Wire basket and retaining-wall system employing same

Abstract

An apparatus for retaining a landfilling material, the apparatus at least has a vertical structure, a horizontal structure, and a strut for engaging the vertical structure and the horizontal structure, the strut at least comprising a first hook. The horizontal structure at least has a front portion longitudinally rearwardly extending from a lower portion of the vertical structure, an anchoring structure on a rear side of the front portion for engaging the first hook of the strut, a laterally extending securing rod, or a combination thereof for securing a rearwardly extending reinforcement sheet to the anchoring structure, and a rear portion on a rear side of the anchoring structure.

Description

[0001] WIRE BASKET AND RETAINING- WALL SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 620,065, filed January 11, 2024, and US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 677,916, filed July 31 , 2024, the content of each which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application also claims priority to Chinese Patent Application Serial No. 202410265777.4, filed on March 08, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0004] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] The present disclosure relates generally to a retaining-wall system for stabilizing an earth structure, and in particular to a retaining-wall system having wire baskets and decorative panels.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Retaining-wall systems have been widely used for stabilizing earth structures. Such systems generally comprise forming, installing, or otherwise securing a rigid wall structure of suitable materials such as concrete, stones, and / or the like, and then filling in earth or soil on one side of the wall structure. The secured wall structure thus retains and stabilizes the earth. In some applications, reinforcement structures such as re-bars or geosynthetics may be coupled to the wall structure for improving the stability thereof.

[0008] For example, US Patent No. 6,238,144 to Babcock teaches a full height, elevated base, pre -manufactured, retaining wall facing system attached to a separate closed face mechanically stabilized earth retention structure, incorporating a continuous closure beam at the top interface of the panel facing and the separate mechanically stabilized earth retention structure.

[0009] PCT Application Publication No. WO / 2003 / 058003 to Babcock teaches connection devices to improve utilization of synthetic deformed bars to transfer tensile loads, and attachment devices for connection of thin wall face panels to mechanically stabilized earth walls with minimal tensile loads.

[0010] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0334805 Al to Macdonald teaches wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls, which more particularly relate to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture. US Patent No. 4,824,293 to Brown, et al. teaches a construction for a retaining wall member utilizing a preformed channel in the member communicating through a slit formed between the channel and one face of the member for retention of a tieback utilized to affix the member to an underlying mass. The tieback may be retained by the mechanical interference between the walls of the slit and an enlarged portion of the tieback located within the channel. Alternatively, an interference rod may be inserted into the channel to retain the tieback.

[0011] Chinese Patent No. 103669399 B to Xia, et al. teaches a reinforced retaining wall with concrete panels and a construction method. The retaining wall includes a surface layer and a geogrid-reinforced wall. The feature is that the surface layer is an integral cast-in-place concrete panel. The bottom is provided with a concrete strip foundation, the geogrid-reinforced wall is a turn-back geogrid-reinforced wall, and the turn-back geogrid-reinforced wall and the integrally cast-in-situ concrete panel are connected by reinforcing steel mesh and embedded anchoring steel bars. The construction method includes the following steps: foundation earth excavation slope bottom strip foundation construction reinforced earth retaining wall construction cast-in- place concrete panel construction.

[0012] Japanese Patent No. 4665219 B2 to Morizot, et al. teaches a construction of a reinforced earth wall structure. This construction technique is generally used to manufacture structures such as retaining walls and abutments. The reinforced earth wall structure is a combination of a rolled embankment, a retaining wall surface, and a reinforcing material generally connected to the retaining wall surface.

[0013] Korean Patent No. 100495782 Bl to Lee teaches a block-assembled reinforced soil retaining-wall panel and a method of constructing a reinforced soil retaining wall using the panel, in which a front, a rear, and a plurality of grooves are formed, and at a predetermined position of the groove. Interlocking the bottom surface and the upper surface with the upper and lower through -holes formed thereon, and the unit blocks of the adjacent panels to prevent them from spreading or being in close contact. A unit block manufactured to have both side surfaces formed at the lower and upper portions of the insertion part and the locking groove into which the fasteners are inserted, respectively. A connector inserted into the through hole in a state in which the plurality of unit blocks are stacked up and down; it is fastened to one side of the connector and includes a coupling means for coupling a plurality of unit blocks stacked, and is pre-assembled into one panel at a factory or site, so that construction by equipment is possible. A block- assembled reinforced soil retaining-wall panel and a construction method of reinforced soil retaining wall using this panel are also provided.

[0014] Korean Patent No. 100525156 Bl to Nam teaches that, in a retaining wall, the permanent anchor fixed on the precast concrete panel is fixed to the original ground to improve the resistance to the earth pressure applied to the precast concrete panel, and to provide a retaining wall that suppresses ground activity with a greater resistance. The retaining wall construction method comprises the step of arranging the ground horizontally along the boundary line to which the retaining wall is to be constructed and cutting the slope, and the hollow in the horizontally arranged ground; the steps of seating and positioning the formed panel, perforating the sloping ground to gradually incline downward toward the inside of the sloping ground with respect to the horizontal direction of the earth pressure to be applied to the panel, and inserting the anchor into the insertion hole of the sloping ground, fixing the rear end of the anchor to the insertion hole of the sloping ground, and tensioning the anchor. It is a technical feature configured to include the step of fixing the front end of the tensioned anchor to the panel, and embedding between the panel and the cut slope. In addition, the retaining wall includes the panels positioned along the area where the horizontally arranged ground and the cut slope contact, the hollow formed in the panel and the cut slope (both ends are fixed in a tensioned state in the insertion hole drilled in the sloping ground), and an anchor having a slope gradually inclined downward toward the inside of the sloping ground with respect to the direction of the horizontal earth pressure applied to the panel. The installed retaining wall is located vertically so that vegetation such as free planting is possible by embedding between the panel and the cut slope, and the angle of the anchor to the horizontal earth pressure acting on the panel. By installing smaller than the conventional anchor to reduce the force required for suppressing ground activity, the tensile force that the anchor must receive can be reduced.

[0015] Korean Patent No. 101151318 B1 to Cha, et al. teaches a concrete retaining wall structure using a three anchor type rock bolt and precast panel. In more detail, it teaches a concrete retaining wall structure using a set anchor type rock bolt and a precast panel of a new structure so as to provide drainage while stabilizing the slope and reinforcing the slope. A precast panel is used in which the front plate and the rear plate are manufactured in an eccentric structure and formed into a structure having a drainage groove without clogging, and an anchor bar equipped with a pullout resistor at the rear end inserted into the perforated hole.

[0016] US Patent No. 6,595,726 to Egan, et al. teaches a retaining-wall system formed from a wire facing unit having an upstanding face section and a rearwardly extending floor section, the rear end of which is provided with aligned, transversely extending, openings defined by upstanding, inserted U-shaped, in the wire elements. The apertures in the forward portion of a geogrid, preferably an integral, uniaxially-stretched, polymer geogrid, can be seated over the protuberances and a connecting rod inserted through the openings to secure the geogrid to the wire facing unit. Strengthening struts can be engaged between cross-wires at the top of the face section of the wire facing unit and at the rear of the floor section of the wire facing unit. An aggregate, including soil or the like, can then be placed behind the face section and over the floor section of the wire facing unit and over the geogrid to form a geogrid-reinforced retaining wall section. Multiple sections may be formed side-by-side and multiple tiers can be constructed with the front faces of superior sections aligned or set back from each other to permit plantings to be placed in front of superior face sections. The connecting rod may be rigid. Alternatively, the connecting rod may be resilient or flexible to facilitate inserting the same between a pair of wires into the aligned openings formed by the protuberances, particularly for interior wire facing units in a series of laterally juxtaposed sections where access to the openings from the sides of the wire facing unit is difficult.

[0017] US Patent No. 7,399,144 to Kallen teaches a structure for stabilizing an earthen embankment comprising an embankment support for restraining movement of at least a part of the embankment, a flexible fiber geogrid extending longitudinally through the embankment from a first end portion secured to the support to a second end portion, and anchor means for securing one of the end portions. The anchor means comprises a pair of anchor rods extending transversely in relation to the geo grid, and means for limiting movement of the anchor rods. The end portion secured by the anchor means is wrapped back and forth around the anchor rods so as to tighten thereon when the geogrid is pulled in longitudinal tension away from the anchor means. A method of anchoring a flexible fiber geogrid to a support utilizing such anchor rods is also disclosed.

[0018] US Patent No. 5,076,735 to Hilfiker teaches gabions constructed of welded wire gridworks comprising integrally joined planar panels disposed in angle relationship to one another. The gridworks are secured together to define a three-dimensional volume therebetween. In one embodiment the gabions are provided with soil reinforcing mats secured thereto to define a bottom for the three-dimensional volume. The mats extend laterally from the gabions and, when the gabions are assembled in tiers at the face of an earthen formation, serve as soil reinforcements for the formation.

[0019] US Patent No. 6,802,675 to Timmons, et al. teaches mechanically stabilized retaining wall structures comprising a stabilized earth mass connected to a precast concrete panel facing wall. A lengthwise adjustable turnbuckle style connector assembly accommodates horizontal and vertical offsets in the connection points. An array of the connection assemblies comprise a three- dimensional space truss that accommodates wall movement horizontally and vertically with respect to the wall face as well as perpendicular to the wall.

[0020] US Patent No. 7,281,882 to Hilfiker, et al. teaches a soil reinforced retaining wall for an earthen formation which is provided by embedding planar soil reinforcing mats in the formation at vertically spaced intervals and securing face mats between the soil reinforcing mats. The face mats include fingers extending distally from the edges thereof for engagement with opposite sides of a complemental face mat, whereby the mats are held in general vertical alignment. Certain of the fingers are of a gently curved configuration to frictionally hold edge portions of the face mats in spaced relationship for compression toward one another to accommodate settlement of the earthen formation, without bulging of the face mats. An L-shaped starter mat is engaged within a recess formed at the foot of the formation to provide an upstanding portion engaged with the lowermost is face mat to hold the mat in a generally vertical orientation. A tail is provided on the uppermost face mat for embedment within the backfill to cap the wall.

