Modular block
The retaining wall block addresses the issue of unreliable geosynthetic material fixation by incorporating a fixing element, such as a loop, that passes through the material, enhancing its reliability and preventing material displacement under load.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/RU2024/050297
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-22
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing retaining wall blocks fail to reliably fix geosynthetic materials due to inadequate fixation methods, leading to material tearing during loading, especially when using small-diameter wedging elements or clamping mechanisms that allow mobility of the material.
A retaining wall block with a volumetric body design that includes at least one fixing element passing through the geosynthetic material, such as a loop, to ensure secure fixation and prevent material displacement under load.
The solution significantly enhances the reliability of geosynthetic material fixation within the block, preventing material tearing during loading and ensuring the structural integrity of the retaining wall.
Smart Images

Figure RU2024050297_30052025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Modular block
[0002] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY The invention relates to the field of construction, namely to the arrangement of a landscape with complex relief, and can find application in the construction of highways, intersections of highways and / or railways at different levels, including transport interchanges of complex configuration, in the arrangement of sites for the construction of buildings, for example, as cladding in the construction of retaining walls.
[0003] PRIOR ART
[0004] A facing anchor block is known from the prior art for mortarless masonry of a retaining wall (patent RU2330142, published 27.07.2008). The anchor block is implemented in the form of a volumetric body (parallelepiped), on the upper edge of which a longitudinal groove is made, intended for arranging a comb with a mesh made of polymer material (geosynthetic material) attached to it. The groove depth is equal to or greater than the thickness of the comb. The mesh is fastened to the comb by passing its (the mesh) longitudinal elements through the grooves of the comb. When erecting a retaining wall, the anchor blocks are installed on top of each other, arranging the comb with the web in the grooves of the blocks of each row. In this case, the blocks of each subsequent row press the upper surface of the comb with their lower edge.
[0005] The disadvantage of the described block anchor is the low reliability of fixing the geosynthetic material in the finished retaining wall. This is due to the fact that the combs are located in the grooves without rigid fixation to the block body, labile, i.e. with the possibility of their removal from the finished retaining wall, for which purpose the grooves are made deeper than the thickness of the comb. At the same time, the required degree of fixation of the geosynthetic material cannot be achieved by pressing the upper rows with blocks (their weight), since the area of their surfaces with the elements of the geosynthetic material is critically small for this: the grids have ribs of insignificant width and are located from each other at a distance significantly exceeding the width of the ribs. All this leads to the tearing out of the geosynthetic material from the retaining wall during its loading (when backfilling with crushed stone or soil).
[0006] A retaining wall block is known in the form of a three-dimensional body, on the upper surface of which a groove is made, into which a geosynthetic material is installed and fixed with a wedging element (patent US5044834, published 03.09.1991). The wedging element is a metal or plastic rod, and the geosynthetic material is fixed by installing the rod, wrapped with the end section of the material, in the groove. However, this method of fixing in the block (wedging the rod wrapped with material) does not allow for reliable fastening of the material in the form of a mesh or lattice (not in the form of a solid sheet), which is especially evident when using a small-diameter rod. This is due to the fact that the area of the contact surfaces is very small and with insignificant loading of the mesh / lattice when backfilling with soil, it is torn out of the block (even when pressed by the upper block).Increasing the rod thickness leads to an increase in the dimensions of the groove and, consequently, the block itself, which in some cases may be undesirable. In addition, the rod does not allow fixing materials with relatively high rigidity indicators (for example, uniaxial geogrid brand RE580) due to the impossibility of wrapping the rod or even breakage of the material when wrapping or installing the rod in the groove. The above causes limited functionality of the block and a low degree of reliability of fixing the geosynthetic material.
[0007] The closest in technical essence is a retaining wall block used in civil engineering for landscaping of complex terrain (application EP0677128, published 18.10.1995). The block is a three-dimensional body in which a cavity and a slotted opening (cut) are made, connecting this cavity with the rear surface of the block, intended for holding the geogrid. The cavity is made with a pear-shaped cross-section. A metal or plastic lining (insert) is installed in the cavity, enveloping its surface and narrowing the clearance of the slotted opening. In this case, the lining sections in the area of the slotted opening clamp and fix the geogrid. Additionally, a retainer can be installed in the cavity, covering the transverse rib of the geogrid and having a thickness greater than the clearance thickness of the slotted opening. At the installation site, the blocks are laid on top of each other, placing geogrids in the cavities and slotted holes, the free edge of which is covered with soil.
[0008] However, the described device, selected as a prototype, does not provide reliable fixation of solid and non-solid geosynthetic materials (geofibers and grids / grids, respectively). This is due to the fact that the grating is held by clamping it in the slot opening by the insert, namely by its two ends. However, the process of installing the grating compressed by the insert requires a certain degree of freedom in the slot opening in order to pass such a layered structure (two layers of the insert and a layer of the grating) into the specified opening. And this, in turn, determines the mobility of the material in the direction parallel to the rear surface of the block and in the "inside-out" direction of the block. Considering that the contact area of the insert and the grating (its ribs) is very small, since the structure of the grating determines the location of the ribs at a distance significantly exceeding their width, then when the grating is loaded, it is torn out of the block.In case of using a solid web, the reliability of its fixation is somewhat higher, but the required level is still not achieved. This is due to the mentioned web mobility in the slot opening. The degree of mobility can be reduced by increasing the depth of the slot opening, i.e. by increasing the friction force between the geotextile and the cladding. However, in this case, firstly, the installation of the geotextile in the slot opening becomes more complicated, and secondly, there are risks of breaking the block in the plane coinciding with the plane of the slot opening. All this limits the functionality of the retaining wall block. In addition, the process of installing the retainer with the grate in the cavity is very complex and is not subject to the possibility of quality control of the installation, since it is a "hidden" work, which also reduces the reliability of fixing the material in the block.
