CA1261639A - Element for the construction of steep slopes that can be sodded - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The element has a basket-shaped support mesh of bending-resistant metal mesh. The support mesh is lined on at least a level face wall with a geotextile through which vegetation can grow. Between superposed elements arranged between the top wall and the bottom wall a geotextile can be inserted that assumes reinforcing functions. To costruct a steep slope several elements are stacked one above the other and filled with soil. The steep slope is immediately protected against erosion and can be sodded after termination of construction. The element is suited particularly for the erection of steep slopes along roads and railroad lines in cuts for embankments or dams.

Description

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ELEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEEP
SLOPES TXAT CAN BE SODDED

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

This invention relates in general to ground construction devices and in particular to a new and useful element for the construction of steep slopes that can be sodded.

The invention relates to an element for the construction of steep slopes that can be sodded, into which soil material can be introduced as filler, as well as a support-ing structure or steep slopes, respectively, constructedof such elements.

Steep slopes are gaining increased importance when it is necessary to counteract the increasing loss of agricultural areas, without having to forego necessary counstruction projects. Thus, highways and railroad lines are built in cuts and on embankments. In such constructions, securing the slopes with the known, massive retaining or revetment walls is not only expensive, but not very friendly to the environment, either. It has long been known that in order to avoid such walls, the ground should be used as the bearing material.

Such measures become optimal only when their visible surfaces can be sodded and the planting can be included in the protection and securing ~measures).

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~L261G391 It is known from Swiss patent 566, 452 that steep slopes that can be sodded can be constructed with geotextiles.
However, it is disadvantageous with them that they have an irregular and vulnerable surface, and that exceedingly ; 5 steep slopes are not protected aginst erosion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an element, with which even exceed-ingly steep slopes can be constructed in a simple and cost-efficient construction, which are protected against erosion immediately after termination of the construction, and the vegetation of which can also be worked mechanically in an easy manner.

The element according to the invention is characterized by a basket-shaped support mesh which at least within the ; 15 reach of a face wall to be arranged parallel to the steep slope is lined with an insert of geotextile through which grass can grow.

With this element, exceedingly s~eep and even vertical slopes can be built without use of construction machines.
The elements can be arranged in such a manner that a plane or terraced slope is created that can be planted and also be worked mechanically. The elernents may weaken over the years (corrosion), whereupon the sodded soil, reinforced in the meantime b~ the roots, takes over the securing and support of the slope.

For the construction of exceedingly steep and erosion resistant slopes and dams, insertlon of a mostly horizontal reinforcin~ element of geotextile or similar structure indicated between the bottom and top walls of superposed elements to ensure the support function and stability.

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~26~639 The invention is also concerned with a steep slope construction which is characterized by face walls of several adjacent elements which lie in a plane and that the appertaining bottom and top walls are arranged approx-imately horizontally. This steep slope is di.stinguished by a construction that is easy to erect and it can also easily be worked mechanically.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved structural element for the construciton.of steep slopes whcih can be sodded and into which soil materlal can be introduced as a filler and which comprises a basket-shaped support for the spaced top and bottom walls and a level face wall which is adapted to be sloped to the slope of the structure to be formed and which includes an insert of geotextile material through which vegetation can grow lining the level face wall.

A further object of the invenkion is to provide a method .of constructing a steep slope ground structure using a construction element having spaced apart top and bottom walls and a level face wall which is fixed to the desired ~ level face wall which is to be formed and which includes : and insert of geotextile material extending along the face wall which is of structure such that vegatation can grow through it but it retains a sufficient amount of soil, comprising arranging the elements one above the other with successive face walls being selectively positioned to obtain the desire~ slope and/or horizontal offsets and filling each element with soil, and after all o~ the elements are fi~led sodding the level wall.

~; 30 A further object of the invention is to provide a structur-al element for facilitating the building of sloped ground . -3-~2~3~

structures which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economicalto manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific object attained by its uses, reference is made ~: to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is p~rspective view of an element for the construction of slopes according to a first variant of the inventlon;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view according to a second variant of the invention;

Figs. 3a and 3b is a cross-sectional view through several stacked-up elements according to either the first or second variant;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a steep slope of elements of the first variant;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section through a dam of elements of : the first variant;

-~ Fig. 6 is a cross-section through a terraced steep slope with shrubbery insert;

~ Z~ ~6~9 Fig. 7 is a cross-sectionthrough a steep embankment along a stretch of water;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through a slpe with anchoring elements to ensure overall stability, and Fig. 9 is a cross-section through a vertical slope with a surface revetment.

ESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in particular the invention embodied therein comprises a construction and method for forming sloped walls of a ground structure which comprises an element for the construction of the slopes to which sod material can be introduced which comprises spaced top and bottom walls 3c and 3a in a level face or side wall 3b which advantageously is made of a relatively rigid mesh material and which includes an insert 5 of geotextile through whichvegetation can grow which lines the level face wall,at least. In accordance with the method of the invention a structure 1 which includes the mesh material and the insert is arranged on the ground and a plurality of such structures are arranged one over the other to form a desired slope or offset and each structural element is filled with soil and thereafter sodded along at least a level face 3b.

As Fig 1 shows, the element 1 has a support mesh 3 which is composed of a plane face wall 3b, as well as of a bottom wall 3a and a top wall 3c. The face wall 3b ~orms an angle with the bottom wall 3a, which as a rule is larger than 40 and in borderline cases can be 9Q~. The tottom wall 3a and - the top wall 3c run approximately parallel to each other, .~ .

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with the top wall 3c preferably being shorter than the bottom wall 3a. The support mesh 3 is composed of a bending resistant mesh 3, e.g. of steel, with a mesh aperture of approximately 10 to 20 cm. The mesh 3 can be addition-ally reinforced by means of a suspended retaining clip 4.

The mesh 3 is lined with an insert or lining 5 of geo-textile through which vegetation can grow. Such geotex-tiles are generally known and consist of a plastic material or o a natural material. The insert 5 is atached to the support mesh 3 by a fastener (not pictured here) for example, with clamps.

Between the bottom wall 3a and the top wall 3c of a further element a flat reinforcing element 6, e.g. of a per se known geotextile, is inserted, w,hich lies in the plane of the to~ wall 3c and'which, depending on its function, can consist of a geotextile other than that of the insert 5. Applic'tions are surely conceivable in which use of a reinforcing element 6 can be completely foregone.
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In Fig. 2, an element 2 is shown in which the bottom and top walls, 3a and' 3c, respectively, run substantially perpendicular to the face wall 3b. It is clearly visible here that particularity to facilitate filling the top wall 3c is substantially shorter than bottom wall 3a.

The operating sequence during the construction of a steep slope is to be explained by way of example with the aid of Figs. 3a and 3b.

In the preparatory phase~ a sub-grade is constructed and a geotextile is laid out on it, which assumes a reinforcing ' function. Elements 1' respectively 2' with inserted L63~

geotextiles are then placed on the ground, the elements are filled with soil material and the latter is compacted.
This is repeated with additional elements l''respectively 2'', until the desired height of the slope is reached S with the upper cover elements l'''and 2''', respectivel~.
The slope can then be sodded with the aid of a known hydro-seeding process. During the construction of the slope, layers of shrubbery, etc. can be built in. The elements 1 andfor 2 can, of course, also be used without subsequent sodding for the construction of temporary structures, for example, runways and safety embankments.

In Figs. 4 through 9, examples of steep slopes are shown that can be constructed with elements 1 or 2 of the 'invention.

A simple example of a sodded steep slope 7 is shown in Fig.
4. Here, the elements 1 are stacked in such a way that, all face walls 3b lie in one plane, which yields a level and slideproof steep slope which can easily be worked mechanically.

A dam with sodded steep slopes is shown n Fig. 5. As shown here, the stabilty of the dam is ensured by means of the continuous r~inorcement.

As Fig. 6 shows, terraced slopes'with shrubbery inserts 8 can also be constructed, in that the elements are arranged staggered horizontallY. The reinforcing elements 6 ensure the stability of the slope in the horizontal aras, too.

An example of an embankment along a stretch of water is shown in Fig. 7; it has a lower riprap up to the normal water level 9a and a sodded steep slope to above the high water level 9b.

