EP1749135A1

EP1749135A1 - Plantable reinforced earth wall and its block and construction method of reinforced earth wall.

Info

Publication number: EP1749135A1
Application number: EP05726877A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeung Su Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-27
Filing date: 2005-03-03
Publication date: 2007-02-07
Also published as: WO2005116347A1; US20050265792A1

Abstract

A large-sized block having a large width, which rapidly constructs a plantable reinforced earth wall using equipment to eliminate worker's physical burden, has a soil filling portion (60) formed therein and provided with recession planes (12, 12') formed at both sides of the front surface (10) of the block so as to partially expose the soil filling portion (60) to the front surface of the earth wall so that plants can be grown in the front surface of the vertically constructed earth wall (W), and is not cracked due to the horizontal displacement of the block when the ground is unevenly settled, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall by vertically stacking crosswise block units (U) obtained by vertically stacking a plurality of the blocks, so that the lower portion of the earth wall is not easily damaged by shearing force applied due to load of the blocks.

Description

Description PLANTABLE REINFORCED EARTH WALL AND ITS BLOCK AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF REINFORCED EARTH WALL Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a block for constructing a plantable reinforced earth wall, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks, and more particularly to a large-sized block having a large width, which rapidly constructs a plantable reinforced earth wall using equipment to eliminate worker's physical burden, has a soil filling portion vertically formed therethrough and partially exposed to the front surface of the earth wall to allow plants to be grown in the front surface of the vertically constructed earth wall, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks, which prevents the lower portion of the earth wall from being damaged by shearing force applied due to load of the blocks.

[2] Background Art

[3] There are disclosed various techniques for constructing a block-assembled reinforced earth wall, a panel-assembled reinforced earth wall, and a block and panel- assembled reinforced earth wall.

[4] The conventional block-assembled reinforced earth wall is constructed by causing a worker to directly carry small-sized blocks, thereby increasing the worker's fatigue and delaying construction. When the earth wall must be constructed in a short period of time, large human power is required, thereby increasing personal expenditure taken to construct the earth wall and generating problems caused by labor mobilization.

[5] Since the conventional panel-assembled reinforced earth wall is constructed using equipment, the panel-assembled reinforced earth wall is advantageous in that the worker's fatigue is minimal and the construction of the panel-assembled reinforced earth wall is rapidly performed, but is disadvantageous in that it is difficult to manufacture and handle the panel due to various kinds (types) of the panel and it is impossible to grow vegetation in the panel due to the structure of the panel. Accordingly, the panel-assembled reinforced earth wall is not harmonized with surrounding environment.

[6] In order to solve the above disadvantages of the conventional block-assembled and panel-assembled reinforced earth walls and to use the respective advantages of each of the earth walls, the present applicant has filed "a reinforced earth wall constructed by vertically stacking relatively large-sized blocks, a block for constructing the reinforced earth wall, and a method for constructing the reinforced earth wall using blocks" in the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The present invention is an improvement of the above earlier invention, and proposes a method for constructing a reinforced earth wall using blocks, which prevents the blocks from being broken due to shearing force applied by the load of the blocks on the lower portion of the earth wall, a reinforced earth wall constructed by the method, and a block used in the construction of the earth wall and structured such that vegetation can grow in the block.

[7] Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is a first object of the present invention to provide a large-sized block having a large width, which rapidly constructs a plantable reinforced earth wall using equipment to eliminate worker's physical burden, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks.

[9] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a block, in which plants are grown so that an earth wall vertically constructed using the blocks is harmonized with surrounding environment, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks.

[10] It is a third object of the present invention to provide a block, which has resistance to the breakage of horn-shaped portions and a central portion of the block due to the horizontal displacement generated when the ground is unevenly settled, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks.

[11] It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a block, which prevents the lower portion of an earth wall constructed using the blocks from being damaged by shearing force applied due to load of the blocks, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks.

[12] It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a block, which improve the connection between upper and lower blocks and between blocks and reinforcing members to prevent the movement and the protrusion of the blocks, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks.

[13] It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a block, in which at least two individual blocks are vertically stacked and unified (integrated) into a large-sized block unit, and a plurality of the block units are vertically stacked crosswise to construct an earth wall having various patterns, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks. Technical Solution

[14] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a block for constructing a plantable reinforced earth wall comprising: a front surface forming the surface of the earth wall and a rear surface contacting reinforced earth; left and right side surfaces respectively provided with uneven portions for connecting the block to neighboring blocks; an upper surface provided with reinforcing member insertion grooves, into which reinforcing members or anchors for connecting the reinforcing members are inserted; a lower surface corresponding to the upper surface; and connection pin insertion holes formed through left and right sides of the upper and lower surfaces for receiving connection pins to connect the upper and lower blocks, wherein a soil filling portion is formed through the upper and lower surfaces of the block, and recession planes for forwardly exposing the soil filling portion when the blocks are vertically stacked crosswise are formed at both sides of the front surface of the block.

