FR3068995A1 - WORK COMPRISING BLOCK ASSEMBLY AND REINFORCEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The structure comprises a plurality of blocks (15) distributed in several superimposed levels (N1, N2), each block having at least one upper cavity (70) and at least one lower cavity (55), each upper cavity being connected to a lower cavity of the same block by a conduit (37) and a metal frame having a set of locking elements and a set of connecting elements (80). Each locking element is co-hosted in the upper cavity of a block and in a corresponding lower cavity of a block of the next higher level to prevent relative horizontal translation of these blocks, two locking elements accommodated in upper and lower cavities in the same block, being simultaneously fixed to the same connecting element in the conduit and exerting on the two locking elements considered a force tending to bring the locking elements.

Description

Work comprising a set of blocks and a frame

The present invention relates to a structure, in particular a structure to support or protect against falling rocks.

Structures are frequently used to stabilize land and protect people and property from damage caused by movement of the land or falling materials. Among these works, some are fixed to a slope such as a retaining wall or a net allowing to stop downward masses such as rocks detached from a wall and offering a good dissipation of kinetic energy. These structures are fixed either by guy wires or by bolts fixed in the slope. Other structures are made up of a stack of blocks, materials or gabions and allow their mass to retain the ground or stop the race of downward blocks.

However, these works are not optimized. Indeed, the anchoring operations, via bolts or shrouds, are long and complex since they require drilling in the slope of the holes which will be filled with cement to allow the fixing of the bolts or shrouds. During these operations, the operators working on the installation of the structure are not protected. In addition, weight structures formed by the stacking of blocks or materials require a large footprint, which is not always available, and allow low dissipation of the kinetic energy of the downward blocks. In addition, these structures take a long time to achieve.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a structure which requires a small footprint, while being simple and quick to set up or dismantle and allowing good dissipation of kinetic energy.

To this end, a structure is proposed, in particular for supporting or protecting against falling materials, the structure comprising a metal frame and a plurality of blocks distributed in several levels superimposed in a vertical direction, each block having an upper face. and a lower face, each block having at least one upper cavity formed in the upper face and at least one lower cavity formed in the lower face, each upper cavity being connected to a lower cavity of the same block by a conduit formed in the block, and the metal frame comprising a set of blocking elements and a set of connecting elements, each blocking element being received jointly in the upper cavity of a block and in a corresponding lower cavity of a block of the level immediately above the block considered to prevent horizontal translation relative of these two blocks, two blocking elements received in upper and lower cavities of the same block, being fixed simultaneously to the same connecting element received in the conduit and exerting on the two blocking elements considered a force tending to bring together the locking elements from each other.

Thanks to the invention, the blocks are effectively joined together to form a structure having great resistance, and requiring little footprint.

According to other advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, the work comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination:

- Each connecting element is a metal bar or cable.

- Each blocking element comprises a fixing member fixed jointly with a connecting element of each of the two blocks in the cavities of which the blocking element is received.

The fixing member is a threaded sleeve into which is screwed one end of each of the two connecting elements to which the sleeve is fixed.

- Each locking element comprises a tube surrounding the fixing member in a horizontal plane, the tube abutting against peripheral walls of the upper and lower cavities in which the tube is received to prevent relative translation of the two blocks in which the tube is received in a horizontal plane.

- Each cavity is delimited in the vertical direction by an end wall formed in the corresponding block, each blocking element further comprising a plate interposed between the fixing member and the end wall of the corresponding upper cavity.

The metal frame further comprises holding elements connecting two blocking elements inserted in the same block or in two contiguous blocks of the same level and capable of eliminating at least one degree of freedom between the two blocking elements considered. .

- Each holding element is a horizontal plate and interposed between two levels of blocks, the plate being pierced with two holes each accommodating one of the two blocking elements connected by the plate.

- Each holding element includes a cable.

- At least one holding element is at least partially integrated in a block.

- Each block comprises at least two upper cavities and two lower cavities connected two by two by corresponding conduits.

- The blocks of each level are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the blocks forming a staggered structure in which, preferably, an offset, measured in the second direction, between the blocks of two successive levels is equal to half a length of the blocks taken in the second direction.

The blocks form a set of columns, the blocks of the same column being aligned with each other in the vertical direction.

The blocks of the same level are not aligned with each other.

The work comprises a first wall and a second wall, the blocks of each level of the first wall being aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the blocks of each level of the second wall being aligned in a third direction perpendicular to the direction vertical and in the second direction, at least one block of the first wall being secured to a block of the second wall.

The structure is formed by the union of at least two walls parallel to each other, each wall being perpendicular to a third direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and having a thickness of a single block in the third direction, at least one block of a wall being secured to a block of the other wall.

