WO2007086634A1

WO2007086634A1 - Strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for reinforced earth wall and method for installing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2007086634A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/003039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeung Su Lee
Original assignee: Jeung Su Lee
Priority date: 2006-01-24
Filing date: 2006-08-02
Publication date: 2007-08-02
Also published as: KR100615472B1

Abstract

A strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall and a method for installing the same are disclosed. The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is folded into multiple sections and directly installed to a block for forming a reinforced earth wall, thereby reducing consumption of materials such as an anchor or an anchor pin, simplifying a constructing process, preventing looseness of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement, and constructing the more stable reinforced earth wall by preventing stress concentration. The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is spread to its original full width on a reinforced soil ground so that a friction supporting force with the reinforced soil ground can be increased. A rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is folded into multiple sections and erected in a semicircular shape to bear an earth pressure and exert a passive supporting resistance as well as a surface friction force.

Description

STRIP-SHAPED FIBER REINFORCEMENT FOR REINFORCED EARTH WALL AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall, and more particularly to a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall and a method for installing the same, which can be folded into multiple sections as narrow as possible when the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is inserted into a reinforcement insertion hole of a block, thereby solving a shortcoming of a current construction technique in deeply forming the reinforcement insertion hole of the block, which is spread to its original full width on a reinforced soil ground so that a friction area of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is extended and a number and a length of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcements can be reduced correspondingly, and which can exert a passive supporting resistance as well as a surface friction force by folding a rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into multiple sections and erecting the rear end portion in a semicircular shape on the reinforced soil ground.

[2]

Background Art

[3] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of a prior art, which is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-111929 (filed by this applicant on December 24, 2004). As shown in the drawing, a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 of the prior art includes multiple polyester fiber bundles which are arranged in parallel with each other, and a cover which is made from polyethylene resin and coated on the polyester fiber bundles. The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is formed with a folding groove 16 at the middle portion, which extends in a longitudinal direction. The folding groove 16 has a thickness smaller than the polyester fiber bundle, so that the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into two sections along the longitudinal direction. The double-folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is inserted into a reinforcement insertion hole of a block for forming a reinforced earth wall.

[4] The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of the prior art invented by this applicant has a characteristic that the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement can be installed to the block for forming the reinforced earth wall without using an anchor or an anchor pin, and constructing costs can be reduced correspondingly. Since the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is folded into two sections to reduce the width by half and the double-folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is inserted into the block, looseness of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement, which may happen when installing the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement by using the anchor, is prevented. Also, a rear end portion of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement can be easily fixed on a reinforced soil ground by using a temporary fixing nail. When the reinforced soil ground is relatively narrow or the larger supporting force is needed, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement itself also can function as a resistance by folding and erecting the rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement, or an additional resistance may be used. Therefore, the process of constructing the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for supporting the reinforced earth wall is performed efficiently and economically by reducing costs for materials and labor.

[5]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] The present invention has been made for improving the above-described prior art invented by this applicant, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a strip- shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall and a method for installing the same, which can be folded into multiple sections as narrow as possible when the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement is inserted into a reinforcement insertion hole of a block, thereby solving a shortcoming of a current construction technique in deeply forming the reinforcement insertion hole of the block.

[7] It is another object of the present invention to provide a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall and a method for installing the same, which is spread to its original full width on a reinforced soil ground so that a friction area of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is extended and a number and a length of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcements can be reduced correspondingly.

[8] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall and a method for installing the same, which can construct the stronger and more stable reinforced earth wall by folding a rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into multiple sections and erecting the rear end portion on the reinforced soil ground to bear an earth pressure and exert a passive supporting resistance as well as a surface friction force.

[9]

Technical Solution

[10] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall, including multiple polyester fiber bundles arranged parallel with each other, a polyethylene resin cover coated on the polyester fiber bundles and folding grooves formed in a longitudinal direction, characterized in that: the folding grooves are formed in multiple rows parallel with each other at positions where the folding grooves equally divide a width of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement.

[11] Preferably, the folding grooves may be formed on one or both surfaces of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement. Preferably, the folding grooves may be formed alternately on the both surfaces of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement to be folded more naturally.

[12] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for installing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall comprising the steps of: folding the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into multiple sections along the folding grooves; inserting a front end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into a reinforcement insertion hole of blocks for forming the reinforced earth wall; and disposing other portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement on a reinforced soil ground while spreading the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement.

[13] Preferably, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement may be folded in an N-shape or an

M-shape. The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement may be installed independently to each of the blocks, or installed to two or more adjacent blocks. The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement may be continuously mounted in zigzags, and a rear end portion of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement may be folded into multiple sections and erected in a semicircular shape on the reinforced soil ground to exert a passive supporting resistance.

