The present disclosure provides embodiments directed to both lateral and vertical earth reinforcement. The present embodiments can be made from new material or used tires. Used tires are particularly advantageous as they are relatively inexpensive and results in the added collateral benefit of repurposing materials that would otherwise be destined for disposal in landfills. The embodiments are easily constructed, can be made from non-corrosive materials, and can be assembled at the site of deployment.
Man has planned and constructed earth embankments and retaining walls since the onset of his need to create and construct. Early builders recognized the value of reinforcing the material behind retaining walls to minimize the pressures on those walls. The Babylonians reinforced the soils behind their retaining walls with reeds; the Romans used reeds and papyrus; and the Chinese used sticks and other simple materials in backfilling portions of the Great Wall.
The progress of science brought new technology and new ways of supporting embankments. Reinforced concrete and structural steel became the principal tools in retaining earth; these methods were expensive. As an alternative to large, costly concrete and steel earth retaining structures, the French developed a system known as Reinforced Earth (Vidal, 1969, U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,346), where flat steel straps were used as reinforcing elements. Those elements were buried in the backfill behind a retaining wall facing to provide additional shear and tensile strength to the soil and were connected to the wall facing. Davis (1984, U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,857), continuing earlier work by CalTrans (Forsyth, 1978), developed Retained Earth, using steel rods fashioned in the shape of a ladder as reinforcing elements. Hilfiker (1982, U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,508) developed an earth reinforcing system using welded wire mats as reinforcing elements. These reinforced embankments earned the generic title of mechanically stabilized embankments (MSE).
The Tensar Corporation developed concurrently high density plastic webbing, now known generically as geogrid, which was used as reinforcing elements in the internal reinforcement of steep fill slopes. Woven fabric geogrids coated with plastic entered the market shortly thereafter. Modular blocks soon became the facing elements of choice for non-highway projects and geogrid became its companion earth reinforcing element (Forsburg, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,619), (Miner, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,713), (Egan, et al, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,539). Geogrid also was combined with L-shaped welded wire basket facings for use in constructing temporary retaining walls and embankments during construction of highway overpass projects, by-pass projects, grade separations and other structures requiring temporary retaining walls or embankments.
Corrosion of steel reinforcing elements buried in soil has long been a concern. Galvanization of the steel was adopted as a preventive measure, then the requirement that the backfill surrounding the steel reinforcing elements consist of a “special” (neutral pH) backfill was added. Later work by Sala et al. (1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,266) and studies by private consultants have revealed a significant potential for corrosion of galvanized steel reinforcing elements buried in special backfill where (1) high alkali soils are present and/or (2) salting and sanding of roads occur above or adjacent to MSE.
Steel reinforcing elements are considered “non-extensible;” i.e. the modulus of elasticity of the steel reinforcing element is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the surrounding backfill. Conversely, geogrid is considered an “extensible” reinforcing element. The design methodology differs between the two types of reinforcing elements, which results in a greater amount of geogrid required than steel reinforcing for similar MSE. Thus, the materials cost differential between steel reinforcing elements and geogrid reinforcing elements can be negated by the need for a significantly greater amount of geogrid.
A temporary MSE, which generally has a life of one to three years, often is demolished and the materials (wire basket facing, geogrid and filter cloth) are hauled to a landfill. The costs of hauling those materials to a landfill can approach the cost of the materials, and filling the landfills with those materials is not an environmentally sensitive choice.
The present disclosure provides embodiments of tire tread or tread-like georeinforcing elements, which are at least as strong and durable as those currently in use. The present embodiments incorporate connectors that enable the assembly of the tire tread georeinforcing elements where they are to be deployed. In addition, the embodiments can be made from relatively inexpensive materials, are easily constructed, and can be made from non-corrosive materials.
The present disclosure provides embodiments directed to earth georeinforcing (herein referred to as “georeinforcing”) elements. The present embodiments can be made from used tire treads or from new materials that are similar in size, shape and composition to used tire treads (hereafter included in the term “tire treads”). Used tires treads are a particularly advantageous starting material as they are relatively inexpensive, and results in the added collateral benefit of repurposing materials that would otherwise be destined for disposal in landfills.
