellular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOSTYU MIKI
    Inventors: Mikhail Mikhailovich Azarkh, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Odinokov
  • Patent number: 9869068
    Abstract: A container is disclosed. The container has a side part, an upper part, a lower part, and a cavity formed by the side part, the upper part, and the lower part. The container also has a material disposed in the cavity. The side part has at least one protrusion and at least one recess. The side part is permeable to water. The side part is also nonpermeable to the material disposed in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Warstone Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Stewart Kriegstein
  • Patent number: 9834902
    Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. Multiple block embodiments with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: 9650801
    Abstract: A portable and collapsible barrier that is lightweight and can be easily transported and erected. The barrier includes a base, a top and an enclosed volume such as a diaphragm that can be expanded with a medium such as a gas or liquid to a desired shape. The expanded volume will act as a barrier. When a series of expanded barriers are connected, they will form a wall that can contain bulk materials or liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Nikos Mouyiaris
    Inventor: Nikos Mouyiaris
  • Patent number: 9593459
    Abstract: A system for strengthening a sloped structure comprises first and second opposing sides, a bottom side, fill material, a plurality of facing baskets adjacent the first side, a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material, and an impermeable membrane. The second side is adapted to be adjacent the sloped structure. The bottom side adjoins bottom edges of the first and second sides, thereby forming a cavity within the first, second, and bottom sides. The fill material is disposed within the cavity. The impermeable membrane encapsulates at least a portion of the fill material and one or more of the reinforcing members. The facing baskets and the reinforcing members are positioned in a plurality of layers, with each layer comprising one facing basket and one corresponding reinforcing member. The impermeable membrane is positioned to span two or more layers of the plurality of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: AWT IP LLC
    Inventor: Carlton Dudding
  • Patent number: 9574317
    Abstract: A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed in a mold box by a single forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9540784
    Abstract: A system for reinforcing and facing a wall comprises a plurality of facing baskets and corresponding substantially horizontal reinforcing members, arranged in a plurality of layers. An impermeable membrane is positioned to uninterruptedly span two or more layers. At each of one or more layers, a portion of the impermeable membrane is positioned around the outer end of the corresponding reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: AWT IP LLC
    Inventor: Carlton Dudding
  • Patent number: 9534405
    Abstract: A fatigue resistant gravity based spread footing under heavy multi-axial cyclical loading of a wind tower. The foundation having a central vertical pedestal, a substantially horizontal continuous bottom support slab, a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs extending radially outward from the pedestal. The pedestal, ribs and slab forming a continuous monolithic structure. The foundation having a three-dimensional network of post-tensioning elements that keep the structural elements under heavy multi-axial post compression with a specific eccentricity intended to reduce stress amplitudes and deflections and allows the foundation to have a desirable combination of high stiffness and superior fatigue resistance. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Ahmed Phuly
  • Patent number: 9458594
    Abstract: A retaining wall system for mechanically stabilizing an earthen wall is provided. The system comprises a plurality of modular block members that may be assembled in a number of desired states or orientations. Tieback members for supporting the wall and related fill are provided and the wall comprises interconnection members for the tieback members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton Brookhart, Robinson Usagani
  • Patent number: 9435112
    Abstract: An artificial surface divider comprising a floor having a plurality of pads spaced apart from one another, the plurality of pads being mounted to a longitudinal housing having an overhang at least partially defining a longitudinal channel and a longitudinal gap that is open to the longitudinal channel, the longitudinal gap extending between an edge of the overhang and a floor of the longitudinal housing, where a longitudinal dimension of the artificial surface divider is the dominant dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Patrick Dudley Bray
  • Patent number: 9428878
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: 9422686
    Abstract: A facing element for reinforced soil structures and method of using same to build a reinforced soil structure, the facing element including a first facing sub-element with at least one connecting member to connect at least one reinforcement member to said first facing sub-element, a second facing sub-element, and a linking device. Wherein said first and second facing sub-elements are separated by a gap and are linked together by the linking device such that the first and second facing sub-elements have a constant relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: TERRE AREMEE INTERNATIONALE
    Inventors: Louwtjie Maritz, Nicolas Freitag
  • Patent number: 9366000
    Abstract: A modular retaining wall system 100 comprises a reinforcement frame structure 700 supporting a retaining member 105, buttress 300, impact pad 500 and foot component 400. The buttress may contain a trumpet pipe 750 attached to a faceplate 755. The trumpet pipe and faceplate may be used to secure a post tension cable within the retaining wall system. The trumpet pipe may also retain accessory components such as guard rail supports. The modular retaining walls may be placed side by side and secured together by use of a pin and rod system. A second tier embodiment 200 may be secured to the top of the first embodiment 100. The impact pad 500 faces toward the hillside and protects the system from falling rocks and debris allowing for the use of native soil for backfill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth G Tucker
  • Patent number: 9347197
    Abstract: A fatigue resistant gravity based spread footing under heavy multi-axial cyclical loading of a wind tower. The foundation having a central vertical pedestal, a substantially horizontal continuous bottom support slab, a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs extending radially outward from the pedestal. The pedestal, ribs and slab forming a continuous monolithic structure. The foundation having a three-dimensional network of post-tensioning elements that keep the structural elements under heavy multi-axial post compression with a specific eccentricity intended to reduce stress amplitudes and deflections and allows the foundation to have a desirable combination of high stiffness and superior fatigue resistance. The foundation design reduces the weight and volume of materials used, reduces cost, and improves heat dissipation conditions during construction by having a small ratio of concrete mass to surface area thus eliminating the risk of thermal cracking due to heat of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Ahmed Phuly