[14]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] 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:

[16] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of a prior art;

[17] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[18] Fig. 3 is perspective view showing a folded state of a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 2;

[19] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[20] Fig. 5 is perspective view showing a folded state of a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 4; [21] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[22] Fig. 7 is perspective view showing a folded state of a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 6;

[23] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[24] Fig. 9 is perspective view showing a folded state of a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 8;

[25] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of installing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with the present invention; and

[26] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of installing a strip- shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with the present invention.

[27]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.

[29] In the following description, the same elements as the prior art shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[30] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is perspective view showing a folded state of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 2. As shown in the drawings, a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 of the present invention comprises multiple polyester fiber bundles 12 which are arranged in parallel with each other, and a cover 14 which is made from polyethylene resin and coated on the polyester fiber bundles. The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is formed with folding grooves 16 which extend in a longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the folding grooves 16 are arranged in parallel with each other in two rows so as to equally divide the width of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 into three sections.

[31] Two folding grooves 16 are depressed from front and rear surfaces of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement 10 with a same depth, and have a thickness smaller than the polyester fiber bundles 12. Therefore, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 can be freely folded in any direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into three sections while forming the boundary between two adjacent folded sections by the folding groove 16. So, the width of the folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is decreased to one-third of the original full width of the non-folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10. Then, the folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is inserted into a reinforcement insertion hole of a block.

[32] The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 of this embodiment has a width of 75mm in the non-folded state and a thickness of 3mm. A connecting portion 17 formed with the folding groove 16 has a thickness of lmm or less. Therefore, when the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into three sections, the width (a height in Fig. 3) is not more than 25mm. As a result, the reinforcement insertion hole of the block can be formed to have a depth of only about 30mm for receiving the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 of this embodiment (a current construction technique has many limitations in precisely forming the reinforcement insertion hole of the block to have a depth of 30mm or more).

[33] In other words, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 of this embodiment solves the shortcoming of the current construction technique in forming the reinforcement insertion hole of the block to have a depth of at least 35mm for receiving the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement of the prior art which is folded to a half width, i.e., 35mm (see Fig. 1).

[34] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is perspective view showing a folded state of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 4. A strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 in this embodiment is formed with folding grooves 16 which are arranged in parallel with each other in two rows so as to equally divide the width of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 into three sections. Two folding grooves 16 are formed alternately at the front and rear surfaces of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10. In other words, one of the folding grooves 16 is depressed from the front surface, and the other folding groove 16 is depressed from the rear surface.

[35] In comparison with the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of the first embodiment, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of this embodiment has a feature of being folded more naturally when folded in an N- shape due to the folding grooves 16 formed alternately at the front and rear surfaces of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement.

[36] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is perspective view showing a folded state of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 6. A strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 in this embodiment is formed with folding grooves 16 which are arranged in parallel with each other in three rows so as to equally divide the width of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 into four sections.

[37] Three folding grooves 16 are depressed from front and rear surfaces of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement 10 with a same depth, and have a thickness smaller than the polyester fiber bundles 12. Therefore, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 can be freely folded in any direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into four sections while forming the boundary between two adjacent folded sections by the folding groove 16. So, the width of the folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is decreased to one-fourth of the original full width of the non-folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10. Then, the folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is inserted into a reinforcement insertion hole of a block.

[38] The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 of this embodiment has a width of 100mm in the non-folded state and a thickness of 3mm. A connecting portion 17 formed with the folding groove 16 has a thickness of lmm or less. Therefore, when the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into four sections, the width (a height in Fig. 7) is not more than 25mm. Accordingly, the width of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement which is disposed on a reinforced soil ground is increased (which will be described later), and a surface friction of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is increased correspondingly. Thus, the number and the length of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcements can be reduced.

[39] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 9 is perspective view showing a folded state of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement depicted in Fig. 8. A strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 in this embodiment is formed with folding grooves 16 which are arranged in parallel with each other in three rows so as to equally divide the width of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 into four sections. Three folding grooves 16 are formed alternately at the front and rear surfaces of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10.

[40] In other words, one of the folding grooves 16 is depressed from the middle portion of the rear surface, and two other folding grooves 16 are depressed from the front surface while interposing the folding groove 16 formed at the rear surface therebetween.

[41] In comparison with the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of the third embodiment, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of this embodiment has a feature of being folded more naturally when folded in an M-shape due to the folding grooves 16 formed alternately at the front and rear surfaces of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement.

[42] Similarly to the third embodiment, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 of this embodiment has a width of 100mm in the non-folded state and a thickness of 3mm. A connecting portion 17 formed with the folding groove 16 has a thickness of lmm or less. Therefore, when the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into four sections, the width (a height in Fig. 9) is not more than 25mm.

[43] Hereinafter, a method for installing the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of the present invention structured as above will be described.

[44] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of installing the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into multiple sections along the folding grooves 16. A portion of the multiple-folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is inserted into a reinforcement insertion hole 22 of a block 20 forming a reinforced earth wall, and the remaining portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is disposed on a reinforced soil ground 30. Hereinafter, the portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 inserted into the reinforcement insertion hole 22 (the leftmost portion in Fig. 10) is defined as a front end portion F.

