Hydraulic and earth engineering – Earth treatment or control – Shoring – bracing – or cave-in prevention
Patent
1997-05-13
1998-10-20
Taylor, Dennis L.
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Earth treatment or control
Shoring, bracing, or cave-in prevention
405284, 405262, E02D 2902
Patent
active
058237178
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to facing panels for assembly to form a facing of a stabilised earth structure.
In one type of known stabilised earth structure, the earth is stabilised by a plurality of elongate stabilising elements extending rearwardly from a facing of the structure into an earth mass. In such structures the earth is stabilised throughout the mass by frictional engagement with the stabilising elements which may be in the form of strips or grids. Commonly, the facing of the structure consists of concrete panels which are connected to the forward ends of the strips or grids.
It is known from GB-A-1 324 686 (see FIGS. 2 to 7) to provide concrete panels which are generally cruciform shaped and interlock to form the facing. These are technically very good and have been successful but they can be expensive, partly because they are complicated to mould, and for certain structures a less costly facing may be desired. Moreover, from the front the facing appears as an array of interlocking cruciform shapes and whilst this imparts an attractive appearance to the facing, in some circumstances it may be desired to provide facing panels which present a more simple appearance from the front.
Rectangular and square facing panels are also disclosed in GB-A-1 324 686 (see FIGS. 8 to 11 and 29 to 31). The engagement between the side edges of these panels is by a half-lap joint over substantially the full height of the panels. Such a joint serves to restrain forward or rearward movement of a given panel side edge relative to the laterally adjacent panel side edge, but the joint does not restrain both forward and rearward movement. A type of side edge joint which does restrain both forward and rearward movement between laterally adjacent panels is a tongue and groove joint. However, this is difficult to mould and generally requires a thicker panel than, say, where a half-lap joint is used, in order to ensure an adequate thickness for the tongue and the flanges which form the groove.
According to the invention, there is provided a facing panel for assembly with like facing panels to form a facing of a stabilised earth structure, the facing panel having two opposed side edges for arrangement edge-to-edge with the side edges of laterally adjacent facing panels, each side edge having a front portion which is straight over substantially the full height of the facing panel, and a rear portion comprising a lateral projection over part of its length and an abutment over another part of its length, the lateral projection being provided for engagement behind a respective abutment on the side edge of a laterally adjacent facing panel to restrain forward movement of the facing panel, and the abutment being provided for engagement in front of a respective lateral projection of said laterally adjacent facing panel or of another laterally adjacent facing panel to restrain rearward movement of the facing panel.
The invention also extends to a facing of a stabilised earth structure, comprising a plurality of facing panels as defined herein, and to a stabilised earth structure having such a facing.
By providing each side edge with a front portion which is substantially straight, the facing can present a relatively simple appearance from the front, giving freedom of choice of architectural finish. For example, if the facing panel has substantially straight top and bottom edges, the panel will be rectangular or square. Alternative profiles for the top and bottom edges are however possible, if desired for architectural reasons.
Whilst permitting a simple appearance, the form of each side edge advantageously provides restraint at that edge against both forward and rearward movement relative to a laterally adjacent facing panel or panels. This is achieved by providing the side edge with a rear portion comprising a lateral projection over part of its length and an abutment over another part of its length. Because the lateral projection and the abutment are at different parts of the length of the side edge, the facing panel can be relatively t
REFERENCES:
patent: 3686873 (1972-08-01), Vidal
patent: 4718792 (1988-01-01), Louis
patent: 4968186 (1990-11-01), Ogorchock
patent: 5131791 (1992-07-01), Kitziller
patent: 5259704 (1993-11-01), Ogorchock
Bastick Michel J
Gorce Alain
Jailloux Jean-Marc
Schodts Paul
Segrestin Pierre
Societe Civile des Brevets Henri Vidal
Taylor Dennis L.
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