[0021] US Patent No. 7,980,790 to Taylor, et al. teaches a compressible mechanically stabilized earth retaining-wall system and installation thereof for reinforcing earth walls and, more specifically, for constructing a mechanically stabilized earth welded wire wall with a series of soil reinforcing elements and facing panels that do not bear on the facing panel of the lower elements, but bear on the reinforced backfill zone while allowing the facing panels to be integrated with the soil reinforcing elements above.

[0022] US Patent No. 8,632,281 to Taylor teaches a system and method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure. A wire facing is composed of horizontal and vertical elements, where a soil-reinforcing element is coupled to the wire facing at one or more crimps formed in either of the horizontal or vertical elements. A connection device may be inserted through an opening defined between the soil-reinforcing element and the one or more crimps such that the soil reinforcing element may be coupled to the wire facing. A strut may be coupled to the top-most cross wire of the vertical element and the terminal wire of the horizontal element to maintain the vertical element at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal element as backfill is added to the wire facing.

[0023] US Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0185634 to Babcock teaches methods utilizing synthetic deformed bars and or high strength post tensioning bars to form earth retaining structures, and methods of constructing the walls. Mechanically stabilized earth panel faced walls are described utilizing synthetic deformed bars or stainless steel grids to secure the wall facing. Multiple types of retaining structures of precast utilizing conventional precast concrete double tee sections in combination with synthetic deformed bars or high strength steel post tensioning bars or steel stress strand are also provided.

[0024] Geosynthetics materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resins have been commonly used, e.g., in Tensar® uniaxial (UX) geogrids (Tensar is a registered trademark of Tensar Corporation of Alpharetta, GA, USA) to stabilize an earth structure with superior advantages, such as high flexural rigidity, high tensile modulus, high resistance to biological and / or chemical degradation normally encountered in the material, and / or the like. However, there is still a need of an effective method using flexible polymer geogrid (also denoted “flexible sheet”) to mechanically interlock the reinforced earthwork with the panel face or other solid structures, as well as two-staged concrete panel systems having concrete face panels established on reinforced welded wire -mesh subsystems.

[0025] Therefore, it is always a desire for a novel retaining-wall system for stabilizing an earth structure.

[0026] SUMMARY

[0027] According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for retaining a landfilling material, the apparatus at least comprising: a vertical structure; a horizontal structure; and a strut for engaging the vertical structure and the horizontal structure, the strut at least comprising a first hook; wherein the horizontal structure at least comprises: a front portion longitudinally rearwardly extending from a lower portion of the vertical structure, an anchoring structure on a rear side of the front portion for engaging the first hook of the strut, a laterally extending securing rod, or a combination thereof for securing a rearwardly extending reinforcement sheet to the anchoring structure, and a rear portion on a rear side of the anchoring structure.

[0028] In some embodiments, the anchoring structure at least comprises a first laterally extending anchoring wire coupled to the front portion.

[0029] In some embodiments, the reinforcement sheet at least comprises a geogrid overlapping the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly, the geogrid at least comprising a plurality of laterally spaced strips longitudinally extending between a plurality of transverse bars, each of the plurality of transverse bars having a thickness greater than that of the plurality of strips; the plurality of transverse bars comprises a first transverse bar located on a front side of the first anchoring wire; and the anchoring structure is configured for engaging the first hook, the securing rod, or the combination thereof to form a stopper for preventing the first transverse bar from moving rearward.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first hook is an upwardly curved hook on a rear side of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire from a front -bottom side thereof.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending or otherwise transitioning from a body of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire; and an end portion extending upwardly from the upwardly curved hook portion for contacting and securing the first transverse bar of the geogrid to the horizontal structure. In some embodiments, the end portion of the first hook is a downwardly curved hook portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for receiving the securing rod.

[0032] In some embodiments, the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly.

[0033] In some embodiments, the geogrid is arranged under the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly; and a portion of the plurality of strips between the first transverse bar and the first anchoring wire extend upwardly above the horizontal structure with the securing rod sandwiched between the portion of the plurality of strips and the horizontal structure for securing the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the anchoring structure further comprises a second laterally extending anchoring wire on a rear side of the first anchoring wire and adjacent thereto, the first and second anchoring wires forming a laterally extending slot therebetween.

[0035] In some embodiments, the strut is configured for extending between the first transverse bar and the first anchoring wire with the first hook engaging the first and second anchoring wires for securing the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first hook is on a rear side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire; and a downwardly curved portion rearwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion (that is, on a rear side of the upwardly curved portion and transitioning therefrom) for engaging the second anchoring wire.

[0037] In some embodiments, the geogrid is arranged above or under the horizontal structure with the first transverse bar extending through the slot and located on a vertically opposite side of the horizontal structure.

[0038] In some embodiments, the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the second anchoring wire with the first hook at least engaging the first anchoring wire for securing the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved portion extending from a body of the strut; and a downwardly curved portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion (that is, on a front side of the upwardly curved portion and transitioning therefrom) for engaging the first anchoring wire.

[0040] In some embodiments, the upwardly curved portion is configured for receiving the securing rod and engaging the second anchoring wire via the securing rod.

[0041] In some embodiments, the geogrid is arranged under the horizontal structure with a portion of the geogrid sandwiched between the second anchoring wire and the securing rod. In some embodiments, the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure with the first transverse bar extending through the slot and located under the horizontal structure.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first and second anchoring wires; and an end portion extending upwardly from the upwardly curved hook portion for contacting and securing the first transverse bar of the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

[0043] In some embodiments, the end portion of the first hook is a downwardly curved hook portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for receiving the securing rod.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first transverse bar is arranged above the horizontal structure.

[0045] In some embodiments, a portion of the geogrid on a rear side of the first transverse bar extends through the slot and is arranged under the horizontal structure.

[0046] In some embodiments, the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure.

[0047] In some embodiments, the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the first anchoring wire; the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire, and a downwardly curved portion on a front side of the upwardly curved portion and transitioning therefrom for receiving the securing rod; and the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure and wrapping around the securing rod.

[0048] In some embodiments, the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the second anchoring wire; the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending from a body of the strut for receiving the securing rod and engaging the second anchoring wire via the securing rod, and a downwardly curved portion on a front side of the upwardly curved portion and transitioning therefrom for engaging the first anchoring wire; and the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure with a portion of the reinforcement sheet extending downwardly through the slot, wrapping around the securing rod under the horizontal structure, extending upwardly through the slot, and extending rearwardly.

[0049] In some embodiments, the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the second anchoring wire; the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first and second anchoring wires, and a downwardly curved portion on a front side of the upwardly curved portion and transitioning therefrom for receiving the securing rod; and the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure with a portion of the reinforcement sheet wrapping around the securing rod.

[0050] In some embodiments, the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure with a portion of the reinforcement sheet extending downwardly through the slot, wrapping around the securing rod, extending upwardly through the slot, and extending rearwardly; and the securing rod has a diameter greater than a width of the slot and / or laterally extending between and engaging a pair of laterally spaced structural wires on laterally opposite sides of the slot for preventing the securing rod from moving through the slot.

[0051] In some embodiments, the anchoring structure at least comprises a plurality of laterally distributed, upwardly extending, and downwardly curved wire portions forming a securing channel for receiving the securing rod; the reinforcement sheet at least comprises a geogrid overlapping the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly, the geogrid at least comprising a plurality of laterally spaced strips longitudinally extending between a plurality of transverse bars, each of the plurality of transverse bars having a thickness greater than that of the plurality of strips; the plurality of transverse bars comprises a first transverse bar located on a front side of the first anchoring wire; and the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure with the first transverse bar on a front side of the securing channel and a portion of the geogrid under the securing rod.

[0052] In some embodiments, one or both of the front portion and the rear portion of the horizontal structure comprise a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending wires.

[0053] In some embodiments, the horizontal structure comprises a plurality of laterally spaced wires longitudinally extending from the front portion to the rear portion thereof.

[0054] In some embodiments, one or both of the front portion and the rear portion of the horizontal structure comprise one or more longitudinally spaced, laterally extending reinforcement wires.

[0055] In some embodiments, the vertical structure at least comprises a plurality of laterally spaced, vertically extending wires.

[0056] In some embodiments, the vertical structure at least comprises a panel.

[0057] In some embodiments, the strut further comprises a second hook for engaging the vertical structure.

[0058] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: the rearwardly extending reinforcement sheet secured to the anchoring structure.

[0059] According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a decoration panel for coupling to a front side of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining-wall panel, the decoration panel comprising: a sloped front surface such that, when a plurality of the apparatuses and a plurality of correspondingly coupled decoration panels are vertically stacked, the front surfaces of the plurality of decoration panels form a substantially flat surface.

[0060] In some embodiments, the decoration panel comprises an extrusion on a top thereof and a recess on a bottom thereof such that, when a plurality of the MSE retaining-wall panels and a plurality of correspondingly coupled decoration panels are vertically stacked, the extrusion of a lower one of the plurality of decoration panels extends into the recess of a higher one of the plurality of decoration panels.

[0061] In some embodiments, the decoration panel is a solid panel.

[0062] In some embodiments, the decoration panel comprises a hollow interior and a plurality of openings on the front wall, a top wall, and / or a bottom wall thereof in fluid communication with the hollow interior; and the hollow interior comprises a reservoir in a rear portion of the bottom wall for storing water flowed therein.

[0063] In some embodiments, the decoration panel comprises a water interface in fluid communication with the hollow interior.

[0064] In some embodiments, the decoration panel further comprises a water tank, the water tank comprising: an inlet; a first outlet fluidly connected to the water interface; and a second outlet below the first outlet, the second outlet fluidly connected to the water interface via an outlet valve.

[0065] In some embodiments, the inlet is configured for periodically filling water into the water tank, and the outlet valve is configured for periodically discharging water from the water thank to the hollow interior of the decoration panel.

