SUPPORTING SRW WITH COUNTERFORTING AND INVERTED CANTILEVERING FORCES

Abstract

Disclosed is a metallic cage (to create inverted cantilevered and counterfort forces) for supporting a retaining wall of hollow-cored blocks, having (a) first vertical (stem, post) insertable into such cores, a base member extending into the retained soil and a diagonal strut member securely connecting the top of first stem with the distal end of the base member embedded in the retained soil, where the base member has a platform on which to locate a suitable weight.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to supporting segmental walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Components and systems for supporting segmental retaining walls (SRW) is a challenge in the outerscape industry for ease and expense of storage, transportation, installation and degree of support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cage (to create inverted cantilevered and counterfort forces) for supporting a retaining wall, comprising: (a) first vertical (stem, post) member with top and bottom ends; (b) longitudinal (base, beam) member with first, front end, and opposed, second, rear end; (c) said first vertical member bottom end connected securely to said longitudinal base member first end; (d) a longitudinal member (strut, brace) with opposed first and second opposed ends that are securely connectable to, respectively, said first vertical member top end and said longitudinal base member rear end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the support cage;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cage as installed in an assembled wall;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another cage geometry;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another cage geometry;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of cage geometry of FIG. 1 in closed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another cage geometry;

FIGS. 7 to 51 show the sequential steps of installing the cage to support a wall;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view and plan view of the effective resistive effect of the soil above the anchor portion of base beam;

FIG. 53 is a side view of the resistive effect of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a top, side and axial views of the cage of FIG. 1 wherein cage is closed;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the cage of FIG. 1 wherein cage is closed and has a secondary strut; and

FIG. 56 is a side view and perspective of the closed cage with slab thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Notice Regarding Copyrighted Material

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

There are often minimum heights of a retaining wall (set by building code and other regulatory regimes) that implicate (as protection for pedestrians) the establishment of a fence or pedestrian rail, typically with posts support. Minimum applied loads on the posts is a function of, amongst other factors, the spacing of posts. The minimum applied load is, in many applications, in the order of 200 lbs or 50 lbs per linear foot of fence. One disadvantage of a typical SRW is that, being mortarless, the top of wall is structurally un-adapted or ill-adapted to resist lateral loads from chain link fences, wood fencing, pedestrian railings and the like, whether located on the retained soil proximate the wall, or on the wall itself.

This invention provides horizontal and off-vertical resistance for fence vertical structures that are placed inside the hollow cores of blocks of a SRW system. Such hollowed blocks are common and for ease of explanation herein, such a block or wall assembled therefrom, will be identified as 900. A fence post (steel or wooden) may be inserted into the block cores and inter-block cavities of the upper courses of a wall, as supported by the reinforcing (inverted cantilevered and counterforting) cages as described below.

A support that comprises a (e.g. rebar) cage disposed about the rear of blocks 900 with some anchorage (e.g. a conventional concrete slab) buried in well compacted soil, can provide the cantilever resistance needed to meet the standard building codes. FIG. 1 shows cage 100 in (a pre-final assembly) open configuration that includes (in secure relationship when in installed, closed configuration), base member beam 105 (with anchor portion frame 107a thereof, as explained below); first, front vertical stem 110 terminating in first eye 111; and second, rear vertical stem 120 terminating in first eye 121; the stems 110 and 120 securely depending vertically from opposed ends of base beam 105. Relative to base beam 105, rear stem 120 and its eye 121 has a height lower than that of front stem 110 and its eye 111; stem 120 may range in height (from about zero, where only eye 121 is presented) to a height closer to that of stem 110 and its eye 111. Diagonal strut 130 is securely connectable (and ultimately toward the end of assembly with a wall block, securely connected) between first, front stem 110 (at its eye 111), and second, rear stem 120 (and its eye 121), the diagonal resulting from the different heights of the terminal stems 110 and 120.

