Patent ID: 8734059

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 vertical facing disposed adjacent an earthen formation and the horizontal element extending into the earthen formation, wherein the vertical facing comprises a plurality of vertical wires and a plurality of connector leads, each connector lead of the plurality of connector leads 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 detachably coupled to the vertical facing and extending into the earthen formation, the soil reinforcing element comprising a plurality of transverse wires coupled to at least two longitudinal wires having lead ends that converge, wherein the lead ends have deformations defined thereon; and an end connector welded to the lead ends of the longitudinal wires, the end connector being configured to detachably couple the soil reinforcing element to the vertical facing between the two vertical wires of a connector lead of the plurality of connector leads such that at least a portion of the soil reinforcing element extends beyond an end portion of the horizontal element.