Abstract: A barrier structure includes at least one panel disposed to extend generally along a fence line, the panel having an engaging element for pivotal joining of the panel to a member of the structure (such as a post or another panel). The engaging element includes an arcuate surface that extends from a proximal region of the engaging element to a distal end thereof. The arcuate surface has a predetermined radius of curvature that exceeds the length of the engaging element between the proximal region and the distal end.

Abstract: A weighed water permeable fabric is laid over a bottom sediment and an adjacent seawall structure. A layer of integral paired star-shaped blocks is laid over the bottom covering fabric in an interrelated pattern in a horizontal and vertical plane. A bore is located within each star-shaped portion of the block and these bores are aligned with corresponding bores in blocks mounted vertically. A concrete piling is drilled or poured in place through the bores to the bottom sediment to hold the structure in place against severe storm surges and resist outward movement of the seawall.

Abstract: A tree root deflector is installed in a ground planting location between a tree and a sidewalk or other static structure for training tree rootlets downwardly so as to emerge beneath the deflector for subsequent lateral growth and enlargement at a safe depth beneath such structure. The deflector includes a plastic panel having a plurality of vertical root deflecting ridges protruding abruptly from the tree side of the panel at horizontally spaced apart locations for deflecting tree rootlets downwardly, as well as a plurality of transverse abrupt ridges protruding from the same side of the panel at horizontally spaced apart locations disposed intermediate the vertical ridges to lock the panel with the tree roots and with the ground, the transverse ridges being relatively short so as to leave substantial spaces between them and the adjacent vertical ridges.

Abstract: A lightweight, pre-cast, reinforced, module used to build a structurally engineered retaining wall system. Each module has a panel with a front and rear surface with at least one horizontal reinforcing rod. In the preferred embodiment, a portion of each rod horizontal transverse an integrally attached flange located at each opposite end of the panel. On the outside surface of each flange, there is a recess across which a portion of each reinforcing rod is exposed to be subsequently surrounded by concrete of a poured-in-place reinforced column. A horizontal row of adjacent modules is positioned on a constructed, reinforced footing. The front surface of each module is exposed and each flange is positioned opposite to a flange located on an adjacent module with a column space created between opposite flanges. Alignment elements are attached to the upper surface of each flange and successive horizontal rows of modules are then positioned above until the desired height is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connection system for connecting a facing panel to a soldier pile so as to support the cut face of an excavation and provide greater tolerance for misalignment of the soldier piles with respect to the facing panels. The connection system also provides improved strength, and greater ease of construction. The system includes a first bracket coupled to the facing panel, the bracket having at least one stem portion with a horizontally elongated slot. A similar second bracket with vertically elogated slots in the base portion and a horizontally elongated slot in the stem portion is fixed to the soldier pile by a threaded fastener. A connecting plate connects the stems of the brackets together. Adjustment in the vertical, y-direction is provided by the location of the fastener on the soldier pile and the vertical slots in the first bracket.

Abstract: A retaining wall system is made up of standardized posts and face panels formed of a polymeric cementitious material which are reinforced by a lattice-like polymer grid embedded in the posts and panels during their formation. Similar lattice-like polymer grids are mechanically attached to the grids embedded in the panels to project horizontally from the panels and to be embedded in earth fill at one side of the wall to permanently anchor the wall in position.

Abstract: An angulated retaining wall comprised of a plurality of adjoining posts is disclosed for retaining a wall of material having gradual and/or abrupt changes in direction in its face. The retaining wall is comprised of corner-groove combinations wherein a corner of a post is disposed at a desired direction into a groove of an adjoining post and wherein the preferred angularity of said groove is less than that of the predetermined angularity of said corner. At the maximum disposition a first side of a corner will be parallel to and overlap in supportive contact with a first sidewall of said groove by a predetermined dimension between said corner and the edge of the first sidewall, and the adjacent side of said corner will be in supportive contact with the edge of the second sidewall of said groove. At an intermediate disposition the first side and the adjacent second side of said corner will be in supportive contact with the edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall respectively of said groove.

