GB2093884A - Set of prefabricated parts for constructing noise-damping walls - Google Patents

Abstract

A set of prefabricated parts made of concrete or artificial stone, or the like, for constructing noise-damping walls containing earth and plants comprises vertical columns (1) joined together, on each side of the wall, by a vertical stepwise array of several horizontal plates (2) positioned the one above the other and spaced apart, each plate resting on outwards- inclined edges (4, 4a) of the columns. The two arrays of plates enclose between them a space for containing earth and plants and each column stands on a foot inserted into a socket of a fountain block. Each column (1) is parallel-sided all the way up from its foot (5) to the ledges (4a) for the uppermost pair of plates (2), in the sense that the column is not tapered. The column (1) has between each ledge (4) and the one below it or, in the case of the lowest pair of edges (4), between each ledge (4) and the foot (5), a wedge-shaped spur (6) projecting outwards and upwards from the column (1), for preventing the plate (2) from falling outwards. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATIONS Set of prefrabricated parts for constructing noise damping walls in which plants can be grown The invention relates to a set of prefrabricated parts for constructing noise-damping walls containing earth and plants, the set comprising vertical columns joined together, on each side of the wall, by a vertical stepwise array of several horizontal plates positioned the one above the other and spaced apart, each plate resting on outwards-inclined ledges of the columns, the two arrays of plates enclosing between them a space for containing earth and plants, each column standing on a foot inserted into a socket of a foundation block.

The known noise-damping walls of this kind have columns in the form of triangular frames with side-members sloping upwards towards each other, each side-member having a vertical stepwise array of at least two ledges for supporting the plates.

Each side-member has a vertical foot for inserting into the socket of a foundation block.

But the known noise-damping walls occupy a considerable area of ground due to the wide base of the triangular frames of the column and such a large area of ground is often not available, with the consequence that recourse must be had to the use of planar noise-damping fences which have a comparatively poor noise-damping capability and often do not harmonise well with the environment.

In particular, fences of this kind cannot support plants, in the sense intended here.

The intention in the present invention is to provide a set of prefabricated parts made of concrete, artificial stone or the like for constructing noise-damping walls containing earth and plants, the walls occupying only a narrow strip of ground, the parts requiring little constructional material, the wall nevertheless standing securely on the ground.

The problem is solved, according to the invention, by the characteristics claimed in Claim 1.

Due to its special construction the wall is very stable and can be built up to a considerable height, in spite of the great economy in ground area achieved. Each vertical column stands securely in its foundation socket and has essentially the same width all the way from there up to the two uppermost horizontal plates. The plates slope upwards and outwards from their supporting ledges to form two vertical arrays, one on each side of the wall, each plate resting securely in its own V-notches, one at each end of the plate. Comparatively little material of construction is required.

To improve strength and save in material of construction the lateral spurs for supporting the plates, i.e. for preventing them from falling outwards, are tapered wedge-like in the sense that each spur becomes narrower outwards and upwards from its adjacent ledge.

To facilitate rapid and secure installation of the plates onto their supporting ledges, each ledge adjacent a spur forms the base of a V-shaped notch, wider towards the outside.

To improve the architectural appearance of the top of the wall, the upper end of each column has, as is conventional, a central ledge at the base of a slot in the conical upper end of the column, for supporting a vertical central upper plate extending in the plane of the longitudinal vertical axis of the wall.

Finally, the stability of the wall can, if desired, be still further improved in that the opening of the foundation socket for receiving the foot of the column expands upwards funnel-shaped in its upper portion to take the lower portion of the lowest pair of spurs.

The noise-damping walls of the present invention harmonise well with the natural environment. They do not visually interrupt the observed scene by interposing strips of monotonous colour. They allow traffic arteries to blend domparitively inconspicuously with the general surroundings and they help in limiting the spread of toxic emissions. The traveller on the road no longer sees the road as sharply separated from the surroundings by a linear ribbon-like structure and the tunnel effect of parallel-line walls is largely prevented.

Preferred examples of the invention are represented diagramatically in the drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partly constructed noise-damping wall made of the prefabricated parts of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of a portion of the completed wall, before filling with earth.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken in the plane Ill-Ill of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a different version of the foundation socket.

Figure 5 is a cross section of a detail, after filling the wall with earth and adding plants.