[0009] DISCLOSURE OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Thus, the technical problem is to create a retaining wall block with geosynthetic material, characterized by wide functional capabilities.
[0011] The technical result consists in increasing the reliability of fixing the geosynthetic material in the block. The technical problem is solved due to the fact that the retaining wall block, made in the form of a volumetric body, inside which the geosynthetic material is installed, partially protruding from one surface of the body, according to the invention, contains at least one fixing element passing through the geosynthetic material. In a particular embodiment of the device, the fixing element is made in the form of a loop.
[0012] Providing the retaining wall block with at least one fixing element passing through the geosynthetic material ensures its reliable fixation in the block when a load is applied.
[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The claimed device is illustrated by drawings, where Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a retaining wall block with geosynthetic material fixed in it, Fig. 2 is a top view of a block with geosynthetic material (grid) fixed in it, Fig. 3 is a fixing element (design variant), Fig. 4 is a diagram of the connection of a starter with the main (additional) grate. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The claimed block is intended for the construction of reinforced soil structures and engineering structures of transport infrastructure, and can also be used in other branches of construction. The provided drawings demonstrate only a variant of the invention and do not limit other possible variants of its implementation.
[0016] The block is a three-dimensional body 1, manufactured using any technology, for example, by plastic molding from heavy concretes on a cement binder, hardening during heat-moisture treatment. Inside the body 1 there is a reinforcement mesh 2.
[0017] The block can be made of a complex configuration, providing a locking connection with other similar blocks without using a mounting solution for erecting a retaining wall. For this purpose, projections 3 and recesses 4 are made on the upper and lower surfaces. An option is possible when the block contains holes (not shown in the Fig.) for assembly on dowels.
[0018] The block edges (side) can be made parallel to each other or at an angle relative to each other to form straight and curved structures (for example, rounded), respectively.
[0019] In the internal cavity of the block, a geosynthetic material 5 and at least one fixing element 6 are installed, passing through the material 5 at least at one point. In this case, the material 5 partially protrudes outside the volumetric body 1. Depending on the dimensions of the block, there may be one, two or more fixing elements 6 (if necessary). The cell of the geogrid (geosynthetic material 5) is put on the fixing element 6 and concreted during the production of the block. Additional fastening of the grid to the fixing element using a knitting wire is possible (not shown in the Fig.).
[0020] The protruding section of material 5 can be made with a length corresponding to the design length of the web or can be made short (600-800 mm). In the latter version, such a protruding section of material 5 is called a starter and is intended for connection with material of the required design length.
[0021] The embedment depth of geosynthetic material 5 depends on its strength and the required indicators for the reliability of fixation. The most preferable embedment depth is in the range of 50-90% of the block thickness. The height at which material 5 is installed may be different: in the middle of the block surface or with an offset to the upper surface or to the lower surface. It is possible to make a block with two outlets, i.e. with two layers of geosynthetic material protruding at different heights.
[0022] The fixing element 6 can be made in the form of a rod or in the form of a loop made of metal or any other material with the required strength characteristics. The number of fixing elements 6, their shape and the configuration of their location relative to the geosynthetic material 5 are determined based on the block dimensions, the type and mechanical characteristics of the geosynthetic material. Thus, for a series of standard-sized blocks (1400x500x350 mm) using single-axis RE gratings, it is preferable to use two or more fixing elements made in the form of loops and passing through the plane of the grating at two points each, as shown in Fig. 2. When making a block with dimensions of 700x500x350 mm using single-axis RE gratings, it is possible to use one fixing element 6 in the form of a loop passing through the plane of the grating at two points.
[0023] In particular embodiments of the device, the fixing elements 6, made in the form of loops, protrude from the body 1, which allows them to be used as loops for the hook of a lifting crane during loading and unloading operations.
[0024] The fixing elements 6 can be made for the entire thickness of the block, including being in contact with the reinforcement mesh 2.
[0025] When erecting a reinforced soil structure, the first row of blocks is installed on a pre-prepared foundation. Then a soil layer is formed, located below the plane of the gratings (geosynthetic material 5) of the blocks of this first row. After that, if necessary, the grating is “built up” by attaching an additional grating to the starter with a length corresponding to the design length of the reinforcement. Attachment can be performed by passing a rod 7 (for example, a Bodkin connector) alternately between the ribs of the grating or using fastening devices (for solid materials), after which the built-up grating is laid in accordance with the design solution and the installation of subsequent rows of blocks.
[0026] The modular block is not an independent load-bearing element that bears loads and impacts, but is intended for facing a retaining wall (embankment, bridge abutment) made of reinforced soil and gives the structure a complete aesthetic appearance.
[0027] Thus, the declared technical solution allows to obtain a retaining wall block characterized by high reliability of fixation of geosynthetic material in it.
Claims
CLAUSE OF THE INVENTION 1. A modular unit made in the form of a three-dimensional body, inside which a geosynthetic material is installed, partially protruding from one surface of the body, characterized in that it contains at least one fixing element passing through the geosynthetic material.
2. The block according to item 1, characterized in that the fixing element is made in the form of a loop.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
connector
RU163124U1
Reinforced soil retaining wall made of facing blocks
RU194151U1
Facing block-anchor for mortarless brickwork of back wall and back wall
RU2330142C1
Retaining wall
SU1020520A1
Retaining wall block for use with geogrids
US5607262A