Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Retaining Wall Employing Reinforcement Rods

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall that employs one or more reinforcement rods, such as rebar, and that can be produced with inexpensive, widely available parts. A concrete panel is provided. A steel embed is provided with an embed loop and with first and second outwardly extending stems having aligned embed apertures. The loop is secured within the concrete panel. A steel reinforcement rod is provided with a generally cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends. The first end resides within backfill soil, and the second end has a rod loop, preferably created by reshaping the end of the reinforcement rod. A steel fastener extends through the embed apertures and the rod loop to thereby secure together the reinforcement rod and the embed.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall, the wall comprising:
 a concrete panel, the panel having a generally planar body with a frontside, a backside, and a surrounding peripheral edge;   a steel embed having first and second parts, the first part residing and secured within the concrete panel, the second part extending outwardly from the backside, the second part having an embed aperture;   a steel reinforcement rod, the rod having a generally cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends, the first end residing within backfill soil, the second end having a rod loop; and   a steel fastener extending through the embed aperture and the rod loop to thereby secure together the reinforcement rod and the embed.   
     
     
         2 . The wall of  claim 1 , wherein the rod loop is formed from a reshaped end part of the reinforcement rod. 
     
     
         3 . The wall of  claim 1 , wherein the rod loop is generally circular and wherein the fastener is a steel threaded bolt having a generally cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends, the first end having a bolt head, the second end having a steel bolt and nut that is threaded thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The wall of  claim 1 , wherein the steel reinforcement rod comprises a plurality of raised ribs along its elongated body. 
     
     
         5 . The wall of  claim 4 , wherein the steel reinforcement rod is rebar. 
     
     
         6 . The wall of  claim 1 , wherein the embed aperture has a central axis that extends generally parallel to the backside of the panel. 
     
     
         7 . The wall of  claim 1 , wherein the first part of the embed is a steel loop and the second part comprises first and second stems secured to and extending in a linear manner outwardly from the steel loop, each of the stems having opposing first and second generally flat sides extending between first and second edges and having first and second apertures, the first side of the first stem being contiguous with the second side of the second stem, the first and second apertures being substantially aligned to create the embed aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The wall of  claim 7 , wherein the embed loop is generally triangular. 
     
     
         9 . A system for connecting a concrete panel associated with a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall with a steel reinforcement rod that extends into backfill soil, the system comprising:
 a steel embed having first and second parts, the first part residing and secured within the concrete panel, the second part extending outwardly from the backside, the second part having an embed aperture;   a steel reinforcement rod, the rod having a generally cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends, the first end residing within backfill soil, the second end having a rod loop; and   a steel fastener extending through the embed aperture and the rod loop to thereby secure together the connector plate and the embed.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the rod loop is formed from a reshaped end part of the reinforcement rod. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the rod loop is generally circular and wherein the fastener is a steel threaded bolt having a generally cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends, the first end having a bolt head, the second end having a steel bolt and nut that is threaded thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the steel reinforcement rod comprises a plurality of raised ribs along its elongated body. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the steel reinforcement rod is rebar. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the embed aperture has a central axis that extends generally parallel to the backside of the panel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first part of the embed is a steel loop and the second part comprises first and second stems secured to and extending in a linear manner outwardly from the steel loop, each of the stems having opposing first and second generally flat sides extending between first and second edges and having first and second apertures, the first side of the first stem being contiguous with the second side of the second stem, the first and second apertures being substantially aligned to create the embed aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the embed loop is triangular. 
     
     
         17 . A mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall comprising the system of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         18 . A mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall, the wall comprising:
 a concrete panel, the panel having a generally planar body with a frontside, a backside, and a surrounding peripheral edge;   a steel embed having first and second parts, the first part residing and secured within the concrete panel, the second part extending outwardly from the backside, the first part of the embed being a steel embed loop, the second part comprising first and second stems secured to and extending in a linear manner outwardly from the steel loop, each of the stems having opposing first and second generally flat sides extending between first and second edges and having first and second apertures, the first side of the first stem being contiguous with the second side of the second stem, the first and second apertures being substantially aligned;   a steel reinforcement rebar rod, the rebar rod having a generally cylindrical elongated body with first and second ends, the first end residing within backfill soil, the second end having a rod loop; and   a steel bolt extending through the embed first and second apertures and the rod loop, the bolt secured by a nut, the bolt and the nut securing together the rebar rod and the embed.   
     
     
         19 . The wall of  claim 18 , wherein the rod loop is formed from a reshaped end part of the reinforcement rebar rod. 
     
     
         20 . The wall of  claim 18 , wherein the embed is triangular in shape.