Abstract:
A retaining wall system employs a wall structure, at least one grid member, and first and second rods. The wall structure comprises a wall member and a plurality of wall loops. The first and second rods extend between at least two of the plurality of wall loops. At least portions of at least one of the first and second rods may pass through the wall loops. A grid member is arranged at least partly around one of the first and second rods such that tension applied to one grid member causes one grid member to engage the first and second rods to increase friction between the at least one grid member and the first and second rods. One of the first and second rods is inserted at least partly through one of the wall loops to transfer tension loads on one grid member to the wall member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/233,926, claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/383,199, filed Sep. 15, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to retaining wall systems and methods and, more particularly, to systems and methods for connecting a retaining wall to a grid member buried in backfill. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wall systems are commonly used in construction projects. In particular, construction projects such as home building and road construction often require that the ground be excavated to obtain a flat and/or substantially level surface. The process of leveling the ground may require the formation of a vertical face adjacent to the leveled surface. To maintain the vertical face, wall systems are used. Often, it is desirable to tie the wall system often in to the earth or ground behind the wall system for additional stability. 
     The need thus exists for improved systems and methods for stabilizing retaining wall systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention may be embodied as a retaining wall system comprising a wall structure, at least one grid member, and first and second rods. The wall structure comprises a wall member and a plurality of wall loops. The first and second rods are sized and dimensioned to extend between at least two of the plurality of wall loops and such that at least portions of at least one the first and second rods may pass through the wall loops. The at least one grid member is arranged at least partly around at least one of the first and second rods such that tension applied to the at least one grid member causes the at least one grid member to engage the first and second rods to increase friction between the at least one grid member and the first and second rods. At least one of the first and second rods is inserted at least partly through at least one of the wall loops to transfer tension loads on the at least one grid member to the wall member. 
     The present invention may also be embodied as a method of forming a retaining wall system comprising the following steps. A wall structure comprising a wall member and a plurality of wall loops is provided. At least one grid member is provided. First and second rods are provided. The first and second rods are sized and dimensioned to extend between at least two of the plurality of wall loops and such that at least portions of at least one of the first and second rods may pass through the wall loops. The at least one grid member is arranged at least partly around at least one of the first and second rods. At least one of the first and second rods is inserted at least partly through at least one of the wall loops. Backfill is arranged on the at least one grid member to apply tension to the at least one grid member to cause the at least one grid member to engage the first and second rods to increase friction between the at least one grid member and the first and second rods, thereby facilitating the transfer of tension loads on the at least one grid member to the wall member. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first example retaining wall system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view depicting a configuration of the first example retaining wall system of the present invention in situ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a first example grid profile that may be used by the first example retaining wall system; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a second example grid profile that may be used by the first example retaining wall system; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of a third example grid profile that may be used by the first example retaining wall system; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a fourth example grid profile that may be used by the first example retaining wall system; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of a fifth example grid profile that may be used by the first example retaining wall system; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second example retaining wall system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third example retaining wall system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawing, depicted therein is a first example retaining wall system  20  constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first example retaining wall system  20  may be supported by an example earth structure  22 . The example earth structure  22  defines a surface  24  having a surface profile. Backfill material  26  is arranged on the surface  24 . 
     The example retaining wall system  20  comprises a wall structure  30  comprising a wall member  32  and at least one wall loop  34 . The example wall structure  30  comprises a plurality (two or more) of the wall loops  34  arranged in first and second rows  36  and  38 . 
     The example wall system  20  further comprises at least one example grid member  40  comprising a plurality (two or more) of longitudinal members  42  and lateral members  44 . The example wall system  20  comprises first and second courses  46  and  48  of the grid members  40 . 
     The example wall system  20  further comprises at least one rod pair  50  comprising a first rod  52  and a second rod  54 . The example rod pairs  50  are arranged in a first set  56  and a second set  58 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-7 , it can be seen that the example wall member  32  defines a rear face  60 .  FIGS. 3-7  also show that the example wall loops  34  comprise first and second anchor portions  62  and  64  and an exposed portion  66 . The anchor portions  62  and  64  are embedded within the wall member  32  to inhibit relative movement between the wall loops  34  and the wall member  32 . The rear face  60  and the exposed portions  66  define a loop opening  68 . In the example system  20 , the loop openings  68  of each course of wall loops are aligned to define first and second loop passageways  70  and  72  associated with the first row  36  and the second row  38  of wall loops  34 . 