The heights of stems 110 and 120, the length of diagonal strut 130, the length of base beam 105 (including the length of anchor portion 107a as measured along the axis between stems 110 and 120) are easily customizable relative to dimensions of the associated blocks 900 to be installed, and all regulatory requirements relevant to those blocks (including load requirements implicated by the installation site, including characteristics of the soil to be retained, wind conditions, and so on). In particular, cage 100 must be able to envelope the back wall of block 900 in “closed” configuration (i.e. when diagonal strut is connected to stem 110 (and eye 111) and stem 120 (eye 121), it must clear the rear edge of block 900. When brace or strut 130 is not (yet) securely connected to both stems 110 and 120, cage 100 is considered “open” (as shown in FIGS. 1, 7, as examples). Cage 100 is considered “closed” when, during the assembly process (as shown in FIGS. 2, 8, as examples), strut 130 is securely connected to stems 110 and 120.

Herein, the term “secure connection” and related terms (e.g. “securely connected”, “securably connectable”, “securely depending from”) in the context of the parts of cage 100, means a connection that is secure against physical separation but may permit, where appropriate, some limited rotational/swivel displacement between the parts that are connected. Conventional hook connectors, rigid welding of sections and bending of components are contemplated.

Herein, the term “strut” and “brace” are used interchangeably as members to provide support to the cage components they are attached to.

Anchor portion 105a is that part of base member 105 which associated with providing “anchoring” effect to cage 100 installed for a wall, as will be explained. Anchor portion frame 105a may be the combination of (1) conventional weight 106 (e.g. concrete or material of equivalent similar weight and similar physical properties, in the form of a paver slab or tile) that is (eventually, on final installation) associated with (2) frame 107 providing a frame for the aforementioned weight 106 to rest on or otherwise be secured therewith. The combination of weight 106 and frame 107 is presented herein as a combination of discrete components but may be manufactured in an integral combination. FIG. 1 shows a particular geometry of frame 107, i.e., kite 107a. FIG. 56 shows cage 100 of FIG. 1 in closed configuration (i.e. with diagonal strut 130 securely connecting vertical stems 110 and 120 via their respective eyes 111 and 121, and with weight slab 106 resting on frame 107a).

Frame 107 may be of varying sizes, weights and geometries, easily customizable for the installation site requirements. Conveniently, conventional concrete paver slabs/tiles are available (in standard sizes, for examples, 18″, 24″, 36″ square slabs). Geometries for the anchoring frame include simple, closed quadrilaterals (convex or concave) and crossed quadrilaterals. Examples of alternatives to frame 107a are convex closed quadrilaterals and curved shapes (e.g. square 107c, circle 107b, bicentric quadrilaterals, such as right kites, equidiagonal kites), some of which are shown in FIGS. 3-6. Kites geometries 107d and 107e are notional. For classic, Platonic or near-Platonic geometries, the mathematics are well known to determine precisely the geometries and dimensions that optimize frame 107 perimeter and/or internal area enclosed per length of frame and/or optimizes frame 107 surface contact with weight or slab 106 (some of which indirectly affects cost and ease of manufacture). Conventional penta-laterals and higher n-laterals and n-gons are possible, as desired, as a function of ease/difficulty of manufacture, cost of materials. It is anticipated that most practical geometries of frame 107 are at least partially symmetric so as not to bias the paver slab 106 in one lateral direction or the other, but conceivable, some asymmetric geometries of frame 107 and special slabs or weights 106, may be implicated for unusual site conditions. The point remains that base member 105 has a platform (frame 107) to accommodate easily a variety of different weights 106 and their geometries, responsive to site conditions. If a conventional square slab 206 is insufficient to meet regulatory standards for a particular installation site (e.g. not heavy enough to produce the desired torque resistance), a more weighty version of weight 106 can be specially made in a factory, perhaps out of heavy metal) (or a heavy boulder found on site with a form-factor suitability for, e.g. circle frame 107b of FIG. 3 or 107c of FIG. 4). For simplicity of explanation herein, anchor portion frame 107a (shown in FIG. 1) will be referred to but it is evident that variations can be easily customized on frame 107a mutatis mutandi.

