Patent ID: 6632048
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
A retaining wall for retaining a body of soil, said retaining wall comprising in combination:a) a footer positioned at or below the lower grade level of the soil; b) a plurality of vertically extending post-tensioning rods having one end of each of said rods anchored in said footer and threads disposed about the other end; c) a plurality of courses of masonry blocks having cells therein for penetrably receiving the respective vertically extending post-tensioning rods; d) at least one claming plate disposed along the top of the course next to the top course, at least some of said plates including at least one aperture, each of said apertures receiving a corresponding one of vertically extending post-tensioning rods to extend therethrough; e) a plurality of nuts, each of said nuts being threaded on said threaded end of one of said post-tensioning rods to apply force to said clamping plate and to post-tension said rods; f) a top course of masonry blocks having cells for receiving respective ones of said threaded ends and attached ones of said nuts and including grout disposed within each of the cells to envelope said threaded ends and nuts and to fill said cells, whereby the top surface of the top course is essentially planar; and g) an extended wall extending vertically from said top course.