WO2010068791A1

WO2010068791A1 - Retaining wall structural interlock

Info

Publication number: WO2010068791A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/067551
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth L. Sham
Original assignee: Shaw Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-12-10
Filing date: 2009-12-10
Publication date: 2010-06-17
Also published as: WO2010068791A8

Abstract

An improved method and system for attaching a soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid-work panel to a plurality of face panels of a retaining wall. The method includes providing a plurality of stackable face panels, each face panel having a plurality of anchor links fixed within a back portion of the face panels. The anchor links are made from a single component and form two vertical loops extending outwardly generally perpendicular to the back portion of the face panels. Additionally, each anchor link includes two legs extending laterally from each anchor link within the face panel. Next, a first tier of the face panels is disposed at the bottom of the embankment being erected. Soil is then back-filled behind the first tier of panels to a level of the anchor links disposed within the first tier of face panels.

Description

RETAINING WALL STRUCTURAL INTERLOCK

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/121,448 filed December 10, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to methods and systems for use with earth retaining structures, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved retaining wall link and loop structure for attaching a soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire gridwork panel to the face panels of the wall that substantially eliminates the potential for lateral movement of the gridwork without having to stagger placement of the wall link and loop structure in the face panel.

2. Description of Related Art

A retaining wall is used for retaining earth and/or other backfill material placed behind the wall. Elongated support structures normally extend from various locations on the back surface of the wall into the backfill material. The soil reinforcement members, such as welded wire gridwork, are embedded into the backfill material and prevent the wall from buckling outwardly.

The retaining wall may be constructed of an unbroken stretch of concrete which usually is poured on site. Alternatively, the wall maybe constructed of a plurality of modular concrete blocks which are assembled on site. Generally, modular blocks are less expensive to construct and assemble than a large, single piece of concrete because of the difficulty in transporting and pouring large amounts of concrete. Additionally, the amount of time required for assembling the modular blocks is generally less than that required for pouring concrete walls. A major difficulty is encountered in attaching the support members to the modular blocks. Several methods and apparatus have been provided in the past for attaching the support members to the modular blocks.

However, installation of these prior art devices onto retaining walls is often tedious and time consuming. In addition, difficulties are encountered in providing a strong enough connecting device connecting the retaining wall with the support members, in order to support the heavy forces placed on the retaining wall. A system and method are needed for attaching support members to a modular block which are easy to install, and provides the requisite strength necessary to reinforce a retaining wall, and which substantially eliminates the potential for lateral movement of a support member such as welded wire gridwork.

Prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,508 to Hilfiker et al. (Hilfiker I), U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,857 to Davis (Davis I), U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,170 to Davis (Davis II), U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,125 to Hilfiker (Hilfiker II), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,703 to Shaw.

Hilfiker I discloses welded wire grid work mats which are positioned within an earthen formation. The mats are secured to precast elongated panels disposed at the face of the earthen formation. The mats serve as anchors for the panels, as well as reinforcing means for the formation. Plural connections secure the mats along the length of the panels.

Davis I discloses a connection system for connecting an upright soil retaining wall formed of modular facing panels with a number of soil reinforcement panels formed of parallel wires. The parallel wires terminate in enlarged bulbous portions at one end and are interconnected by perpendicular crossbars. The mesh units are connected in tiers to the retaining wall and rest in the soil behind the wall. The connection is made by a female member embedded into the back side of the panel with internal threads, into a male member which is threadedly received with an internal bore of a suitable size to pass the wires but not the bulbous portions which bear against the forward end of the bolts. With the wires seated within a corresponding male member, the facing panels and mesh units are connected by screwing the male member into the female member. Davis II discloses a soil retaining system which includes an upright soil retaining wall of modular facing panels and a number of horizontal wire mesh reinforcement units. Each unit includes spaced parallel wires ending in hole forming loops and interconnected by perpendicular crossbars. The mesh units are connected in tiers to the retaining wall and rest in the soil behind the wall. The connection of each wire in a mesh unit is made by a clevis member embedded into the back side of the panel and a bolt and nut assembly or an elongated pin member for attaching the wires and the clevis.

