Abstract: A block useful for constructing retaining walls for gardens, has two bottom lugs or knobs, bracketing an internal cavity. The cavity may be filled with soil. In forming a wall, the upper row of blocks is rearwardly onset from the lower row of blocks, whereby the lugs of the blocks of the upper row abutting the back surfaces of the blocks of the lower row.

Abstract: Precast modular concrete wall blocks are assembled to form a retaining wall in front of a limited depth cut wall face. Arched confinement cells are formed behind the courses of blocks by sections of vertically oriented sheet material for reception and retention of a particulate fill material. Each wall block is provided with a channel or slot for attaching opposed edge portions of the cell-forming sheets of material to the rear surfaces by an interference fit or by comb-like grid connecting devices to define generally semi-circular confinement cells to reinforce the retaining wall. The fill material uniformly flexes the cell-forming sheet material and also surrounds the space between the confinement cells and cut wall face.

Abstract: A retaining wall secured to a portion of earth, comprising a plurality of blocks stacked in longitudinally extending, vertically spaced tiers to define a retaining wall, each of the blocks defining a laterally oriented passageway extending between a pair of opposing sides thereof and having an exterior face orientated outwardly of the portion of the earth, the passageways being substantially aligned in each tier to define a channel within the tier of the retaining wall at least one tieback rod for being embedded at one end in a portion of earth to be covered by the retaining wall and having a protruding end extending therefrom towards the retaining wall at least one elongate member disposed within a portion of one of the channels in the tiers of blocks, the elongate member defining a slot through which the protruding end of the tieback rod extends and a mechanism for connecting the tieback rod to the elongate member to secure the retaining wall to the portion of earth.

Abstract: A plantable retaining wall block having a plant-receiving cavity located in a top surface thereof. The block is constructed so that the plant-receiving cavity lies between portions of side walls which are generally parallel with a front face of the block. The shape of the block is such that a nearly vertical retaining wall may be constructed such that each plant-receiving cavity is substantially exposed to allow vegetation to be planted. The wall block may include a connection member or an alignment member to allow the block to be stabilized and aligned with blocks in adjacent rows of a retaining wall.

Abstract: Bearing shoes that run under the abutment's axis with cradles whose precast walls are placed over the bearing shoe assembly, so that when the concrete is poured over these bearing shoes, an integral unit of the bearing shoe integrated with the cradle is formed. For the walls, TT (double T) sections are used, which consist of precast elements of reinforced and/or pre-stressed concrete, that are able to resist the horizontal and vertical forces that could act over the bridge's abutments. These TT sections are used as abutments, wings and gravity retaining walls; as central piers, precast elements of columns with caps are used, in which rectangular-section beams are simply supported with their integrated bents. Occasionally, when the vehicles access embankment or earth fills to the bridge allow it, the abutment is anchored in order to avoid its horizontal thrust, as reinforced earth.

Abstract: A retaining wall block and wall construction are disclosed. The retaining wall block is characterized in that it includes a removable flange having pin apertures which pass through the flange and into the body of the block. Such blocks allow the construction of walls having flange connections between adjacent courses of blocks or, when the flange is removed, pin connections between adjacent courses of blocks. The latter connection system is particularly well-suited for constructing walls that require soil reinforcement systems such as geogrids.

Abstract: A modular retaining wall composed of prefabricated concrete elements incorporating a panel with rearwardly extending legs, and a method of constructing the modular retaining wall in a straight or drafted configuration. The rearwardly extending legs have holes that can be used for lifting and moving the individual elements. The holes can also be used for attaching mechanical elements that anchor the panel to the earth if the conditions of the slope require the retaining wall to be reinforced and anchored. The holes are in the legs, and not on the panel. Therefore, the integrity of the panel remains structurally sound and is not compromised, improving the overall stability of the wall. All that is required to produce a drafted wall is to rearrange the positioning of the panel with respect to the ground under the wall.

