Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary landscape soil and moisture retaining device. The retaining device may include a wall having a first region and a second region adjacent the first region, the second region inclined relative to the first region, and a flange extending outward from the first region of the wall. The retaining device may further include a raised lip extending from the flange and defining an upper edge of the retaining device. The second region of the wall defining a bottom edge of the retaining device, such that the flange is arranged between the upper and bottom edges of the retaining device.

Abstract: Novel prefabricated structural components such as precast concrete boxes having forms including rectangular parallelepipeds and hexagonal cylinders are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,697,736 and 6,491,473 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, levees and breakwaters. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes and arrays thereof are disclosed, including modular vessels having bow and stern sections which can be connected directly together or mounted to a mid-section containing assemblies of such boxes, other structural elements or other vessels such as floating drydocks. Modular vessels can be assembled with any or all of the bow, midship and stern sections comprising honeycomb arrays of vertically-oriented hexagonal boxes.

Abstract: A barrier fortification structure includes a sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, the interior surface surrounding an interior volume, a filling material within the interior volume, thereby forming a barrier, and a foam disposed on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall.

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

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

Abstract: A flood barrier comprises hollow self-filling units (10, 12, 14, 16) placed end-to-end and connected at their ends by downwardly tapered bilobal (46) keys inserted into sockets (26, 28) at the ends of the units, wherein the keys incorporate concrete or other ballast for negative buoyancy.

Abstract: A seawall is formed of concrete modules that are laterally disposed relative to one another and interlocked to one another at their abutting end walls. Each module has a base that overlies a support surface and an upstanding sea-retaining wall disposed perpendicular to the base, forming an inverted “T” and having no brace walls. The sea-retaining wall has a front surface facing a body of water and a back surface facing land. The seawall is formed by a mold that includes a base having a generally parallelepiped configuration and a pair of slightly inclined mold walls for forming the sea-retaining wall of the module. A first embodiment includes a steel mold. A second embodiment includes an aluminum mold having parts that open along hinge lines and which require reinforcement dowels to prevent pressure-induced bulges.

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.

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

Abstract: A retaining wall block for an engineered block retaining wall system having an integrally formed head, neck and body, in which one generally planar front face of the body forms a visible part of the wall, the body having two pin holes, two clean out holes, each of which terminates within the body of the block, and two pin receiving openings, the pin receiving openings being configured to receive a free end of a lock pin provided in a pin hole of a block placed there under so as to interlock the blocks with a predetermined setback. The pin holes and pin receiving openings being positioned such that a plane extending perpendicular to the generally planar front face passes through one, and only one, of said pin holes or said pin receiving openings.

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

Abstract: The present building block has at least one load bearing surface, the load bearing surface of the block having mating interlocking portions comprising cores and protruding interlocks receivable in the cores. The blocks are configured so that each end of a block comprises a half interlock and adjacent ends of a pair of blocks in a course together define an interlock portion that interlocks with a mating full interlock portion carried by a block in an adjacent course of blocks. The basic building block has ends that are oblique such that rows having a preset radius can be formed or such that a linear row can be formed by placing one block front-to-back and an adjacent building block back-to-front. Disclosed are angle blocks with and without splitter wedges, stretcher blocks with and without splitter wedges, blocks for forming corners and posts, cap blocks, and blocks for capping posts.

Abstract: A multi-component segmented retaining wall (SRW) block that may form a mortarless retaining wall. Each SRW block includes an interlocking face unit and an anchor unit that together form a vertically oriented hollow core bounded by the inner walls of the face unit and the anchor unit. Each face unit and anchor unit pair are interlocked by complementary connector elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground reinforced structure that comprises a fill (1), reinforcement strips (2) including reinforcement sections (82, 83, 84) extending in a reinforced area of the fill behind the front face of the structure, and a cladding (3) provided along said front face, the reinforcement strips (2) being anchored to the cladding (3) in respective anchoring regions, wherein the cladding (3) comprises, in at least one anchoring region, a path (20) defined for a reinforcement strip (2) between two protruding points (6) located on a rear face of the cladding (7) adjacent to the fill (1), the path (20) including at least two rectilinear portions (81) respectively adjacent to the two protruding points (6) and each provided for positioning the strip (2) in the same protruding plane (P) perpendicular to said rear face (7), two curved portions (9) respectively defining an extension of the two rectilinear portions (81) and provided for diverting the strip outside from the protruding plane (P), and a con

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for creating an outer surface effect of a structure wherein at least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a quantity of material to create the outer surface effect can be positioned between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein the covering surface is in the form of a panel.

Abstract: A system of panels for use in covering an active face of an operational landfill, in order to prevent and/or minimize litter, odors, leachate production, fires, and the prevalence of flies and vectors. Each panel comprises a plate; one or more brackets; and optionally, a flap. The brackets are adapted to engage with the blade of a compactor or other type of heavy equipment. The panels are moved to and from the active face of an operational landfill using the compactor. The panels are durable and fireproof, and can be transported in a variety of weather conditions. Transporting the panels to and from the active area is easy and efficient as compared with prior art methods.