Hilfiker II discloses a reinforced soil embankment having precise panels with cantilevered sections extending into the embankment to support the panels in an upright condition. Soil reinforcing elements are secured to the panels to reinforce the embankment and secure the face3 panels in place. Connectors are provided for securing and reinforcing the elements to the panels. Loops, formed on the ends of the elements, are extended through eyes on the panels formed by wire segment having legs which extend into the face panels.

Finally Shaw teaches a mechanical interlocking means for retaining wall which requires select spacing/staggering of the anchor links described therein to substantially prevent the potential for lateral movement of the gridwork. Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a system and method which inexpensively and simply attaches supporting elements to retaining walls in a simple, non- staggered manner substantially elminating the potential for lateral movement of the gridwork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a method of erecting a reinforced soil embankment. The method begins by providing a plurality of stackable face panels, each having a plurality of anchor links fixed within a back portion of the face panels. Each of the anchor links is made from a single component and form two vertically oriented loops extending outwardly and generally perpendicular to the back portion of the panels in a generally uniformly spaced configuration. Two legs also extend laterally from each anchor link in either the same or opposite directions within the panels. A first tier of the face panels is disposed at the bottom of the embankment being erected. Soil is then back-filled behind the first tier of face panels to a level of the anchor links disposed within the first tier of panels. In the next step, a soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid- work panel, which extends perpendicularly from the back of the wall into the soil embankment, is positioned so that a plurality of wire loops at the edge of the grid- work panel align with the vertical loops extending from the face panels. The design of the anchor links substantially eliminate the potential for lateral movement of the gridwork. A connector member is then extended through the vertical loops of the anchor links and the wire loops of the grid- work panel. Next, soil is back-filled behind the first tier of face panels and over the anchor links, vertical loops, wire loops, and grid-work panel to a level at a top edge of the first tier of face panels. The method is repeated until the desired height of the embankment is attained.

In still another aspect, the present invention is an improved retaining wall link and loop combination. The combination includes a face panel having a back portion and an anchor link fixed within the back portion of the face panel. The anchor link includes two vertically oriented loops positioned in generally parallel spaced relationship and made from a single component extending outwardly generally perpendicular to the back portion of the face panel and two legs extending laterally from the anchor link within the face panel. The combination also includes a soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid- work panel having a first end and a loop disposed at the first end of the soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid- work panel. Additionally, the combination includes a connector rod extensible through the vertical loop of the anchor link and the loop of the soil reinforcement member such as a grid- work panel to connect it to the face panel.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. Particular embodiments may include one, some, or none of the listed advantages.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. Ia is an isometric view of a double-looped anchor link according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Ib is a plan view of the double-looped anchor link of Fig. Ia;

FIG. Ic is an isometric view of a double-looped anchor link;

FIG. Id is a plan view of the double-looped anchor link of Fig. Ic;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a back side of a face panel;

FIG. 3a is a side view of a face panel having an anchor link extending therefrom;

FIG. 3b is an isometric view of the face panel of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of anchor links fixed within a face panel connected to a wire grid- work;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a plurality of anchor links connected to a wire grid- work panel; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for erecting a retaining wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An improved method and system for manufacturing and attaching a soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire gridwork panel to a plurality of face panels of a retaining wall is disclosed. Referring now to FIG. Ia, an isometric view of a double-loop anchor link 10 is shown according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the anchor link 10 may be made by bending a single metal rod or wire to form a two dimensional U-shaped wire, then bending the U- shape in half to create a three-dimensional anchor link having two U-shaped portions connected by a third U-shaped portion. The anchor link 10 may include first and second L- shaped legs 12 and 14. In the embodiment shown, the first L-shaped leg 12 is connected to a first U-shaped portion 13. The second L-shaped leg 14 is connected to a second U-shaped portion 15. The first and second U-shaped portions 13 and 15 are joined together by a third U- shaped portion 16 perpendicular to and disposed between the first and second U-shaped portions 13 and 15. In this manner, the first and second U-shaped portions 13 and 15 of the anchor link 10 form two vertical loops 13a and 15a which may be used to secure a soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid-work panel to a face panel as will be explained in more detail below.