The present embodiments can be assembled at a dedicated manufacturing facility, or optionally can be assembled at the site of deployment, thereby providing options for deployment of the embodiments in accordance with the needs of the user, and the location for the deployment.
The present embodiments can be made from non-corrosive materials, thereby eliminating the need for anti-corrosive measures, such as having to encapsulate the deployed georeinforcing elements in treated pH neutral backfill. This results in a faster and more cost-efficient deployment process.
The present embodiments can be used to reinforce material behind retaining walls to minimize the pressure on those walls. The embodiments can be attached to the retaining walls or can also be deployed unattached to the retaining wall.
The present embodiments can be deployed to stabilize a temporary retaining wall or other earth structure. When the temporary wall or earth structure is no longer needed, and dismantled, the embodiments can be recovered and reused.
The present embodiments provide earth reinforcing (hereafter referred to “georeinforcing”) elements and systems. The georeinforcing elements are made from tire treads. The tire georeinforcing elements utilize friction between the surfaces of the georeinforcing elements and the surrounding particular matter to help stabilize a MSE. Moreover it has been discovered that there is a distinct strength advantage to be realized by manufacturing georeinforcing elements entirely from tire treads. Instrumental in the manufacture of tire tread georeinforcing elements are suitable tire tread connectors for adjoining tire treads together and maintaining their connection after the tire tread georeinforcing element is deployed.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vertical georeinforcing element comprising a plurality of tire treads. A used tire tread is generally obtained from a tire by separating the sidewalls of the tire from the tire tread surface. The tire tread surface is then cut across the treads resulting in an essentially flat, rectangular tire tread. Multiple tire treads can be adjoined lengthwise by various fastener systems end to end thereby forming a tire tread georeinforcing element. As can be readily appreciated, a tire tread georeinforcing element can be made to any desired length by adjoining any number of tire treads. If a resulting tire tread georeinforcing element is too long because of the addition of one tire tread, the excess length can be trimmed to provide a tire tread band georeinforcing element of the desired length. Tire treads can be adjoined to other tire treads using connectors, fasteners or other mechanical implements, such as non-corrosive looping wire or bolts.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tire tread connector that can be used to make a tire tread georeinforcing element in a manufacturing facility or at the location of deployment. Two adjacent tire treads are adjoined end to end by the connector.
The fastener system depicted in
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tire tread connector that can be used to make a tire tread georeinforcing element in a manufacturing facility or at the location of deployment. Two adjacent tire treads are adjoined and maintained in an overlapping fashion using the connector.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tire tread connector that can be used to make a tire tread georeinforcing element in a manufacturing facility or at the location of deployment. Two adjacent tire treads are adjoined and maintained in an overlapping fashion using the connector.
Yet another embodiment provides a connector piece which connects one end of a tire tread georeinforcing element to a mechanically stabilized embankment (MSE) facing panel.
Yet another embodiment provides a connector piece which connects one end of a tire tread georeinforcing element to a modular block retaining wall or to a crib wall.
Still another embodiment provides a piece which connects one end of a tire tread georeinforcing element to whole tires used as facing elements for temporary retaining walls.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a tire tread connector that can be used to make a tire tread georeinforcing element in a manufacturing facility or at the location of deployment. At least two adjacent tire treads are adjoined and maintained in an overlapping fashion using the connector.
Referring to
Two consecutive sets are shown in
Within a single set, consecutive elements of the pattern (an element being an opening or a cavity) may be separated at a predefined distance that allows a section of at least one tire tread to be installed in the space partially defined by the distance. For example, the distance between an end of one opening 1004 and an end of a cavity 1006 may substantially be around 0.75 inches, where in this example, the opening and the cavity are consecutive and the two ends face each other. Further, the distance between an end of the set and a facing end of the side rail 1002 may be predefined such that this distance is minimized to avoid unnecessary material while also maintaining the structural integrity of the side rail connector 1000. Continuing with the previous example, an end of an opening 1004 to a facing end of the side rail 1002 may substantially be around 0.5 inches, where in this example, the opening is the most adjacent element within the set to the end of the side rail.
