EP0616655B1 - Kit of moulded concrete blocks and gravity retaining wall made therefrom - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP92/02153 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 16, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 16, 1994 PCT Filed Sep. 18, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO93/06310 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 1, 1993.Known sets of structural elements have blocks with depressions and cross-shaped, T-shaped or Z-shaped connecting pieces which come to be located therein. Only retaining walls which are oriented in a straight line can be constructed. The set of structural elements according to the invention has, in addition to blocks with depressions, coupling pieces with at least a part thereof being in the form of a truncated cone, with corresponding cross-sectional shape of the depression. In this manner, a rotation of blocks, in particular located one above the other, is possible. Curved retaining walls can thus be erected.

Description

The invention relates to a kit for creating retaining walls, in particular heavyweight retaining walls, from a plurality of concrete blocks lying one above the other and one next to the other, adjacent blocks being at least partially secured against displacement relative to one another by coupling pieces, and the blocks for this purpose having a circumferential groove or recess, at least however, on opposite, upper and lower side surfaces along the same extending grooves or depressions, each extending in the plane of the wall and with superimposed and / or juxtaposed blocks with the separate coupling pieces that enter the recesses of adjacent blocks and in these are slidable, connectable.

FR-A-1 258 423 discloses shaped blocks with grooves on outer side surfaces and matching coupling pieces for connecting the shaped blocks. The coupling pieces extend in the longitudinal direction of the grooves. This prevents adjacent stones from twisting.

GB-A-1 064 451 shows shaped stones with hemispherical depressions, which come to lie one above the other in adjacent shaped stones. Balls acting as coupling pieces are arranged in the recesses. Since the depressions of adjacent stones must be positioned exactly in relation to one another, neither displacements nor rotations of the stones with respect to one another are possible.

Finally, it is known from DD-PS 93 232 to secure shaped blocks having circumferential grooves with cross-shaped, T-shaped or Z-shaped connecting pieces relative to one another. This enables the formation of a retaining wall extending in a single, straight direction. Deviations from this, such as curvatures in the retaining wall, are not possible.

The object of the present invention is to create a kit, the components of which form a stable association and at the same time enable flexible design of the retaining wall. According to the invention the object is achieved in that the coupling pieces are designed differently with respect to a parting plane between two shaped blocks, with a first anchoring piece coming to lie in the recess of a shaped block, which is rotatable in the recess and has a corresponding cross-sectional shape for this purpose, so that the two shaped blocks connected to one another by the coupling piece can also be rotated with respect to one another, and with a second anchoring piece coming to lie in a depression of an adjacent shaped brick, which is elongated in the direction of the depression and is accordingly not rotatable but displaceable in the depression. The coupling piece has certain degrees of freedom in its position in the recess. Rotation is possible via one of the anchoring pieces. As a result, adjacent shaped blocks can be arranged rotated relative to one another. Nevertheless, the protection of the bandage, i.e. the shaped stones in the retaining wall, is retained. The elongated anchoring piece cannot be rotated in the associated depression. However, the degrees of freedom described above remain (rotation of the shaped stones) consist. However, twisting or tilting of the coupling piece in the recess is prevented.

The rotatable, first anchoring piece is advantageously frustoconical and the second, non-rotatable anchoring piece is of trapezoidal cross-section.

It is particularly advantageous to design the first, rotatable anchoring piece with a closed outer surface and the other anchoring piece as a hollow body with, in particular, crossing ribs or webs. In the case of shaped stones lying one above the other, the anchoring piece designed as a hollow body comes to lie, in particular, facing downward and thus in a depression open at the top. On the one hand, the ribs and webs save material and the weight is reduced, on the other hand, unevenness in the recess is compensated for, which is caused by concrete residues, gravel or other increases. Such dirt or loose parts can be in the downward depressions fall out due to its own weight and deposit in the open recesses. In a further development of the invention, the anchoring piece designed as a hollow body can be elongated in the direction parallel to the associated depression, in particular with two parallel longitudinal ribs and trapezoidal transverse ribs crossing them. The retention of the coupling piece in the recess is improved in this way.

Advantageous developments of the invention result from the subclaims and relate in particular to the design and arrangement of the depressions and the design of the coupling pieces.

Within the scope of the invention there is also a retaining wall according to claims 12 to 14 and a coupling piece according to claims 15 to 17.