- At least one block of the first level has an anchoring hole passing through the block from the upper face to the lower face in the vertical direction, this block being configured to be fixed to the ground by a bolt received in the hole anchorage.

- Each block includes a box, notably metallic or plastic, filled with a ballast material.

- At least one block has, in addition, an anchoring hole passing through the block from a side face of the block to an opposite side face of the block. The structure is guyed around a piece of metal frame.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a structure according to the invention comprising a set of blocks and blocking elements connected to each other by holding elements and connecting elements,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a block of FIG. 1 shown in transparency, and

- Figure 3 is a sectional view of zone III of Figure 1, in which a blocking element has been shown in detail.

An example of work 10 is shown in FIG. 1.

The structure 10 is, for example, a retaining structure. In particular, the structure 10 is in abutment against a wall or a slope of a terrain or a cliff that the structure 10 is able to support. As a variant, the structure 10 is a structure for protection against falling materials. In this case, the structure 10 is installed at the foot of a slope and is configured to stop materials falling, sliding, or rolling down the slope, such as blocks of stone. According to another variant, the structure 10 is a structure for supporting and protecting against falling materials.

The structure 10 comprises a plurality of blocks 15 and a metal frame 20.

A first direction X, a second direction Y and a vertical direction Z are defined for the structure 10. The first direction X is perpendicular to the second direction Y and to the vertical direction Z. The second direction Y is also perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. Thus, the first direction X and the second direction Y define a horizontal plane.

The blocks 15 are distributed in several superposed levels in the vertical direction Z. The plurality of levels comprises a first level N1 and at least a second level N2. In Figure 1, two levels N1, N2 are shown. However, book 10 is likely to have a number of levels greater than two, as required.

Among the first level N1 and the second level N2, the first level N1 is the lowest level. For example, the first level N1 is the lowest level of the structure 10 and is supported on the ground 17. The second level N2 is immediately higher than the first level N1. It is understood by "immediately superior" that at least one element of the second level N2 is supported by at least one element of the first level N1. The first level N1 is then called “lower level” than the second level N2.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the structure 10 can be formed by blocks 15 staggered. It is understood by "staggered" that an offset, measured in the second direction Y, between the blocks of two successive levels N1, N2 is strictly greater than zero. For example, the offset is equal to half of the first length L1. Thus, each block 15 belonging to a level N2 different from the first level N1 is supported by two blocks 15 of the level immediately below N1.

The blocks of each level N1, N2 are aligned with each other in the second direction Y. Thus, the structure 10 is a wall having a single thickness of blocks in the third direction X.

Alternatively, the structure 10 is a wall having two or more thicknesses of blocks in the first direction X. In this case, the structure 10 can also be considered as the meeting of juxtaposed walls in the first direction X.

An example of block 15 is shown in detail in FIG. 2.

Each block 15 is substantially parallelepiped. In particular, each block 15 has lateral faces 25, a lower face 30 and an upper face 35.

In addition, at least one conduit 37 is formed in each block 15. In FIG. 1, two conduits 37 are formed in each block 15.

In addition, an anchoring hole 38, visible in FIG. 2, is provided in each block 15.

Each block 15 has a first length L1, measured in the second direction Y, of between 0.3 meters (m) and 4 m.

Each block 15 has a first width 11, measured in the first direction X, of between 10 centimeters (cm) and 2.5 m.

Each block 15 has a first height H1, measured in the vertical direction Z, of between 0.2 m and 2.5 m.

Each block 15 is made of concrete. For example, concrete is lightweight concrete, that is, concrete with inclusions of a lighter material than concrete. The inclusions are, for example, balls or aggregates of a material lighter than concrete.

Concrete is, for example, reinforced concrete.

Alternatively, block 15 is made of a mixture of concrete and a polymer such as polystyrene.

According to another variant, the block 15 comprises a metal box filled with a ballast material. A ballast material is a material used to increase the mass of the block 15 relative to the mass of the empty cabinet. The ballast material is, for example, a polymeric material. For example, the polymeric material is a polymeric foam such as polyurethane foam.

The box then includes a filling member and a vent allowing the ballast material to be injected into the box.

Alternatively, the ballast material is water. When the ballast material is water, the cabinet also includes a drainage device suitable for allowing the evacuation of water from the cabinet.

Alternatively, the ballast material is sand.

Alternatively, some blocks 15 include a box containing no ballast material.

It should be noted that non-metallic materials are also likely to be used for the box, for example a plastic material.

The lateral faces 25 delimit the block 15 in a horizontal plane. The lateral faces 25 are, for example, each perpendicular to the second direction Y or to the first direction X.

