Patent ID: 9011048
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
1. A method for constructing a mechanically stabilized earthen embankment in a location, the method comprising the steps of: constructing a wall facing element adjacent the location of the earthen embankment; providing a plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements, each having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length; determining a plane of maximum force that will be generated by the mechanically stabilized earthen embankment once it has been constructed in the location; defining a zone of maximum force that includes the plane of maximum force and extends on either side of the plane of maximum force a total depth that is between 5-35% of the length of the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements; forming in each of the elongate soil reinforcement elements two or more semi-extensible bent segments, the semi-extensible bent segments forming a semi-extensible region, but wherein a proximal portion of the elongate soil reinforcing elements adjacent the proximal end, and a distal portion adjacent the distal end, remain substantially straight and inextensible; positioning the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements with the proximal ends adjacent the wall facing element such that the elongate soil reinforcement elements extend into the location of the earthen embankment and such that the semi-extensible region is within the zone of maximum force; connecting the proximal end of each of the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements to the wall facing element; adding fill soil to the location to build the earthen embankment over the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements; repeating the steps of positioning more of the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements, connecting them to the wall facing elements, and adding fill soil, until the mechanically stabilized earthen embankment has been completed, and such that stress in the fill soil creates sufficient force to straighten some of the plurality of semi-extensible bent segments, allowing the earthen embankment to move to an active condition thereby reducing the stress on the soil reinforcement elements.