Basebeam 105, first and second vertical stems (or studs) 110 and 120, diagonal strut 130, may be integrally made of rebar or sectionally made of rebar. The anchorage portion need not be a frame made of bent re-bar. It could be a (manufactured) solid plate of metal or other heavy material. Or a suitably heavy stone found at the installation site, can be placed within a circular or square frame (107b or 107c in FIGS. 3,4) on which a paver rests. In other words, although a rebar wire frame is presented herein, other dimensions, geometries and materials are contemplated, customized for an installation site's specific geo-technical requirements (or to use natural materials located on the site).

Anchorage portion 105a (being weight 106 located on frame 107) of base beam 105, resists overturning moments (upwardly and downwardly) being created by the wall, at the base of the wall and at the base of each course of the wall where cage(s) 100 are installed, by creating a countering restoring moment. The geometry of frame 107 of anchorage portion 105a, its location between first, front stem 110 and second, rear stem 120, the dimensions and physical (especially weight) properties of weight 106 or other object placed on (or otherwise secured to) frame 107, are easy to calculate roughly if the objective of cage 100 is to surround the block rear wall with an insertion in any suitable cavity in the block(s).

Advantageously, spacers 800 (conventionally made of rigid plastic, perhaps ¾″ in width) are snap-fitted about cage front stem 110 and inserted between front stem 110 and the inner, rear face of block core before the concrete is poured. This better secures the vertical cage stem relative to the block (especially relative to the rear surface of the block core, during the poring of concrete in the core) and thereby embed securely the cage to the wall block and thereby the wall.

Spacers 800, especially plastic ones, not only keep stem 110 in proper alignment relative to the back wall of the core of block 900, but also provides (to use a human anatomical muscular/skeletal analogy) some “cartilage” functionality for the interaction between (metallic) cage 100 (and its forces) and the (concrete blocked) wall (when the block cores and inter-block cavities are filled with filler and concrete). Plastic resists stretching but has a bit more flexibility than concrete and metallic rebars and so, relative to the desired rigidity of the entirety of the wall, a certain amount of localized “give” and “flexibility” (as provided by such plastic spacers 800 of the desirable physical attributes), may serve to handle gracefully excessive forces (e.g. by earthquake vibrations) by maintaining the overall structural integrity of the wall while avoiding brittleness that could lead to catastrophic failure.

Localized, “top of wall” overturning is typically investigated when a fence or railing is to be placed above and behind a retaining wall. To resist the overturning moment/force, a countering restoring moment/force is presented by the support system (and cage 100 in particular), presented herein. An approved anchoring concrete slab or paver will satisfy engineering, safety requirements about the site, fence and retaining wall, that consider factors among the fence height and desired inter-post spacing, the lateral loads applied to the fence (e.g. expected wind conditions), the type of soils used as back-fill, any additional surcharges such as a roadway or slope above the retaining wall, the geogrid spacing and position in the top portion of the retaining wall.

The rotated “L” portion of cage 100 (i.e. the “L” lying on its long side (i.e. base member 105), with the short side (i.e. stem 110) in rigid (i.e. concreted/gravel gripped) relationship to the block(s) rear walls (of several courses) and thereby rigid relationship to the block(s)), provides an inverted cantilevered force to the wall. Specifically, diagonal strut 130, in conjunction with base member 105 of cage 100, provide counter-forting forces to the wall.

As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, the resistive effect of the soil above square slab 106 permits an easy model for calculating moments that are used in ultimate calculations for regulatory and physical objectives. With square slab 106 located at a certain distance from wall blocks 900, the model is of an inverted, truncated pyramid. Irregular geometries of weight 106 make calculations and modelling more difficult but the point remains that cage 100 (and its platform frame 107) provides means to assist in calculations and ultimately in design of supports for the wall and for regulatory compliance.