In FIG. 2, the lateral faces 25 each have two chamfers 40 and a central part 45 perpendicular to one of the first direction X and of the second direction Y. When the central part 45 is perpendicular to the first direction X, the two chamfers 40 delimit the central part in the second direction Y and have a slight angle with the first direction X. When the central part 45 is perpendicular to the second direction Y, the two chamfers 40 delimit the central part in the second direction Y and have a slight angle with the first direction X.

Each side face 25 is vertical.

The upper face 35 and the lower face 30 of each block 15 are parallel to each other. In particular, the upper face 35 and the lower face 30 of each block 15 are both horizontal when the block 15 is integrated into the structure 10 resting on a horizontal ground 17.

The upper face 35 and the lower face 30 of each block 15 delimit the block 15 in the vertical direction Z.

The lower face 30 has a set of feet comprising several feet 50.

Each foot 50 is a protuberance formed on the lower face 30, so that, when the lower face 30 of a block 15 of the second level N2 rests on the upper face of a block 15 of the first level N1, the feet 50 are in abutment against the upper face 30 of the block 15 of the first level but the portions of the lower face 30 other than the feet are not in abutment.

Each foot 50 has a thickness measured in the vertical direction Z. The thickness is for example between 5 millimeters (mm) and 100mm.

The feet 50 of the lower face 30 are distributed thereon so as to allow the passage of the metallic elements of the metallic frame 20, in particular the connecting elements which will be described below. The feet 50 also have a geometry allowing the passage of such metallic elements.

The lower face 30 can comprise four of the feet 50 arranged at the four corners of the lower face 30.

In the example illustrated in Figure 2, the lower face 30 comprises six feet 50, including four feet 50 arranged at the four corners of the lower face 30, the other two feet 50 each being interposed, in the second direction Y, between two feet 50 arranged at the corners.

As a variant, the lower face 30 does not have feet.

At least one lower cavity 55 is formed in the lower face 30 of each block 15. For example, two lower cavities 55 are formed in the lower face 30 of each block 15.

Each lower cavity 55 is, for example, equidistant in the first direction X of the two lateral faces 25 which delimit the block 15 in this direction.

An axis is defined for each lower cavity 55. The axes of the two lower cavities 55 are spaced from each other, in the second direction Y, by a distance greater than or equal to half the first length of the blocks L1 , between 0.1 m and 2.5 m.

Each lower cavity 55 extends in the vertical direction Z.

Each lower cavity 55 is delimited in the vertical direction Z by an end wall 60 and in a horizontal plane by one or more peripheral walls 65. Each lower cavity 55 opens, in addition, on the lower face 30 to form a lower opening 67.

Each lower cavity 55 has, in a horizontal plane, a polygonal section. For example, the section of the lower cavity 55 is square. Alternatively, this section is hexagonal.

In particular, the lower cavity 55 is in the form of a truncated pyramid. In this case, the end wall 60 and the lower opening 67 are square and a straight line connecting the center of the end wall 60 to the center of the lower opening 67 is parallel to the vertical direction Z. The lower opening 67 has a side length greater than the length of the sides of the end wall 60.

According to FIG. 3, a chamfer is formed in the peripheral walls 65 near the lower opening 67. The lower cavity 55 is therefore more flared near the lower opening 67 than near the end wall 60.

As a variant, each lower cavity 55 is in the form of a prism. A prism is a geometric solid delimited by two polygons, called the bases of the prism, images of one another by a translation. These bases are linked together by parallelograms.

In particular, the bases of each lower cavity 55 are images of one another by translation in the vertical direction.

According to one embodiment, the bases of each lower cavity 55 are square, therefore the lower cavity 55 is parallelepiped.

It should be noted that other shapes can be envisaged for the bases of the lower cavity 55, for example hexagonal. According to another variant, the lower cavity 55 is cylindrical with a circular base.

Each lower cavity 55 has a depth, measured in the vertical direction Z, of between 5 cm and 100 cm.

Each lower cavity 55 has a minimum lateral dimension. The minimum lateral dimension is the diameter of the largest circle inscribed in the end wall 60 of the lower cavity 55. When the lower cavity 55 has a square base, the minimum lateral dimension is then the length of one side of the end wall 60 .

The minimum lateral dimension of each lower cavity 55 is between 20 mm and 500 mm.

At least one upper cavity 70 is formed in each upper face 35.

For example, two upper cavities 70 are formed in the upper face 35 of each block 15.

Each upper cavity 70 is, for example, equidistant in the first direction X of the two lateral faces 25 which delimit the block 15 in this direction.

Each upper cavity 70 of a level N1, N2 which is not the highest level of the structure 10 is opposite a lower cavity 55 of a block 15 of the level immediately above. Similarly, each lower cavity 55 of a level N1, N2 which is not the lowest level of the structure 10 is opposite an upper cavity 70 of a block 15 of the level immediately below.

Each upper cavity 70 extends in the vertical direction Z.