Abstract: A cast cementitious block for constructing a low-rise interconnected ornamental wall having a first course of the blocks placed side-by-side and a second course of the blocks stacked in side-by-side relation on the first course and off-set relative the first course. The blocks define a bottom surface and an opposing top surface, a front face and an opposing back face, and two opposing sides that each define side faces between the front face and the back face. The top surface defines a recessed cavity having an alignment point, and the block further defines a bore extending therethrough and open at the top surface and the bottom surface. The longitudinal axis of the bores of the blocks in the second course align with respective alignment points of the recessed cavities of the blocks in the first course. Adhesive fills the aligned recessed cavities and at least a portion of the respective bores. The adhesive cures to define rivets interconnecting the blocks in the first and the second courses.

Abstract: A facing element 20 is formed from cast concrete and provided with a connecting member 23 located in a recess 22. The element is particularly appropriate for use in combination with flexible reinforcing strips. The connecting member may be a simple molded cylinder of plastics or alternatively it may be partly or wholly formed of concrete and be cast integrally with the rest of the facing element. The casting may be facilitated by means of a plastic shell which is set into the concrete and defines the connecting member and recess. To strengthen the connecting member, a reinforcing bar passes through its center.

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

Abstract: A facing panel (1) is provided for assembly with like facing panels to form a facing of a stabilized earth structure. The facing panel has two opposed side edges (2) for arrangement edge-to-edge with the side edges of laterally adjacent facing panels, each side edge having a front portion (5) which is straight over substantially the full height of the facing panel, and a rear portion comprising a lateral projection (8) over part of its length and an abutment (6, 7) over another part of its length, the lateral projection being provided for engagement behind a respective abutment on the side edge of a laterally adjacent facing panel to restrain forward movement of the facing panel, and the abutment being provided for engagement in front of a respective lateral projection of said laterally adjacent facing panel or of another laterally adjacent facing panel to restrain rearward movement of the facing panel.

Abstract: A method for providing on a landscape a series of terraces with augmented availability of usable level surface comprising: providing an upper substantially level surface on at least one portion of said landscape; providing one or more gallery support members on the said upper level surface, each said gallery support member comprising a downwardly open upper load bearing shell defining an internal gallery volume and enclosing a first portion of said upper level surface, and further comprising at least one gallery opening in communication with a second portion of said level upper surface; depositing a quantity of landfill material over said at least one gallery support member and over at least a portion of said upper level surface, not including said first and second portions thereof, to a predetermined depth and substantially leveling at least a portion of said landfill material to provide an uppermost terrace comprising an upper level surface; optionally providing a new uppermost terrace on said uppermost ter

Abstract: A precast concrete block having a first single thickness generally planar face section and a second single thickness generally planar backing section integrally formed with and extending from the first section to form a structure of a T-shaped configuration. A groove extends across and opens through an upper edge of the second planar section for the receipt of a rebar. The blocks are assembled into stacked side-by-side relationship and a panel is formed by casting concrete against the side of the generally planar face sections from which the backing sections extend. Rebar extends across and through the grooves of at least certain of the blocks to maintain the blocks in aligned side-by-side relationship and reinforce the concrete cast against the blocks. The panels are used in the construction of retaining walls for earthen formations and may be precast or formed in place at the situs of the formations.

Abstract: The invention comprises a set of two composite masonry blocks, a wall block and an anchor block to construct retaining walls. The wall block is generally trapezoidal in shape and has: a decorative front face opposite and generally parallel to a rear face which defines a key way. The wall block has a top surface which is opposite and generally parallel to a bottom surface. The wall block has side faces which are not parallel so that the width of the rear face is shorter than the width of the front face. An alignment and locking ledge projects downward from the bottom surface and extends across the rear face. The anchor block comprises a first end plate which is opposite and generally parallel to a second end plate. Two parallel side plates extend between and are perpendicular to the first and second end plates. The side plates and the first and second end plates define a central passage.

