Connector for engaging soil-reinforcing grid to an earth retaining wall and method for same
US6443662B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02D29/0241
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A connector for joining a soil-reinforcement grid extending through a slot in a block stacked with other blocks to define a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall, the connector comprising matingly engaged first member having pins that are slidingly received in aligned openings defined in a second member while sandwiching a portion of soil-reinforcement grid therebetween, the grid having apertures through which the pins extend. The soil-reinforcing grid is loaded by being covered with backfill materials. The connector mechanically engages bearing surfaces within a channel in the block such that the tensile loading of backfill covering the soil-reinforcement grid lateral of the wall is distributed by the connector across the block. A method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall is disclosed as well as a connector and blocks useful with such methods and walls.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.