[15] Preferably, through holes may be formed through both sides of the block outside the soil filling portion to decrease the weight of the block, and the connection pin insertion holes may have an extended shape having a long radius in the lateral direction of the block so that the blocks are connected by the connection pins even when the earth wall constructed using the blocks is rectilinear or curved.

[16] When the soil filling portion is filled with soil, the soil filling portion serves as a space forming a base for allowing plants to be grown therein, and when the soil filling portion is not filled with soil, the soil filling portion serves as a space for allowing birds or fishes to inhabit therein according to the installation place of the earth wall.

[17] Preferably, external force absorption grooves, the cross sections of which have the shape of a right-angled triangle, may be formed in both sides of the soil filling portion for receiving corners of the upper block so as to prevent shearing force, applied from the upper block, from being concentrated on the central portion of the block, which is a crossing portion between the blocks when the blocks are vertically stacked crosswise to form the earth wall and then the ground under the earth wall is unevenly settled.

[18] More preferably, additional external force absorption grooves may be formed at front regions of left and right corners of the upper surface so as to prevent the upper corners (horn-shaped portions) of the lower block from being damaged from the contact between both sides of the upper portion of the lower block and the lower surface of the upper block due to the uneven settlement of the ground after a curved earth wall is constructed, and the shearing force from being concentrated on the middle portions of the lower blocks.

[19] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed by the blocks.

[20] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for constructing a plantable reinforced earth wall comprising: vertically stacking at least two unit blocks and unifying the unit blocks connection pins to produce block units; building the first unified block units on a concrete base; spreading a reinforced earth in the rear of the first built block units, and placing reinforcing members on the reinforced earth such that the reinforcing members are connected to the first built block units and hardening the reinforced earth; filling soil filling portions of the first built block units with soil and planting herbaceous plants in the soil; vertically stacking at least two unit blocks and unifying the unit blocks using connection pins to produce block units; stacking the second unified block units on the first built block units such that the stacked upper and lower block units cross each other; spreading a reinforced earth in the rear of the second built block units, and placing reinforcing members on the reinforced earth such that the reinforcing members are connected to the second built block units and hardening the reinforced earth; and filling soil filling portions of the second built block units with soil and planting herbaceous plants in the soil.

[21] Preferably, the height of the upper block units may be lower than the height of the lower block units, thereby preventing the lower portion of the earth wall from being broken by shearing force.

[22] Further, preferably, the method may further comprise continuously installing fences or skylight windows on the upper portion of the earth wall.

[23] Advantageous Effects

[24] The present invention provides a large-sized block having a large width, which rapidly constructs a plantable reinforced earth wall using equipment to eliminate worker's physical burden, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks. When the blocks are vertically stacked crosswise through soil filling portions formed in the blocks and recession planes formed at both sides of the front surfaces of the blocks, the soil filling portions are exposed to the front surface of the earth wall. In the case that plants are grown in soil filling the exposed soil filling portions, the front surface of the vertically constructed earth wall is afforested. As occasion demands, the soil filling portions are not filled with soil. In the construction method of the present invention, block units obtained by vertically stacking a plurality of blocks are vertically stacked crosswise, thereby preventing the lower portion of an earth wall constructed using the blocks from being damaged by shearing force applied due to load of the blocks. The blocks have external force absorption grooves having a shape effectively absorbing the horizontal displacement of the blocks when the ground is unevenly settled, thereby preventing the breakage of horn-shaped portions and central portions of the blocks by shearing force. Further, the connection between upper and lower blocks and between blocks and reinforcing members is improved, thus preventing the movement and the protrusion of the blocks and minimizing the generation of defects of the earth wall after construction.

[25] Brief Description of the Drawings

[26] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the front surface of a block for constructing an earth wall in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the rear surface of the block in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the block in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3;

[31] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 3;

[32] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the unified state of the blocks of the present invention;

[33] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of an earth wall in accordance with the present invention in a constructing state;

[34] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the earth wall in accordance with the present invention in the constructing state;

[35] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the earth wall in accordance with the present invention in a constructed state;

[36] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the earth wall in accordance with the present invention in a state in which vegetation of herbaceous plants is grown;

[37] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the earth wall in accordance with the present invention in a state in which vegetation of woody plants is performed;

[38] FIG. 12 illustrates sectional and partial enlarged views of the earth wall in accordance with the present invention; [39] FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating the earth wall in accordance with the present invention in a state in which the earth wall is deformed due to uneven settlement; [40] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an earth wall under construction illustrating another construction method of the present invention; [41] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the earth wall constructed by the construction method of FIG. 14 in a state in which vegetation is grown; [42] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of an earth wall under construction in accordance with the present invention, illustrating a state in which the earth wall is constructed using geogrid reinforcing members; [43] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an earth wall under construction in accordance with the present invention, illustrating a state in which the earth wall is constructed using reinforcing strips having a small width; [44] FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 are front views illustrating various staircase treatments performed on the upper inclined plane of the earth wall of the present invention; [45] FIG. 21 is a plan view of a rectilinear earth wall constructed using blocks in accordance with the present invention; [46] FIGS. 22 and 23 are plan views of curved earth walls constructed using blocks in accordance with the present invention; [47] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a river earth wall constructed using blocks in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [48] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a block in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; [49] FIG. 26 is a plan view of the block of FIG. 25 ;