Referring now to FIG. Ib, a plan view of the double-loop anchor link 10 of FIG. Ia is shown. The free ends of the first and second L-shaped legs 12 and 14 can be seen extending in opposite directions. In some embodiments, the free ends of the anchor link 10 can be of varying lengths and adapted to extend outwardly varying distances depending on the dimensions of the face panel (not shown) and the desired strength of the anchor link 10 connection to the face panel. Similar to FIG. Ia, the first and second L-shaped legs 12 and 14 are connected to first and second U-shaped portions 13 and 15, which are joined together by the third U-shaped portion 16.

Referring now to FIGs. Ic and Id, an alternate embodiment of an anchor link 10 is shown. The anchor link 10 includes L-shaped legs 12 and 14. The anchor link 10 also include generally U-shaped portions 13 and 15 extending from the L-shaped legs 12 and 14. However, unlike the embodiments of FIG Ia and Ib where the two loops are formed by bending a U- shaped wire 180°, in this embodiment the anchor link 10 is more like a spring having two coils where the legs 12 and 14 and the middle loop 16 may be embedded in the face panel (not shown). In other embodiments, the first and second legs 12 and 14 may extend in various directions in relation to the anchor link 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an isometric view of a face panel 20 with an anchor link 10 having a double loop extending outwardly therefrom can be seen. In the embodiment shown, the anchor link 10 has two U-shaped portions 13 and 15 protruding outwardly from the face panel 20. However, in various embodiments, the anchor link 10 could be designed to include any number of generally U-shaped portions extending outwardly from the face panel 20. The protruding U-shaped portions 13 and 15 create loops 13a and 15a for securing a soil reinforcement member such as a wire gridwork thereto as will be described in more detail below.