It is advantageously easy to use a conventional (square, concrete) paver tile or slab 106 to rest on frame 107, and then conventionally overlay with backfill, etc. The interface between frame 107 and slab 106 may be a simple resting and sandwiching with subjacent and superjacent backfilled, compacted. But the interface can be made more secure than merely the backfill's asperities with frame 107 to resist vertical separation and/or lateral sliding of slab 106 relative to frame 107. Such more security can be effected with conventional means customized for the precise dimensions of the paver and the base member or with a generic plastic key or other simple obstruction that can be inserted to wedge horizontally the concrete paver to abut more securely against the rear minor vertical, distal stem (to resist horizontal sliding of the paver) or an attachment to the rear minor stem just above the abutting of the paver to the vertical stem (to resist vertical lifting of the paver).

Shown notionally in FIG. 55, is secondary support strut 131, whose top end is securely connected to an intermediate location on diagonal strut 130 and whose bottom end is securely connected to an intermediate location on cage base member 105 to resist separation of diagonal strut 130 from said cage base member 105 and to resist compression of diagonal strut. 130 to said cage base member 105. Secondary support strut 131 may be conventionally formed of a vertically orientated rebar with eye or S-type terminal hooks at each end which, when engaged thereby with diagonal strut 130 and base member 105, resists separation therefrom. That intermediate location can be chosen (subject to the constraint of the presence of weight 106) to advantageously distribute forces for regulatory or physical objectives.

Above, cage 100 has been embodied in a single, two-dimensional, vertically orientated frame with a two-dimensional, horizontally orientated anchoring frame 107a—this is the basic form of cage 100.

More extensive embodiments of the cage are contemplated within the present invention. For example, there may be additional strut to secure cage 100 with a horizontally orientated brace from the neighboring block, e.g. of a rebar bent with one end connected to a subject cage base member 105 and the other end with a perpendicular vertical post 110 stem that is inserted and secured in place in that neighboring block's internal core or a neighboring inter-block cavity with subsequently poured concrete and/or compacted gravel. For another example, two cages of the configuration described above, on the same course, can be connected with rebar struts extending horizontally therebetween, the struts having conventional “snap-around” or S- or J-hooks at their ends that are easily and securely connectable between the two cages' respective base members. For another example, two cages of the form described above, may be located on different courses, and a sufficiently long rebar strut (with conventional S- or J-hook connectors at the ends thereof, of the type described above) may provide cross-bracing of two cages 100. Simple convex quadrilaterals and crossed quadrilaterals are possible in conjunction with cage(s) 100 that spans two blocks 900 (but are not illustrated for ease of illustration). These more extensive embodiments, using the basic form of cage 100 and securely connecting and linking them, serve to make the support into a prismatic (i.e. 3-D) cage that provides both inverted cantilevering force and a counterforting force to larger portions of wall 900 in a coordinated way, thus distributing the stresses and strains.

Conventional hook and eye or swivel type of connections between rebar components, are contemplated.

The various frame components of the cage can be advantageously formed by using conventional bending technology on a single conventional rebar (or two rebars which are then joined conventionally). Rebars come in standard lengths (e.g. 20 feet, 40 feet) and with conventional deformation/crimping technology, can be bent into the configurations shown, easily and integrally (i.e. without any additional fastening of sub-portions with their attendant disadvantages). One continuous re-bar can be bent according to conventional techniques to avoid the disadvantages of assembly, discrete joints, welding, risk of fracturing under pressure, etc.

Conventional rebars ends can be conventionally bent as desired (to create eyes, for example), on the installation site with conventional manual techniques and tools. But it is advantageous to have cages pre-formed (at least, partially, typically, in a re-bar factory) using conventional machinery, and the diagonal strut/brace not being attached for ease of transport from manufacturing site to the wall installation site.