[50] FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 26;

[51] FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 26;

[52] FIG. 29 is a sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 27, illustrating a state in which a soil filling portion is closed; [53] FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of an earth wall illustrating a state in which the earth wall is constructed using reinforcing strips; [54] FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of the earth wall of FIG. 30;

[55] FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of an earth wall illustrating a state in which the earth wall is constructed using geogrid reinforcing members; [56] FIGS. 33 and 34 are perspective views of earth walls of the present invention illustrating vegetation states in which herbaceous plants are planted in the earth walls; [57] FIGS. 35 and 36 are perspective views of earth walls of the present invention illustrating vegetation states in which woody plants are planted in the earth walls; [58] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an earth wall of the present invention in a state in which fences are continuously installed on the upper surface of the earth wall; [59] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an earth wall of the present invention in a state in which skylight windows are continuously installed on the upper portion of the earth wall; [60] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an earth wall, constructed in a region having heavy vibration applied thereon, in a state in which buffering pads are installed between upper and lower blocks; [61] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a block in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; [62] FIG. 41 is a plan view of the block of FIG. 40;

[63] FIG. 42 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E of FIG. 41 ;

[64] FIG. 43 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the blocks of FIG. 40 are installed; [65] FIG. 44 is a front view illustrating a state in which the blocks of FIG. 40 are stacked; [66] FIG. 45 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the blocks of FIG. 40 are stacked; [67] FIG. 46 is a perspective view, corresponding to FIG. 43, illustrating another connection between the blocks and the reinforcing fabric strips; [68] FIG. 47 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an earth wall is constructed using geogrid reinforcing members; [69] FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of an earth wall on which vegetation is grown;

[70] FIG. 49 is a plan view of a curved earth wall constructed using the blocks of FIG. 40; [71] FIG. 50 is a plan view of a block in accordance with an embodiment modified from the embodiment of FIG. 40; [72] FIG. 51 illustrating plan views sequentially showing the change of the rear engaged state of the upper block of the stacked blocks of FIG. 50; and [73] FIG. 52 is a front view of the earth wall constructed using the blocks of FIG. 40 or 50 in a state in which the earth wall is deformed by the uneven settlement of the ground. [74] Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [75] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. [76] FIGS. 1 to 5 are front and rear perspective, plan, and sectional views of a block for constructing an earth wall in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The block of the present invention comprises a front surface 10 forming the surface of the earth wall and a rear surface 20 contacting a reinforced earth; left and right side surfaces 30 and 30' respectively provided with uneven portions 32 and 32' for connecting the block to neighboring blocks; an upper surface 40 provided with reinforcing member insertion grooves 44, into which reinforcing members or anchors for connecting the reinforcing members are inserted; a lower surface 50 corresponding to the upper surface 40; and connection pin insertion holes (h) formed through left and right sides of the upper and lower surfaces 40 and 50 for receiving connection pins (P) to connect the upper and lower blocks. A soil filling portion 60 is formed through the upper and lower surfaces 40 and 50 of the block, and recession planes 12 and 12' for forwardly exposing the soil filling portion 60 when the blocks are vertically stacked crosswise are formed at both sides of the front surface 10 of the block.

[77] The soil filling portion 60 of the block of the present invention includes an upwardly inclined front surface 61, both vertical side surfaces 62 and 62', and a vertical rear surface 63. Through holes 64 and 64' are formed through both sides of the block outside the soil filling portion 60, thereby decreasing the weight of the block. The connection pin insertion holes (h) are formed at the central portion of the block in width so as to facilitate the connection between the blocks, which are vertically stacked crosswise, and have an extended shape having a long radius in the lateral direction of the block.

[78] External force absorption grooves 61a and 63a, the cross sections of which have the shape of a right-angled triangle, are formed in both sides of the soil filling portion 60. The external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a prevent shearing force, applied from the upper block, from being concentrated on the central portions of the blocks, i.e., the crossing portion between the blocks when the blocks are vertically stacked crosswise to form the earth wall and then the ground under the earth wall is unevenly settled.

[79] Anchor insertion grooves 44' are formed in the upper surfaces of vertical ribs 66, formed between the soil filling portion 60 and the through holes 64 and 64', in the lateral direction. When anchors 90 are inserted into the anchor insertion grooves 44' prior to the construction of the earth wall using the blocks, the anchors 90 are inserted between the blocks and ends of the anchors 90 are exposed from the rear surface of the blocks so that the reinforcing members are latched onto the exposed ends of the anchors 90.

[80] A lever insertion groove (not shown) is formed in the central portion of the rear surface 20 of the block. When a lever is inserted into the lever insertion groove and is then pressed, the upper block is elevated so that the anchor can be inserted into a designated position of the block or the anchor inserted into the position can be separated from the block. [81] Recession planes 22 and 22' are formed at both sides of the rear surface 20 of the block so that the soil filling portion 60 is communicated with the reinforced earth located in the rear of the block. The recession planes 22 and 22' have shapes symmetrical with those of the recession portion 12 and 12' of the front surface 10. Accordingly, when the block of the present invention is seen from above, the block has a boat shape the stem and stern of which are narrowed in width.