[45] Because the front end portion F of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is inserted into the reinforcement insertion hole 22 of the block 20 while being folded in the N-shape or the M-shape, the multiple-folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 can be prevented from being loosened and installed more securely to the block 20. The portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 extending out of the reinforcement insertion hole 22 is disposed on the reinforced soil ground 30 while being spread to the original full width by its own elasticity.

[46] The plurality of strip-shaped fiber reinforcements 10 may be independently installed to the respective blocks 20 by being cut by a regular length, as shown in a left-lower portion of Fig. 10. Also, the unitary strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 may be continuously installed to the plurality of blocks 20 in zigzags without being cut, as shown in a right-upper portion of Fig. 10.

[47] In case that the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is continuously installed in zigzags, a semicircular bent portion (the rightmost portion in Fig. 10, which is defined as a rear end portion R) of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 disposed on the reinforced soil ground 30 is kept to be folded into multiple sections and erected, identically to the front end portion F. Therefore, the rear end portion R of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement 10 retains a passive supporting resistance.

[48] Since the rear end portion R of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is in the state of being folded into multiple sections, when the compaction of the reinforced soil ground 30 is performed, the rear end portion R of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 does not fall down and is kept to be erected, thereby exerting the passive supporting resistance.

[49] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of installing the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is folded into multiple sections along the folding grooves 16. A front end portion F of the multiple-folded strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is inserted into reinforcement insertion holes 22 of two or more adjacent blocks 20 forming a reinforced earth wall. The plurality of strip-shaped fiber reinforcements 10 may be independently installed to the blocks 20 by being cut by a regular length, as shown in a left-lower portion of Fig. 11. Also, the unitary strip- shaped fiber reinforcement 10 may be continuously installed to the blocks 20 in zigzags without being cut, as shown in a right-upper portion of Fig. 11.

[50] In case that the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 is continuously installed in zigzags, a rear end portion R (the rightmost portion in Fig. 11) of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 disposed on a reinforced soil ground 30 is kept to be folded into multiple sections and erected in a semicircular shape, identically to the front end portion F. Therefore, the rear end portion R of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement 10 retains a passive supporting resistance.

[51] 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.

[52]

Industrial Applicability

[53] As apparent from the above description, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement of the present invention can be folded into multiple sections and directly installed to the block for forming the reinforced earth wall, thereby reducing consumption of materials such as an anchor or an anchor pin, simplifying a constructing process, preventing looseness of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement, and constructing the more stable reinforced earth wall by preventing stress concentration. Also, the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is spread to its original full width on the reinforced soil ground so that the friction supporting force with the reinforced soil ground can be increased and the consumption of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement can be reduced. Also, the reinforced earth wall can be constructed more stably and strongly by folding the rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into multiple sections and erecting the rear end portion in a semicircular shape on the reinforced soil ground to bear the earth pressure and exert the passive supporting resistance as well as the surface friction force.

Claims

[I] A strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall, including multiple polyester fiber bundles arranged parallel with each other, a polyethylene resin cover coated on the polyester fiber bundles and folding grooves formed in a longitudinal direction, characterized in that: the folding grooves are formed in multiple rows parallel with each other.

[2] The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall according to claim 1, wherein the folding grooves are formed at positions where the folding grooves equally divide a width of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement.

[3] The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall according to claim 1, wherein the folding grooves are formed on one surface of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement.

[4] The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall according to claim 1, wherein the folding grooves are formed on both surfaces of the strip- shaped fiber reinforcement.

[5] The strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall according to claim 4, wherein the folding grooves are formed alternately on the both surfaces of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement.

[6] A method for installing a strip-shaped fiber reinforcement for a reinforced earth wall comprising the steps of: folding the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement according to any one of claims 1 to 5 into multiple sections along the folding grooves; inserting a front end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into a reinforcement insertion hole of blocks for forming the reinforced earth wall; and disposing other portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement on a reinforced soil ground while spreading the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement.

[7] The method according to claim 6, wherein the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is folded in an N-shape.

[8] The method according to claim 6, wherein the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is folded in an M-shape.

[9] The method according to claim 6, wherein the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is installed independently to each of the blocks.

[10] The method according to claim 6, wherein the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is installed to two or more adjacent blocks.

[I I] The method according to claim 9, wherein the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is continuously mounted in zigzags.

[12] The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of: folding a rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into multiple sections; erecting the rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in a semicircular shape; and disposing the rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement on the reinforced soil ground. [13] The method according to claim 10, wherein the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement is continuously mounted in zigzags. [14] The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: folding a rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement into multiple sections; erecting the rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement in a semicircular shape; and disposing the rear end portion of the strip-shaped fiber reinforcement on the reinforced soil ground.