[0066] According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a decoration panel for coupling to a front side of a MSE retaining-wall panel, the decoration panel comprising: one or more containers, each container comprising a hollow interior with an open top for growing plants therein.

[0067] In some embodiments, each container further comprises a plurality of openings on a front wall, a rear wall, and / or a bottom wall thereof in fluid communication with the hollow interior.

[0068] In some embodiments, the hollow interior of each container comprises a reservoir in a rear portion of the bottom wall for storing water flowed therein.

[0069] In some embodiments, the decoration panel comprises a plurality of containers; and a first one of the plurality of containers at a lower elevation has a size greater than that of a second one of the plurality of containers at a higher elevation.

[0070] According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for retaining a landfilling material, the apparatus at least comprising: a vertical structure; a horizontal structure; and a strut for engaging the vertical structure and the horizontal structure, the strut at least comprising a first hook; the horizontal structure at least comprises: a front portion longitudinally rearwardly extending from a lower portion of the vertical structure, an anchoring structure on a rear side of the front portion for engaging the first hook of the strut for securing a rearwardly extending reinforcement sheet to the anchoring structure, and a rear portion on a rear side of the anchoring structure; a portion of the first hook received a first securing rod and a second securing rod extending therethrough; and a first section of the reinforcement sheet between a proximal end and a distal end of the reinforcement sheet extends between the first and second securing rods and at least partially wraps about the first and second securing rods on opposite sides thereof such that the first securing rod is in pressurized contact with the second securing rod via a portion of the first section of the flexible sheet sandwiched therebetween.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first section of the reinforcement sheet, in addition to said at least partially wrapping about the first and second securing rods on opposite sides thereof, further wraps both of the first and second securing rods.

[0072] In some embodiments, the reinforcement sheet further wraps about a combination of the first securing rod, the second securing rod, and the first section of the reinforcement sheet between the first and second securing rods.

[0073] According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a retaining-wall system for retaining a landfilling material, the apparatus at least comprising: a first structure comprising an upwardly extending first wall and a pad extending forwardly from a bottom of the first wall; a second structure seating on the pad at a distance from the first wall of the first structure and upwardly extending therefrom; and one or more reinforcement sheets extending between the second structure and the first wall of the first structure for coupling the second structure to the first wall.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first structure further comprises a foot downwardly extending from a bottom of the first structure.

[0075] In some embodiments, the foot downwardly extends from the first wall or the pad.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first wall is a vertical wall (that is, at a 90 degree angle to a horizontal plane) or is a sloped wall (that is, at a none-90 degree angle to a horizontal plane).

[0077] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining-wall system, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the MSE retaining-wall system comprising a basket and a geogrid longitudinally rearwardly extending therefrom;

[0079] FIG. 2A is a plan view of the geogrid shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0080] FIG. 2B is a side view of the geogrid shown in FIG. 2A;

[0081] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the basket of the MSE retaining-wall system shown in FIG. 1 , the basket comprising a base structure and one or more struts engaging the vertical and horizontal structures;

[0082] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the base structure of the basket shown in FIG. 3;

[0083] FIG. 4B is a front view of the base structure shown in FIG. 4A;

[0084] FIG. 4C is a plan view of the base structure shown in FIG. 4A; FIG. 4D is a side view of the base structure shown in FIG. 4A;

[0085] FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional view of the base structure shown in FIG. 4A along the crosssection line A-A shown in FIG. 4C;

[0086] FIG. 5 A is a front view of the strut of the basket shown in FIG. 3;

[0087] FIG. 5B is a side view of the strut shown in FIG. 5A;

[0088] FIGs. 6A to 7D show a process of assembling the basket shown in shown in FIG. 3 with securing a geogrid thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, wherein

[0089] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the base structure shown in FIG. 4A and a geogrid extending thereto,

[0090] FIG. 6B is a plan view of the base structure and geogrid shown in FIG. 6A,

[0091] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the base structure and geogrid shown in

[0092] FIG. 6A along the cross-sectional line B-B shown in FIG. 6B,

[0093] FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of the portion C in FIG. 6C,

[0094] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the assembled basket with the geogrid secured thereto,

[0095] FIG. 7B is a plan view of the basket and geogrid shown in FIG. 7A,

[0096] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the basket and geogrid shown in FIG. 7A, and

[0097] FIG. 7D is an enlarged view of the portion E in FIG. 7C;

[0098] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the basket and geogrid shown in FIG. 7A, with land- filling materials filled thereto;

[0099] FIG. 9A is a plan view of the base structure of a basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0100] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the base structure shown in FIG. 9A along the cross- sectional line F-F;

[0101] FIG. 10A is a plan view of the base structure of a basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0102] FIG. 1 OB is a cross-sectional view of the base structure shown in FIG. 1 OA along the cross- sectional line G-G;

[0103] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a basket and a geogrid secured to the basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0104] FIG. 1 IB is an enlarged view of the portion H in FIG. 11A;

[0105] FIG. 12A is a front view of a strut, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0106] FIG. 12B is a side view of the strut shown in FIG. 12 A;

[0107] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a basket and a geogrid secured to the basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure; FIG. 14A is a front view of a strut, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0108] FIG. 14B is a side view of the strut shown in FIG. 14A;

[0109] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the base structure of a basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0110] FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of a basket having the strut shown in FIGs. 14A and 14B and the base structure shown in FIG. 15, and a geogrid secured to the basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0111] FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of the portion J in FIG. 16A;

[0112] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of basket and a geogrid secured thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0113] FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view of a basket and a geogrid secured to the basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0114] FIG. 18B is an enlarged view of the portion L in FIG. 18A;

[0115] FIG. 19A is a front view of a strut, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0116] FIG. 19B is a side view of the strut shown in FIG. 19A;

[0117] FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of a basket and a geogrid secured to the basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0118] FIG. 20B is an enlarged view of the portion M in FIG. 20A;

[0119] FIG. 21A is a front view of a strut, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0120] FIG. 2 IB is a side view of the strut shown in FIG. 21 A;

[0121] FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional view of a basket and a geogrid secured to the basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0122] FIG. 22B is an enlarged view of the portion N in FIG. 22A;

[0123] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the base structure of a basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0124] FIG. 24A is a cross-sectional view of a basket and a geogrid secured to the basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0125] FIG. 24B is an enlarged view of the portion P in FIG. 22A;

[0126] FIG. 25A is a plan view of the base structure of a basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0127] FIG. 25B is a cross-sectional view of the base structure shown in FIG. 25A along the cross- sectional line M-M;

[0128] FIG. 26A is a plan view of the base structure shown in FIG. 25A and a geogrid to be secured thereto; FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view of the base structure and geogrid shown in FIG. 26A along the cross-sectional line Q-Q;

[0129] FIG. 26C is an enlarge view of the portion R in FIG. 26B;

[0130] FIG. 27 is a plan view of a base structure, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0131] FIG. 28 is a side view of a solid decoration panel, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0132] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the decoration panel shown in FIG. 28 attached to a basket;

[0133] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of baskets arranged one above another, with a decoration panel shown in FIG. 28 attached to each basket;

[0134] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a hollow decoration panel, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0135] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of two decoration panels shown in FIG. 31 coupled together, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0136] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of baskets arranged one above another, with a decoration panel shown in FIG. 31 attached to each basket;

[0137] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a hollow decoration panel for growing plants thereof, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0138] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a hollow decoration panel for growing plants thereof, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, wherein the decoration panel comprises a watering channel for fluidly connecting to a water source;

[0139] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the hollow decoration panel shown in FIG. 35 fluidly connected to a water tank, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0140] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of a hollow decoration panel for growing plants thereof, according to some embodiments of this disclosure; and

[0141] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of baskets arranged one above another, with a decoration panel shown in FIG. 37 attached to each basket.

[0142] FIGs. 39A to 39D show a MSE retaining-wall system, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the MSE retaining-wall system comprising a basket and a flexible, uniformthickness, single-piece reinforcement sheet longitudinally rearwardly extending therefrom, wherein

[0143] FIG. 39A is a perspective view of the MSE retaining-wall system,

[0144] FIG. 39B is a plan view of the MSE retaining-wall system shown in FIG. 39A, FIG. 39C is a cross-sectional view of the MSE retaining-wall system shown in

[0145] FIG. 39A along the cross-section line S-S, and

[0146] FIG. 39D is an enlarged view of the portion T in FIG. 39C;

[0147] FIGs. 40A to 40C show the basket of the MSE retaining-wall system shown in FIG. 39A, wherein

[0148] FIG. 40A is a perspective view of the basket of the MSE retaining-wall system shown in FIG. 39A,

[0149] FIG. 40B is a plan view of the basket shown in FIG. 40A, and

[0150] FIG. 40C is a cross-sectional view of the basket shown in FIG. 40A along the crosssection line U-U;

[0151] FIG. 41 A is a plan view of a base structure of a basket, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0152] FIG. 4 IB is a cross-sectional view of the base structure shown in FIG. 41 A along the cross- sectional line V-V;

[0153] FIGs. 42A to 42C show a MSE retaining-wall system, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the MSE retaining-wall system comprising a basket having the base structure shown in FIG. 41 A, and a geogrid longitudinally rearwardly extending therefrom, wherein

[0154] FIG. 42A is a plan view of the MSE retaining-wall system,

[0155] FIG. 42B is a cross-sectional view of the MSE retaining-wall system shown in

[0156] FIG. 42A along the cross-section line W-W, and

[0157] FIG. 42C is an enlarged view of the portion X in FIG. 42B;

[0158] FIG. 43A is a perspective view of a MSE retaining-wall system, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0159] FIG. 43B is a cross-sectional view of the MSE retaining-wall system shown in FIG. 43 A;

[0160] FIG. 44 is an enlarged view of a portion of a basket with a geogrid secured thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0161] FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of a portion of a basket with a geogrid secured thereto, according to yet some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0162] FIG. 46A shows a basket with a geogrid secured thereto, according to still some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0163] FIG. 46B is an enlarged view of the portion Y in FIG. 46A;