[82] Preferably, the front surface 10 of the block is at least partially split so that at least a part of the front surface 10 has a natural rock pattern. Thereby, the earth wall constructed using the blocks expresses natural feeling differing from a concrete wall.

[83] Hereinafter, a process for constructing an earth wall using the above blocks will be described.

[84] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the unified state of the blocks of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, 2-3 or more blocks of the present invention are vertically stacked and unified by the connection pins (P), thereby producing one block unit (U). When an earth wall is constructed, a plurality of the block units (U) are carried and handled by equipment. The process for constructing the earth wall in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 7 to 12.

[85] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the process for constructing the earth wall comprising vertically stacking at least two unit blocks and unifying the unit blocks using the connection pins (P) to produce block units (U); elevating the first unified block units (U), and first building the block units (U) on a concrete base (C); spreading a reinforced earth 70 in the rear of the first built block units (U), and placing reinforcing members 80 on the reinforced earth 70 such that the reinforcing members 80 are connected to the first built block units (U) and hardening the reinforced earth 70; filling the soil filling portions 60 of the first built block units (U) with soil and planting herbaceous plants in the soil (sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings); vertically stacking at least two unit blocks and unifying the unit blocks using the connection pins (P) to produce block units (U); stacking the second unified block units (U) on the first built block units (U) such that the stacked upper and lower block units (U) cross each other; spreading the reinforced earth 70 in the rear of the second built block units (U), and placing the reinforcing members 80 on the reinforced earth 70 such that the reinforcing members 80 are connected to the second built block units (U) and hardening the reinforced earth 70; and filling the soil filling portions 60 of the second built block units (U) with soil and planting herbaceous plants in the soil. According to the height of the earth wall to be constructed, from the stacking of at least two unit blocks and the unifying the unit blocks to the filling the soil filling portions 60 and planting the herbaceous plants in the soil are repeated. [86] Preferably, the anchors 90 are inserted into positions of the block units at a designated height when the blocks are unified. However, the anchors 90 may be inserted into a space between the upper and lower block units when the earth wall is constructed.

[87] Drainage filters 100 made of non-fabric are installed on the rear surfaces of overlapped portions between the horizontally neighboring block units (U), thereby preventing the reinforced earth 70 from being exposed to the front surface of the earth wall and allowing only water to be discharged to the front surface of the earth wall. As shown in FIG. 12, the drainage filters 100 are extended to the insides of the soil filling portions 60 inside the block units (U), thereby causing only rainwater to be discharged to the front surface of the earth wall and effectively preventing the loss of the reinforced earth 70 when the rainwater flows into the reinforced earth 70.

[88] Preferably, the construction method of the present invention is performed such that the height of the upper block units (U) is lower than the height of the lower block units (U). For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the number of the vertically stacked blocks of the first built block units (U) is five, the number of the vertically stacked blocks of the second built block units (U) is four, and the number of the vertically stacked blocks of the third built block units (U) is three. Otherwise, the number of the vertically stacked blocks of each of the first and second built block units (U) may be five, and the number of the vertically stacked blocks of each of the third and fourth built block units (U) may be four. By gradually decreasing the heights of the block units (U) from the lowermost block units (U) to the uppermost block units (U), it is possible to efficiently prevent middle portions of the blocks at the lower portion of the earth wall from being damaged by shearing force applied when the upper and lower block units (U) cross each other due to load applied to the blocks.

[89] That is, since the number of the vertically stacked blocks of the block units (U) is increased from the upper portion to the lower portion of the earth wall, it is possible to prevent the breakage of the blocks due to the shearing force generated by the load applied to the blocks.

[90] Further, in order to prevent the breakage of the blocks due to the shearing force, the blocks have a shape to have tolerance to the shearing force. As described above, the external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a, the cross sections of which form a right-angled triangle, are formed in both sides of the soil filling portion 60 formed in the upper surface 40 of each of the blocks. As shown in FIG. 13, when the block units are vertically stacked such that the upper and lower block units cross each other and the ground under the stacked block units is unevenly settled to apply shearing force to the stacked block units, the block units tilt to absorb the shearing force. Here, the corners of the lower portions of the upper blocks enter the external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a of the soil filling portion 60 of the lower blocks. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the breakage of the corners of the lower blocks. Further, since load applied from above is not concentrated on the middle portions of the lower blocks, it is possible to prevent the lower portions from being split into halves.

[91] According to the construction method of the present invention, since the heights of the block units (U) are gradually decreased from the lower part of the earth wall to the upper part of the earth wall, the number of the soil filling portions 60 exposed from crossing portions between the upper and lower block units (U) to the outside are increased from the lower part of the earth wall to the upper part of the earth wall, thereby increasing the density of vegetation. Accordingly, when the earth wall is constructed on the inside of a road, the constructed earth wall is seen to be as a green zone provided with plants without obstructing vehicle traffic until the earth wall has a designated upper limit height, thereby being well harmonized with surrounding environment.