       FIGS. 3-7  further illustrate a number of grid profiles in which rods  52  and  54  interact with the wall loop  34  and the grid member  40  interacts with the rods  52  and  54  in a tortuous path that creates friction between the grid member  40  and the rods  52  and  54 , thereby inhibiting relative movement between the wall member  32  and the grid member  40 . In  FIGS. 3-7 , for clarity spaces are shown between the wall loop  34 , the grid member  40 , the rods  52  and  54 , and the rear face  60  of the wall member  32 . During installation and use of the retaining wall system  20 , however, tension applied to the grid member  40  pulls the wall loop  34 , the grid member  40 , the rods  52  and  54  together to eliminate these spaces to cause the friction discussed above. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a first example grid profile  80  in which the first rod  52  extends through the loop passageway  70  and the second rod  54  extends above the loop passageway  70  on top of the exposed portion  66  of the wall loops  34 . In the first example grid profile  80 , the example grid member  40 , and in particular end portions of the longitudinal members  42  of the grid member  40 , are extended under the first rod  52 , over the second rod  54 , and down along the rear face  60  of the wall member  32 . The rods  52  and  54  engage the wall loop  34  such that, when the grid member  40  is placed under tension, friction between the grid member  40  and the rods  52  and  54  inhibits relative movement between the wall member  32  and the grid member  40 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a second example grid profile  82  in which the first rod  52  extends through the loop passageway  70  and the second rod  54  extends above the loop passageway  70  on top of the exposed portion  66  of the wall loops  34 . In the second example grid profile  82 , the example grid member  40 , and in particular end portions of the longitudinal members  42  of the grid member  40 , are extended under the first rod  52  and the second rod  54 , over the second rod  54 , down between the first and second rods  52  and  54 , under the first rod  52 , and back substantially parallel to and above a buried portion of the grid member  40 . The rods  52  and  54  engage the wall loop  34  such that, when the grid member  40  is placed under tension, friction between the grid member  40  and the rods  52  and  54  inhibits relative movement between the wall member  32  and the grid member  40 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a third example grid profile  84  in which the first rod  52  and the second rod  54  extend through the loop passageway  70 . In the third example grid profile  84 , the example grid member  40 , and in particular end portions of the longitudinal members  42  of the grid member  40 , are extended under the first rod  52 , over the second rod  54 , down along the rear face  60  of the wall member  32 , and back substantially parallel to and under the buried portion of the grid member  40 . The rods  52  and  54  engage the wall loop  34  such that, when the grid member  40  is placed under tension, friction between the grid member  40  and the rods  52  and  54  inhibits relative movement between the wall member  32  and the grid member  40 . In this third example grid profile  84 , placing the grid member  40  in tension will further pull the first and second rods  52  and  54  together, effectively clamping the grid member  40  therebetween. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth example grid profile  88  in which the first rod  52  and the second rod  54  extend through the loop passageway  70 . In the fifth example grid profile  88 , the example grid member  40 , and in particular end portions of the longitudinal members  42  of the grid member  40 , are extended under the first rod  52  and the second rod  54 , over the second rod  54 , between the first and second rods  52  and  54 , over the first and second rods  52  and  54 , down along the rear face  60  of the wall member  32 , and back substantially parallel to and under the buried portion of the grid member  40 . The rods  52  and  54  engage the wall loop  34  such that, when the grid member  40  is placed under tension, friction between the grid member  40  and the rods  52  and  54  inhibits relative movement between the wall member  32  and the grid member  40 . In this fourth example grid profile  86 , placing the grid member  40  in tension will further pull the first and second rods  52  and  54  together, effectively clamping the grid member  40  therebetween. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth example grid profile  86  in which the first rod  52  and the second rod  54  extend through the loop passageway  70 . In the fourth example grid profile  86 , the example grid member  40 , and in particular end portions of the longitudinal members  42  of the grid member  40 , are extended under the first rod  52  and the second rod  54 , over the first rod  52  and the second rod  54 , down in front of the first rod  52 , and back substantially parallel to and above the buried portion of the grid member  40 . The rods  52  and  54  engage the wall loop  34  such that, when the grid member  40  is placed under tension, friction between the grid member  40  and the rods  52  and  54  inhibits relative movement between the wall member  32  and the grid member  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  of the drawing, depicted therein is a second example retaining wall system  120  constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The second example retaining wall system  120  may be supported by an earth structure such as the example earth structure  22  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Again, backfill material is arranged on a surface of the earth structure. 