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It is also possible to construct a sodded retaining wall with element 1, as is shown schematiclly in Fig. 8. To ensure large area stability, this slope may additionally be provided with fastening and reinforcing elements 10.
S Reinforcing elements 6 may be dispensed with in such a steep slope.

With element 2, the vertical support structure shown in Fig. 9 can also be erected, which on its surface is lined, e.g., with mesh-reinforced sprayed concrete 11.

Different elements can also be used to construct a steep slope, and these can be modified in a suitable manner especially in the transitional and end-areas.

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While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

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Claims (17)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An element for the construction of steep slopes that can be sodded, into which soil material can be introduced as a filler, comprising a basket-shaped support mesh including a face wall, a bottom wall, a top wall, and an insert of geotextile through which vegetation can grow lining said level face wall and arranged parallel to the steep slope.

2. An element according to Claim 1, wherein said support mesh has a bottom wall which is disposed at an angle of from 40 to 90° from said face wall.

3. An element according to claim 2, including a reinforcing element arranged along at least one of said top and bottom walls which can be fastened to an associated wall.

4. An element according to Claim 1, wherein said top wall is shorter than said bottom wall in order to facilitate filling of the element.

5. A steep slope comprising a plurality of basket-shaped support mesh elements including a face wall at the desired slope, a bottom wall and a top wall, at least said face wall being lined with an insert of geotextile through which vegetation can grow, said basket-shaped mesh element being arranged one above the other and wherein the face wall of several adjacent elements lie in one plane and wherein said top and bottom walls are arranged substantially horizontally, said steep slope being sodded.

6. A steep slope according to Claim 5, wherein between each of said elements at least one reinforcing element is inserted in a horizontal plane.

7. A steep slope according to Claim 5, wherein said elements are offset to form terraces.

8. A steep slope according to Claim 5, wherein said elements are arranged to form slopes on each side of the structure forming a dam.

9. A steep slope according to Claim 5, including a reinforcing element made of a geotextile material.

10. A method of forming a ground structure using a plurality of basket-shaped support mesh elements including bottom and top walls, a face wall disposed at the slope of the structure to be formed and an insert of geotextile lining said face wall, comprising placing a plurality of said elements one above the other so that the face walls are disposed at the desired slopes and filling each structure with a soil material, and after completion sodding the level face walls.

11. A method according to Claim 10, wherein at least some of said level face walls are offset so as to form terraces.

12. A method according to Claim 10, wherein said level face walls extend substantially vertically.

13. A method according to Claim 10, wherein reinforcement is placed behind or offset basket-shaped support mesh elements.

14. A method according to Claim 10, wherein the lowest basket-shaped support mesh is positioned below a water level and including forming a structure in front of the level face elements to the water level.

15. Arrangement for the construction of steep slopes adapted to be sodded and having a plurality of basket-shaped support meshes each having a flat face wall and flat and horizontally arranged top and bottom walls, each of the support meshes being covered, in the vicinity of said face wall, with an insert of geotextile through which vegetation can grow, characterized in that the inclination of said face walls corresponds to that of the steep slope in relation to the bottom wall; in that several reinforcing elements are provided, which are flat and horizontal and are made of a geotextile which are to be introduced into a soil material and are to extend into the soil material farther than the bottom wall, and which are connected by clamping to one of said top and bottom walls in that said inserts and said reinforcing elements are separate and overlap each other in the vicinity of said bottom wall; in that said inserts are of a size such that they can be introduced top and bottom into the soil material; and in that sodding is provided in the vicinity of said face walls.

16. An arrangement according to Claim 15, characterized in that said face walls of adjacent support meshes lie in a same plane.

17. A method for erecting an escarpment using an arrangement of a plurality of basket-shaped support meshes each including top and bottom walls, a face wall disposed at the slope of the escarpment to be formed and an insert of geotextile lining said face wall, characterized by the following steps:
a) levelling the ground, b) laying out a reinforcing element on this level ground, c) incorporation of the support mesh with said insert of geotextile, d) filling a soil material into the support mesh and compacting the soil material, e) levelling another piece of ground and, if necessary, repeating steps a) to d) several times, and f) sodding the slope.