[92] When an earth wall is constructed using the blocks of the present invention by the construction method of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, the soil filling portions 60 are longitudinally (or deeply) formed in the block units (U) so that herbaceous plants can vigorously root in soil filling the soil filling portions 60, and the exposed regions of the soil filling portions 60 are minimized so that the herbaceous plants rooting in soil filling the soil filling portions 60 does not wither even in the dry season. Since the soil filling the soil filling portions 60 is connected to the reinforced earth 70, the supply of water to the herbaceous plants and the drainage of excessively supplied rainwater are efficiently performed.

[93] FIG. 14 illustrates the constructing state of an earth wall in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the earth wall of this embodiment is the same as that of the earlier embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 except that the block units (U) are vertically stacked crosswise under the condition that the number of the vertically stacked blocks of each of the block units (U) is three.

[94] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of an earth wall under construction in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the earth wall is constructed using reticulate geogrid reinforcing members 80. Here, anchors 90 having a rod shape are inserted into the anchor insertion grooves 44' under the condition that front ends of the geogrid reinforcing members 80 are placed on the block units (U), and then new block units (U) are vertically stacked on the block units (U), thereby simply completing the connection between the reinforcing members 80 and the block units (U).

[95] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an earth wall under construction in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the earth wall is constructed by connecting reinforcing strips 80 having a relatively narrow width (approximately 40-50D) to the block units (U) without using separate anchors. Here, the reinforcing strips 80 are latched onto the upper surfaces of the block units (U) through the reinforcing member insertion grooves 44 and the anchor insertion groves 44' both ends of the reinforcing strips 80 are extended to the rears of the block unit (U) so that both ends of the reinforcing strips 80 are longitudinally spread on the reinforced earth 70, and then new block units (U) are vertically stacked on the block units (U).

[96] FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 illustrate various staircase treatments performed on the upper inclined plane of the earth wall of the present invention. The earth wall of the present invention, which is constructed using the block units (U) obtained by unifying a plurality of small-sized blocks, shortens a construction period. Further, the inclined plane of the upper end of the earth wall may have a staircase shape with a gentle gradient corresponding to the configuration of the ground at a construction site.

[97] FIG. 21 is a plan view of a rectilinear earth wall constructed using blocks in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 22 is a plan view of an externally curved earth wall constructed using blocks in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 23 is a plan view of an internally curved earth wall constructed using blocks in accordance with the present invention. Since the connection pin insertion holes (h) having a long shape in the lateral direction, which are formed through left and right sides of the upper and lower surfaces of the blocks, allow the neighboring blocks to be rectilinearly or curvedly interconnected by the connection pins, an earth wall having a curved shape as well as a rectilinear shape corresponding to the configuration of the ground at a construction site can be constructed using the blocks of the present invention.

[98] FIG. 24 illustrates a river earth wall constructed using blocks in accordance with the present invention. The river earth wall is obtained by selectively filling the soil filling portions 60 with soil. Here, since one portion of the river earth wall, which is located above the surface of the water, serves as an area in which vegetation of plants is grown, and the other portion of the river earth wall, which is located in the water, serves as a habitat of various fishes and aquatic plants, the river earth wall makes environment for maintaining a well river ecosystem.

[99] In FIG. 24, reference numeral 70' represents aggregate such as gravel.

[100] The present invention is not limited to the above description and drawings. The block of the present invention may be used to construct a fence having a small height rather than an earth wall. In this case, vegetation sacks are inserted into the soil filling portions of the blocks so that plants are grown on both surfaces of the fence.

[101] FIGS. 25 to 28 illustrate a block for constructing an earth wall in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The block of this embodiment is similar to that of the earlier embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. However, the block of this embodiment differs from that of the earlier embodiment in terms of the shape of the front surface 10, the shapes of the recession planes 12 and 12' formed at both sides of the front surface 10, and the locations of the anchor insertion grooves 44' and the connection pin insertion holes (h) formed in the upper surface 40.

[102] Hereinafter, the structure of the block of this embodiment will be described. Here, the description of some parts the block of this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those of the block of the first embodiment, will be omitted.

[103] First, the front surface 10 of the block of this embodiment has a protruded rectangular shape, and the protruded front surface 10 has a natural rock texture by split processing. The recession planes 12 and 12' are curved, and long grooves 12a and 12a' are formed in the recession planes 12 and 12' in the lengthwise direction.

[104] The anchor insertion grooves 44' and the connection pin insertion holes (h) formed in the upper surface 40 are partially overlapped so that the connection pins (P) vertically inserted into the connection pin insertion holes (h) directly support the anchors 90 inserted into the anchor insertion grooves 44 when an earth wall is constructed using the blocks, thereby more firmly connecting the reinforcing members to the blocks.

[105] FIG. 29 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 27, and illustrates a state in which the lower part of the soil filling portion 60 is closed. The lower part of the soil filling portion 60 is closed by a bottom surface 65 and a drainage hole 65a is formed through the bottom surface 65 so that the soils filling the soil filling portions 60 of the upper and lower block units are independently isolated from each other, thereby preventing the loss of the soil, and allowing the blocks to have different kinds of plants grown thereon, or allowing some blocks to have plants grown thereon and the residual blocks to have non of plants grown thereon.