[0164] FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of a portion of a basket with a geogrid secured thereto, according to yet still some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0165] FIGs. 48A and 48B show a MSE retaining-wall system, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, wherein FIG. 48A is a cross-sectional view of the MSE retaining-wall system, and

[0166] FIG. 48B is an enlarged view of the portion AA in FIG. 48A;

[0167] FIGs. 49A to 49C show a MSE retaining-wall system, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, wherein

[0168] FIG. 49A is a cross-sectional view of the MSE retaining-wall system, FIG. 49B is an enlarged view of the portion AB in FIG. 49A, and FIG. 49C is an enlarged view of the portion AC in FIG. 49A;

[0169] FIG. 50 shows a MSE retaining-wall system, according to yet some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0170] FIG. 51 shows a MSE retaining-wall system, according to still some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0171] FIG. 52 shows a MSE retaining-wall system, according to yet still some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0172] FIG. 53 shows a MSE retaining-wall system, according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0173] FIGs. 54A and 54B show an example of expanding a road using a MSE retaining-wall system;

[0174] FIGs. 55A and 55B show another example of expanding a road using a MSE retaining- wall system;

[0175] FIG. 56 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional method for reinforcing a land adjacent a wet land, soft land, water, and / or the like; and

[0176] FIGs. 57A and 57B are schematic diagrams showing a method for reinforcing a land adjacent a wet land, soft land, water, and / or the like, according to yet still some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0177] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0178] Turning now to FIG. 1, a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining-wall system according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown and is generally identified using reference numeral 100. As shown, the MSE retaining-wall system 100 comprises a basket 120 for receiving therein a landfilling material (for example, rocks, gravels, earth, soil, and / or the like), and one or more reinforcement geogrid 220 attached, coupled, or otherwise secured to a lower portion of the basket 120 (such as the bottom thereof) and extending rearwardly therefrom substantially horizontally along a longitudinal direction. For ease of illustration, the geogrid is rendered in a dark color. As those skilled in the art understand, a geogrid is made of a suitable geosynthetic material for reinforcing structures of soils, gravels, and / or the like. As shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the geogrid 220 in these embodiments is made of a semi-flexible geosynthetic material (such as high- density polyethylene (HDPE) resins) and comprises a plurality of laterally spaced strips 222 (also called strands or ribs) longitudinally extending between a plurality of thickened lateral or transverse bars 224 (that is, laterally extending bars). More specifically, the longitudinal strips 222 are substantially flexible and the transverse bars 224 are generally rigid.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 3, the basket 120 comprises a base structure 122 formed by welded wire mesh. More specifically, the base structure 122 comprises a vertical structure 124 on a front end 132 thereof and a horizontal structure 126 rearwardly and substantially horizontally extending from a lower portion of the vertical structure 124 (such as the bottom thereof) along the longitudinal direction to the rear end 134 of the basket 120. One or more laterally spaced struts 128 engage the vertical and horizontal structures 124 and 126 for forming a basket having one or more triangular structures. In some embodiments, the lateral spacing of the struts 128 may be any suitable spacing such as uniform spacing (that is, equidistant between adjacent struts) or non- uniform spacing.

[0180] In these embodiments, the base structure 122 and the struts 128 are wire structures (such as wires, rods, and / or the like) made of suitable material (such as galvanized steel, stainless steel, and / or the like) with suitable strengths. For ease of description, the terms “wire” and “rod” may be used interchangeably hereinafter.

[0181] The detail of the base structure 122 (or more specifically, the vertical structure 124 and the horizontal structure 126 thereof) is shown in FIGs. 4A to 4E. It is noted that the drawings in this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and may not be up to scale.

[0182] As shown, the vertical structure 124 comprises a pair of vertical wires 142 laterally spaced apart from each other. One or more vertically spaced reinforcement wires 144 laterally extend between the pair of vertical wires 142 and are coupled to the front side 132 of the vertical wires 142 via suitable coupling means such as welding, wire-tying, and / or the like, for supporting the vertical wires 142. To further reinforce the vertical structure 124, a plurality of vertical reinforcement wires 146 are laterally distributed between the two vertical wires 142 and are coupled to the one or more reinforcement wires 144. As will be described in more detail later, the vertical reinforcement wires 146 in these embodiments also horizontally extend into the horizontal structure 126 for reinforcement purposes.

[0183] The vertical structure 124 also comprises an upper anchoring structure 148 at a predefined elevation for engaging the one or more struts 128 (described in more detail later). In these embodiments, the upper anchoring structure 148 comprises a wire (also identified using reference numeral 148) laterally extending between the pair of vertical wires 142 and coupled to the front side 132 of the pair of vertical wires 142 and the vertical reinforcement wires 146 via suitable coupling means so as to also provide support to the vertical wires 142 (that is, acting as an reinforcement wire).

[0184] The horizontal structure 126 in these embodiments comprises a pair of laterally spaced structural wires 152 longitudinally rearwardly extending from the bottom of the vertical structure 124 for maintaining the integrity of the horizontal structure 126, and a laterally extending rear wire 154 coupled to the rear ends 134 of the structural wires 152 on the bottom side thereof. In these embodiments, the pair of structural wires 152 are formed by the pair of vertical wires 132 extending into the horizontal structure 126.

[0185] The horizontal structure 126 also comprises a lower anchoring structure 160 longitudinally intermediate the front end 132 and rear end 144 of the horizontal structure 126. The lower anchoring structure 160 comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced anchoring wires 162A and 162B laterally extending between the pair of structural wires 152 and coupled to the bottom side thereof, thereby forming a laterally extending slot 164 therebetween for receiving an end of a geogrid therethrough (not shown; described in more detail later). For ease of description, the portion between the rear anchoring wire 162B and the rear end 134 of the horizontal structure 126 is denoted a rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126.

[0186] In these embodiments, the pair of wires 162 A and 162B also act as a pair of lateral reinforcement wires. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in some embodiments, the horizontal structure 126 may comprise one or more longitudinally spaced reinforcement wires laterally extend between the pair of structural wires 152 and are coupled to the bottom side thereof via suitable coupling means for supporting the structural wires 152.

[0187] To further reinforce the horizontal structure 126, a plurality of first reinforcement wires 172 are laterally distributed between the two structural wires 152, each rearwardly extending from the front end 132 of the horizontal structure 126 to the top side of the front anchoring wire 162A. In these embodiments, the first reinforcement wires 172 are formed by rearwardly extending the lower portion of the vertical reinforcement wires 146 from the front end 132 of the horizontal structure 126 to the front anchoring wire 162A.

[0188] The horizontal structure 126 further comprises a plurality of second reinforcement wires 174 laterally distributed between the two structural wires 152, each rearwardly extending from the top side of the rear anchoring wire 162B to the top side of the rear wire 154. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, each second reinforcement wire 174 may be at any suitable lateral position such as a lateral position corresponding to a respective one of the first reinforcement wires 172. FIGs. 5A and 5B show the strut 128. As shown, the strut 128 is made of an elongated wire and comprises an elongated body 182, an upper hook 184 at a first end of the elongated body 182 for engaging the upper anchoring structure 148, and a lower hook 186 at a second end of the elongated body 182 opposite to the first end for engaging the lower anchoring structure 160. In these embodiments, the upper hook 184 is on the front side of the elongated body 182 and curved downwardly (or more specifically, downwardly and rearwardly) for engaging the upper anchoring structure 148 from the top thereof. The lower hook 186 is on the rear side of the elongated body 182 and comprises an upwardly curved portion 188A rearwardly transitioning to a downwardly (or more specifically, downwardly and forwardly) curved portion 188B (that is, the downwardly curved portion 188B is on the rear side of the upwardly curved portion 188 A and transitions therefrom).

[0189] Herein, the term “upwardly curved” refers to a curved wire portion forming an upwardly facing opening. The term “downwardly curved” refers to a curved wire portion forming a downwardly facing opening. The term “forwardly curved” refers to a curved wire portion forming a forwardly facing opening. The term “rearwardly curved” refers to a curved wire portion forming a rearwardly facing opening. These “directionally curved” terms may be combined and refer to a curved wire portion forming an opening facing the direction mentioned in the term. For example, the term “downwardly and forwardly curved” refers to a curved wire portion forming a downwardly and forwardly facing opening.

[0190] FIGs. 6A to 7D show an exemplary process of assembling the basket 120 and securing a geogrid 220 thereto.

[0191] As shown in FIGs. 6A to 6D, a user extends an end portion 302 of a geogrid 220 longitudinally forwardly (indicated by the arrow 304) from the rear side of the horizontal structure 126 to put the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 on top of the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, the end portion 302 comprising a transverse bar 224A (denoted a “securing transverse bar” hereinafter for ease of description) to be secured to the horizontal structure 126.

[0192] The user then further forwardly extends the end 302 of the securing transverse bar 224A through the slot 164 of the lower anchoring structure 160 to locate the securing transverse bar 224A under the horizontal structure 126 (and under the front anchoring wire 162A).

[0193] As shown in FIGs. 7A to 7D, the user positions a strut 128 beside a strip 222 of the geogrid 220 and slides the lower hook 186 of the strut 128 from the top of the horizontal structure 126 through the space on the front side of the lower anchoring structure 160 (that is, from the front side of the front anchoring wire 162 A) and then slightly pulls the strut 128 upward, such that the upwardly curved portion 188A of the lower hook 186 engages the front anchoring wire 162A from the bottom thereof, and the second downwardly curved portion 188B extends through the slot 164 of the lower anchoring structure 160 and engages the rear anchoring wire 162B from the top thereof.

[0194] In these embodiments, the vertical and horizontal structures 124 and 126 are slightly flexible. Therefore, the user may pull the strut 128 forwardly and upwardly, and engage the upper hook 184 with upper anchoring structure 148 from the top thereof. The strut 128 thus engages the vertical and horizontal structures 124 and 126 thereby forming a triangular structure. Other struts 128 may be installed in a similar manner.