Abstract: A supporting member and a retaining wall structure having the same, and an associated building method are provided. The supporting member may include a pair of downward protrusions spaced apart and extending downward in the same direction, and a coupling portion that connects corresponding ends of the downward protrusions. The downward protrusions are configured to couple two or more layers of a retaining wall structure.

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

Abstract: A 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 means such that engaging connectivity is provided between the modules, yet retains the ability for fluid to pass through.

Abstract: A retaining wall block has parallel top and bottom faces, a front face, a rear face, first and second side wall faces and a vertical plane of symmetry extending between the front and rear faces. The block is formed as a body portion including the front face, a head portion including the rear face and a neck portion connecting the body portion and the head portion. The body, head and neck portions each extend between the top and bottom faces and between the first and second side wall faces. An opening extends through the neck portion from the top face to the bottom face, dividing the neck portion into first and second neck wall members extending rearwardly from the body portion to the head portion.

Abstract: One embodiment of modular wall blocks of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. An interlocking retaining wall block, adapted for assembly into a retaining wall including a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of said blocks. The block includes left, right, front and rear body portions, and left and right protruding body portions extending outwardly in left and right directions from said left and right body portions, respectively. The block further includes left and right aligning elements extending upwardly from an upper surface of said left and right protruding body portions, respectively, each of said aligning elements having an upper surface that is angled downwardly from rear to front, each of said aligning elements being operable to be received by a void of another one of said blocks.

Abstract: A cellular confinement system for soil, sand or other filler material comprises a number of sub-assemblies each made up of a plurality of interconnected open cells of fabric material. The sub-assemblies are stackable one on top of the other to provide a structure having at least one generally vertical side or end wall. The system further comprises sealing means such as one or more skirt portion(s) which are arranged between vertically juxtaposed sub-assemblies in use. The skirt portions substantially prevent or minimise the escape of finer aggregate material from between the stacked sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A retaining wall block having a rear flange and a mold box and method of making the block. The mold box is configured with a mold cavity that includes a vertical flange forming cavity extending from the top of the mold box to the bottom of the mold box.

Abstract: Terraced structured land joint and assembly system is disclosed, and includes a plurality of ball joints, each providing monolithic anchors for a plurality of compression and tension members. Tension members reside within compression members. Compression/tension members are linked between ball joints by couplers and turnbuckles, defining structured land including planar space frames, horizontal truss members, and vertical truss members. Structural forces are transferred through the ball joints into horizontal and vertical truss members, with resultant loads transferred to the ground.

Abstract: A retaining wall structure includes a number of bag units piled to form a wall and interconnecting units disposed between vertically adjacent bag units. The interconnecting units each has a plate and protrusions protruding from upper and lower surfaces of the plate. A reinforcing layer is provided between the plate of a relative interconnecting unit and a relative bag unit. The reinforcing layer is selected from cement or adhesive (such as glue). The present invention uses the reinforcing layer between the plate of the interconnecting unit and the bag unit to enhance the entire stability of the retaining wall adapted for operation in different circumstances.

Abstract: A method of making a retaining wall including a plurality of wall blocks and geogrid. A veneer panel system is used with a wall or a retaining wall to provide a natural stone appearance and/or to improve the appearance of an existing wall. Panels can be interlocked to form a stable veneer structure. The structure is attached to a wall by various attachment means.

Abstract: 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 such that engaging connectivity is provided between the modules, yet retains the ability for fluid to pass through.

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 filter assembly for a seawall filters the flow of groundwater through a hole in the wall. The filter assembly includes: (a) a housing containing a flat flange and a perforated conical shell, the shell adapted to extend into the hole with its apex extending toward the landward side, the flange having a seaward side adapted to fit flushly against the seawall, the flange having a landward side connected to the shell, the flange having an opening that defines an open base for the shell; (b) a perforated conical cage having an open base that fits within the shell of the housing; (c) a conical filter element having an open base that fits within the cage; (d) a perforated conical sleeve having an open base that fits within the filter element; and (e) a perforated cap that is removably and flushly fastened to the opening in the flange to secure the cage, filter element, and sleeve within the shell of the housing.

Abstract: A set of dry cast blocks includes at least a first dry cast block and a second dry cast block. The first dry cast block has a first exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite top and bottom faces, and opposite first and second side faces. The first exposure face has a non-planar first topographical definition and a first edge along the side face and a second edge along the second side face. The first edge has a first irregular profile shape extending in dimension from a straight line. The second dry cast block has a first exposure face with a non-planar second topographical definition and a first edge and a second edge. The second topographical definition is different from the first topographical definition. The second edge of the second dry cast block has the first irregular profile shape extending in dimension from a straight line. The set of dry cast blocks can be arranged into an arrangement in which the blocks are oriented adjacent and against each other and result in a seamless appearance.