Abstract: A modular wall block is formed with two integral, transverse projections extending upwardly from its top surface, spaced from the front face of the block and spaced from each other by an upwardly opening groove. Each block also includes two downwardly opening, transversely extending, grooves of different widths spaced from the front face and spaced from each other by a downwardly extending projection. The width of the downwardly extending projection and the upwardly opening groove are approximately the same and the combined distance between the extreme edges of the two upwardly extending projections is substantially equal to the width of the larger of the two downwardly opening grooves. The height of the upwardly extending projections is equal to or less than the depth of the two downwardly opening grooves.

Abstract: A modular block wall includes dry cast, unreinforced modular wall blocks with anchor type, or frictional type or composite type soil stabilizing elements recessed therein and attached thereto by vertical rods which also connect the blocks together. The soil stabilizing elements are positioned in counterbores or slots in the blocks and project into the compacted soil behind the courses of modular wall blocks. Alternative stabilizing element designs may be used with the modular wall blocks and other types of facing elements in a mechanically stabilized earth structure.

Abstract: A retaining wall having a height of greater than ten feet which includes a lower section of inextensible reinforcements and an upper section of extensible reinforcements. By the use of inextensible reinforcements in place of extensible reinforcements in a lower portion of a wall having a height greater than ten feet, the lower portion of the wall will tend to distribute the stresses of soil compaction and require less quality control/assurance during construction. Further, by the use of extensible reinforcements in the upper section of a retaining having a height greater than ten feet, the extensible reinforcements will maintain the retaining wall in place and have significantly improved corrosion resistance over inextensible metal reinforcements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retaining wall block adapted to receive and retain a geogrid reintorcing material. In one aspect the receiving and retaining structure comprises one or more projections (13,33) provided on a first face of the block and an aperture or recess (14,34) provided on the opposite face of the block. In a further aspect of the inventions the receiving and retaining structure comprises a transverse groove (53) formed in an upper surface of the block. In a yet further aspect, the receiving and retaining structure comprises a transverse slot provided in the rear wall of a block, the slot comprising a groove (62,72) terminating in the body of the block in a cavity (63,73,83) of greater lateral dimension than the groove.

Abstract: A retaining wall system comprising a plurality of scrap tire bales arranged to define a retaining wall structure. A structural material is positioned or applied about the scrap tire bales in order to provide a continuous retaining wall structure serving to retain water, control erosion, support buildings and associated structures, provide a barrier or fence, or other similar functions.

Abstract: The invention is a composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface. Each of the side surfaces has an inset extending from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The block also has a protrusion which has an angled side wall, the angle being at least about 20.degree. from vertical. The protrusion is positioned on the block so that it will mate with any opening of an adjacently positioned course. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit or mate within the insets of another block.

Abstract: A novel concrete block having six generally planar faces to provide a retaining wall for retaining a bank of earth. The retaining wall includes a lower tier of a plurality of separate abutting bottom blocks; an intermediate tier of a plurality of separate abutting intermediate blocks; and at least one upper tier of a plurality of separate abutting blocks. Each concrete block of each tier has six generally-planar faces, consisting of two planar end faces, a front planar face and a rear planar face, the front planar face and the rear planar face having a plurality of drainage ducts extending therebetween, an upper planar face and a lower planar face. Each upper planar face differs from the lower planar face of each block by a particular recited structure. As well, particularly defined locking interrelationships are provided between the individual blocks of the tiers of blocks.

Abstract: An inexpensive, yet beautiful retaining wall may be formed with architecturally pleasing, coordinating or matching materials such as marble, granite or the like. Architecturally pleasing, thin decorative facing panels are attached to masonry blocks. The retaining wall is formed from several rows of such masonry blocks with the blocks each including a top edge and a bottom edge and a front face having a masonry appearance extending between the top and bottom edges. The blocks in an upper row are stacked upon the blocks in an adjacent lower row below the upper row, with the bottom edges of the upper row blocks supported on adjacent lower row blocks. Decorative facing panels are provided which are substantially smaller in size than the masonry blocks and include a rear face attached to the front face of the masonry blocks to change the outward appearance of the front faces of the masonry blocks.

