Patent ID: 6719492
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
An arch support system comprising:A) a first selected area having first and second side edges; B) a second selected area spaced above said first selected area and extending beyond a vertical projection of said first and second side edges of said first selected area; C) an arch structure located between said second selected area and said first selected area; D) said arch structure including a first sidewall adjacent to said first side edge of said first selected area and a second sidewall adjacent to said second side edge of said first selected area, and an arch element spanning said first selected area, said arch element being located beneath said second selected area; E) each of the first and second sidewalls of said arch structure having a bottom end located adjacent to said first selected area and a top end spaced above said first selected area; F) the arch element of said arch structure having a first end positioned adjacent to an upper end of said first sidewall and a second end positioned adjacent an upper end of said second sidewall; and G) a first foundation block positioned near and behind said first sidewall and a second foundation block positioned near and behind said second sidewall, the first foundation block supporting the first end of the arch element and the second foundation block supporting the second end of the arch element, wherein said first and second foundation blocks comprise soil, and wherein the first foundation block supports the first end of the arch element at a location higher than the bottom end of the first sidewall and the second foundation block supports the second end of the arch element at a location higher than the bottom end of the second sidewall.