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

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

Abstract: A segmented retaining wall block has one side wall that is rearwardly tapered so as to allow the block to turn a radius when placed in adjacent position with respect to another similar block. The block also has a rear wall provided with a protruding wing that projects laterally away from the tapered side wall. The rear wall is also provided with a bay that extends inwardly in the side wall that is opposite to the tapered side wall. The wing and bay have front edges designed as congruent arcs. The wing may be sized and shaped so as to protrude into the bay of an adjacent similar block to create a barrier when the adjacent blocks are in straight, convex or concave alignment for preventing infiltration of backfill material such as soil, into voids that exist between the backs of the blocks when installed.

Abstract: A block and peg combination for a modular wall construction is disclosed including a cast block of cementations material having a front face, a rear face, two sides with each side extending between an edge of the front face and an edge of the rear face, a bottom, and a top parallel to the bottom. The front face, rear face and two sides are substantially normal to the bottom and top. The front face has a width between the two sides which exceeds the width of the rear face between the two sides whereby the block tapers at the sides from a wide dimension at the front face to a narrower dimension at the rear face for forming curved walls. The bottom defines at least four spaced-apart holes adjacent the respective sides of the block. At least two pegs, each peg having a conical head portion and a shaft portion, are utilized for insertion into the spaced-apart holes on the bottom of the block.

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

Abstract: A geometrical structure includes a superstructure capable of maintaining its structural integrity when in contact with a similar structure, an integrated growth medium, and flora within said growth medium to grow out of the superstructure. The purpose of said geometrical structure is to facilitate the rapid assembly of walls, partitions and coverings when like geometrical structures are joined together either by placement adjacent to or by a fastening means or integrated interlocks. A combination of a plurality of such geometrical structure forms a modular construction system for walls, partitions and coverings that will grow the intended flora when water is introduced. The modular system is considered a replacement for conventional wood fences, block walls, poured concrete walls, steel partitions and erosion control systems. Further, the modular system can be easily manufactured using recycled materials from landfills and waste products.

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

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

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

Abstract: In various embodiments, panel forms can be used to control erosion or retain dirt walls. Each panel form can be comprised of a substantially rigid body that is adapted to be mounted to the ground and can include connectors configured to receive mounts which mount the panel form to the ground. A plurality of panel forms can be used to form a fence, or a retaining wall, where the connectors extending from each panel form can be configured to mate and connect the panel forms together. In various embodiments, the mounts can be inserted through apertures in the mating connectors to provide a pivot about which the adjacent panel forms may be hingedly connected. In various embodiments, each panel form may include a tab extending therefrom which is configured to be received in a corresponding slot in the adjacent panel to reduce, or even eliminate, gaps between adjacent panel forms.

Abstract: A retaining wall for water and soil conservation use a plurality of stacking retaining plates. Each of the retaining plate has a plurality of inner protrusions at an inner side thereof. The protrusions of the lower retaining plate of the stacking retaining plates grab the soil at the bottom of the slopeland so as to form a steady retaining structure. The method for performing the water and soil conservation by the wall is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interlocking segmental retaining wall. The wall includes a plurality of blocks stacked upon each other. Each block includes a recess formed thereacross. The recess is formed with tapered walls to facilitate molding.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for creating an outer surface effect of a structure wherein at least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a quantity of material to create the outer surface effect can be positioned between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein the covering surface is in the form of a panel.

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 sand and soil internal reinforcement system including a plurality of individual modules removably connectable together act to reinforce sand and/or soil against shifting caused by erosive forces such as water and wind in high energy environments such as coastal beaches and watershed areas which produce large volumes of runoff or in hill sides subject to sliding due to ground water hydrostatic pressure. The modules include a cell having a front panel, rearward extending side walls which are held together by an open soil ballast and anchor membrane, and a refractor panel. Fill placed on top of the ballast and anchor membrane provides structural stability for each individual module independent of other adjoining modules of the reinforcement system. The interface established between adjacent modules requires no supplemental coupling devices, such as shear and alignment pins, to removably secure them together.

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

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

Abstract: A retaining wall comprises a plurality of layers made from geocells. The retaining wall has a capping layer at the top of the wall, wherein the ratio of the length of the capping layer to the height of the retaining wall is at least 0.8. The retaining wall also has at least one stacking layer and may further comprise a reinforcing layer made of geogrids or, preferably, geocells. The reinforcing geocells have a height that is less than the height of the capping layer geocell.

Abstract: A multiphase polymeric material comprises a first rigid continuous phase and a second elastic phase dispersed in the first phase. The multiphase polymeric material may be formed into polymeric strips and used to make a cellular confinement system which is suitable for use in cold areas.

Abstract: A retaining wall block for assembly into a retaining wall system and its securement therein by a stabilizing element. The retaining wall system includes a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of blocks. The blocks includes left, right, front and rear body portions and at least one groove for receiving the stabilizing element. The groove extends laterally rearward of the front body portion and forward of the rear body portion or laterally between the left and right body portions.