Abstract: A retaining wall unit and retaining wall made from the retaining wall units wherein the retaining wall unit includes a support structure such as a meshlike enclosure for holding an anchoring medium such as rocks therein, a slab having a stone face and a rearward face for attachment to the support structure and an optional securing device such as a snap-lock device which enables the slab to be releasably secured to the support structure.

Abstract: An earth retaining wall having at least a pair of tiers of side-by-side blocks which define a receiving channel for a connector bar with spaced-apart keys that engage apertures in a lattice-like grid extending laterally from the tiers, the grid being covered by backfill for interlocking the backfill with the retaining wall, the keys distributing the load of the backfill evenly across the wall.

Abstract: An earth stabilization structure and methods for making and using thereof are provided. The structure comprises a compressed annular tire wall stack unit encased in a reinforced matrix shell. The structure is preferably octagonal and cross-sectioned and preferably have a hollow core. The structure has welding elements for fixedly attaching adjacent structures together in the form of weld elements from any adjacent structures to be welded together. A stabilization wall is also provided by rigidly attaching a plurality obstructors together using the weld elements. The method involves providing a mold having a central pipe, compacting a plurality of tire sidewalls to provide a compacted annular tire wall stack unit (bundle), placing the bundle over the pipe, placing weld elements at the bottom of the mold, placing concrete in the mold, permitting the concrete to solidify, and removing the resultant structure from the mold.

Abstract: A soil reinforced retaining wall includes a soil reinforcing mat connected to a face panel. The face panel is vertically disposed with a back facing the earthen formation and is preformed to include an anchor embedded in the face panel and extending from the back in at least one predetermined location. The soil reinforcing mats are horizontally disposed within the earthen formation in general correspondence with the predetermined location. The mats have an end adjacent the face panel folded to form substantially a right angle portion of the mat including a vertical face and a horizontal face. A right angle member having a vertical face and a horizontal face is disposed in contact with the corresponding vertical face and horizontal face of the right angle portion of the mat. The right angle member is then secured to the anchor such that the right angle portion of the mat is rigidly held therebetween.

Abstract: A retaining wall kit is made up of a plurality of molded blocks, some having different thicknesses and some having different lengths. Keyhole-slots may be provided at the rear face of the molded blocks, each keyhole being proportionally sized inwardly of the rear face of the block such that a retaining member fitted within the keyhole-slot projects downwardly from the one molded block to engage the rear face of an adjacent molded block so as to space the molded blocks in a regular sloped position such that the inter section of the front and top faces of each molded block is in a common plane.

Abstract: A retaining wall for an earthen formation uses welded wire face mats having upright portions secured to one another and spanning the distance between successive lifts of the wall at the face of the formation. Elongate welded wire soil reinforcing mats with bent-up ends of a height less than the distance between successive lifts are secured to the face mats so as to extend partially over the upright portions and into the earthen formation. The bent-up ends of the soil reinforcing mats are formed with kinks which extend through the upright portions of the face mats. Rods extend through these kinks to secure the upright portions of the face mats against separation from the bent-up ends of the soil reinforcing mats. In a preferred embodiment, the face mats have a width greater than the width of the soil reinforcing mats and the soil reinforcing mats at each lift of the wall are spaced from one another and span adjacent face mats.

Abstract: A noise-protection screen (1) provided with a number of sound-damping elements (2) and over the length of the noise-protection screen, spaced at a distance from each other with girders for the support of the elements, and a sound-damping element for a noise-protection screen. The noise-protection screen includes an air cavity (8) delimited at one side by the sound-damping elements (2) and at the other side by panel-like elements (9). At the side of the sound-damping elements the air cavity is preferably in contact with the surroundings by means of air openings, preferably in the form of air gaps running longitudinally along the noise-protection screen.

