Retaining wall system

Abstract

A retaining wall system ( 10 ) is defined which includes a plurality of tyres ( 11 ) arranged in a plurality of courses ( 14 ). The tyres can be offset within the wall and can be cut in various ways to advantageously improve the strength of the wall. In addition, reinforcing ( 25, 30, 32 ) formed from tyres or conveyor belts can be associated with the wall system to improve the structural stability of the wall.

1 - 72 . (canceled)  
   
   
       73 : A retaining wall for retaining an embankment or similar structure including a plurality of tyres arranged in a plurality of courses adjacent to the embankment and such that a central axis of each tyre in an outer face of the retaining wall is inclined to both vertical and horizontal, wherein at least some of the tyres are each cut to remove a substantial proportion of one of the side walls and are arranged in the wall so that the remaining uncut side wall generally faces downwards.  
   
   
       74 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 73 , wherein each tyre's central axis is inclined to vertical at a batter angle ranging from 10° to 20°.  
   
   
       75 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 73 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material or abut.  
   
   
       76 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 74 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material or abut.  
   
   
       77 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 75 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material by a distance that is half a tyre's diameter.  
   
   
       78 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 76 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material by a distance that is half a tyre's diameter.  
   
   
       79 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 73 , wherein each tyre is at least partially filled with a fill material, and further fill material fills gaps between the tyres, and between the tyres and the embankment.  
   
   
       80 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 79 , wherein the fill material includes concrete at the lowest course of tyres, or a granular or particulate, free draining material.  
   
   
       81 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 80 , wherein the granular particulate material is selected from a group consisting of cobble, sand and/or shredded tyre.  
   
   
       82 : A retaining wall for retaining an embankment or similar structure including a plurality of tyres arranged in a plurality of courses adjacent to the embankment and such that a central axis of each tyre in an outer face of the retaining wall is inclined to both vertical and horizontal, wherein at least some of the tyres are each cut in a plane between opposing side walls thereof and are arranged in the wall so that both sides walls generally face downwards.  
   
   
       83 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 82 , wherein each tyre's central axis is inclined to vertical at a batter angle ranging from 10° to 20°.  
   
   
       84 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 82 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material or abut.  
   
   
       85 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 83 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material or abut.  
   
   
       86 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 84 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material by a distance that is half a tyre's diameter.  
   
   
       87 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 85 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material by a distance that is half a tyre's diameter.  
   
   
       88 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 82 , wherein each tyre is at least partially filled with a fill material, and further fill material fills gaps between the tyres, and between the tyres and the embankment.  
   
   
       89 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 88 , wherein the fill material includes concrete at the lowest course of tyres; or a granular or particulate, free draining material.  
   
   
       90 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 88 , wherein the granular particulate material is selected from a group consisting of cobble, sand and/or shredded tyre.  
   
   
       91 : A retaining wall for retaining an embankment or similar structure including a plurality of courses adjacent to the embankment, wherein at least some of the tyres are each cut to remove a substantial portion of a first side wall, and whereby each such tyre is positioned in the wall with a second remaining side wall facing downwards, with a liner being arranged adjacent to the second side wall, and with the removed first side wall being positioned on top of the liner and adjacent to the second side wall.  
   
   
       92 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 91 , wherein a central axis of each tyre in an outer face of the retaining wall is inclined to both vertical and horizontal.  
   
   
       93 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein each tyre's central axis is inclined to vertical at a batter angle ranging from 10° to 20°.  
   
   
       94 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 91 , wherein adjacent courses: 
 are separated by a fill material; or    abut.    
   
   
       95 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein adjacent courses: 
 are separated by a fill material; or    abut.    
   
   
       96 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 93 , wherein adjacent courses: 
 are separated by a fill material; or    abut.    
   
   
       97 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 91 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material by a distance that is half a tyre's diameter.  
   
   
       98 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material by a distance that is half a tyre's diameter.  
   
   
       99 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 93 , wherein adjacent courses are separated by a fill material by a distance that is half a tyre's diameter.  
   
   
       100 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 91 , wherein each tyre is at least partially filled with a fill material, and further fill material fills gaps between the tyres, and between the tyres and the embankment.  
   
   
       101 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein each tyre is at least partially filled with a fill material, and further fill material fills gaps between the tyres, and between the tyres and the embankment.  
   
   
       102 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 93 , wherein each tyre is at least partially filled with a fill material, and further fill material fills gaps between the tyres, and between the tyres and the embankment.  
   
   
       103 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 100 , wherein the fill material includes: 
 concrete at the lowest course of tyres; or    a granular or particulate, free draining material.    
   
   
       104 : A retaining wall as claimed in  claim 103 , wherein the granular particulate material is selected from a group consisting of cobble, sand and/or shredded tyre.