Patent ID: 7980790
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
1. A system using wire mesh elements formed of vertical and horizontal wires for reinforcing soil, the system comprising: a first wire mesh element having a first bend formed therein at a first angle to form first and second panels, wherein the second panel is oriented substantially horizontally and each vertical wire of the first panel extends upward from the second panel at the first angle and continues upward at the first angle until terminating at a distal end disposed at the first angle, and wherein a top-most horizontal wire of the first panel is at least a distance D+X from the distal end of each vertical wire; and a second wire mesh element having a second bend formed therein at a second angle to form third and fourth panels, wherein the fourth panel is oriented substantially horizontally and each vertical wire of the third panel extends upward from the fourth panel at the second angle and terminates at a distal end disposed at the second angle, wherein the second element is completely supported by backfill placed on only a portion and not covering all of the second panel, the backfill generating a void between the backfill and the first panel, and wherein the second element is positioned above the first element so that at least a portion of the vertical wires of the first panel penetrate the fourth panel to at least the distance D when the second panel is covered with backfill to a height of X above the top-most horizontal wire of the first panel, wherein X represents a maximum distance separating the top-most horizontal wire of the first panel from the fourth panel, and wherein the first and second elements are not in contact with each other, but may move vertically and laterally relative to one another as the value of X decreases due to compression of the backfill.