[0195] Optionally but preferably, the user may pull the geogrid 220 slightly rearwardly to engage the securing transverse bar 224A with the installed struts 128.

[0196] The basket 120 is then assembled with the geogrid 220 attached or otherwise secured thereto. As shown in FIG. 8, landfilling materials 322 such as soil, gravels, and / or the like may be filled into the basket 120 and onto the geogrid 220. The triangular structures formed by the struts 128 and the vertical and horizontal structures 124 and 126 provide sufficient strength and stability to accommodate the landfilling materials in the basket 120.

[0197] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the landfilling materials 322 may cause tension to the geogrid 220. While the geogrid 220 is generally highly tensile at least along the longitudinal direction, excessive tension may break the securing transverse bar 224A (which is secured to the basket 120) from the geogrid 220 and cause the disengagement between the basket 120 and the geogrid 220.

[0198] In these embodiments, as the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 overlaps with the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, the friction force therebetween provides additional reinforcement to combat the tension applied to the geogrid 220 and alleviates the tension applied to the securing transverse bar 224A, thereby significantly improving the integrity and strength of the engaged basket 120 and geogrid 220.

[0199] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various embodiments are readily available. For example, in above embodiments, the second reinforcement wires 174 extend from the rear anchoring wire 162B to the rear wire 154. In some embodiments as shown in FIGs. 9A and 9B, some or all of the second reinforcement wires 174 may extend from the rear anchoring wire 162B to beyond the rear wire 154.

[0200] In some embodiments as shown in FIGs. 10A and 10B, the horizontal structure 126 may not comprise the rear wire 154.

[0201] FIGs. 11A and 1 IB show the securing of the geogrid 220 to the basket 120, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The securing of the geogrid 220 to the basket 120 is similar to that shown in FIGs. 7A to 7D except that, in these embodiments, the end portion 302 of geogrid 220 is under the horizontal structure 126 and upwardly extends through the slot 164 such that the securing transverse bar 224A is on top of the horizontal structure 126.

[0202] FIGs. 12A and 12B show the strut 128 according to some embodiments of this disclosure, and FIG. 13 shows the securing of the geogrid 220 to the basket 120 using the strut 128 shown in FIGs. 12A and 12B. The strut 128 is similar to that shown in FIGs. 5 A and 5B except that the upper hook 184 in the embodiments shown in FIGs. 5A and 5B is on the front side of the elongated body 182, while the upper hook 184 in these embodiments is on the rear side of the elongated body 182. As shown in FIG. 13, the strut 128 in these embodiments engages the upper anchoring structure 148 from the bottom thereof.

[0203] FIGs. 14A and 14B show the strut 128 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. As shown, the strut 128 is made of an elongated wire and comprises an elongated body 182, an upper hook 184 at a first end of the elongated body 182 for engaging the upper anchoring structure 148, and a lower hook 186 at a second end of the elongated body 182 opposite to the first end for engaging the lower anchoring structure 160. In these embodiments, the upper hook 184 is on the front side of the elongated body 182 and curved downwardly (or more specifically, downwardly and rearwardly) for engaging the upper anchoring structure 148 from the top thereof. The lower hook 186 is on the front side of the elongated body 182 and comprises an upwardly (or more specifically, downwardly and forwardly) curved portion 188A forwardly transitioning to a downwardly (or more specifically, downwardly and rearwardly) curved portion 188B (that is, the downwardly curved portion 188B is on the front side of the upwardly curved portion 188A and transitions therefrom). As will be shown later, the upwardly curved portion 188A has a size sufficient for receiving therein the rear anchoring wire 162B and a securing rod.

[0204] FIG. 15 shows the base structure 122 (or more specifically the vertical structure 124 and the horizontal structure 126 thereof) of the basket 120, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The vertical structure 124 in these embodiments is general the same as that shown in FIGs. 4A to 4E. The horizontal structure 126 is similar to that shown in FIGs. 4A to 4E except that the rear anchoring wire 162B is at the same elevation as the second reinforcement wires 174.

[0205] As shown in FIGs. 16A and 16B, a user positions an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 under the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, with the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 on the front side of the front anchoring wire 162A. Then, the user extends the strut 128 downwardly through the horizontal structure 126 from the rear side of the lower anchoring structure 160 (or more specifically, the rear anchoring wire 162B). The user extends a securing rod 324 laterally through the opening of the upwardly curved portion 188A of lower hook 186 of each strut 128 under the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220, and pulls the strut 128 upwardly to engage the downwardly curved portion 188B with the front anchoring wire 162A from the top thereof such that the securing transverse bar 224A is on the front side thereof. After engaging the upper hook 184 of the strut 128 with upper anchoring structure 148 of the vertical structure 124, the upwardly curved portion 188A of lower hook 186 of the strut 128 presses the securing rod 324 against the rear anchoring wire 162B with the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 sandwiched therebetween.

[0206] In some embodiments, the strut 128 shown in FIGs. 14A and 14B, and the securing rod 324 may also be used with other base structures 122 (such as the base structure 122 shown in FIGs. 4A to 4E, the base structure 122 shown in FIGs. 9A and 9B, or the base structure 122 shown in FIGs. lOA and 10B).

[0207] As shown in in FIG. 17, a user may position an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 on top of the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, and extend the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 downwardly through the slot 164 to position the securing transverse bar 224A under the horizontal structure 126. Then, the user may extend the strut 128 downwardly through the horizontal structure 126 from the rear side of the lower anchoring structure 160 (or more specifically, the rear anchoring wire 162B), and pull the strut 128 upwardly to engage the downwardly curved portion 188B with the front anchoring wire 162A from the top thereof.

[0208] In some embodiments as shown in FIGs. 18A and 18B, the strut 128 shown in FIGs. 14A and 14B, and the securing rod 324 may also be used for securing a flexible reinforcement sheet 240 (such as a geotextile sheet made of suitable geosynthetic materials and / or the like) to the basket 120. Unlike the geogrid 220 described above, the reinforcement sheet 240 does not comprise any thickened transverse bar.

[0209] As shown, an end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240 is positioned on top of the horizontal structure 174, extends downwardly through the slot 164 of the lower anchoring structure 160, wraps about a securing rod 324 under the horizontal structure 174, extends upwardly through the slot 164 of the lower anchoring structure 160, and then extends rearwardly so as to be sandwiched between the reinforcement sheet 240 and the horizontal structure 174. A rearward tension (for example, caused by the land-filling materials) causes the securing rod 324 be pressed against the rear anchoring wire 162B with a piece of the reinforcement sheet 240 (or more specifically, a piece of the end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240) therebetween, which gives rise to increased friction force to combat the rearward tension and prevent the reinforcement sheet 240 from being pulling off the basket 120. The friction between the end portion 242 and the reinforcement sheet 240 thereabove and the friction between the end portion 242 and the horizontal structure 174 also help in combating the rearward tension and preventing the reinforcement sheet 240 from being pulling off the basket 120. FIGs. 19A and 19B show the strut 128 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The strut 128 in these embodiments is similar to that shown in FIGs. 14A and 14B except that the upwardly curved portion 188A of the lower hook 186 has a size sufficient for engaging both anchoring wires 162A and 162B of the lower anchoring structure 160 shown in FIGs. 20A and 2 OB.

[0210] FIGs. 20A and 20B show an example of assembling the basket 120 and securing the geogrid 220 using the strut 128 shown in FIGs. 19A and 19B. In this example, the base structure 122 is the same as that shown in FIG. 15.

[0211] As shown in FIGs. 20A and 20B, a user positions an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 under the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, and extends the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 upwardly through the slot 164 to position the securing transverse bar 224A above the horizontal structure 126. Then, the user extends the strut 128 downwardly through the horizontal structure 126 from the rear side of the lower anchoring structure 160 (or more specifically, the rear anchoring wire 162B), and pulls the strut 128 upwardly to engage the upwardly curved portion 188A with both anchoring wires 162A and 162B of the lower anchoring structure 160 from the bottom thereof. Then, the user extends a securing rod 324 laterally through the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 of each strut 128, and pulls the geogrid 220 rearwardly such that the tip of the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 presses the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 to provide improved securing of the geogrid 220. The securing rod 324 prevents the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 from sliding off the horizontal structure 126.

[0212] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 is not necessarily the first transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, the securing transverse bar 224A is the second transverse bar of the geogrid 220 and the end portion 302 comprises a first transverse bar 224B on the front side of the securing transverse bar 224A.

[0213] FIGs. 21A and 21B show the strut 128 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The strut 128 in these embodiments is similar to that shown in FIGs. 19A and 19B except that the upwardly curved portion 188A of the lower hook 186 has a size sufficient for engaging both anchoring wires 162A and 162B of the lower anchoring structure 160 shown in FIGs. 22A and 22B.

[0214] FIGs. 22A and 22B show an example of assembling the basket 120 and securing the geogrid 220 using the strut 128 shown in FIGs. 21A and 21B. In this example, the base structure 122 is the same as that shown in FIGs. 4A to 4E. As shown in FIGs. 22A and 22B, a user positions an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 under the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, and extends the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 upwardly through the slot 164 to position the securing transverse bar 224A above the horizontal structure 126. Then, the user extends the strut 128 downwardly through the horizontal structure 126 from the rear side of the lower anchoring structure 160 (or more specifically, the rear anchoring wire 162B), and pulls the strut 128 upwardly to engage the upwardly curved portion 188A with both anchoring wires 162A and 162B of the lower anchoring structure 160 from the bottom thereof. Then, the user extends a securing rod 324 laterally through the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 of each strut 128, and pulls the geogrid 220 rearwardly such that the tip of the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 presses the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 to provide improved securing of the geogrid 220. The securing rod 324 prevents the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 from sliding off the horizontal structure 126.