The noise-damping wall shown in the drawings is assembled from prefabricated parts of concrete or artificial stone and consists of a row of spacedapart vertical columns 1 supporting a double array of elongated, essentially rectangular horizontal plates 2, the plates forming the two sides of the wall. Each plate 2 extends, on its own side of the wall, between two neighbouring columns 1. Each column stands on a foot 5 (Figure 3) inserted into a foundation socket 3 let into the ground.

Each plate 2 rests on a ledge 4 and slopes upwards and outwards from the ledge 4. The plates 2 of the vertical array on each side of the wall are disposed spaced-apart the one above the other, the two vertical arrays, one on each side of the wall, enclosing between them a space for containing earth in which plants can be grown.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, each column 1 is parallel-sided all the way up form its foot 5 to the ledges 4a for the uppermost pair of plates 2, i.e.

the column 1 is not tapered. Between each ledge 4 and the one below it or, in the case of the lowest ledge 4, between the ledge 4 and the foot 5, there projects outwards and upwards from the column 1 a wedge-shaped spur 6 for preventing the plate 2 from falling outwards.

Each wedge-shaped spur 6 has an upper surface against which the plate 2 rests by its sloping outer contact surface 7, the spur 6 becoming narrower outwards and upwards from its adjacent ledge 4 so that there is formed between each spur 6 and its upper neighbour a V-shaped notch 8 into which the plate 2 is inserted.

And each plate 6 has an inwards step at each of its two lower corners for locating the plate 6 in position longitudinally between the columns 1. Due to the fact that the outer surface 7 of each plate 6 slopes outwards and upwards, the plate 6 reflects incident sound waves back outwards and downwards. As already mentioned, the space between the two vertical arrays of plates 2 is filled with earth.

At the upper end of each column 1 there is a central ledge 4b at the base of a slot 4c in the conical upper end of the column 1. for supporting a vertical central upper plate 2 positioned higher than the upper ends of the two neighbouring plates 2, the vertical upper plate 2 extending in the plane of the longitudinal vertical axis of the wall.

Whereas in Figure 3 the foot 5 of each column 1 has parallel sides and slides vertically into the foundation socket 3, in which the foot 5 fits all the way along its length, the foot 5 shown in Figure 4 is shorter and fits into a foundation socket 3 whose opening 9 expands upwards, as shown at 9a, in its upper portion, to take the lower portions of the lowest pair of spurs 6.

Claims (7)

1. A set of prefabricted parts made of concrete or artificial stone, or the like, for constructing noise-damping walls containing earth and plants, the set comprising vertical columns (1) joined together, on each side of the wall, by a vertical stepwise array of several horizontal plates (2) positioned the one above the other and spaced apart, each plate resting on outwards-inclined ledges (4, 4a) of the columns, the two arrays of plates enclosing between them a space for containing earth and plants, each column standing on a foot inserted into a socket of a foundation block, characterised in that each column (1) is parallel-sided all the way up from its foot (5) to the ledges (4a) for the uppermost pair of plates (2), in the sense that the column is not tapered, the column (1) having between each ledge (4) and the one below it or, in the case of the lowest pair of ledges (4), between each ledge (4) and the foot (5), a wedge-shaped spur (6) projecting outwards and upwards from the column (1), for preventing the plate (2) from falling outwards.

2. A set of prefabricated parts as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that each spur (6) has an upper surface against which the plate (2) rests by its sloping outer contact surface (7), the spur (6) being tapered wedge-like in the sense that it becomes narrower outwards and upwards from its adjacent ledge (4, 4a).

3. A set of prefabricated parts as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each ledge (4, 4a) forms the base of a V-shaped notch (8) for accommodating and supporting the ends of the plate (2).

4. A set of prefabricated parts as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at the upper end of each column (1 ) there is a central ledge (4b) at the base of slot (4c) in the conical upper end of the column (1), for supporting a vertical central upper plate (2) extending in the plane of the longitudinal vertical axis of the wall.

5. A set of prefabricated parts as claimed in one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the opening (9) of the foundation socket (3) for receiving the foot (5) of the column (1 ) expands upwards funnel-shaped in its upper portion (9a) to take the lower portion of the lowest pair of spurs (6).

6. A set of prefabricated parts according to Claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A wall when made from a set of parts as defined in any one or more of Claims 1 to 6.