Within a single set and/or across the two sets, bottom surfaces of the elements (the openings 1004 and the cavities 1006) may belong to the same surface plan. In an example, the bottom surfaces can be set at substantially 0.25 inches from the bottom surface of the side rail 1002. Likewise, top surfaces of the openings 1004 may belong to a same first surface plan while, top surfaces of the cavities 1006 may belong to a same second surface plan. However, the first and second surface plans may be different. Continuing with the previous example, each of the openings 1004 may be centered between the top and bottom surfaces of the side rail 1002. As such, the top surface of the openings may be at substantially 0.25 inches from the top surface of the side rail 1002. In comparison, the top surface of each of the cavity 1006 may be aligned with the top surface of the side rail 1002 (i.e., the distance between these two surfaces is substantially 0 inches). As used herein, a top surface of a cavity 1006 is intended to illustrate an imaginary line that substantially defines the shape of that surface and is not intended to illustrate a physical surface or edge.
Considering an opening 1004 and a cavity 1006, these two elements may be configured to support cross-pieces that have the same dimensions but that are installed in different configurations. For example, the opening 1004 may have dimensions of substantially 1 inch in length, 0.5 inches in height, and the same width of the side rail 1002 (which may be at substantially 0.5 inches in this example). In comparison, the cavity 1006 may have dimensions of substantially 0.5 inches in length, 0.75 inches in height, and the same width of the side rail 1002. Such dimensioning allows the installation of cross-pieces of the same size but in horizontal and vertical configurations relative to the side rail 1002. Put differently, the cross-piece 1014 installed in opening 1004 and the cross-piece 1016 installed in the cavity 1006 can have the same overall dimensions but can be installed perpendicularly relative to each other such that the cross-piece 1016 is rotated ninety degrees relative to the cross-piece 1014. These overall dimensions may be slightly smaller than or substantially the same as the dimensions of the opening 1004 such that the space between the edges of the opening 1004 and the cross-piece 1014 and the space between the edges of the cavity 1006 and the cross-piece 1016 are minimized when the cross pieces are installed. This minimization in space allows a secure installation of the cross-pieces 1014 and 1016 in the side rail 1002. As such, the dimensions of the cross-piece 1014 may be 1 inch in width, 0.5 inches in height, and a predefined length that exceeds the width of the side rail 1002 (as discussed herein below with regard to
Various mechanisms may be used to further secure the cross-pieces 1014 and 1016 to the side rail 1002. For example, after inserting the cross-piece 1014 in the opening 1004, a pin 1024 may be inserted from the top surface of the side rail 1002 through the body of the cross-section 1014. Likewise, after inserting the cross-piece 1016 in the cavity 1006, a similar pin 1026 (but which may have a different length than that of the pin 1024) may be inserted from the top surface of the cross-piece 1016, through the body of the cross-piece 1016, exiting the bottom surface of the cross-piece 1016, and entering the body of the side rail 1002. The pins 1024 and 1016 may be permanently installed (e.g., not removed after the installation of the tire treads). In such a case, these pins may be made of non-corrosive materials. Alternatively, the pins 1024 and 1016 may be temporarily installed (e.g., removed after the installation of the tire treads as shown in
Referring to
As shown in
The distance between the two side rails 1002 can be set to be equal or greater than a size (e.g., width) of at least a tire tread that may be installed. For example, the distance can be substantially 9 inches for certain sizes of tires and more or less for others. This distance can be used to partially define the length of the cross-pieces 1014 and 1016. This length can be based on the distance between the two side rails 1002, the width of each side rail 1002, and a margin that allows the cross-pieces to exit each side rail 1002 from the side not facing the other side rail. This margin can be set to be equal the distance between the bottom surface of an opening 1004/cavity 1006 and the bottom surface of a side rail 1002 (e.g., 0.25 inches in the example provided in