For example, each upper cavity 70 is in the form of a truncated cone.

As a variant, each upper cavity 70 is cylindrical with a circular base.

It should be noted that other shapes can be envisaged for the upper cavity 70, for example a prism or a truncated pyramid extending in the vertical direction Z.

An axis is defined for each upper cavity 70. The axes of the two cavities 70 are distant from each other, in the second direction Y, by a distance greater than or equal to half the first length of the blocks L1, between 0.1 m and 2.5 m.

Each upper cavity 70 is delimited in the vertical direction by an end wall 60 and in a horizontal plane by one or more peripheral walls 65. Each upper cavity 70 opens onto the upper face 35 to form an upper opening 72.

Each upper cavity 70 has a depth, measured in the vertical direction Z, of between 30 mm and 1000 mm.

Each upper cavity 70 has a minimum lateral dimension. The minimum lateral dimension is the diameter of the largest circle inscribed in the end wall 60 of the upper cavity 70. When the upper cavity 70 is cylindrical, the minimum lateral dimension is then the diameter of the upper cavity 70.

The minimum lateral dimension of each upper cavity 70 is between 20 mm and 500 mm.

The upper cavity 70 can flare from the end wall 60 towards the upper opening 72. Thus, the upper opening 72 can have a diameter strictly greater than the minimum lateral dimension of the upper cavity 70.

Each conduit 37 connects an upper cavity 70 and a lower cavity 55. For example, each conduit 37 opens onto the end wall 60 of the upper cavity 70 and the corresponding lower cavity 55. According to one embodiment, each conduit 37 opens out at the center of the end walls 60.

In particular, each conduit 37 connects two by two an upper cavity 70 to a lower cavity 55. In other words, each conduit 37 connects a single upper cavity 70 among the two upper cavities 70 to a single lower cavity 55 among the two lower cavities 55.

Each conduit 37 is cylindrical with a circular base. The conduit 37 has a diameter between 20 mm and 240 mm.

Each conduit 37 extends in the vertical direction. In this case, the upper 70 and lower 55 cavities connected by the same conduit 37 are aligned in the vertical direction Z. In particular, the upper cavity 70, the lower cavity 55 and the conduit 37 are coaxial.

An anchor hole 38 passes through the block 15 from one of the lateral faces 25 to another lateral face 25, the two lateral faces 25 considered delimiting the block 15 in the first direction X. The anchor hole 38 s extends in a direction included in a plane also comprising the directions X and Z. In this plane, an angle between the direction in which the anchoring hole 38 extends and the first direction X is between 0 ° and 70 ° .

Each anchoring hole 38 is, for example, cylindrical with a circular base and has a diameter of between 2 cm and 40 cm.

Each anchor hole 38 is configured to allow passage of a drilling tool and / or an anchor bolt. For example, at least one block 15 is anchored to the ground by an anchor bolt received in an anchor hole 38. In particular, the anchor hole 38 opens onto the two corresponding lateral faces 25 by two openings, the most low of the two openings being provided to be opposite a slope of the ground or a cliff.

According to a variant, each block 15 is also crossed, in the first direction X, by a fixing duct allowing the connection of two blocks 15 of the same level N1, N2 belonging to two walls juxtaposed in the first direction X.

As shown in Figure 3, the metal frame 20 is configured to fix the blocks 15 together.

The metal frame 20 is, for example, made of raw, galvanized or stainless steel.

The metal frame 20 comprises a set of locking elements 75, a set of connecting elements 80, a set of retaining elements 85 and a set of anchoring elements 90.

Each blocking element 75 is received jointly in an upper cavity 70 of a block 15 and in the corresponding lower cavity 55 of a block 15 of the level immediately above the block 15 considered. For example, the blocking element 75 has an upper end received in the lower cavity 55 and a lower end received in the upper cavity 70, the two ends being integral with one another.

Each locking element 75 is configured to prevent horizontal translation between the two blocks 15 in which the locking element 75 is received. In particular, each blocking element 75 is configured to bear against the peripheral walls 65 which delimit in a horizontal plane the cavities 55, 70 in which the blocking element 75 is received when a force tending to generate a horizontal translation between the two corresponding blocks 15 is applied to these blocks 15. For example, each blocking element 75 is distant from the peripheral walls 65 so as to define between the blocking element 75 and the peripheral walls 65 a horizontal mechanical clearance of between 0 mm and 50 mm.

In addition, each blocking element 75 is configured to prevent vertical translation between the two blocks 15 in which the blocking element 75 is received.

Each blocking element 75 is at least partly linked jointly to two connecting elements 80. In particular, each blocking element 75 is at least partly linked jointly to a connecting element 80 received in the conduit 37 opening into the upper cavity 70 corresponding and to a connecting element 80 received in the conduit 37 opening into the corresponding lower cavity 55.

