Soil reinforcing retaining wall anchor

Abstract

A facing anchor for securing a soil reinforcing element to a facing comprising an unbroken length of continuous wire originating with a pair of lateral extensions cast into a concrete wall and including a series of loops extending from the concrete wall, wherein the loops each include an angularly inclined distal end segment configured to receive corresponding ends of the soil reinforcing element.

1 . A facing anchor for securing a soil reinforcing element to a facing, comprising:
 an unbroken length of continuous wire originating with a pair of lateral extensions cast into a concrete wall and including a series of loops extending from the concrete wall, wherein the loops each include an angularly inclined distal end segment configured to receive corresponding ends of the soil reinforcing element.   
   
   
       2 . The facing anchor of  claim 1  wherein the series of loops is a series of generally horizontally disposed loops, and wherein the angularly inclined distal end segment is downwardly inclined. 
   
   
       3 . The facing anchor of  claim 1  wherein the wire substantially comprises steel. 
   
   
       4 . The facing anchor of  claim 1  wherein the series of loops comprises at least two symmetrical U-shaped loops. 
   
   
       5 . The facing anchor of  claim 1  wherein the downwardly inclined distal end segment is inclined in the range of 20 to 50 degrees relative to a horizontal plane of the facing anchor. 
   
   
       6 . The facing anchor of  claim 1  wherein the downwardly inclined distal end segment is inclined at 35 degrees relative to a horizontal plane of the facing anchor. 
   
   
       7 . The facing anchor of  claim 1  wherein the series of loops are formed on equidistant centers corresponding to the soil reinforcing element. 
   
   
       8 . The facing anchor of  claim 1  wherein the series of loops are formed by a corresponding series of 180 degree arcuate bends in the continuous wire. 
   
   
       9 . A method of manufacturing a facing anchor, comprising:
 providing a wire;   bending the wire to form a series of substantially uniform and U-shaped arcuate loops that are substantially orthogonal to the wire; and   bending the distal ends of the loops downwardly.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the series of uniform arcuate loops comprise at least two symmetrical loops. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the wire substantially comprises steel. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the distal ends of the loops are bent downwardly in the range of 20 to 50 degrees relative to a horizontal plane of the facing anchor. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the distal ends of the loops are bent downwardly to 35 degrees relative to a horizontal plane of the facing anchor. 
   
   
       14 . A system for securing a soil reinforcing element to a facing, comprising:
 a facing anchor made from a continuous wire rod and extending from the facing, the facing anchor defining a series of generally horizontally disposed loops;   a series of generally circular vertically disposed loops formed on the soil reinforcing element and configured to extend through the horizontally disposed loops from one side of the facing anchor to the other; and   a rod extensible through the vertically disposed loops along the other side of the facing anchor and engageable with the facing anchor when so disposed to secure the vertically disposed loops against removal from the horizontally disposed loops.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the horizontally disposed loops include a downwardly inclined distal end segment and wherein tension applied to the soil reinforcing element draws the rod against the segment. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the series of generally horizontally disposed loops comprises at least two symmetrical U-shaped loops. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the series of generally horizontally disposed loops are formed on equi-distant centers corresponding to the soil reinforcing element. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the rod comprises a steel shaft. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the facing comprises a plurality of precast concrete panels stacked one atop the other. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the facing comprises a cast-on-site continuous concrete wall.