Fig. 1

eine Frontansicht eines neuen Formsteins für einen erfindungsgemäßen Bausatz,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht des Formsteins gemäß Fig. 1 in Richtung des Pfeils II,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf den Formstein gemäß Fig. 1 in Richtung des Pfeils III,

Fig. 4a

eine Draufsicht auf ein Kupplungsstück,

Fig. 4b

eine Frontansicht des Kupplungsstücks gemäß Fig. 4a in Richtung des Pfeils IVb,

Fig. 4c

eine Seitenansicht des Kupplungsstücks gemäß Fig. 4a in Richtung des Pfeils IVc,

Fig. 5a

eine Seitenansicht auf eine andere Ausführungsforms eines Kupplungsstücks,

Fig. 5b

eine Draufsicht auf das Kupplungsstück gemäß Fig. 5a,

Fig. 5c

eine Unteransicht des Kupplungsstücks gemäß Fig. 5a,

Fig. 5d

eine Stirnseitenansicht des Kupplungsstücks gemäß Fig. 5a,

Fig. 6a

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Kupplungsstücks,

Fig. 6b

eine Draufsicht auf das Kupplungsstück gemäß Fig. 6a,

Fig. 6c

eine Unteransicht des Kupplungsstücks gemäß Fig. 6a,

Fig. 7a

zwei aneinander anliegende und mittels eines Kupplungsstücks gegen Verschieben gesicherte Formsteine,

Fig. 7b

zwei aneinander anliegende Formsteine im Querschnitt, ähnlich der Fig. 7a, mit einem Kupplungsstück entsprechend den Fig. 5a bis 5d,

Fig. 8

eine Darstellung dreier durch ein Kupplungsstück gesicherter Formsteine,

Fig. 9 und 10

eine Darstellung bogenförmig angeordneter Formsteine mit einem auf einer aufklaffenden Lücke liegenden weiteren Formstein und zwei Kupplungsstücken zur Verbindung der Formsteine,

Fig. 11

eine erfindungsgemäße Stützmauer mit Kupplungsstücken und Verankerungsorganen im Querschnitt,

Fig. 12

eine erfindungsgemäße Stützmauer in der Frontansicht,

Fig. 13

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Stützmauer in der Frontansicht, und

Fig. 14

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Stützmauer in einer Frontansicht.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a front view of a new shaped block for a kit according to the invention,

Fig. 2

1 in the direction of arrow II,

Fig. 3

1 in the direction of arrow III,

Fig. 4a

a plan view of a coupling piece,

Fig. 4b

4a in the direction of arrow IVb,

Fig. 4c

4a in the direction of arrow IVc,

Fig. 5a

a side view of another embodiment of a coupling piece,

Fig. 5b

a plan view of the coupling piece according to FIG. 5a,

Fig. 5c

a bottom view of the coupling piece according to FIG. 5a,

Fig. 5d

5 shows an end view of the coupling piece according to FIG. 5a,

Fig. 6a

a side view of a further embodiment of a coupling piece,

Fig. 6b

a plan view of the coupling piece according to FIG. 6a,

Fig. 6c

a bottom view of the coupling piece according to FIG. 6a,

Fig. 7a

two shaped stones which are in contact with one another and secured against displacement by means of a coupling piece,

Fig. 7b

two adjoining shaped blocks in cross section, similar to FIG. 7a, with a coupling piece corresponding to FIGS. 5a to 5d,

Fig. 8

a representation of three shaped stones secured by a coupling piece,

9 and 10

a representation of arched stones with one on a gaping gap lying further shaped stone and two coupling pieces for connecting the shaped stones,

Fig. 11

a retaining wall according to the invention with coupling pieces and anchoring members in cross section,

Fig. 12

a retaining wall according to the invention in front view,

Fig. 13

a further embodiment of a retaining wall according to the invention in the front view, and

Fig. 14

an embodiment of a retaining wall according to the invention in a front view.

A new concrete block 10 for a kit according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The basic shape of the shaped block 10 is rectangular with a rectangular front side 11, narrow sides 12, 13 and a broader upper side 14 and underside 15 in each case. The sides 12 to 15 are generally longer than the front side 11 and each have a recess 16. This is arranged around the shaped block 10 and forms a plane parallel to the plane of the front side 11. Between the front side 11 and the recess 16 there are approximately two thirds of the longitudinal extent of the sides 12 to 15. A largely central arrangement is also advantageous.