[106] FIGS. 30 and 31 are rear and front perspective views of a state of an earth wall, which is under construction using the blocks, as shown in FIG. 25, and reinforcing strips. The construction method of this earth wall is similar to that of the earth wall of the first embodiment. However, in this case, the spreading and hardening of the reinforced earth 70 may be performed under the condition that the drainage filters 100 are installed in the lengthwise direction on the rear surfaces of the overlapping portions between the neighboring blocks, or the drainage filter 100 is extended and installed in the transverse direction throughout the rear surfaces of the blocks.

[107] FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view of a state of an earth wall, which is under construction using the above blocks and geogrid reinforcing members. The construction method of this earth wall is similar to the construction method as shown in FIG. 16. However, in the same manner as the construction method as shown in FIG. 30, the drainage filter 100 is extended and installed in the transverse direction throughout the rear surfaces of the blocks.

[108] FIGS. 33 and 34 are perspective views of earth walls of the present invention illustrating vegetation states in which herbaceous plants are planted in the earth walls, and FIGS. 35 and 36 are perspective views of earth walls of the present invention illustrating vegetation states in which woody plants are planted in the earth walls. As the occasion of a construction site demands, plants may be planted or not be planted in the earth wall of the present invention. When the front surface of the earth wall has a vegetation state harmonizing with environment, the pattern of vegetation may have various shapes, such as informational characters and logos, instead of the shape as shown in the drawings, and thus the earth wall of the present invention has informational effects as well as landscape architectural effects.

[109] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an earth wall of the present invention in a state in which fences are continuously installed on the upper surface of the earth wall. When the fences for securing safety or preventing crime are installed on the upper surface of the earth wall, rods (F) of the fences are conventionally fixed onto a concrete ground or the upper surface of the earth wall. However, in the present invention, the rods (F) are inserted into the through holes 64 and 64' formed through both sides of the upper surfaces of the blocks and fixed into the through holes 64 and 64' using cement mortar or a constructional epoxy adhesive agent, and wire-screens (M) are fixed between the neighboring rods (F), thereby simply installing the fences on the earth wall.

[110] In FIG. 37, cap rocks (R) are attached to the upper surface of the earth wall using cement mortar or a constructional epoxy adhesive agent, through holes are formed through the cap rocks (R) at positions corresponding to the through holes 64 and 64' of the blocks of the earth wall, and the rods (F) are inserted into the through holes of the cap rocks (R).

[Ill] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an earth wall of the present invention in a state in which skylight windows (T) are continuously installed on the upper portion of the earth wall. The skylight windows (T) made of a transparent material, such as polycarbonate, for admitting light or providing a view are inserted into designated portions of the upper portion of the earth wall, and are fixed thereto using anchor bolts, thereby allowing persons at the inside or outside of the earth wall to take in light or enjoy the view.

[112] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an earth wall, constructed in a region subject to heavy vibration, such as a region adjacent to a road or a railroad, in a state in which buffering pads (V) are installed between upper and lower block units. The buffering pads (V) prevent vibration from being transmitted between the upper and lower block units, thereby allowing the constructed earth wall to have excellent vibration-resistance and deformation-resistance.

[113] FIGS. 40 to 42 illustrate a block for constructing an earth wall in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 43 to 45 are respectively perspective, front, and sectional views of the constructing state of the earth wall using the blocks of this embodiment. The block of this embodiment is similar to that of the earlier embodiment as shown in FIG. 25. However, the block of this embodiment differs from that of the earlier embodiment in terms of the shapes and positions of the connection pin insertion holes (h) and the anchor insertion grooves 44' formed in the upper surface 40, and the shapes and the positions of the external force absorption grooves 61a, 63a, and 64a.

[114] Specifically, the anchor insertion grooves 44' and the connection pin insertion holes (h) formed in the upper surface 40 are partially overlapped. Each of the connection pin insertion holes (h) is structured such that the diameter of the connection pin insertion hole (h) is decreased from the upper portion thereof to the lower portion thereof. That is, as shown in FIG. 42, the diameter of the upper half of the connection pin insertion hole (h) is expanded to be larger than the width of the anchor insertion groove 44' and the diameter of the lower half of the connection pin insertion hole (h) is contracted. The connection pin insertion hole (h) is a long hole in the lateral direction.

[115] Accordingly, when an earth wall is constructed using the blocks as shown in FIG. 45, the connection pins (P) vertically inserted into the upper block units (U2) directly support anchors (not shown) inserted into the anchor insertion grooves 44' of the lower block units (Ul) or the reinforcing strips 80, and the upper block units (U2) recede from the lower block units (Ul) so that the earth wall has a designated gradient. The recession is accomplished by causing the lower ends of the connection pins protruded from the lower contracted portions (h2) of the connection pin insertion holes (h) of the upper block units (U2) to contact the upper expanded portion (hi) of the connection pin insertion holes (h) of the lower block units (Ul).