[0215] In some embodiments, the strut 128 is used for engaging the base structure 122 and is not used for securing the geogrid 220. For example, FIG. 23 shows the base structure 122 in these embodiments. As shown, the lower anchoring structure 160 of the horizontal structure 126 comprises a plurality of laterally distributed, upwardly extending, and downwardly curved wire portions 340 (for example, each downwardly curved wire portion 340 being between a pair of the first reinforcement wire 172 and the second reinforcement wire 174), forming a plurality of laterally distributed, upwardly extending bumpers 340 each with a downwardly facing opening 342. The downwardly facing openings 342 thus form a securing channel under the plurality of downwardly curved wire portions 340 for receiving a securing rod.

[0216] As shown in FIGs. 24A and 24B, a user positions an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 on top of the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, with the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 being positioned on the front side of the bumper 340. The user then laterally extends a securing rod 344 through the securing channel (that is, the opening 342 of each bumper 340) so as to sandwich the securing rod 344 between the bumper 340 and the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 to secure the geogrid 220 to the basket 120.

[0217] FIGs. 25A and 25B show a base structure 122 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The base structure 122 is similar to that shown in FIGs. 9A and 9B except that, in these embodiments, the lower anchoring structure 160 comprises a single anchoring wire 162 laterally extending between the two structural wires 152.

[0218] As shown in FIGs. 26A to 26C, a user may extend an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 under the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126, with the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 being positioned on the front side of the anchoring wire 162. The user then upwardly pulls the portion 312 of the strips 222 of the geogrid 220 between the securing transverse bar 224A and the anchoring wire 162 such that the strip portion 312 is above the horizontal structure 126, and laterally extends a securing rod 344 between the strip portion 312 and the horizontal structure 126 so as to sandwich the securing rod 344 therebetween to secure the geogrid 220 to the basket 120.

[0219] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 27, the horizontal structure 126 may comprise more than two structural wires 152 each longitudinally extending from the vertical structure 124 to the rear end 134, thereby forming a plurality of lower anchoring structures 160 for securing a plurality of geogrids 220 (not shown).

[0220] In above embodiments, the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 is made of the same material as other portions of the horizontal structure 126. In some embodiments, the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 may be made of a different material.

[0221] In above embodiments, the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 is integrated to the front portion of the horizontal structure 126 via the structural wires 152. In some embodiments, the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 may be connected to the front portion of the horizontal structure 126 via suitable mechanisms such as welding, bolting, screwing, and / or the like.

[0222] In above embodiments, the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 is integrated or connected to the front portion of the horizontal structure 126 via the structural wires 152. In some embodiments, the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 is disconnected or otherwise separated from the front portion of the horizontal structure 126, wherein the front portion of the horizontal structure 126 comprises the front anchoring wire 162A and the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 comprises the rear anchoring wire 162B. The geogrid 220 may be secured to the horizontal structure 126 in similar manners as described above, and the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 overlaps with the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126.

[0223] In the embodiments wherein the lower hook 186 of each strut 128 engages both the front and rear anchoring wires 162A and 162B, the front and rear portions of the horizontal structure 126 are consequently connected by the struts 128, thereby making the horizontal structure 126 an integrated piece, and the friction force between the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 and the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 provides additional reinforcement to combat the tension applied to the geogrid 220 and alleviates the tension applied to the securing transverse bar 224A, thereby significantly improving the integrity and strength of the engaged basket 120 and geogrid 220.

[0224] In the embodiments wherein the lower hook 186 of each strut 128 does not engage both the front and rear anchoring wires 162A and 162B, the friction force between the end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 and the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 still provides some additional reinforcement to combat the tension applied to the geogrid 220 and alleviates the tension applied to the securing transverse bar 224A, thereby improving the integrity and strength of the engaged basket 120 and geogrid 220.

[0225] In some embodiments, the MSE retaining-wall system 100 may also comprise one or more decoration panels for attaching to the basket 120. The decoration panels may be made of any suitable material such as recycled plastic and / or the like.

[0226] FIG. 28 shows a decoration panel 400 in these embodiments. The decoration panel 400 comprises a solid body 402 having a sloped front surface 404 and a vertical rear surface 406 such that the thickness of the decoration panel 400 increases from the top to the bottom. The decoration panel 400 also comprises a plurality of hooks 412 at various elevations for engaging the reinforcement wires 144 and 148 of the vertical structure 124 (see FIG. 29) to attach the decoration panel 400 to the front side of the basket 120. Alternatively or in addition, the decoration panel 400 may be attached to the basket 120 using other suitable mechanisms such as screwing, bolting, and / or the like.

[0227] As shown in FIG. 29, in some embodiments, a plurality of baskets 120 may be arranged vertically with one on top of another. A plurality of decoration panels 400 may be attached to the plurality of baskets 120, as described above. From the bottom to top, each of the plurality of baskets 120 is rearwardly offset for a suitable distance such that the sloped front surfaces 404 of the decoration panels 400 form a sloped and substantially flat surface.

[0228] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 31 , the body 402 of the decoration panel 400 has a hollow interior 422 for weight reduction, with one or more holes thereon such as a first hole 424A on the top of the body 402 and a second hole 424B at the bottom thereof, for air to come in and out to adapt to, for example, the expansion and / or refraction of the body 402 caused by temperature fluctuation. The decoration panel 400 also comprises an extrusion 432 on the top thereof and a recess 434 at bottom thereof such that, as shown in FIG. 32, two decoration panels 400 may be vertically coupled together by extending the extrusion 432 of a lower decoration panel 400A into the recess 434 of the upper decoration panel 400B.

[0229] Referring back to FIG. 31, the front portion of the bottom wall of the body 402 (for example, the portion on the front side of the recess 434) is at a higher elevation than the rear portion of the bottom wall of the body 402 (for example, the portion on the rear side of the recess 434), and the bottom section 436 of the front wall 404 extends downwardly below the front portion of the bottom wall of the body 402. Referring to FIG. 32, the bottom section 436 of the front wall 404 has a suitable height such that, when two decoration panels 400 are coupled to their respective baskets and are vertically coupled together, the front walls 404 thereof maintains a gap 438 for adapting the settlement of the landfilling material filled into the baskets (which often causes certain height reduction of the baskets). In some embodiments where it is expected to have a large landfilling-material settlement, a user may cut off a portion of the bottom section 436 of the front wall 404 (up to the front portion of the bottom wall of the body 402).

[0230] As shown in FIG. 33, in some embodiments, a plurality of baskets 120 may be arranged vertically with one on top of another. A plurality of decoration panels 400 may be attached to the plurality of baskets 120, as described above. From the bottom to top, each of the plurality of baskets 120 is rearwardly offset for a suitable distance such that the sloped front surfaces 404 of the decoration panels 400 form a sloped and substantially flat surface.

[0231] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel 400 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. As shown, the body 402 of the decoration panel 400 has a hollow interior 422 so that it may be used as a plant pot for growing plants. The decoration panel 400 also comprises door 440 on an upper portion of the rear wall for accessing the interior 422 of the body 402, and a plurality of watering holes and / or slots 442 on the top wall, sloped front wall 404, and bottom wall thereof for allowing water such as rain to flow into the interior 422 or flow out therefrom to drain excess water. The bottom portion 436 of the sloped front wall 404 also comprises at least watering holes and / or slots 444 to allow water to flow to the decoration panel 400 therebelow (and thus to flow into the interior 422 via the watering holes and / or slots 442 thereof). In these embodiments, the hollow interior 422 comprises a reservoir 446 about the rear portion of the bottom wall of the body 402 for storing water flowed therein.

[0232] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel 400 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The decoration panel 400 may be used as the top decoration panel to stack on top of one or more decoration panels as shown in FIG. 34.

[0233] As shown, the top decoration panel 400 does not comprise the extrusion 432. Rather, the top decoration panel 400 comprises a water interface 452 in fluid communication with the interior 422 via a watering channel 454. As shown in FIG. 31 , a water tank 452 may be connected to the water interface 442 for providing water thereto. The water tank 452 may comprise an inlet with an auto-fill inlet valve for filling the water tank periodically, and an outlet with an automatic outlet valve for supplying water to the water interface 442 periodically.

[0234] FIG. 36 shows the top decoration panel 400 connected to a water tank 462. The water tank 462 comprises an inlet pipe 464 connected to a water source and controlled by an inlet valve 466. The water tank 462 comprises a first outlet pipe 472A preferably near the top of the water tank 462, and a second outlet pipe 472B at an elevation lower than the first outlet pipe 472 A. Both outlet pipe 472A and 472B are fluidly connected to the water interface 452 of the top decoration panel 400. The second outlet pipe 472B is controlled by an outlet valve 474. In these embodiments, the inlet valve 466 is preferably an automatic valve for periodically filling the water tanks 462 such as every 10 days. The outlet valve 474 is preferably an automatic valve and may be normally closed unless in situations that require excess watering, in which case the outlet valve 474 may be open periodically or as needed to water the plant growing in the decoration panel 400. In normal situations, the outlet valve 474 is closed, and the first outlet pipe 472A is used for watering the plant growing in the decoration panel 400 whenever the water level in the water tank 462 reaches the elevation of the first outlet pipe 472A. As the water tanks 462 is periodically filled such as every 10 days, the watering through the first outlet pipe 472A is also periodic such as every 10 days.

[0235] In some embodiments, the top decoration panel 400 may comprise a laterally extending water channel in fluid communication with the water interface 452 such that a plurality of laterally arranged top decoration panels 400 may be fluidly connected by connecting the water channel of each top decoration panel 400 to the water interface 452 of its neighboring top decoration panel. Then, the water tank 462 may only need to connect to one of the plurality of laterally arranged top decoration panels 400 to provide water to all of them.

[0236] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel 400 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The decoration panel 400 comprises a rear wall 482 having a plurality of hooks 412 thereon for attaching to a basket, and one or more front walls 484 forming one or more pots 480 on the rear wall 482. Each pot 480 has a hollow interior 422 with an open top 486 suitable for growing plants therein. Each pot 480 also comprises one or more overflow openings 488 on the rear wall 482, and one or more watering holes and / or slots 490 in a lower portion of the front wall 484 for flowing water to the pot 480 thereunder.

