Thin stabilized segmental wall blocks, soil reinforcing system, and methods

Abstract

A segmental wall block, soil reinforcing system, and method related thereto, wherein the wall block may be used for constructing retaining walls. In one embodiment, the segmental wall block may include: a front face; a rear face; a slot disposed along the rear face; a troughed top face; a bottom face; a first and second open core extending from the top face to the bottom face; a first side having a tongue; and an opposing second side having a groove, wherein the tongue is shaped to interlock with the groove. A soil system may include: a wall block component including a first configuration of interlocked segmented wall blocks as described, and a stabilizing component. A method of reinforcing soil may include the steps of: installing a leveling pad of concrete or gravel; and providing a soil stabilizing system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A segmental wall block comprising:
 (a) a front face;   (b) a rear face;   (c) a slot disposed along the rear face;   (c) a troughed top face;   (d) a bottom face;   (e) a first and second open core extending from the top face to the bottom face;   (f) a first side having a tongue; and   (g) an opposing second side having a groove, wherein the tongue is shaped to interlock with the groove.   
     
     
         2 . The segmental wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the front face is textured. 
     
     
         3 . The segmented wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the wall block has a length, a height, a depth, a tongue length, and a weight. 
     
     
         4 . The segmented wall block of  claim 3 , wherein the length is from about 10 inches to about 36 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The segmented wall block of  claim 3 , wherein the height is from about 6 inches to about 12 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The segmented wall block of  claim 3 , wherein the depth is from about 5 inches to about 12 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The segmented wall block of  claim 3 , wherein the tongue length is from about 1 inch to about 3 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The segmented wall block of  claim 3 , wherein the weight is from about 35 lbs to about 60 lbs. 
     
     
         9 . The segmented wall block of  claim 1 , further comprising a top groove along said top face adapted to receive a mechanical connector. 
     
     
         10 . A soil reinforcing system comprising:
 a wall block component including a first configuration of interlocked segmented wall blocks, each of the wall blocks comprising:   (a) a front face;   (b) a rear face;   (c) a slot disposed along the rear face;   (c) a troughed top face;   (d) a bottom face;   (e) a first and second open core extending from the top face to the bottom face;   (f) a first side having a tongue; and   (g) an opposing second side having a groove, wherein the tongue is shaped to interlock with the groove; and   a stabilizing component connected to the wall block component.   
     
     
         11 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the wall blocks include a top groove along the top face adapted to receive a mechanical connector. 
     
     
         12 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 10 , wherein the stabilizing component comprises a stabilizing hoop connected intermittently to the slot at the rear face of the configuration of interlocked segmented wall blocks. 
     
     
         13 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 12 , wherein the stabilizing component further comprises a fill material in the stabilizing hoop. 
     
     
         14 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 10 , wherein the stabilizing component comprises an anchor connected to the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 10 , wherein the stabilizing component comprises a horizontal plate at the rear face. 
     
     
         16 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 10 , wherein the stabilizing component comprises a second configuration of segmented wall blocks, wherein one of the second configuration of segmented wall blocks is connected to the rear face of one of the first configuration of segmented wall blocks. 
     
     
         17 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 10 , wherein the stabilizing component is a geogrid structure, 
     
     
         18 . The soil reinforcing system of  claim 10 , wherein the stabilizing component is a combination of stabilizing hoops and horizontal geogrids connected to the first configuration of wall blocks. 
     
     
         19 . A method of reinforcing soil comprising the steps of:
 installing a leveling pad of concrete or gravel;   providing at least three wall blocks, wherein each wall block has a rear face; a slot disposed along the rear face; a troughed top face; a bottom face; a first and second open core extending from the top face to the bottom face; a first side having a tongue; an opposing second side having a groove, wherein the tongue is shaped to interlock with the groove;   forming a first row of the wall blocks by connecting the tongues and grooves of the at least three wall blocks;   installing stabilizing elements at the rear face of the wall blocks; and   placing backfill and compacting up to the first row of the wall blocks.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 providing a geogrid soil reinforcing strip and engaging the geogrid soil reinforcing strip to the groove of the first row of the wall blocks with one or more mechanical connectors; and 
 placing a second row of the wall blocks while engaging the mechanical connectors of the first row of the wall blocks.