The recess 16 is trapezoidal or V-shaped in profile with an outwardly increasing cross-section and can thus also be formed during the manufacture of the shaped block 10. It is also possible to form the recess 16 only on some sides, for example on the top and bottom 14, 15.

The front side 11 also has circumferential inclined surfaces 17 for better demolding.

A rear side 18 opposite the front side 11 has a recess in the form of a continuous groove 19 with undercuts 20. Overall, the cross-sectional profile of the groove 19 is designed like a hammer head. A dovetail profile is also advantageous. What is important is the increasing cross-section towards the middle of the stone. The groove 19 extends in a straight line parallel to the top 14 over the entire width of the back 18. The function is explained in more detail below in connection with FIG. 11.

4a to 4c show a coupling piece 21 in different views. For insertion into the recesses 16 between two adjacent concrete blocks 10, the coupling piece 21 is formed with two halves or anchoring pieces of different cross-section. A lower anchoring piece in FIG. 4c, likewise FIG. 4b, is designed as a bar 22 with a trapezoidal profile, while the upper anchoring piece is a truncated cone 23, each with a cross-section that decreases towards the outside. An almost play-free connection of the shaped stones 10 is particularly favorable, the trapezoidal profiles of the depressions 16, the ingot 22 and the truncated cone 23 corresponding to one another for positive engagement. The coupling piece 21 is made of concrete, advantageously also of plastic, for example as an injection molded part.

5a to 6c show views of two further coupling pieces. 5a to 5d, the coupling piece 21 with the truncated cone 23 described above is designed as an upper anchoring piece. The lower anchoring piece is elongated, similar to FIGS. 4a to 4c, but here with intersecting longitudinal ribs 23a and transverse webs 23b. Two longitudinal ribs and four transverse webs can be seen in the figures. The former are rectangular formed and placed in the middle of the anchoring piece and thus arranged outside the cone area. In contrast, the transverse webs 23b are designed trapezoidal, with the respective outer transverse webs being located on the outermost edge of the anchoring or coupling piece. The longitudinal ribs and crossbars are about the same height. Cavities 23c open downward (outside) are formed between them. On the one hand, the ribs and webs save material and reduce the overall weight. On the other hand, unevenness in the upper depressions of the lower shaped stones is compensated for by concrete residues, gravel grains and other increases. A similar coupling piece 21 is shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c. There, in turn, the upper anchoring piece is designed as a truncated cone 23. In contrast to FIGS. 5a to 5c, a lower anchoring piece is not elongated, but rather is designed analogously to the truncated cone 23 as a rib cross 23d. The crossing ribs each have a trapezoidal shape to form four separate cavities 23e.

7a, 7b show views of two concrete shaped blocks 10 connected by coupling pieces 21 - corresponding to FIGS. 5a to 5d. Concrete crumbs 23f can be seen in FIG. 7b between the longitudinal ribs 23a.

In an embodiment not shown, the (upper) anchoring piece is not designed as a truncated cone, but, similar to the (lower) anchoring piece in FIGS. 5a to 6c, with ribs and webs.

8 shows a view of three molded blocks 10 connected to one another. Successive depressions 16 of adjacent molded blocks 10 are connected to one another by the bars 22 of the coupling piece 21. The truncated cone 23 is directed out of the image plane and serves to receive a depression in a shaped block indicated by dashed lines, also outside the image plane.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show, as a special feature, two concrete shaped blocks 10 arranged adjacent to form a gap that opens on one side. The gap 24 leads to a clear distance between the shaped stones 10 in the region of the depressions 16. In FIG. 9, the gap 24 at the point mentioned not quite as large as in FIG. 10 due to the eccentric arrangement of the depressions 16 and the tilting opposite in both figures. Similar to FIG. 8, a dashed brick lying outside the image plane is arranged above two adjacent molded bricks 10. This is connected to a total of two coupling pieces 21 arranged laterally adjacent to the edges thereof with the shaped stones below. The coupling pieces 21 lie with their bars 22 in the recesses 16 of the shaped blocks 10 drawn with solid lines. The truncated cones 23 each extend into the recess shown in dashed lines of the shaped block shown in dashed lines. The special shape of the coupling pieces 21 with bars 22 and truncated cone 23 enables the described angled arrangement, without thereby reducing the retention of the shaped blocks among themselves. A reverse position of the coupling pieces 21 with the bars 22 in the recess of the shaped block shown in dashed lines is also possible.