Each locking element 75 comprises a fixing member 95, a plate 100 and a tube 105.

The fixing member 95 is configured to be fixed together with the two connecting elements 80 to which the locking element 75 is fixed. For example, the fixing member 95 is a sleeve. A sleeve is a hollow tube.

The fixing member 95 extends in the vertical direction Z.

The fixing member 95 is threaded. In particular, the fixing member 95 is threaded on its inner surface to allow fixing, in the fixing member 95, one end of each connecting element 80.

It should be noted that other forms of fastening members 95 are possible. For example, the fastener 95 is likely to be tapped rather than threaded, or even to be threaded on its outer surface. Embodiments in which the connecting elements 80 are fixed to the fixing member by tightening or even by keying are also possible.

Fasteners 95 extending in a direction different from the vertical direction Z, or even having a bend are also possible. According to one embodiment, the fixing member 95 comprises two threaded sleeves connected by one or two ball joints.

The plate 100 is interposed between the fixing member 95 and the end wall 60 of the upper cavity 70 in which the locking element 75 is received. The plate 100 is configured to be pressed by the fixing member 95 against the end wall 60 when a downward force is exerted by the connecting element 80 received in the duct of the block 15 in which the upper cavity 70 is provided on the fixing member 95.

The plate 100 is crossed by the connecting element 80 received in the duct of the block 15 in which the upper cavity 70 is formed. More specifically, the plate 100 has a cylindrical opening whose diameter is insufficient to allow the passage of the fixing member 95.

The plate 100 is, for example, disc-shaped. The opening in the plate 100 is then concentric with the plate 100. As a variant, the plate 100 is hexagonal, or even square.

The plate 100 is configured to distribute over the end wall 60 of the corresponding upper cavity 70 the force exerted on the fixing element 95 by the connecting element 80. In particular, the plate 100 has a surface strictly greater than the surface of section of the fixing element 95. For example, the plate 100 has a diameter strictly greater than the outside diameter of the fixing member 95 when the latter is a sleeve.

The plate 100 has, for example, an area of area between 3 and 2000 cm ² . When the plate 100 is circular, it has for example a diameter of between 20 and 500 mm.

The tube 105 surrounds the fixing element 95 in a horizontal plane. For example, the tube 105 is a hollow cylindrical tube. As a variant, the tube 105 has two portions of different shapes coming from the material, each portion being received in a respective cavity 55, 70 and having an external shape complementary to the cavity 55, 70 in which it is received.

When the fastener 95 is a sleeve, the fastener 95 and the tube 105 are coaxial.

The tube 105 is configured to prevent horizontal translation between the two blocks 15 in which the tube 105 is received. For example, the tube 105 is in abutment against one or more peripheral walls 65 of the cavities 55, 70 in which the tube 105 is received. The mechanical clearance between the peripheral walls 65 and the locking assembly 75 is measured between the peripheral walls 65 and the tube 105.

The tube 105 has a length between 200 mm and 2200 mm.

The tube 105 has an outside diameter of between 20 mm and 500 mm.

The tube 105 has an internal diameter between 5 mm and 450 mm.

According to one embodiment, the inside diameter of the tube 105 is strictly greater than the outside diameter of the plate 100, which is therefore received in the tube 105.

The tube 105 is not necessarily linked to the fixing element 95 and / or to the plate 100.

In particular, in the example illustrated, the tube 105 is not linked to the fixing element 95 and to the plate 100. Only the fixing element 95 of the locking element 75 is fixed to the connecting elements 80. The fixing element 95 is placed on the plate 100. The tube 105 surrounds the fixing element 95 and the plate 100 with a radial clearance allowing a radial clearance of the tube 105 relative to the fixing element 95 and to plate 100.

In a variant, the tube 105 is rigidly fixed to the fixing element 95 and / or to the plate 100.

The blocking element 75 is for example made up of several separate parts, here the fixing element 95, the plate 100 and the tube 105.

Alternatively, the blocking element 75 consists of a single piece configured to prevent horizontal translation between the two blocks 15 in which the element 75 is received, configured to be fixed jointly to the two connecting elements 80 to which the blocking element 75 is fixed, and configured to be pressed against the end wall 60 when a downward force is exerted by the connecting element 80 received in the duct of the block 15 in which the upper cavity 70 is formed on the locking element 75. Such a part can consist of a tube, plates and nuts or welded sleeves. In addition, such a part is further configured to prevent vertical translation between the two blocks 15 in which the blocking element 75 is received.

Each connecting element 80 is received in a conduit 37 of a block 15. Each connecting element 80 is fixed together with the locking elements 75 received in the lower 55 and upper 70 cavities in which the conduit 37 opens.