Referring now to FIGs. 3a and 3b, a face panel 20 with an anchor link 10 having one or more loops extending therefrom can be seen. A loop of a soil reinforcement member such as a wire gridwork 30 can be seen overlapping the loop of the anchor link 10. A connector rod 40 can be seen disposed between the two loops. Referring now to FIG. 4, a wire gridwork 30 secured to a face panel 20 via a plurality of anchor links 10 fixed within the face panel 20 can be seen. The wire gridwork 30 is secured to and extends backwardly from the face panel 20 to provide soil reinforcement to prevent the face panel 20 from buckling outwardly under the pressure caused by soil 24 pushing against a back side thereof. The wire gridwork 30 is comprised of rods extending perpendicular to the face panel 32 and rods extending parallel to the face panel 22 creating a generally lattice pattern. However, in various embodiments, different shapes, sizes, and patterns may be used to provide soil reinforcement. A plurality of wire loops 33 may be formed at an edge of the grid- work panel 30 by bending the ends of a plurality of wire grids 32 into a loop and welding the end of each rod back onto itself. The loops 33 may then be positioned against the back of the face panel 20 and vertically aligned with the vertical loops of the anchor links 10 protruding from the face panel 20. A connector rod 40 may be passed through the loops of each anchor link 10 and the wire loops 33 of the welded wire grid- work panel 30 to secure the grid- work panel 30 to the face panel 20 when the anchor links 10 and wire loops 33 are properly aligned. In the embodiment shown, each wire loop 33 is disposed between the two loops of the double-looped anchor links 10. In various embodiments, the wire loops 33 of the wire gridwork 30 may be disposed on various sides of the double-looped anchor links 10 as needed. In the embodiment shown, a single connector rod 40 has been passed through each of the wire loops 33 and loops of the anchor links 10. A connector rod or tie rod 40 can be seen extending through a plurality of loops 18 of anchor links 10 extending outwardly from the face panel 20. In various embodiments, a plurality of connector rods 40 may be utilized of varying lengths. For example, in one embodiment, a separate connector rod 40 may be utilized for each grouping of wire loops 33 and anchor links 10 to create a plurality of hinge-like groupings. In various embodiments, an edge portion 42 of the face panel 20 may be of the type that interlocks with other face panels (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 5, a top view of a plurality of anchor links 10 embedded within a face panel 20 and secured to a soil reinforcement member such as a wire grid-work 30 is shown. In the embodiment shown, a single-looped anchor link 11 can be seen disposed on one end of the face panel 20. The remaining anchor links 10 are double-looped anchor links 10. In the embodiment shown, the wire loops 33 of the soil reinforcement member such as a wire gridwork 30 are disposed between the loops of the double-looped anchor links 10. This particular sequence may help ensure that the soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid-work panel 30 does not shift laterally once the anchor links 10 and wire loops 33 are properly aligned. However, other sequences may be utilized while allowing only minimal lateral shifting. A connector rod, or tie bar, 40 is passed through the loops of each anchor link 10 and the wire loops 33 of the soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid- work panel 30 to secure the soil reinforcement member such as a grid- work panel 30 to the face panel 20 when the anchor links 10 and wire loops 33 are properly aligned. As can be seen, the outwardly projecting L-shaped legs 12 and 14 of each anchor link 10 extend laterally within the face panel 20 to anchor the anchor link 10 to the panel 20 and reduce the probability of the anchor link 10 being pulled out of the panel 20. In some embodiments, a smaller gauged wire may be used for the connector rod 40 when the distance between the loops of the double-looped anchor links 10 is reduced. In some embodiments, using a plurality of shorter, individual tie bars or connector rods 40 rather than one longer bar may provide cost savings.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart 100 illustrating the steps for erecting a reinforced soil embankment. Beginning with step 102, a plurality of stackable face panels are manufactured having a plurality of anchor links embedded within a back portion of each of the face panels. The face panels may be of the type made of poured concrete or other material. Each of the anchor links may be formed of a single piece of material, such as a metal wire or rod, where the single piece of material is bent to have two L-shaped legs and a double loop disposed therebetween. The anchor links are positioned so that the two loops of the anchor link protrude from a back portion of the face panel and the two L-shaped legs and the portion between the two double loops are disposed within the face panel. It is also contemplated that the anchor links could be formed with any number of loops. The loops protruding from the back of the face panel form vertical loops such that a horizontal rod can be passed therethrough. It is also contemplated that the loops could be positioned horizontally or at an angle thereto. In some embodiments, the double loops extend outwardly generally perpendicular to the back portion of the face panels.

Next, in step 104, a plurality of panels is positioned to form a first tier of panels along a bottom of an embankment to be erected. In step 106, soil may be back-filled behind the first tier of panels to a level at or near the level where the double loops of the anchor links protrude from the first tier of panels. In step 108, a soil reinforcement member such as a welded wire grid- work panel is positioned extending perpendicularly from the back of the wall and aligned with the anchor links. In some embodiments, openings defined by a plurality of loops disposed on an end of the soil reinforcement member such as a wire grid- work panel are aligned with openings formed by the double loops of the anchor links so that, at step 110, a connector rod, or plurality of connector rods, can be passed through the vertical loops of the anchor links and the loops of the soil reinforcement member such as a grid- work panel. In some embodiments, each loop of the soil reinforcement member such as the wire grid- work panels is disposed between the two loops of the anchor links. In some embodiments, there are more anchor links than loops of the soil reinforcement member such as the grid-work panels. In some embodiments, there are more loops of the soil reinforcement member such as a grid- work panel than there are anchor links.