Abstract: A method for rehabilitating an existing bulkhead located between a body of water and land is disclosed. The method includes the steps of installing a plurality of tiebacks attached directly to the existing bulkhead, and a new bulkhead facing is connected to the existing bulkhead which has been supported by the tiebacks. An alternate method includes the steps of installing a plurality of substantially vertical piles at horizontally spaced locations in front of, i.e. on the water side of, the existing bulkhead; connecting the vertical piles to the existing bulkhead; installing tiebacks through the existing bulkhead and into the land behind the existing bulkheads; and connecting the tiebacks to the vertical piles. In situations where use of piles and tiebacks alone are not sufficient to rehabilitate the bulkhead, a new bulkhead facing is installed in front of the existing bulkhead and connected to and supported by the piles and tieback supported existing bulkhead.

Abstract: A retaining wall anchoring system which includes a bracket assembly for mechanical removable positioning upon adjacent spaced retaining beams at a construction site. The bracket includes a first plate used for attachment to the beam and a body pivotally positioned therein on which a second plate is angularly positioned to present a square surface on which a rigid platform may be welded. The pivotal connection insures that the second plates can be positioned such that their receiving surfaces are in a common plane.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilized earth bridge abutment comprising a compacted earth mass containing reinforcing members therein to stabilize the mass, there being provided, in contact with said mass and close to a substantially vertical surface thereof, support means which bear the vertical load of the deck of the bridge while substantially all horizontal forces are absorbed by the stabilized earth mass.In the method of constructing the stabilized earth bridge abutment an earth mass is built up from successive layers of earth and reinforcing elements and facing elements are attached to the ends of the reinforcing elements to provide a substantially vertical face, vertical spaces being provided close to said vertical face for subsequent introduction of support means to carry the deck of the bridge, and after the earth mass has been built and deformation of the earth mass due to its own weight has taken place, support means are introduced into said spaces.

Abstract: A building block made of concrete or the like comprises a front face, a back face, a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of side faces. The top face has a convex angular first surface with a vertex extending between the side faces, and a concave angular second surface with a vertex extending between the side faces. The concave second surface lies between the convex first surface and the front face of the block. The bottom face has a concave angular third surface with a vertex extending between the side faces, and a convex angular fourth surface with a vertex extending between the side faces. The convex fourth surface lies between the concave third surface and the front face. The convexity of the first and fourth surfaces matches the concavity of the third and second surfaces, respectively, thereby forming a double interlock, namely, an interlock between the first and third surfaces and an interlock between the second and fourth surfaces.

Abstract: A block of this invention for constructing a retaining wall is characterized by having a front wall portion of a rectangular shape, a rear retaining portion extending rearwardly and perpendicularly from the front wall portion and a gnarl-like uniting portion integrally formed at the distal end of the rear retaining portion. The block is further provided with vertical elongated holes through which reinforcing bars pass at least at a position where the front wall portion and the rear retaining portion merge and in the gnarl-like uniting portion. Due to such construction, when the blocks are stacked up in rows and the soil for land creation is charged in the spaces, each of which is defined by the front wall portion, the rear retaining portions and the gnarl-like uniting portion to form a retaining wall, such retaining wall can show increased integrity and stability against earthquakes, vibrations or flood disasters.

Abstract: A system or apparatus for constructing a shoring structure of elongate, interlocking sheet piling members is disclosed which includes a workman support platform controllable by the workman thereon so as to position the workman near the upper end of a vertical piling member partially imbedded or "tacked" in the ground for guiding another piling member hoisted vertically thereabove into interlocking, threading engagement with the previously tacked piling member. A guide for aiding the alignment or threading of the interlocking piling members is disclosed. A method of constructing such a shoring structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates in the first place to a soil and/or water-retaining wall.In accordance with the invention this wall is composed of at least partially prefabricated load-bearing uprights and intervening curved shells, formed in the soil of concrete or similar hardenable material, which connect on both sides in jointless fashion to the uprights.The invention furthermore comprises a method for the formation of this soil and/or water-retaining wall.According to this method prefabricated uprights are introduced into the soil at a distance from each other, whereafter, for the formation in the soil of an intervening curved shell, a forming mould is introduced into the soil between consecutive uprights and is subsequently withdrawn again, whereby during this withdrawal a mortar is fed into the cavity underneath the mould and fills this cavity.Finally the invention comprises a forming mould suitable for use with this method.

Abstract: A modular retaining wall structure comprises preformed reinforced concrete beams assembled with vertical post members to form the load supporting portion of the retaining wall. Portions of reinforcing bars extending from the beams engage the post members. Decorative coverings and integral fence structures are provided. Methods of constructing the retaining wall structure are also included.