Abstract: A building block for a wall enables the blocks to be mounted in offset and flush modes. The block has an extension portion on the bottom, making the bottom longer than the top. The rearward lug protrudes from the bottom at the extension portion. The forward lug protrudes from the bottom forward of the rearward lug. In the offset mode, the upper row of blocks rests on the lower row with the forward lug of the upper row engaging the rearward end of the lower row of blocks. In the flush mode, the forward lug is removed and the blocks positioned with the forward end substantially flush. The rearward lugs of the upper row will then engage the rearward ends of the lower row. Holes extend through the blocks for receiving pins for interlocking them together. Some of the holes are elongated. The pins have enlarged heads which locate in the elongated holes, but will not fit in the cylindrical holes.

Abstract: A composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface each lying adjacent the front, back, and first and second side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces has an inset spanning from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The blocks have back legs which are directed outwardly from the blocks back surface. The block back legs may extend in a plane parallel to the block front surface or extend forwardly toward the blocks front surface. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit within the insets of another block. A method of block molding and a mold assembly which may be used to make a block which may be stackable to form structures of varying setback is also explained.

Abstract: A retaining wall construction comprises modular facing blocks connected by fasteners to anchoring blocks positioned behind the facing blocks. The facing blocks are arranged in courses which overlap one another. The facing blocks, as well as the anchor blocks, have hollow, vertical throughbores. This enables interconnection of the back wall of the facing block with the anchor block by means of various types of fasteners. The retaining wall construction is especially useful in the construction of low height, gravity type walls.

Abstract: A composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface each lying adjacent the front, back, and first and second side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces has an inset spanning from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The blocks of the invention comprise back legs which are directed outwardly from the blocks back surface. The block back legs may extend in a plane parallel to the block front surface or extend forwardly toward the blocks front surface. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit within the insets of another block.

Abstract: Precast concrete wall panels are assembled to form a retaining wall in front of a cut wall face. Arched confinement cells are formed behind the wall panels by sections of vertically oriented sheet material for reception and retention of a particulate fill material. Preferably, flat, precast concrete wall panels provided with vertically oriented tabs of integral geogrid projecting rearwardly from opposite sides of a rear face thereof which are connected to opposite end portions of a length of vertically oriented geogrid by a Bodkin joint. The thus formed confinement cells are generally semi-circular. The fill material initially used fills the confinement cells and then the space around the confinement cells and in front of the cut wall face. The wall panels are vertically staggered and successive courses of confinement cells are filled until reaching a desired height for the retaining wall.

Abstract: The construction block has a projection approximately centered on its top surface. The construction block also has a groove at each of the opposite ends on its bottom surface, each groove being approximately centered about the longitudinal axis. The construction block further has at least one slot defining an end piece, transverse to the longitudinal axis, on the top surface or the bottom surface, located approximately halfway between the center point and one of the opposite ends. The block may be stacked on two identical blocks having their opposite ends facing each other, with the block resting on half of each of the two identical blocks, so that the groove at one of the opposite ends of the block is located above half of the projection of one of the identical blocks and the groove at the other opposite end is located above half of the projection of the other identical block, thus staggering the blocks.

Abstract: A retaining wall system is constructed in several distinct layers. Each layer is formed of a side-by-side arrangement of I-shaped subassemblies with backfill cheers defined between each pair of subassemblies. Each subassembly is constructed of generally planar elongated concrete blocks which interconnect to laterally secure the blocks to one another. Interconnections are provided by dovetail joints in which a tongue is vertically slid into a groove to prevent lateral separation. The dovetail elements extend only partially across the face of each block so that the block defining the groove is not excessively weakened by the groove.

Abstract: A retaining wall, wherein the lower edges of vertical walls (8) within a shell (3) are fitted with at least one coupling tab interacting with the plane upper vertical edges of the adjacent underlying shell. The vertical walls (6, 7) having any shape are also provided with at least one coupling tab. The transverse vertical wall (7) between the two building elements forming the double building element comprises a breakable portion (13) such that a decorative facing (14) is exposed on its outer surface for each building element, and said decorative facing (14) is exposed on its outer surface for each building element, and said decorative facing (14), when locally removed, reveals a surface with a "rough hewn stone" appearance.