FIG. 11 shows a heavy weight retaining wall 25 created from a kit according to the invention. This serves for the lateral covering or support of an earth wall 26. The subsurface is designated by 26a in FIG. 11. The sectional view reveals the depressions 16 in the individual shaped stones 10, as well as the coupling pieces 21 connecting the shaped stones 10. The side of the retaining wall 25 facing the earth wall 26 is called the earth side, while the outside is referred to as the air side. The shaped blocks 10 are aligned that the grooves 19 described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3 are directed towards the earth side. To increase the structural strength and dimensional stability of the retaining wall 25 19 anchoring members 27 are inserted into the grooves. These are shaped corresponding to the groove 19, for example with a hammer head profile, such as hammer head screws. On its side facing the earth side, connecting pieces 28 are formed, for example as disks which can be fixed against one another and are seated on a pin or a thread. Nets or grid systems 29 are connected to the anchoring members 27 via the connecting pieces 28. The grid systems 29 are rot-proof, tensile and preferably made of plastic and are inserted in layers into the earth wall when the retaining wall is erected. As a result, the grid systems 29 extend in the horizontal direction. In Fig. 11 it can be seen that the distances between the individual grids increase from bottom to top. The lower five layers each have a smaller distance a from one another. This is followed by a layer with a slightly larger distance b, while two layers with the largest distance c follow above. The grating systems 29 are placed in such a way that they first run a small distance from the connecting piece 28 - approximately half a stone width - downwards along the retaining wall 25 and are then angled in the horizontal direction. A connection of a lattice system to a plurality of shaped stones 10 arranged parallel to the base 26a is preferably provided. In the upper region of the retaining wall 25, the grating system 29 is first guided downwards via two shaped blocks 10 and corresponding connecting pieces 28 and then angled horizontally.

12 shows a finished retaining wall with a special arrangement of the shaped stones 10. These form rectangular groups 30 with five shaped stones each. In this case, three shaped stones 10a are arranged upright and two shaped stones 10b are arranged transversely within a group 30. Within the retaining wall are the groups 30 with outer dimensions aligned with one another arranged so that mutually perpendicular, continuous joints 31a, 31b arise. In some cases 30 individual shaped blocks 10c with specially designed visible surfaces are arranged within the groups. In order to create an irregular, but not non-uniformly acting structure, the visible surfaces are provided with a continuous V-shaped recess 32 in accordance with the design of the inclined surfaces 17. This runs approximately centrally on the front side - at the same time the visible surface - and approximately parallel to the longitudinal edges, corresponding to the upper side 14 or lower side in FIGS. 1 to 3. As far as two stones with depressions 32 are provided within a group 30, such a shaped stone 10c under the upright stones 10a and under the transverse stones 10b, but not immediately adjacent to each other. In FIG. 12, the shaped blocks 10a, 10b are each interchanged within adjacent groups 30, so that the continuous joints 31b and 31a only occur on the outer edges of the groups.

13 shows another special feature. There, the shaped blocks 10 are arranged transversely in horizontal rows 33. Special shaped blocks are visible within a row, namely half-length shaped blocks, so-called half-stones 34. Like the full-length shaped block 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, these are provided with depressions and grooves not visible in FIG. 13. The use of the half stones 34 in particular enables a loosened arrangement for the targeted creation of planting gaps 35. The half stones 34 can also be used in a different constellation, for example in a retaining wall according to FIGS. 11, 12 or 14.

FIG. 14 relates to an arrangement similar to FIG. 12. Individual rows 33 are arranged between individual groups 30. The rows 33 extend in the horizontal direction and separate the groups 30 in the vertical direction. The shaped blocks 10 lie within the rows 33 so that from group 30 to group 30 there are no continuous joints, but rather interrupted joints 36. As a result, the retaining wall in FIG. 14 has greater stability than in FIG. 12.

11 to 14 it can be seen that the retaining wall 25 is bordered both above and below by the soil.