Specifically, the upper J-hook (at the end of diagonal strut 130 to be connected to the top of the first, front vertical member/post 110) may be pre-crimped (at a factory, e.g.) for convenience for ease of connecting at the installation site. Upper J-hook is dimensioned so that with minor manual manipulation by an installation workman, it can be inserted and otherwise fastened easily into eye 111, to create a swivel-like connection. Specifically, the lower (J- or S-) hook of diagonal strut 130 may be bent and inserted into the second, rear eye 121 at the factory, leaving only the upper ((J- or S-) hook of diagonal strut 130 physically free (i.e. “open” cage 100)—for advantageous storing and transportation to the installation site, and ease of installation thereat during the supportive assembly of wall 900. Only after steps of concreting, backfilling, compacting, and the like, is upper hook of diagonal strut 130 securely connected to eye 111 of first vertical stem 110 (to “close” cage 100 about a block).

Although a rebar is a common component in the concrete construction and hardscape industry, this invention is not restricted to that particular pre-manufactured component. Any longitudinal members with tensile strength, deformation and other attributes sufficient and perhaps even customized for the requirements of an installation site according to this invention may be used.

One possible set of dimension for a cage given a particular block of common dimensions include: first, major vertical stem of 18″ height, second, minor rear/distal stem of 5″ height, base member of 36″ length, base anchorage portion/component plate 12″ of lateral width, as seen in FIG. 1. Depending on the precise dimensions of a subject block (especially the height of the rear edge of its rear wall) and the number of courses of blocks to be supported (typically several), the dimensions of the first, major vertical stem, second minor rear/distal stem. length of base member, can be easily worked out by simple geometric calculation.

A step-by-step assembly and installation of cage 100 in the assembly to support wall/block 900 (four courses) and a fence post, is shown in FIGS. 7-51.

1. Level crushed gravel and backfill materials flush to the top of the fourth course.2. Install the third course of the wall block units.3. Place cage 100 between two block units where a fence post is required. Cage 100 will be placed in, for example, 18″ intervals.4. Place weight 106 (e.g. patio or paver slabs (18″×18″, 24″×24″ or 18″×36″)) on top of anchor portion frame 107a and against the back stem 120 of cage 100.5. Cut and place a 4′×4′ filter fabric behind the first course of wall blocks and at each cage 100 location.6. Hook up cage brace or strut 130 to front stem 110 (eye 111) to “close” cage 100.7. Fold the fabric over the hollow cores around cage 100 that will be filled with concrete. This will protect gravel from migrating into the voids.8. Fill the exposed wall block cores and backfill the third course level to the top of the third course blocks.9. Level and compact the backfill materials and sweep the top of the wall blocks clean of gravel.10. Peel back the filter fabric.11. Lay sufficient geogrid on top of the third course of wall blocks. Cut a slit in geogrid at each cage 100 diagonal strut 130 location for penetration therethrough.12. Unhook cage diagonal strut 130 to place the second course units over the vertical Cage stem or stud.13. Install the second course of wall blocks on top of the geogrid and third course blocks.14. Repeat steps 6-10.15. Install the first (and final) course of wall blocks.16. Concrete fill the first three cage 100-block 900 cores and level to the top of the blocks.17. Place (post vertical) adjustment tools on top of the three wet concrete wall blocks.18. Level and align the adjustment tools.19. Place the steel fence posts into the tools and slid into the wet concrete. Clamp post at the right height and let set (for a few minutes).20. Concrete fill the fourth cage 100—block 900-core.21. Unclamp, remove and place the first adjustment tool on top of the fourth cage 100, repeating steps 17-1922. Install the fourth steel fence cage to the wet concrete23. Repeat the leap frog process with the adjustment tools until all fence posts have been installed along the wall24. Cut a hole into the joint of two cap units that will fit around each fence post. Glue and place remainder of the caps between each post.25. For wood posts, repeat the same process. The adjustment tools will not be needed for wood posts, which have their own brackets—the wall caps will be placed on top of wet concrete before the wood post brackets are placed into the wet concrete between two block caps. Even for a steel post, the adjustment tool is optional if the installer is confident of his manual/optical capabilities.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top”, “bottom”, “first”, “second”, “inside”, “outside”, “edge”, “side”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “length”, “width”, “inner” “outer” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