     The example retaining wall system  120  comprises a wall structure  130  comprising a wall member  132  and at least one wall loop  134 . The example wall structure  130  comprises a plurality (two or more) of the wall loops  134  arranged in first and second rows  136  and  138 . 
     The example wall system  120  further comprises a plurality (two or more) of example grid members  140  each comprising a plurality (two or more) of longitudinal members  142  and lateral members  144 . The example grid members  140  are mesh sheets of material suitable for being buried within backfill material and for bearing the tension loads necessary reinforce the wall structure  130 . The grid members  140  may be rigid but will typically be flexible. If rigid, the grid members  140  may be pre-formed in a shape that allows formation of the grid profiles as will be described in further detail herein. The example wall system  120  comprises first and second courses each comprising a plurality (two or more) of the grid members  140 , although only the first course  142  is depicted in  FIG. 8  for purposes of clarity. The first course is associated with the first row  136  of wall loops  134 , and the second course is associated with the second row  138  of wall loops  134 . 
     The example wall system  120  further comprises at least one rod pair  150  comprising a first rod  152  and a second rod  154 . The example rod pairs  150  are arranged in a first set  156  and a second set  158 .  FIG. 8  illustrates that the example wall system  120  comprises a plurality (two or more) of rod pairs  150  for each of the courses  146  and  148 . The example rod pairs  150  each extend through a plurality (two or more) of the grid members  140  in one of the courses of grid members  140 . 
     Although  FIG. 8  illustrates that each of the rod pairs  150  connects two adjacent grid members  140  to the wall member  130  using two of the wall loops  134 , each rod pair  150  may extend through fewer than two (i.e., one) or more than two (i.e., three or more) of the grid members  140  depending on such factors as the width of the grid members  140 , the spacing between the grid members  140 , the spacing between the wall loops  134 , and the length of the rods  152  and  154  forming the rod pairs  150 . 
     In any event, the rod pairs  150  may be used to connect the grid members  140  to the wall member  130  using any of the grid profiles described above with respect to and/or depicted in  FIGS. 3-7 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9  of the drawing, depicted therein is a third example retaining wall system  220  constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The third example retaining wall system  220  may be supported by an earth structure such as the example earth structure  22  depicted in  FIG. 2 . Again, backfill material is arranged on a surface of the earth structure. 
     The example retaining wall system  220  comprises a wall structure  230  comprising a wall member  232  and at least one wall loop  234 . The example wall structure  230  comprises a plurality (two or more) of the wall loops  234  arranged in first and second rows  236  and  238 . 
     The example wall system  220  further comprises a plurality (two or more) of example grid members  240 . The example grid members  240  are solid sheets of material suitable for being buried within backfill material and for bearing the tension loads necessary to reinforce the wall structure  230 . The grid members  240  may be rigid but will typically be flexible. If rigid, the grid members  240  may be pre-formed in a shape that allows formation of the grid profiles as will be described in further detail herein. If flexible, strips of geo-textile fabrics or the like may be suitable for use as the example grid members  240 . The example wall system  220  comprises first and second courses each comprising a plurality (two or more) of the grid members  240 , although only the first course  242  is depicted in  FIG. 9  for purposes of clarity. The first course is associated with the first row  236  of wall loops  234 , and the second course is associated with the second row  238  of wall loops  234 . 
     The example wall system  220  further comprises at least one rod pair  250  comprising a first rod  252  and a second rod  254 . The example rod pairs  250  are arranged in a first set  256  and a second set  258 . The example wall system  220  comprises a plurality (two or more) of rod pairs  250  for each of the courses of grid members  240 . The example rod pairs  250  each extend through a plurality (two or more) of the grid members  240  in one of the courses  242  and  244 . 
     Although  FIG. 9  illustrates that each of the rod pairs  250  connects two adjacent grid members  240  to the wall member  230  using two of the wall loops  234 , each rod pair  250  may extend through fewer than two (i.e., one) or more than two (i.e., three or more) of the grid members  240  depending on such factors as the width of the grid members  240 , the spacing between the grid members  240 , the spacing between the wall loops  234 , and the length of the rods  252  and  254  forming the rod pairs  250 . 
     In any event, the rod pairs  250  may be used to connect the grid members  240  to the wall member  230  using any of the grid profiles described above with respect to and/or depicted in  FIGS. 3-7 . 
     From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present invention may be embodied in many different combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and steps described above. The scope of the present invention should thus be determined by the claims to be appended hereto and not the foregoing detailed description.