[116] A tapered portion (h3) having an inclined plane is formed between the upper expanded portion (hi) and the lower contracted portion (h2) of the connection pin insertion hole (h). The tapered portions (h3) of the connection pin insertion holes (h) facilitate the insertion of the connection pins (P) into the connection pin insertion holes (h), catch the head portions of the connection pins (P) to prevent the connection pins (P) from being separated from the connection pin insertion holes (h), decrease the transverse movement of the upper and lower block units to prevent the earth wall from being pushed or moved forwards, and increase the lateral movement of the upper and lower block units to have high resistance to uneven settlement.

[117] In this embodiment, the external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a formed at both sides of the upper surface 40 of the block are extended and connected, and the external force absorption grooves 64a having a triangular shape are additionally formed at front regions of left and right corners of the upper surface 40 of the block, i.e., from the upper ends of both recession planes 12 and 12' to the lower ends of the recession planes 12 and 12'.

[118] When the upper and lower block units are stacked so that a rectilinear earth wall is constructed using the blocks of this embodiment, the vertical ribs 66 formed at both sides of the lower block units as shown in FIG. 44 contact the vertical ribs 66 formed at both sides of the upper block units so that the load is transmitted from the upper block units to the lower block units, and the remaining parts of the lower block units are substantially separated from the remaining parts of the upper block units by the external force absorption grooves 61a, 63a, and 64a.

[119] In the block of this embodiment, the reason for the extension of the external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a and the addition of the external force absorption grooves 64a at the corners of the block is to prevent the displacement of the earth wall constructed using the blocks and improve the resistance of the earth wall to uneven settlement, and its detailed description will be given later.

[120] FIG. 46 is a perspective view illustrating another connection between the blocks and the reinforcing strips. The reinforcing strips 80 may be individually inserted into the anchor insertion grooves 44' formed at both sides of the block, or the reinforcing strips 80 may be simultaneously inserted into the anchor insertion grooves 44' formed at both sides of the block as shown in FIG. 46.

[121] FIG. 47 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an earth wall is constructed using geogrid reinforcing members. The blocks are supported by the geogrid reinforcing members 80 by latching the front ends of the geogrid reinforcing members 80 onto the connection pins (not shown) inserted between the upper and lower block units (Ul and U2).

[122] FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of the earth wall constructed using the above blocks, on which vegetation is grown. A vegetation earth wall is obtained by planting herbaceous and woody plants in the earth wall constructed using the blocks as shown in FIG. 40.

[123] FIG. 49 is a plan view of a curved earth wall constructed using the blocks of FIG. 40. As described above, when the rectilinear earth wall is constructed using the blocks of this embodiment, the vertical ribs 66 formed at both sides of the lower block units contact the vertical ribs 66 formed at both sides of the upper block units as shown in FIG. 44, and the remaining parts of the lower block units are substantially separated from the remaining parts of the upper block units by the soil filling portions 60 and the external force absorption grooves 61a, 63a, and 64a. When the curved earth wall as shown in FIG. 49 is constructed using the blocks of FIG. 40, although the lower block units (Ul) represented by a dotted line and the upper block units (U2) are not parallel with each other but meet at a designated angle, the vertical ribs 66 formed at both sides of the lower block units contact the vertical ribs 66 formed at both sides of the upper block units, and the remaining parts of the lower block units are not interfered with the remaining parts of the upper block units by the extension of the external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a and the addition of the external force absorption grooves 64a.

[124] Accordingly, when the uneven settlement of the ground is generated as shown in FIG. 52 under the condition that the rectilinear or curved earth wall is constructed, horn-shaped portions of the lower surfaces of the upper block units (U2) are received by the external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a of the lower block units (Ul), the external force absorption grooves 64a formed in the horn-shaped portions at both sides of the upper surface of the lower block units (Ul) do not directly contact the lower surfaces of the lower block units (U2) to prevent the breakage of the above portions or the concentration of shearing force on the middle portions of the lower block units (Ul), thereby allowing the blocks to absorb the uneven settlement and to withstand the uneven settlement without the breakage of the blocks, i.e., the breakage of the earth wall.

[125] FIG. 50 is a plan view of a block in accordance with an embodiment modified from the embodiment of FIG. 40, and FIG. 51 illustrates plan views showing the stacked states of the blocks of FIG. 50. The block of this modified embodiment is similar to that of the earlier embodiment as shown in FIG. 40. However, the block of this modified embodiment differs from that of the earlier embodiment in that the contracted portions (h2) of the connection pin insertion holes (h) are not horizontally formed, but are long holes having a slantingly rectilinear cross-section. When the shapes of the connection pin insertion holes (h) of this modified embodiment are applied, as shown in FIG. 51, the range of the transverse movement of the connection pins (P) between the upper and lower block units (Ul and U2) is increased, thereby increasing the gradient of an earth wall constructed using the above blocks. Further, the range of the lateral movement of the connection pins (P) is not lower than that of the block of the earlier embodiment of FIG. 40. Industrial Applicability