Although blocks and connectors of the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing a force for inverted cantilevering and a force for counterforting to (the construction of) a retaining wall, comprising the steps of: a) assembling blocks, each block having a front wall, an opposed rear wall and two side walls that define a hollow core therebetween, in a first course and a superjacent second course, each course having an inter-block cavity between two blocks thereof, and in one location thereof, in a half-bond configuration so that in that one location, a vertically extending column-like hole is created by an inter-block cavity of one course and a block hollow core of a block of the other course;b) assembling a reinforcing cage about one said first course block block's rear wall through its core, the cage being roughly wedge shaped, with its longer base perpendicular to the wall when finally assembled longitudinally in final form, having a longitudinal base/beam member with a front end and a rear end, thereof, a vertical stem/post member depending perpendicularly vertically/rising from said first beam front end, a diagonal brace/strut extending, rising from base member rear/end to the top of said vertical stem/post member of the base member front part, with said vertical post member inserted within said column-like hole;the length of said base member being greater than the height of said vertical stem/post member (i.e. the base is the major cathetus and the stem is the minor cathetus)=right scalene triangle where the height of said stem member being sufficient, relative to the height of the rear edge of block rear wall portion to be supported (at least the height of one course of blocks, often two courses), so that when the strut is connected from top of cage first, front stem to the top of the second, distal stem, the strut clears the clears the rear edge of any block rear wall and so the cage envelopes a portion of the rear wall through its core about its rear wall; andc) filling said column-like hole with particulate/concrete to secure the cage to the wall blocks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said base member has a second, vertical/minor member to which said strut is attached (i.e. a truncated wedge).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step b) of assembling the cage includes the sub-steps of having diagonal strut unconnected to the stem, inserting the cage vertical stem into the block hollow core and then connecting front end of diagonal strut to top of vertical stem, thus forming a triangular assembly, where the base member has an anchoring component on which a relatively heavy component, such as a concrete square paver can rest, said anchoring component being a 2-dimension frame in the geometric shape of a quadrilateral (square, bicentric quadrilateral such as a kite), octagonal) or a curved shape, such as a circle.

4. A cage (to create inverted cantilevered and counterfort forces) for supporting a retaining wall, comprising: (a) first vertical (stem, post) member with top and bottom ends(b) longitudinal (base, beam) member with first, front end, and opposed, second, rear end;(c) said first vertical member bottom end connected securely to said longitudinal base member first end;

5. The cage of claim 4, further comprising: (e) second vertical member with top and bottom ends, the bottom end being securely connected/connectable to said longitudinal base member rear end;(f) first elevated eye extending vertically from said first vertical member top end and second elevated eye extending vertically from said second vertical member top end whose elevation is lower than the elevation of said first elevated eye;(g) a longitudinal member (strut, brace) with opposed first and second opposed ends that are connectable to, respectively, said first elevated eye and said second elevated eye;said longitudinal base member has (towards said second end) a 2-D plinth-like support, substructure, for supporting a concrete, anchoring slab, and wherein said support substructure is a bending of said longitudinal base member into a square or kite geometry.

6. The cage of claim 5, wherein said longitudinal (strut) member first end has J-hook for a hook-eye, swivel connection with said first elevated eye.

7. The cage of claim 6, wherein said longitudinal (strut) member second end is a J-hook pre-crimped in a swivel connection with said second elevated eye.