Claims (17)

1. Set of structural elements for erecting retaining walls, in particular gravity retaining walls (25), from a plurality of concrete blocks (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 34) located one above the other and one beside the other, adjacent blocks being at least partially secured, by coupling pieces (21), against displacements relative to one another and, for this purpose, the blocks having a groove or depression (16) which runs all the way around the blocks, or at least having grooves or depressions (16) which run along on mutually opposite, upper and lower side surfaces (14, 15) and extend in each case in the plane of the wall, and blocks arranged one above the other and/or one beside the other being connectable by means of the separate coupling pieces (21) which are inserted into the depressions (16) of adjacent blocks, and can be displaced therein, characterized in that, with respect to a parting plane between two blocks (10, etc.), the coupling pieces (21) are designed differently, with a first anchoring piece which is positioned in a depression (16) of one block, can rotate in the depression (16) and, for this purpose, has a corresponding cross-sectional configuration, with the result that it is also possible for the two blocks which are connected to one another by the coupling piece (21) to rotate with respect to one another, and with a second anchoring piece which is positioned in a depression (16) of an adjacent block, is elongate in the direction of the depression and, correspondingly, cannot rotate, but can be displaced, in the depression.
2. Set of structural elements according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first, rotatable anchoring piece is designed in the form of a truncated cone and the second, non-rotatable anchoring piece is designed with a trapezoidal cross-section.
3. Set of structural elements according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first, rotatable anchoring piece is designed with a continuous outer surface and the other anchoring piece is designed as a hollow body with, in particular, intersecting ribs or webs (23a, 23b, 23d).
4. Set of structural elements according to Claim 3, characterized in that the anchoring piece designed as a hollow body is designed such that it is elongate with two mutually parallel longitudinal ribs (23a) in the direction parallel to the associated depression (16), and has trapezoidal transverse ribs (23b) which, in particular, intersect said longitudinal ribs.
5. Set of structural elements according to one of Clams 1 to 4, characterized in that the depressions (16) are arranged approximately centrally or at a 2/3 distance away from the front side (11) and a 1/3 distance away from the rear side (18) of the blocks (10, etc.).
6. Set of structural elements according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the coupling pieces (21) consist of a mouldable, hardened material, in particular of, or using, plastic.
7. Set of structural elements according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized by anchoring members (27) for fixing the finished retaining wall (25) in the adjacent earth or embankment (26) by means of tension members connected to the anchoring members (27).
8. Set of structural elements according to Claim 7, characterized in that for receiving anchoring members (27) the blocks (10, etc.) have, on one side (18), a cutout (19) which extends at least over a part-region of the side and has undercuts (20).
9. Set of structural elements according to Claim 8, characterized in that the cutouts are designed as continuous grooves (19), in particular with a hammer-head profile or dovetail profile.
10. Set of structural elements according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the anchoring members (27) are designed as hammer-head bolts.
11. Set of structural elements according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the tension members connected to the anchoring members (27) are designed as grid systems (29) to be laid in the earth.
12. Retaining wall, in particular gravity retaining wall (25), produced from a set of structural elements according to one of Claims 1 to 11, a plurality of concrete blocks (10, etc.) being located one above the other and one beside the other, and adjacent blocks located one above the other being at least partially secured, by the coupling pieces (21) located therebetween, against displacements, and the coupling pieces (21) being inserted into the groove or into the depressions (16) of the mutually opposite, upper and lower side surfaces (14, 15).
13. Retaining wall according to Claim 12, characterized in that the coupling pieces (21) are arranged centrally in the depressions (16) or such that they are laterally adjacent to the borders of the blocks (10, etc.).
14. Retaining wall according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, on arranging the blocks (10, etc.) in a row in an arcuate progression, thus forming wide-open gaps (24) between the blocks, there are assigned to each block, in conjunction with a block of the adjacent row, two coupling pieces (21) which are each inserted such that they are laterally adjacent to the borders of the blocks.
15. Coupling piece for connecting blocks having depressions, in particular for use in a set of structural elements or a retaining wall according to one of Claims 1 to 14, having two halves or anchoring pieces which are provided for insertion into depressions (16) of adjacent blocks (10, etc.), these halves having different cross-sections, characterized in that the different cross-sections are such that one anchoring piece of the coupling piece (21) can rotate in a depression and, for this purpose, is designed in the form of truncated cone, while, in another depression (16), the other anchoring piece can only be displaced and, for this purpose, is designed as a bar (22) with trapezoidal profile.
16. Coupling piece according to Claim 15, characterized in that the anchoring piece in the form of a truncated cone is designed with a continuous outer surface and the other anchoring piece is designed as a hollow body with, in particular, intersecting ribs or webs (23a, 23b, 23d).
17. Coupling piece according to Claim 16, characterized in that the anchoring piece designed as a hollow body is designed such that it is elongate in the direction parallel to the associated depression, in particular with two mutually parallel longitudinal ribs (23a) and trapezoidal transverse ribs (23b) which intersect said longitudinal ribs.

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