[0237] FIG. 38 shows a plurality of baskets 120 arranged vertically with one on top of another, each having a decoration panel 400 shown in FIG. 37 attached thereto. From the bottom to top, each of the plurality of baskets 120 may be rearwardly offset for a suitable distance.

[0238] In above embodiments, the MSE retaining -wall system 100 uses a geogrid 220 secured to the basket 120, wherein the geogrid 220 comprises a plurality of thickened transverse bars 224 and a plurality of laterally spaced strips 222 longitudinally extending between the plurality of thickened transverse bars 224. In other embodiments, other suitable reinforcement sheets such as geomesh, geotextile, and / or the like may be used, wherein such reinforcement sheets may not comprise any thickened transverse bars 224, nor any longitudinal strips 222. Rather, such reinforcement sheets may have a substantially uniform thickness and may be an elongated singlepiece sheet. FIGs. 39A to 39D show a MSE retaining-wall system 100 having a basket 120 and a flexible, uniform-thickness, single -piece reinforcement sheet 220 secured to the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120.

[0239] As shown in FIGs. 40A to 40C, the basket 120 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 except that the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120 comprises a lateral wire 156 on the front side of the anchoring structure 160, for engaging a plurality of struts 128.

[0240] As best shown in FIG. 29D, the end portion 302 of the reinforcement sheet 220 is arranged on top of the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120, extends downwardly through the slot 164 of the lower anchoring structure 160 of the horizontal structure 126, and wraps around a securing rod 324, then extends upwardly through the slot 164 of the lower anchoring structure 160, and extends rearwardly to be sandwiched between the reinforcement sheet 220 and the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126. In these embodiments, the securing rod 324 has a sufficient length such that the two ends thereof engage the bottoms of the pair of laterally spaced structural wires 152 to secure the securing rod 324 in place and prevent it from moving upwardly through the slot 164. In some embodiments, the securing rod 324 may alternatively or additionally has a diameter greater than the width of the slot 164, which may also prevent the securing rod 324 from moving upwardly through the slot 164.

[0241] After above-described installation, the reinforcement sheet 220 overlaps with the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120. After filling landfill materials into the basket 120 and onto the reinforcement sheet 220, the friction between the reinforcement sheet 220 and the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120 further reinforces the engagement of the reinforcement sheet 220 and the basket 120.

[0242] FIGs. 41A and 41B show a base structure 122 of a basket 120, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The base structure 122 in these embodiments is similar to that shown in FIG. 4A except that the lower anchoring structure 160 in these embodiments comprises a single laterally extending anchoring wire 162, and thus has no slot 164.

[0243] As shown in FIGs. 42A to 42C, a geogrid 220 is arranged on top of the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 with a transverse bar 224A of an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 on the front side of the anchoring wire 162. Then, a plurality of struts 128 extend from the rear side of the transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220, and engage the vertical structure 124 and the horizontal structure 126. More specifically, each strut 128 comprises an upper hook 184 to engage the upper anchoring structure 148 of the vertical structure 124. As best shown in FIG. 42C, each strut 128 also comprises an upwardly (or more specifically, upwardly and forwardly) curved lower hook 186 on the rear side thereof which downwardly extends from the rear side of the transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220, and engages the anchoring wire 162 at least from the front and bottom sides thereof, thereby securing the transverse bar 224A (and consequently the geogrid 220) in place and preventing it from moving rearwardly off the basket 120.

[0244] After above-described installation, the geogrid 220 overlaps with the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120. After filling landfill materials into the basket 120 and onto the geogrid 220, the friction between the geogrid 220 and the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120 further reinforces the engagement of the geogrid 220 and the basket 120.

[0245] In some embodiments similar to those shown in FIGs. 42A to 42C, the lower hook 186 of the strut 128 may be on the front side of the strut 128 and upwardly and rearwardly curved, such that it may engage the anchoring wire 162 from the rear and bottom sides thereof. However, in these embodiments, excess rearward-pulling force from the geogrid 220 may cause disengagement of the strut 128 and the anchoring wire 162.

[0246] While in above embodiments, the vertical structure 124 of the basket 120 is a wire structure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in other embodiments, the vertical structure 124 of the basket 120 may be in any suitable form and made of any suitable material. For example, in some embodiments as shown in FIGs. 43A and 43B, the vertical structure 124 is in the form of a vertical panel made of a suitable material such as concrete or steel.

[0247] As shown in above embodiments, when the reinforcement sheet 220 is secured to the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120, the reinforcement sheet 220 substantially overlaps with the rear portion 170 of the horizontal structure 126. The friction force therebetween provides additional reinforcement to combat the tension applied to the reinforcement sheet 220, thereby significantly improving the integrity and strength of the engaged basket 120 and reinforcement sheet 220.

[0248] FIG. 44 is an enlarged view of a portion of a basket 120 with a geogrid 220 secured thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The basket 120 and geogrid 220 are similar to those shown in FIGs. 20A and 20B except that, in these embodiments, an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 is arranged above the horizontal structure 126 with the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 on the front side of the front anchoring wire 162A.

[0249] Each strut 128 is extended downwardly through the horizontal structure 126 from the rear side of the lower anchoring structure 160 (or more specifically, the rear anchoring wire 162B), with the upwardly curved portion 188A engaging both anchoring wires 162 A and 162B of the lower anchoring structure 160 from the bottom thereof. A securing rod 324 is laterally extended through the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 of each strut 128 such that the tip of the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 presses the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 to provide improved securing of the geogrid 220. The securing rod 324 prevents the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 from sliding off the horizontal structure 126.

[0250] FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of a portion of a basket 120 with a geogrid 220 secured thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The basket 120 and geogrid 220 are similar to those shown in FIG. 44 except that, in these embodiments, an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 wraps around the securing rod 324.

[0251] FIGs. 46A and 46B show a basket 120 with a geogrid 220 secured thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The base structure 122 of the basket 120 is similar to that shown in FIGs. 41A and 41B, wherein the horizontal structure 126 thereof comprises a single anchoring wire 162. The strut 128 is similar to that shown in FIGs. 14A and 14B, wherein the lower hook 186 is on the front side of the elongated body 182 and comprises an upwardly (or more specifically, downwardly and forwardly) curved portion 188A forwardly transitioning to a downwardly (or more specifically, downwardly and rearwardly) curved portion 188B.

[0252] In these embodiments, an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 is arranged above the horizontal structure 126 with the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 on the front side of the anchoring wire 162. Each strut 128 is extended downwardly through the horizontal structure 126 from the rear side of the lower anchoring structure 160 (or more specifically, the anchoring wire 162), with the upwardly curved portion 188A engaging the anchoring wire 162 from the bottom thereof. A securing rod 324 is laterally extended through the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 of each strut 128 such that the tip of the downwardly curved portion 188B of the lower hook 186 presses the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 to provide improved securing of the geogrid 220. The securing rod 324 prevents the securing transverse bar 224A of the geogrid 220 from sliding off the horizontal structure 126.

[0253] FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of a portion of a basket 120 with a geogrid 220 secured thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The basket 120 and geogrid 220 are similar to those shown in FIGs. 46A and 46B except that, in these embodiments, an end portion 302 of the geogrid 220 wraps around the securing rod 324.

[0254] FIGs. 48A and 48B show a MSE retaining-wall system 100 having a basket 120 and a flexible reinforcement sheet 240 coupled thereto, according to some embodiments of this disclosure. In these embodiments, the basket 120 is similar to that shown in FIGs. 42A to 42C except that the tip of the lower hook 186 extends further upward such that, when the lower hook 186 of the strut 128 engages the anchoring wire 162 at least from the front and bottom sides thereof, the lower hook 186 has an upper portion extending above the horizontal structure 126 of the basket 120 with a sufficient space for receiving a pair of securing rods 502 and 504 therein. As best illustrated in FIG. 48B, the upper portion 512 of the lower hook 186 has a width (measured between the two wire portions that form the upper portion 512 of the lower hook 186) equal to or greater than the diameters of the securing rods 502 and 504 (such that the securing rods 502 and 504 can be received into the upper portion 512 of the lower hook 186), but smaller than the sum of the diameters of the securing rods 502 and 504 (such that the securing rods 502 and 504 may confined at their locations as installed, such as the securing rod 502 positioned in the upper portion 512 of the lower hook 186 above the securing rod 504).

[0255] As shown in FIG. 48B, in these embodiments, an end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240 is positioned on top of the horizontal structure 174, wraps about the upper securing rod 502 from the top thereof, and extends downwardly, rearwardly, and then upwardly to wrap about the lower securing rod 504 from the bottom thereof. The end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240 then extends upwardly to the top of the upper securing rod 502 to wrap both securing rods 502 and 504 from the front side thereof, and then extends rearwardly to overlap with the portion of the reinforcement sheet 240 thereunder.

[0256] By wrapping the reinforcement sheet 240 to the securing rods 502 and 504 in this manner, a portion of the reinforcement sheet 240 is sandwiched between the securing rods 502 and 504. A rearward tension (for example, caused by the land-filling materials) causes the securing rods 502 and 504 be pressed against each other with a piece of the reinforcement sheet 240 (or more specifically, a piece of the end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240) therebetween, which gives rise to increased friction force to combat the rearward tension and prevent the reinforcement sheet 240 from being pulling off the basket 120. The friction between the end portion 242 and the portion of the reinforcement sheet 240 thereunder and the friction between the reinforcement sheet 240 and the horizontal structure 174 thereunder also help in combating the rearward tension and preventing the reinforcement sheet 240 from being pulling off the basket 120.

[0257] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in some other embodiments, the rear wall 532 of the earth-stabilization structure 524 may be upwardly extending along other suitable direction such as vertically, upwardly and forwardly, or the like, and / or may not lean against any earth structure 526.