Each connecting element 80 is configured to exert a force on the blocking elements 75 to which it is fixed, tending to bring these two blocking elements 75 closer to one another. In particular, this force tends to cause the fixing element 95 of the locking element 75 received in the upper cavity 70 to press against the corresponding end wall 60 the plate 100 of the locking element 75 considered.

Each connecting element 80 is, for example, a metal bar. The bar has a diameter between 6 mm and 75 mm. The two ends of the bar are then screwed into the fixing element 95. The force bringing the two locking elements 75 closer to one another is then generated by the screwing of the fixing elements 95 at the two ends of the bar .

Alternatively, the connecting element is a flexible link such as a metal cable.

Each holding element 85 is interposed between two levels N1, N2 of blocks 15.

Each holding element 85 connects two blocking elements 75 inserted in two blocks 15 of the same level N1, N2. For example, the two blocking elements 75 closest to each other among the blocking elements 75 received in two consecutive blocks 15 of the same level are also connected to each other by the same element 85.

In optional addition, two blocking elements 75 inserted in the same block 15 are connected by the same holding element 85. Thus, each blocking element 75 is connected to the two blocking elements 75 closest to the same level

N1, N2.

Each holding element 85 is capable of eliminating at least one degree of freedom between the two blocking elements 75 which it connects. For example, the holding element 85 is capable of preventing translation in the second direction Y between the two blocking elements 75 considered.

According to the example of FIG. 3, each holding element 85 is a horizontal plate, for example rectangular. The plate is pierced with two holes in each of which is received a blocking element 75. In this case, each hole is cylindrical with a circular base and has a diameter greater than or equal to the outside diameter of the tube 105. Each hole is coaxial with the tube 105 that he welcomes.

It should be noted that other types of retaining elements 85 can be envisaged, for example bars fixed to the corresponding locking elements 75, or cables. For example, the retaining element 85 comprises a cable provided at its two ends with rings suitable for being fixed to the corresponding locking elements 75.

When the holding elements 85 are plates, each locking element 75 is received jointly in a hole in each of these two holding elements 85. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the holding elements 85 in which these holes are formed overlap each other in the vertical direction Z so that their holes are aligned for the passage of the locking element 75, here more particularly for the passage of the tube 105.

A second width I2, in the first direction X, of each holding element 85 is between 50 mm and 800 mm. In particular, the second width I2 is strictly less than the distance between the feet 50 in the first direction X.

Each holding element 85 has a second length L2, measured in the second direction Y and between 0.2 m and 4 m.

Each retaining element 85 has a thickness measured in the vertical direction Z. This thickness is strictly less than the thickness of the feet 50, for example less than half the thickness of the feet 50.

Thus, each holding element 85 is interposed, in the first direction X, between the feet 50.

According to one embodiment, at least one holding element 85 is integrated into a corresponding block 15. For example, a holding element 85 is cast in the block 15. This element can then consist of a plate or of a welded mesh. When a retaining element 85 is integrated into a block 15, the two ends of the retaining element 85 surround the 2 fixing elements 75 received in the block 15.

According to one embodiment, at least one holding element 85 is partially integrated into a corresponding block 15. For example, one end of the holding element 85 is cast in the block 15.

This element can then consist of a plate.

When a holding element 85 is partially integrated into a block 15, one end of the holding element 85 surrounds the fixing element 75 received in the block 15 in which the end is integrated and the other end, which protrudes outside the block 15, surrounds the other corresponding fixing element 75.

Each retaining element 85 can be integrated into the block 15 near the upper face 35 or the lower face 30. For example, each block 15 includes a retaining element 85 integrated into the block 15 near the upper face 35 and a retaining element 85 integrated in the block 15 near the lower face 30.

The anchoring elements 90 are interposed between the lowest level N1 of blocks 15 and the ground 17. Each anchoring element 90 is configured to be anchored in the ground 17 and to be fixed at the end opening into a cavity lower 55 of a connecting element 80 of a block 15 of the lowest level N1. Thus, each anchoring element 90 is configured to anchor the metal frame 20 to the ground.

For example, each anchor member 90 includes an anchor 110 and a head 120 attached to the anchor 110.

The anchor 110 is anchored in the ground 17.

The head 120 is received in a lower cavity 55 of a block 15 of the first level N1. The head 120 has, for example, an external shape complementary to the cavity 55 to prevent rotation of the block 15 relative to the anchor 110 in a horizontal plane. The head 120 is fixed to the end of the connecting element 80 which opens into the cavity 55 considered.

This anchoring mode uses the connecting elements 80 passing through the blocks 15 of the lowest level N1 via the conduits 37.

Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2, at least one block 15, in particular a block 15 of the first level N1, comprises at least one anchoring hole 125 passing through the corresponding block 15 from the upper face 35 to the lower face 30. Each anchoring hole 125 extends in the vertical direction Z. Each anchoring hole 125 is distinct from the or each conduit 37 of the block 15.