Abstract: A modular wall block is formed with a T-shaped through-opening defining arm sections projecting from a stem portion in each surface of the block. One arm section in the upper surface of each block is dimensioned to frictionally receive fingers of a rake-like connection device which may thereby secure an end portion of sheet of reinforcing material such as a geogrid or the like, to the block. The connection device includes enlarged tabs projecting away from the fingers to engage in a different width arm section defined in the lower surface of superimposed wall blocks for positioning the front faces of the blocks in the retaining wall relative to each other in either a vertically aligned or vertically set back relationship depending upon the direction of extension of the tabs. Stair-step sections of interconnected blocks may be interleaved to form a retaining wall. Additional connection devices may be inverted to further integrate juxtaposed stair-step sections.

Abstract: There is provided a building block (10) comprising a rectangular parallelepiped having three pairs of opposing surfaces (12 and 14, 16 and 18 and 20 and 22), each pair of opposing surfaces being provided with one or more identical pairs of interlocking formations (24 and 26), whereby two such building blocks (10) may be arranged with one of a pair of opposing surfaces of a first of the blocks in interlocking engagement with one of any of the three pairs of opposing surfaces of the other of the blocks. There is also provided a corner block (100) for use with a building block (10) of the type previously described, the corner block (100) subtending in included angle and being provided with one or more formations (118) on each of its surfaces (102-116) whereby the corner block (100) may be arranged with one of its surfaces (102-116) in interlocking engagement with one of at least one of each pair of opposing surfaces (12 and 14, 16 and 18 or 20 and 22) of said building block (10).

Abstract: A polymeric retaining wall building block comprising a base, a generally upright face wall extending upward from the base, and two generally upright side walls extending upward from the base and generally rearward of the face wall. A fill receiving cavity is defined by inner surfaces of the base, face wall, and side walls for receiving fill material, such as earth, during construction of a retaining wall. The base, face wall, and side walls each have a mean thickness which is less than approximately 10% of the width of the block to maximize the volume of the fill receiving cavity, the width of the block being defined by the distance between outer surfaces of the side walls.

Abstract: A retaining wall block is provided which comprises a forward, face portion and a tail portion spaced rearwardly of said face portion and extending generally parallel thereto, said face portion and said tail portion being connected by a central web. A downwardly depending abutment member is formed on the bottom of said face portion to serve as a spacing mechanism for offsetting successive courses of block, thereby imparting a uniform backslope to the retaining wall. The block is designed in such a fashion that portions of the spacing mechanism may be easily removed or modified so as to permit different angles of backslope.

Abstract: A concrete building block (10) having a top (12), a bottom (14), substantially identical first and second end portions (16, 18) and a central portion (20). First and second end portions (16, 18) each have a connector pin (28, 34) and a complementary connector socket (30, 36), where each connector pin and connector socket generate about a vertical axis of generation (A1, A2). The block (10) also includes a lifting eye (46) that projects upwardly from a well (50) and a decorative surface (56) of vertical ridges and valleys on at least the first side (22), and a first and second end surfaces (26, 32). An alternate block (11) includes a circular top (58), a circular bottom (60), and a sidewall (62). Block (11) also includes a connector pin (64), a complementary connector socket (66) and a vertical axis of generation A3, of which connector pin (64) and connector socket (66) generate about, and a means for engaging block 11 with a lifting device.

Abstract: A modular block wall includes dry cast, unreinforced modular wall blocks with anchor type, or frictional type or composite type soil stabilizing elements recessed therein and attached thereto by vertical rods which also connect the blocks together. The soil stabilizing elements project into the compacted soil behind the courses of modular wall blocks from counterbores or slots in the blocks.

