Patent ID: 8632280

Claim:
A mechanically stabilized earth structure, comprising: a wire facing having a bend formed therein to form a horizontal element and a vertical facing, the horizontal element having initial and terminal wires each coupled to a plurality of horizontal wires, and the vertical facing comprising: a plurality of vertical wires coupled to a plurality of facing cross wires and a top-most cross wire; and a plurality of connector leads extending from the horizontal element and up the vertical facing, each connector lead comprising two vertical wires of the plurality of vertical wires, the two vertical wires being laterally offset from each other by a short distance; a soil reinforcing element having a plurality of transverse wires coupled to at least two longitudinal wires having lead ends that converge; and a connector configured to detachably couple the soil reinforcing element to the wire facing such that at least a portion of the soil reinforcing element extends beyond an end portion of the horizontal element, comprising: a facing anchor comprising a plate defining a plate aperture and being integral with or coupled to an extension member configured such that at least a portion of the extension member is inserted between the two vertical wires of a connector lead of the plurality of connector leads whereby the facing anchor is detachably coupled to the vertical facing; a connective stud comprising a straight shaft with a first end configured to be coupled to the soil reinforcing element and a second end terminating with a first prong and a second prong, each extending axially from the shaft and offset from the other, such that a gap is defined therebetween; and a coupling device configured to couple the facing anchor to the connective stud.