As described above, the side rail 1002 may include two sets of elements. Each set may include a pattern of two openings 1004 and a cavity 1006 therebetween. Each opening 1004 may allow a cross-section 1014 to be installed and secured to the side rail 1002. Likewise, each cavity 1006 may allow a cross-section 1016 to be installed and secured to the side rail 1002. The openings 1004 and 1006 are configured such that the cross-sections 1014 and 1016 have the same overall dimensions and are installed in a ninety degree rotation relatively to each other. The openings 1014 and the cavity 1016 of one set are spaced apart to allow the installation of at least a tire tread. The two sets are spaced apart to allow two tire treads, each being installed in one of the two sets, to be adjoined together. The overall dimensions of the side rail 1002 are substantially 0.5 inches in width, 1 inch in height and 10.25 inches in length. These components of the side rail connector 1000 may be made of non-corrosive materials appropriate for the intended use. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various other configurations of the side rail connector 1000 are possible. For example, as noted above, other patterns of elements may be used (e.g., opening-opening-opening, cavity-opening-cavity, etc.), more or less than three elements may be used in a set, more than two sets may be used, the sets need not have the same pattern, the elements need not have rectangular shapes (e.g., the openings and cavities can have square shapes, can be triangular, etc.). Further, the provided examples of sizes, shapes, distances, dimensions, and compositions are illustrative. Other sizes, shapes, distances, dimensions, and compositions may be implemented depending on a desired configuration of the side rail connector 1000 and the type of tires being used. The specific implementation may depend on georeinforcing requirements, the installed tire treads, and the like and may be customized to realize a compact and cost efficient connector 1000 while also maintaining its structural integrity.
Referring to
The friction between the first tire tread 1042 and the cross-pieces 1014 and 1016 with which the first tire tread 1042 engages, the friction between the second tire tread 1044 and the cross-pieces 1014 and 1016 with which the second tire tread 1044 engages, and the friction between the short ends of the first and second tire treads 1042 and 1044 prevent movement and separation of the first tire tread 1042 and the second tire tread 1044.
As described above, the side rail connector 1000 for adjoining the first tire tread 1042 and the second tire tread 1044 comprises: a first side rail 1002, a second side rail 1002, and at least six cross pieces (four cross pieces 1014 and two cross pieces 1016). A first end of each cross piece is installed in a perpendicular orientation to the same side of the first side rail 1002 with each cross piece positioned apart on the first side rail 1002 so that there is adequate space between each cross piece for a tire tread, a second end of each cross piece is installed in a perpendicular orientation to the same side of the second side rail 1002. Further, two adjacent cross pieces of the six cross pieces are positioned apart so that there is adequate space between the two cross pieces for the first and second tire treads 1042 and 1044. The first tire tread 1042 is positioned in a first direction longitudinal to the first and the second side rails 1002 and is wound about at least three cross pieces of the six cross pieces in a serpentine orientation. Similarly, the second tire tread 1044 is positioned in a second direction opposite to the first direction longitudinal to the first and the second side rails 1002 and is wound about at least the remaining three cross pieces of the six cross pieces in a serpentine orientation.
The side rail connector 1000 of
In an embodiment, a combination of the herein above described connectors may be used to connect a plurality of tire treads (e.g., to form a chain of tire treads, to form a web of tire treads, etc.) and to connect the tire treads to a plurality of structures (e.g., connect a tire tread at one end of a chain of tire treads to a MSE panel and connect a tire tread at the other end of the chain to another or same MSE panel). To illustrate, the connector 700 of
In a further embodiment, the combination of the herein above described connectors can be assembled at a dedicated manufacturing facility, or optionally can be assembled at the site of deployment, thereby providing options for deployment of the embodiments in accordance with the needs of the user, and the location for the deployment. Additionally, the assembly may be distributed between the manufacturing facility and the site of deployment. For example, the various components of the connectors can be assembled in the manufacturing facility and delivered to the site of deployment where the tire treads are cut and installed in using these various pre-assembled components.
While the present disclosure illustrates and describes a preferred embodiment and several alternatives, it is to be understood that the techniques described herein can have a multitude of additional uses and applications. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to just the particular description and various drawing figures contained in this specification that merely illustrate various embodiments and application of the principles of such embodiments.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/621,932, filed Apr. 9, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US13/35677 | 4/8/2013 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61621932 | Apr 2012 | US |