[126] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a large-sized block having a large width, which rapidly constructs a plantable reinforced earth wall using equipment to eliminate worker's physical burden, a plantable reinforced earth wall constructed using the blocks, and a method for constructing the earth wall using the blocks. When the blocks are vertically stacked crosswise through soil filling portions formed in the blocks and recession planes formed at both sides of the front surfaces of the blocks, the soil filling portions are exposed to the front surface of the earth wall. In the case that plants are grown in soil filling the exposed soil filling portions, the front surface of the vertically constructed earth wall is afforested. As occasion demands, the soil filling portions are not filled with soil. In the construction method of the present invention, block units obtained by vertically stacking a plurality of blocks are vertically stacked crosswise, thereby preventing the lower portion of an earth wall constructed using the blocks from being damaged by shearing force applied due to load of the blocks. The blocks have external force absorption grooves having a shape effectively absorbing the horizontal displacement of the blocks when the ground is unevenly settled, thereby preventing the breakage of horn-shaped portions and central portions of the blocks by shearing force. Further, the connection between upper and lower blocks and between blocks and reinforcing members is improved, thus preventing the movement and the protrusion of the blocks and minimizing the generation of defects of the earth wall after construction. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A block for constructing a plantable reinforced earth wall comprising: a front surface 10 forming the surface of the earth wall, and a rear surface 20 contacting a reinforced earth; left and right side surfaces 30 and 30' respectively provided with uneven portions 32 and 32' for connecting the block to neighboring blocks; an upper surface 40 provided with reinforcing member insertion grooves 44, into which reinforcing members or anchors for connecting the reinforcing members are inserted; a lower surface 50 corresponding to the upper surface 40; and connection pin insertion holes (h) formed through left and right sides of the upper and lower surfaces for receiving connection pins (P) to connect the upper and lower blocks, wherein a soil filling portion 60 is formed through the upper 40 and lower 50 surfaces of the block, and recession planes 12 and 12' for forwardly exposing the soil filling portion 60 when the blocks 10 are vertically stacked crosswise are formed at both sides of the front surface of the block.

[2] The block as set forth in claim 1, wherein the soil filling portion 60 includes an upwardly inclined front surface 61, both vertical side surfaces 62 and 62', and a vertical rear surface 63, and through holes 64 and 64' are formed through both sides of the block outside the soil filling portion 60.

[3] The block as set forth in claim 2, wherein external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a, the cross sections of which have the shape of a right-angled triangle, are formed in both sides of the soil filling portion 60 for receiving corners of the upper block so as to prevent shearing force, applied from the upper block, from being concentrated on the central portion of the block, which is a crossing portion between the blocks when the blocks are vertically stacked crosswise to form the earth wall and then the ground under the earth wall is unevenly settled.

[4] The block as set forth in claim 3, wherein the external force absorption grooves 61a and 63a at both sides are connected, and additional external force absorption grooves are formed at front regions of left and right corners of the upper surface.

[5] The block as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connection pin insertion holes (h) have an extended shape having a long radius in the lateral direction of the block.

[6] The block as set forth in claim 2, wherein anchor insertion grooves 44' are formed in the lateral direction in the upper surface of vertical ribs 66 formed between the soil filling portion 60 and the through holes 64 and 64'.

[7] The block as set forth in claim 1, wherein recession planes 22 and 22' are formed at both sides of the rear surface 20 so that the soil filling portion 60 is communicated with the reinforced earth located in the rear of the block.

[8] The block as set forth in claim 6, wherein the anchor insertion grooves 44' and the connection pin insertion holes (h) are partially overlapped so that the connection pins (P) directly support the anchors 90 or the reinforcing members 80.

[9] The block as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of the connection pin insertion grooves is structured such that the diameter of the upper portion of the connection pin insertion hole (h) is larger than the diameter of the lower portion of the connection pin insertion hole, and a tapered portion (h3) is formed between the upper expanded portion (hi) and the lower contracted portion (h2) of the connection pin insertion hole.

[10] The block as set forth in claim 9, wherein the lower contracted portion (h2) of each of the connection pin insertion holes (h) is a long hole having a slantingly rectilinear cross-section.

[11] A plantable reinforced earth wall constructed by the blocks as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 9.

[12] A method for constructing a plantable reinforced earth wall comprising: vertically stacking at least two unit blocks and unifying the unit blocks connection pins to produce block units; building the first unified block units on a concrete base; spreading a reinforced earth in the rear of the first built block units, and placing reinforcing members on the reinforced earth such that the reinforcing members are connected to the first built block units and hardening the reinforced earth; filling soil filling portions of the first built block units with soil and planting herbaceous plants in the soil; vertically stacking at least two unit blocks and unifying the unit blocks using connection pins to produce block units; stacking the second unified block units on the first built block units such that the stacked upper and lower block units cross each other; spreading a reinforced earth in the rear of the second built block units, and placing reinforcing members on the reinforced earth such that the reinforcing members are connected to the second built block units and hardening the reinforced earth; and filling soil filling portions of the second built block units with soil and planting herbaceous plants in the soil.

[13] The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the height of the upper block units is lower than the height of the lower block units.