Abstract: A modular block wall includes dry cast, unreinforced modular wall blocks with anchor type, or frictional type or composite type soil stabilizing elements recessed therein and attached thereto by vertical rods which also connect the blocks together. The soil stabilizing elements are positioned in counterbores or slots in the blocks and project into the compacted soil behind the courses of modular wall blocks.

Abstract: Retaining wall blocks are disclosed, which are trapezoidal in shape and have a positive interlock. These blocks can be used to construct walls, especially garden walls, that are strong and either straight or serpentine, with concave or convex surfaces. More particularly, the blocks, thanks to their structure, can be used to construct tree rings or wells, patio walls with or without corners, straight walls with curved ends, serpentine feature walls, L-shaped walls, lawn and driveway edgings, small steps, free-form shallow ponds, planter boxes, window wells and the like. Advantageously, they can be produced in the form of units comprising blocks of the same or different type, e.g. of the stacking, coping or corner type, which can be assembled in the form of very light bundles easy to store and transport.

Abstract: A modular wall block is formed with a groove in a top surface configured to frictionally receive fingers of a rake-like connection device which may extend through apertures in an end portion of a grid-like sheet of reinforcing material. The connection device includes enlarged tabs projecting away from the fingers to engage in a widened slot defined in the bottom of superimposed wall blocks for positioning the front faces of the blocks in the retaining wall relative to each other in either a vertically aligned or vertically set back relationship depending upon the direction of extension of the tabs. The groove and the slot are formed at opposite ends of a tapered through-opening extending between top and bottom surfaces of the block. By virtue of the taper, the width of the groove is less than a width of the slot to accommodate the different portions of the connector device.

Abstract: A method for building an earth-retaining barrier from standard open-celled construction blocks includes a plurality of hangers. Each hanger contains a hook portion for spanning a rim of the block and also contains a shoulder portion projecting laterally from the hook portion and having a top ledge for contacting or supporting the rim of a vertically adjoining block.. Thus, each block is supported by a block beneath it as well as by the top ledge of the hanger secured upon the lower block. The barrier thus created has an offset of approximately 15.degree..

Abstract: The present invention provides a retaining wall block having means adapted to receive and retain a geogrid reinforcing material. In one aspect the receiving and retaining means comprises one or more projections (13,33) provided on a first face of the block and an aperture or recess (14,34) provided on the opposite face of the block. In a further aspect of the invention, the receiving and retaining means comprises a transverse groove (53) formed in an upper surface of the block. In a yet further aspect, the receiving and retaining means comprises comprises a transverse slot provided in the rear wall of a block, the slot comprising a groove (62,72) terminating in the body of the block in a cavity (63,73,83) of greater lateral dimension than the groove.

Abstract: A cast concrete block that is cast on its side and can be separated into at least three construction blocks to be used in constructing a retaining wall system. The cast concrete block has a top face and a bottom face. The block is bounded by an elongate base side, two elongate edge sides and an elongate top side. First and second elongate splitting grooves are formed in at least one of the top face and bottom face. The splitting grooves extend between the top side and the base side. The splitting grooves are spaced inwardly from the opposite first and second edge sides. Preferably, each of the splitting grooves are paired with a corresponding secondary groove in an opposite face of the block so that each splitting groove and its corresponding secondary groove are parallel with each other and lie in a common plane that is substantially perpendicular to the broad faces of the block.

Abstract: A modular wall block is formed with a trough or recess in a top surface configured to frictionally receive fingers of a rake-like grid connection device. The fingers are engaged through apertures in an end portion of a grid-like sheet of material with the spine of the rake overlying the grid-like sheet of material, the remainder of the grid-like sheet of material extending rearwardly to reinforce the fill behind a retaining wall formed from a plurality of courses of the wall blocks. Slat members are selectively received in one of a pair of grooves defined in each side of the wall blocks with portions of the slats extending above the upper surface of the block to contact a surface of an opening formed in a superimposed block for positioning the front faces of the blocks in the retaining wall relative to each other in either a vertically aligned or rearwardly offset relationship.