Each anchoring hole 125 is for example cylindrical, in particular with a circular base.

Each anchor hole 125 is configured for anchoring the block 15 to the ground, for example using an anchor bolt or an anchor cable passing through the anchor hole 125.

Each anchor hole 125 is configured to allow the passage, through the anchor hole 125, of a drilling tool from the upper face 35 to the lower face 30. The drilling tool is, for example , a forest.

For example, each block of the first type 15 of the first level N1 is fixed to the ground by a received anchor bolt passing through the anchor hole 125.

Thanks to the invention, the blocks 15 are effectively linked to each other to form a resistant and simple to manufacture work 10. In particular, the metal frame 20 allows good dissipation of the kinetic energy of any masses coming up against the structure 10. In addition, the structure 10 has a small footprint.

When anchoring the structure 10 to the ground through the anchoring holes 38, the operators who carry out these operations are protected against possible falling of materials.

The locking elements 75 allow good resistance to shear forces between the blocks 15 of different levels N1, N2.

The connecting elements 80 ensure good attachment of the blocks 15 of the different levels N1, N2. In particular, since they exert a force bringing the two blocking elements 75 to which they are linked one from the other, the structure 10 is prestressed, which strengthens its resistance.

Thanks to the holding elements 85, the blocks 15 of the same level N1, N2 are integral with each other, which gives a good capacity for lateral diffusion of the stresses between the different blocks 15 and therefore for dissipation of kinetic energy at work 10.

When the holding elements 85 are integrated into the blocks 15, the resistance of the holding elements 85 to corrosion is improved.

In the example above, the structure 10 has been described as a retaining structure or a protection against falling materials. However, it should be noted that Book 10 is also suitable for other roles. For example, Book 10 is a property wall.

In addition, the structure 10 has been described in an example in which the blocks 15 of the same level N1, N2 are aligned in the second direction Y and the structure 10 therefore forms a rectilinear wall. However, the structure 10 is also capable, as necessary, of forming a curved wall in which the blocks 15 of the same level N1, N2 are not aligned. In addition, the small width of the retaining elements 85 relative to the distance between the feet 50 in the direction X, associated with the presence of the chamfers 40, allows an offset between the blocks 15 of the same level N1, N2.

In addition, the structure 10 is likely to have a structure other than a staggered structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the blocks 15 are aligned in the vertical direction Z to form a set of columns. The blocks 15 of the same column are aligned with each other in the vertical direction Z.

In the case of a structure made up of several blocks 15 aligned in the direction X, the columns are for example aligned with one another, each block of a column being located at the level of a block of each other adjacent column, or, alternatively, the columns are not aligned with each other, each block of a column being offset horizontally relative to each adjacent block of an adjacent column.

The columns are connected together by retaining elements 85. The geometry of the retaining elements is adapted as appropriate.

Embodiments in which the blocking element 75 is in one piece, or in which the blocking element 75 has come integrally with one of the connecting elements 80 are also conceivable.

The dimensions or the shapes of the blocks 15 are liable to vary, as can the number of cavities 55, 70. For example, the structure comprises two types of blocks 15 of which one of the two types has an equal length first length L1 at half the length L1 of blocks 15 of the other type. In this case, the smallest blocks 15 each comprise a single upper cavity 70 and a single lower cavity 70 connected by a single conduit 37.

In addition, the above description has been made in the case where the vertical direction Z is the vertical of the place where the work 10 is placed. It should be noted that the vertical direction Z is likely to differ from the vertical of the place. In all cases, the term "horizontal" is taken to mean a direction or a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a structure formed by several walls linked together.

In an exemplary embodiment, a structure comprises a first wall and a second wall, the blocks 15 of each level N1, N2 of the first wall being aligned in the second direction Y, the blocks 15 of each level N1, N2 of the second wall being aligned in the third direction X, at least one block 15 of the first wall being secured to a block 15 of the second wall.

In another exemplary embodiment, a structure is formed by the union of at least two walls parallel to each other, each wall being perpendicular to the third direction X and having a thickness of a single block 15 according to the third direction X, at least one block 15 of a wall being secured to a block (15) of the other wall.

The joining of two blocks 15 each belonging to a respective wall is carried out for example by the holding elements 85 or by means of tie rods inserted in the anchoring holes 38 of these blocks 15.

It is also possible to guy a structure made of blocks. The guying is carried out, for example, around at least one element of the metal frame emerging from an upper cavity 70 of a block 15 of the highest level. The element of the metal frame is for example a blocking element 75, in particular a connecting element 95 or a tube 105.

As a variant, the guying can be carried out around another metallic element of the frame 20.

