Pre-stressed modular retaining wall system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for constructing a pre-stressed modular construction for supporting or retaining an applied load. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for pre-stressed modular retaining walls. The system comprises a plurality of header stacks constructed from a variety of header units. The header stacks are coupled by structural members. Active reinforcement elements are used to induce a pre-stressing force into the header stacks to support or retain the applied load. A method for constructing the modular construction is provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for fabricating a pre-stressed modular construction for supporting or retaining an applied load. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for pre-stressed modular retaining walls. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] A retaining wall is an engineered structure that has the particular task of ensuring that a given unstable, or potentially unstable, soil mass is prevented from moving under the influence of gravity. Frequently, the retaining wall is also called upon to withstand a superimposed load, a surcharge load, on and / or within the soil mass, such as a highway, together with its traffic loading, or the loading induced by the foundations of a building located in close proximity to the retaining structure. Further, the retaining wall may be required to support some other non-retaining load that is resisted by structural elements directly at...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a system and method for constructing a pre-stressed modular construction for retaining or supporting an applied load. The invention solves the problems with conventional retaining wall systems by providing a more difficult site solution and increased performance expectations. The invention includes a header stack comprised of plural header units and an active reinforcement element that works with the header units to provide a pre-stressing force. The invention also includes a structural member for coupling the header stacks and a tieback transfer beam for added stability. The pre-stressed modular construction is designed to provide more efficient and effective solutions for retaining or supporting applied loads."

Problems solved by technology

However, because of the ever increasing demands that are being placed on our city and urban environments and, most noticeably, on the country's transportation infrastructure, together with the need to preserve our natural environment while providing for the associated societal expectations, there is an increasing number of problematic sites where the currently available retaining wall options cannot provide an optimal solution.

In particular, for those sites that require “foundation-up” construction, there is a dearth of rapid construct, high capacity retaining wall systems possessing significant functional flexibility and which demand only a small construction footprint.

However, this approach is generally considered when the stability issue is more global in nature.

Such simple pre-cast concrete walls are stacked, but include no internal mechanism for enhancing structural capacity.

Further, the Dawson patent does not disclose vertically disposed passive reinforcement through the header assemblies.

Retaining wall systems, such as those shown in the Dawson patent, often do not provide an optimal solution for retaining or supporting an applied load.

The design of conventional retaining wall systems may result in constuctibility problems, resulting in longer construction periods, higher cost, and more extensive use of the surrounding land.

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