Hydraulic and earth engineering – Earth treatment or control – Rock or earth bolt or anchor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-17
2001-01-16
Bagnell, David (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Earth treatment or control
Rock or earth bolt or anchor
C405S284000, C405S286000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174109
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved retaining wall construction and, more particularly, to a retaining wall construction of the type generally depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,673 comprising a bulk form with reinforcing or stabilizing elements located therein, a front face of precast wall panels in opposed and spaced relation to the bulk form and a reinforced cementations material in the space between the front wall panels and the bulk form.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,673, entitled “Retaining Wall Construction and Method for Construction of Such a Retaining Wall,” there is disclosed a construction which includes a bulk form separated from facing panels with reinforced concrete or cement filing the space between the wall panels and the bulk form. The bulk form utilizes a grid or facing material which defines the front face of the bulk form. U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,673 is incorporated herewith by reference.
The construction of U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,673 is useful and provides a means for incorporating a solid concrete support wall, intermediate wall facing panels and an earthen work bulk form. Utilization of such a construction for the purpose of providing retaining walls has required pouring of a concrete wall intermediate the height of wall facing panels and the bulk form in layers. Such a construction has been useful and utilitarian, however, improvements in such a construction have been sought, including improvements wherein the continued pouring or addition of a cement intermediate wall may be eliminated or altered in terms of the steps for the erection of the entire retaining wall construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention comprises an improved retaining wall construction formed of multiple, but combined, earthen work bulk forms wherein a lower bulk form includes a reinforced concrete or cementatious portion intermediate the bulk form and front facing panels for the bulk form. Positioned on the first bulk form is a second bulk form which utilizes a continuation of the front facing panels as the outer face of the bulk form. A variant or version of the retaining wall includes vertical support piles which are retained in and passed through both of the bulk forms forming the retaining wall. Thus a lower or first earthen work bulk form includes generally aligned or parallel tensile members projecting through a grid defining the front face of the bulk form. The tensile members are connected to precast wall panels arrayed to form a facing. Reinforced cementatious material, e.g., concrete, fills the space between the first bulk form, and more particularly between the grid defining the front face of the first bulk form, and the backside of the precast wall panel array. The cementatious or concrete portion of the retaining wall thus defines an additional protective barrier for the bulk form. Thus the front panels of the retaining wall are backed by a concrete wall which, in turn, is backed by a mechanically stabilized earthen work bulk form.
Positioned on top of the first bulk form is a second bulk form which overlies not only the first bulk form but also the cementations or concrete wall. The second bulk form thus includes elongated tensile members which engage directly with precast front facing panels. A bulk form facing grid is thus eliminated or unnecessary. Vertical piles extend downwardly through both of the bulk forms and are positioned so as to be separated from the concrete barrier between the first bulk form and the precast front facing panels. The vertical piles may support a plate or platen which, in turn, may support a bridge deck or the like.
During construction, the first bulk form is constructed. The front facing panels are also erected and spaced from the first bulk form. The space between the first bulk form and the front facing panels then receives cement or concrete up to a desired layer or level above a datum plane. Vertical piles may be driven into the soil under the first bulk form prior to the formation of the bulk form or they may be positioned or driven through the bulk form during any stage of the construction. A second bulk form is then added over the first bulk form and the reinforced barrier wall. The second bulk form is constructed in a manner such as disclosed in Vidal U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,326; U.S. Pat. No. 3,686,873; U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,965 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,010.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved retaining wall construction which includes a reinforced, cast-in-place barrier wall in combination with a bulk form and facing elements which are precast and assembled at a site.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide retaining wall construction which is comprised of at least two bulk forms integrated together with one bulk form positioned on top of the other and forming a continuum of a lower or first bulk form but wherein the upper or second bulk form is connected directly to precast facing panels and the lower or first bulk form is connected to a grid spaced from facing panels.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and easily erectable, improved retaining wall construction which includes a reinforced wall section adjacent the lower portion of the retaining wall which comprises a crash barrier and energy absorbing wall.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a retaining wall construction and a method for erection thereof which is easily accomplished and does not require special equipment or component parts.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
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Hilfiker Literature, “VSL Retained Earth Metal Facing Wall System Installation Manual” brochure, undated.
Aziz Sherif A.
Bloomfield Roger A.
Lamberson Eugene A.
Bagnell David
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Freyssinet International (Stup)
Singh Sunil
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