Each guy is then fixed simultaneously at one of its ends to the structure 10 and at the other of its ends to the ground, to an anchoring element, or even to another structure to stabilize the structure 10.

Advantageously, the structure can be curved, for example, when the blocks 15 of the same level are not aligned with each other.

Claims (19)

1, structure (10), in particular of support or protection against falling materials, the structure (10) comprising a metal frame (20) and a plurality of blocks (15) distributed in several levels (N1, N2) superimposed in a vertical direction (Z), each block (15) having an upper face (35) and a lower face (30), the structure (10) being characterized: - in that each block (15) has at least one upper cavity (70) formed in the upper face (35) and at least one lower cavity (55) formed in the lower face (30), each upper cavity (70) being connected to a lower cavity (55) of the same block (15) by a conduit (37) formed in the block (15), and - in that the metal frame (20) comprises a set of locking elements (75) and a set of connecting elements (80), each locking element (75) being received jointly in the upper cavity (70 ) of a block (15) and in a corresponding lower cavity (55) of a block (15) of the level immediately above the block (15) considered to prevent relative horizontal translation of these two blocks (15), two elements blocking (75) received in upper (70) and lower (55) cavities of the same block (15) being fixed simultaneously to the same connecting element (80) received in the conduit and exerting on the two blocking elements (75) considered a force tending to bring the locking elements (75) together. 2, - A structure according to claim 1, wherein each connecting element (80) is a metal bar or a cable. 3, - A structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each blocking element (75) comprises a fixing member (95) fixed together with a connecting element (80) of each of the two blocks (15) in the cavities ( 55, 70) from which the locking element (75) is received. 4, - A book according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the fixing member (95) is a threaded sleeve in which is screwed one end of each of the two connecting elements (80) to which the sleeve (95) is fixed. 5, - A structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each blocking element (75) comprises a tube (105) surrounding the fixing member (80) in a horizontal plane, the tube (105) coming to bear against peripheral walls (65) of the upper (70) and lower (55) cavities in which the tube (105) is received to prevent relative translation of the two blocks (15) in which the tube (105) is received in a horizontal plane. 6, - A structure according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which each cavity (55, 70) is delimited in the vertical direction by an end wall (60) formed in the corresponding block (15), each blocking element (75) further comprising a plate (100) interposed between the fixing member (95) and the end wall (60) of the corresponding upper cavity (70). 7, - A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the metal frame (20) further comprises holding elements (85) connecting two locking elements (75) inserted in the same block ( 15) or in two contiguous blocks (15) of the same level and capable of eliminating at least one degree of freedom between the two blocking elements (75) considered. 8, - A structure according to claim 7, in which each holding element (85) is a horizontal plate and interposed between two levels of blocks (15), the plate being pierced with two holes each receiving one of the two blocking elements (75) connected by the plate. 9, - A structure according to claim 7, wherein each holding element (85) comprises a cable. 10, - A structure according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which at least one holding element (85) is at least partially integrated in a block (15). 11, - A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each block (15) comprises at least two upper cavities (70) and two lower cavities (55) connected in pairs by corresponding conduits (37). 12, - A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the blocks (15) of each level (N1, N2) are aligned in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z), the blocks (15) forming a staggered structure in which, preferably, an offset, measured in the second direction ²¹ (Y), between the blocks (15) of two successive levels (N1, N2) is equal to half a length (L1) of the blocks (15) taken in the second direction (Y). 13. - Work according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the blocks (15) form a set of columns, the blocks (15) of the same column being aligned with each other in the vertical direction ( Z). 14. - Work according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or 13, wherein the blocks (15) of the same level are not aligned with each other. 15, - Work according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a first wall and a second wall, the blocks (15) of each level (N1, N2) of the first wall being aligned in a second direction (Y) perpendicular in the vertical direction (Z), the blocks (15) of each level (N1, N2) of the second wall being aligned in a third direction (X) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z) and to the second direction (Y), at least one block (15) of the first wall being secured to a block (15) of the second wall. 16. - A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the structure is formed by the union of at least two walls parallel to each other, each wall being perpendicular to a third direction (X ) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z) and having a thickness of a single block (15) in the third direction (X), at least one block (15) of a wall being secured to a block (15) of the other wall. 17, - A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 16, in which at least one block (15) of the first level (N1) has an anchoring hole (125) passing through the block (15) from the upper face up to 'to the underside in the vertical direction (Z), this block (15) being configured to be fixed to the ground by a bolt received in the anchoring hole (125). 18, - Work according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein each block (15) comprises a box, in particular metallic or plastic, filled with a ballast material. 19, - A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 18, in which at least one block (15) also has an anchoring hole (38) passing through the block (15) from a side face of the block ( 15) to an opposite side face of the block (15). 20. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 19, in which the structure is guyed around a piece of the metal frame (20).