  • Patent number: 9228313
    Abstract: The method for the restoration and reinforcement of scarps and a resulting reinforced structure is provided. The method includes of clearing the scarp surface under restoration, and of creating a pit (an excavation). The bottom of the pit is filled with mineral soil and is compacted as a foundation of a retaining wall. A protective filter made from draining mineral soil is installed on the foothill of the scarp, where the protective filter is surrounded by draining geotextile. The geogrid is placed on the surface of the regressed scarp and then anchored to the soil of the scarp by tensile ropes. A rigid support, such as a crib (grillage), is created on the protective filter and batter piles are driven under the rigid support. Then the retaining wall is constructed, consisting of layers of compacted soil that are surrounded by draining geotextile. The retaining wall is covered by erosion control mats, anchored to the draining geotextile of the soil layers of the retaining wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Amhold A/S
    Inventor: Arvu Mägi
  • Patent number: 9175454
    Abstract: A facing element (10) for reinforced soil structure comprising: —first face (12) comprising at least a connecting member (14) configured to connect to said facing element at least one reinforcement member intended to reinforce the reinforced soil, —a second face (16) on which at least a protective membrane is intended to be applied, said second face is opposed to the first face, said second face has an essentially plane surface and comprises at least a fixing portion, the fixing portion comprising: —a contact surface (18) projecting from the plane surface of the second face, —a fastening element (20) anchored in the facing element and—a tightening element (22) engageable with the fastening element so as to fix the protective membrane between said tightening element and said contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TERRE ARMEE INTERNATIONALE
    Inventors: Nicolas Freitag, Gilles Berard
  • Patent number: 9080303
    Abstract: A reinforced soil structure comprising:—a fill (1);—a facing (3) placed along a front face of the structure;—at least one main reinforcement member (2, 9, 26) connected to the facing and extending through a first reinforced zone (Z1) of the fill situated behind said front face; and—at least one secondary reinforcement member (6) disconnected from to the facing and extending in a second reinforced zone (Z2) of the fill which has, with said first reinforced zone (Z1), a common part (Z?), wherein the secondary reinforcement member (6) extends into the fill (1) up to a distance substantially shorter than the main reinforcement member (2, 9, 26), with respect to the front face and wherein the stiffness of the secondary reinforcement member (6) is greater or equal to the stiffness of the main reinforcement member (2, 9, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: TERRE ARMEE INTERNATIONALE
    Inventors: Nicholas Freitag, Jean-Claude Morizot
  • Patent number: 9057171
    Abstract: A block for a retaining wall having a front face forming part of a visible side of a retaining wall, and a support face which supports at least one similar overlying block. The support face is angled with respect to the front face and traversed by a through opening which defines an internal abutment surface placed at a first predetermined distance from the front face. A reference element protrudes from the support face at a second predetermined distance from the front face, in order to abut, in use, against the at least one internal abutment surface of the similar overlying block and thus prevent the displacement thereof in only one of two directions which are transverse to the front face. The reference element includes a flattened engagement portion. An elongate slot is provided on the support face to receive the corresponding flattened engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: OFFICINE MACCAFERRI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Ferraiolo
  • Publication number: 20150132070
    Abstract: Example may provide a system for constructing a mechanically stabilized earth structure. The system may include a soil reinforcing element having a plurality of transverse wires coupled with a pair of longitudinal wires and a wire facing having a bend formed therein to form a horizontal element and a vertical facing. The pair of longitudinal wires may have lead ends that may converge and may be coupled with a connection stud having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled with the lead ends and the second end comprises a connector bent with respect to the first end. At least the connection stud and the pair of longitudinal wires may be coplanar. The connector is coupled with at least one vertical wire of the vertical facing such that the soil reinforcing element swivels in a horizontal plane about the at least one vertical wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Vist-A-Wall Systems LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20150132069
    Abstract: A soil reinforcing element for a mechanically stabilized earth structure may include two wires spaced apart from each other (e.g., substantially parallel to each other). Each wire may include at least two wire strands twisted about one another. A flexible outer member may enclose the two wires, may extend between the two wires, and may couple the two wires with each other. The flexible outer member may maintain the two wires spaced apart from each other, and may define at least one aperture between the at least two wires. The flexible outer member may have a protrusion extending along the length thereof. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of transverse wires may be coupled to the two parallel wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Vist-A-Wall Systems LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9011048
    Abstract: A method for constructing a mechanically stabilized earthen embankment has the steps of constructing a wall facing element, and determining a plane of maximum force and a zone of maximum force in the earthen embankment to be formed. A plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements are bent to form semi-extensible bent segments, but such that proximal and distal portions remain substantially straight and inextensible. The elongate soil reinforcement elements are positioned such that the semi-extensible region is within the zone of maximum force, and the proximal ends are connected to the wall facing element. Fill soil is added to build the earthen embankment, and the process is repeated until the earthen embankment is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: William K. Hilfiker, William Brent Hilfiker, Harold K. Hilfiker
  • Patent number: 8992131
    Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall can be filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Les matériaux de construction Oldcastle Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertin Castonguay, Marc-André Lacas, Robert Daoust