At step 112, more soil is backfilled behind the first tier of face panels and over the anchor links, vertical loops, and loops of the soil reinforcement member such as a grid- work panel to a level at a top edge of the first tier of face panels. At step 114, it is determined whether or not the desired height has been attained on the embankment. If the desired height of the embankment is not reached, then the method moves to step 102 where an additional plurality of stackable face panels, each having a plurality of anchor links fixed within a back portion of the panels is provided. If, however, the desired height is attained on the embankment, then the method moves to step 116 where the method is stopped. In some embodiments, a plurality of anchor links may be disposed at varying heights along the back of the face panels. In such embodiments, the steps of back-filling soil, positioning, and securing the soil reinforcement member such as the wire grid- work panels may be repeated for each height of anchor links.

Although various embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of erecting a reinforced soil embankment, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of stackable face panels, each having a plurality of anchor links fixed within a back portion of the face panels, at least some of the anchor links form two vertically oriented loops made from a single component extending outwardly generally perpendicular to the back portion of the face panels and defining an anchor open area therebetween;

disposing a first tier of face panels at a bottom end of the embankment being erected;

back-filling soil behind the first tier of face panels up to a bottom edge of the plurality of anchor links disposed within the first tier of face panels;

positioning a soil reinforcement member having loops in the anchor open area formed by the two vertically oriented loops, extending perpendicularly from the back portion of face panels so that a plurality of loops at an edge of the soil reinforcement members are aligned between the vertically oriented loops to substantially prevent the potential for lateral movement of the soil reinforcement member;

extending a connector member through the vertical loops of the anchor links and the loops of the soil reinforcement member; and

back-filling additional soil behind the first tier of face panels and over the anchor links, vertical loops, loops, and soil reinforcement member to a level at a top edge of the first tier of face panels.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after back-filling soil behind the first tier of face panels, the step of continuing to stack additional tiers of face panels, back-filling soil, aligning additional soil reinforcement members, and extending connector members to construct the embankment to a desired height.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of aligning a soil reinforcement member to the first tier of face panels with wire loops includes aligning the vertical loops with the loops in an alternating sequence.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the soil reinforcement member is a welded wire grid- work panel.

5. An attachment system for attaching a face panel to a soil reinforcement member, the system comprising:

a plurality of anchor links fixed within a back portion of the face panel, at least some of the anchor links made from a single component forming two vertically oriented loops in generally parallel spaced relationship, extending outwardly generally perpendicular to a back portion of the face panel and having two legs extending laterally from each link within the face panel;

a plurality of loops disposed at one end of the soil reinforcement member and spaced in an open area defined between the two vertically oriented loops of the anchor links when the soil reinforcement member is connected to the face panel; and

a connector rod extensible through the vertical loops of the anchor links and the loops of the soil reinforcement member to connect the soil reinforcement member to the face panel.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the two legs extend laterally from each link in opposite directions within the face panel.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of loops is spaced sufficiently apart to align with the anchor links in an alternating sequence with the anchor links when the soil reinforcement member is connected to the face panel.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the soil reinforcement member is a welded wire grid- work panel.

9. An improved retaining wall link and loop combination, the combination comprising:

a face panel having a back portion;

an anchor link fixed within the back portion of the face panel, the anchor link comprising: at least two vertically oriented loops made from a single component extending outwardly and generally perpendicular to the back portion of the face panel; and

two legs extending laterally from the anchor link within the face panel;

a soil reinforcement member having a first end;

a loop disposed at the first end of the soil reinforcement member; and

a connector rod extensible through the vertical loop of the anchor link and the loop of the grid- work panel to connect the soil reinforcement member to the face panel.

10. The improved retaining wall link and loop combination of claim 9 wherein the two legs extend laterally from the anchor link in opposite directions within said face panel.

11. The combination of claim 9, further comprising:

a plurality of anchor links fixed within the back portion of the face panel;

a plurality of loops disposed on the first end of the soil reinforcement member; and

wherein the connector rod is extended through the plurality of loops and the plurality of anchor links to connect the soil reinforcement member to the face panel.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein the soil reinforcement member comprises a welded wire grid- work panel.