[0258] FIG. 49A shows a MSE retaining-wall system 100 according to some embodiments of this disclosure. In these embodiments, the MSE retaining-wall system 100 comprises an upwardly extending panel 522 coupled to an earth-stabilization structure 524. The upwardly extending panel 522 may be oriented vertically, upwardly and rearwardly extending, upwardly and forwardly extending, and / or the like, as the case may be.

[0259] The earth-stabilization structure 524 may be made of concrete or other suitable material and comprises a rear wall 532 upwardly (or more specifically, upwardly and rearwardly) extending along the ramp of an earth structure 526 and spaced from the panel 522, a horizontal pad 534 extending forwardly from the bottom of the rear wall 532 to the panel 522 to allow the panel 522 to seat thereon, and a foot 536 downwardly extending from the bottom of the rear wall 532 to reinforce the stability of the earth-stabilization structure 536.

[0260] The panel 522 is coupled to the earth-stabilization structure 524 via one or more reinforcement sheets 240 tied to and extending between the panel 522 and the earth-stabilization structure 524. Each reinforcement sheet 240 may be tied to the panel 522 and the earthstabilization structure 524 using any suitable method.

[0261] For example, as shown in FIG. 49B, each reinforcement sheet 240 may be tied to the panel 522 via an anchor structure 542. As shown, the anchor structure 542 comprises a laterally extending anchor rod 544 secured on the rear side of the panel 522 (for example, via a plurality of feet buried in or fastened to the panel 522) such that the anchor rod 544 is spaced from the panel 522 with a gap 546 therebetween.

[0262] The reinforcement sheet 240 may be coupled to the anchor structure 542 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGs. 48A and 48B. More specifically, an end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240 extends upwardly through the gap 546 from the lower side thereof and wraps about a securing rod 552 from the top thereof. Then, the end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240 extends downwardly, forwardly, and then upwardly to wrap about the anchor rod 544 from the bottom thereof. The end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240 then extends upwardly to the top of the securing rod 552 to wrap both the securing rod 552 and the anchor rod 544 from the rear side thereof. The end portion 242 of the reinforcement sheet 240 then extends downwardly through the gap 546 and extend rearwardly to overlap with a portion of the reinforcement sheet 240.

[0263] In this example, the rear wall 532 of the earth-stabilization structure 524 also comprises one or more anchor structures 542. Each reinforcement sheet 240 may be coupled to an anchor structure 542 of the rear wall 532 in a similar manner and as shown in FIG. 49C.

[0264] Referring back to FIG. 49A, in these embodiments, after filling land-filling materials into the space between the panel 522 and the earth-stabilization structure 524, the filled land-filling materials may be covered using a suitable geotextile 538.

[0265] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 50, the MSE retaining-wall system 100 may comprise a plurality of vertically stacked panels 522 seating on the earth-stabilization structure 524 and coupled thereto one or more reinforcement sheets 240.

[0266] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 51 , the earth-stabilization structure 524 may comprise a rear wall 532 with one or more vertically extending sections such as sections 532A and 532B at the same distance or different distances to the panel 522. Moreover, the rear ends of some reinforcement sheets 240 may not be tied to the rear wall 532 of the earth-stabilization structure 524, and rather, may be simply buried into the earth structure 526 and / or the filled land- filling materials.

[0267] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foot 536 of the earth-stabilization structure 524 may be at any suitable location such as near the front of the pad 534, as shown in FIG. 52.

[0268] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 53, the MSE retaining-wall system 100 may alternatively or additionally comprise one or more vertically stacked baskets 120 (to substitute one or more panels 522 in above-described embodiments) seating on the earth-stabilization structure 524 and coupled thereto one or more reinforcement sheets 240.

[0269] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the MSE retaining-wall system 100 disclosed herein may be used in various applications.

[0270] For example, FIG. 54A is a cross-sectional view of a road 600 having a plurality of lanes 602 separated by one or more separation structures 604. In this example, one side of the road 600 is a ditch 606 and the other side thereof is a hill 608.

[0271] As shown in FIG. 54B, a MSE retaining-wall system 100 such as that shown in FIG. 53 may be installed to the ditch side of the road 600. After filling in suitable land-filling materials and properly paved, a new lane 602A may be added to the road 600 on the previously ditch side.

[0272] FIGs. 55A and 55B show another example. The road 600 in this example is similar to that shown in FIG. 54A except that both sides of the road 600 are ditches 606.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 55B, a MSE retaining-wall system 100 such as that shown in FIG. 53 may be installed to each side of the road 600. After filling in suitable land-filling materials and properly paved, new lanes 602A and 602B may be added to the road 600 on both sides thereof.

[0274] Referring to FIG. 56, in a use scenario, a land or bank 702 adjacent a wet land, soft land, water, and / or the like (denoted 704) needs to be reinforced. In prior art, one may insert a long post 706 into the land 702 at designated location, and then fill in suitable land-filling materials 706. However, as the earth adjacent the wet land 704 is often soft, the post 706 may become loose in the land 702 over time, thereby causing issues with the land reinforcement.

[0275] In some embodiments as shown in FIGs. 57A and 57B, two spaced sets of retaining-wall panels 722A and 722B may be used, with each set comprising one retaining-wall panel or a plurality of vertically stacked retaining-wall panels. The first set of retaining-wall panels 722A may be positioned at the designated location, and the second set of retaining-wall panels 722A may be located inside the land 702 at a distance from the first set of retaining-wall panels 722A. Then, a plurality of reinforcement sheets and / or geogrids 724 are extended between the spaced retaining-wall panels 722A and 722B and fastened thereto using any suitable methods. For example, in one embodiment, each retaining-wall panel 722A, 722B may comprise an anchor rod secured thereto with a gap therebetween. Then, each reinforcement sheet 724 wraps around the anchor rod and a securing rod in a manner shown in FIGs. 49A to 49C or in a manner similar the method disclosed in PCT Application Serial No. PCT / CA2021 / 050793 filed on June 10, 2021, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, such that a portion of the reinforcement sheet 724 is sandwiched between the anchor rod and the securing rod with pressure (from the anchor rod and the securing rod).

[0276] As another example, each retaining-wall panel 722A, 722B may comprise a basket 120 described in any of above embodiments to secure the reinforcement sheets and / or geogrids 724. FIG. 57A shows a partially complete reinforcement process, and FIG. 57B shows the reinforced land 702 after the completion, wherein suitable land-filling materials 728 are filled in between the two spaced sets of retaining-wall panels 722A and 722B such that the reinforced land 702 can safely and steadily support loads 730.

[0277] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such various embodiments and / or features thereof may be customized and / or combined as needed or desired. Moreover, although embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for retaining a landfilling material, the apparatus at least comprising: a vertical structure; a horizontal structure; and a strut for engaging the vertical structure and the horizontal structure, the strut at least comprising a first hook; wherein the horizontal structure at least comprises: a front portion longitudinally rearwardly extending from a lower portion of the vertical structure, an anchoring structure on a rear side of the front portion for engaging the first hook of the strut, a laterally extending securing rod, or a combination thereof for securing a rearwardly extending reinforcement sheet to the anchoring structure, and a rear portion on a rear side of the anchoring structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the anchoring structure at least comprises a first laterally extending anchoring wire coupled to the front portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement sheet at least comprises a geogrid overlapping the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly, the geogrid at least comprising a plurality of laterally spaced strips longitudinally extending between a plurality of transverse bars, each of the plurality of transverse bars having a thickness greater than that of the plurality of strips; wherein the plurality of transverse bars comprises a first transverse bar located on a front side of the first anchoring wire; and wherein the anchoring structure is configured for engaging the first hook, the securing rod, or the combination thereof to form a stopper for preventing the first transverse bar from moving rearward.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first hook is an upwardly curved hook on a rear side of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire from a front-bottom side thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire; and an end portion extending upwardly from the upwardly curved hook portion for contacting and securing the first transverse bar of the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the end portion of the first hook is a downwardly curved hook portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for receiving the securing rod.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the geogrid is arranged under the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly; and wherein a portion of the plurality of strips between the first transverse bar and the first anchoring wire extend upwardly above the horizontal structure with the securing rod sandwiched between the portion of the plurality of strips and the horizontal structure for securing the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the anchoring structure further comprises a second laterally extending anchoring wire on a rear side of the first anchoring wire and adjacent thereto, the first and second anchoring wires forming a laterally extending slot therebetween.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 dependent from claim 3, wherein the strut is configured for extending between the first transverse bar and the first anchoring wire with the first hook engaging the first and second anchoring wires for securing the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first hook is on a rear side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire; and a downwardly curved portion rearwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for engaging the second anchoring wire.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, wherein the geogrid is arranged above or under the horizontal structure with the first transverse bar extending through the slot and located on a vertically opposite side of the horizontal structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 dependent from claim 3, wherein the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the second anchoring wire with the first hook at least engaging the first anchoring wire for securing the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved portion extending from a body of the strut; and a downwardly curved portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for engaging the first anchoring wire.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the upwardly curved portion is configured for receiving the securing rod and engaging the second anchoring wire via the securing rod.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the geogrid is arranged under the horizontal structure with a portion of the geogrid sandwiched between the second anchoring wire and the securing rod.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure with the first transverse bar extending through the slot and located under the horizontal structure.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first and second anchoring wires; and an end portion extending upwardly from the upwardly curved hook portion for contacting and securing the first transverse bar of the geogrid to the horizontal structure.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the end portion of the first hook is a downwardly curved hook portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for receiving the securing rod.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the first transverse bar is arranged above the horizontal structure.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a portion of the geogrid on a rear side of the first transverse bar extends through the slot and is arranged under the horizontal structure.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure.

23. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the first anchoring wire; wherein the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first anchoring wire, and a downwardly curved portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for receiving the securing rod; and wherein the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure and wrapping around the securing rod.

24. The apparatus of claim 9 dependent from claim 2, wherein the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the second anchoring wire; wherein the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending from a body of the strut for receiving the securing rod and engaging the second anchoring wire via the securing rod, and a downwardly curved portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for engaging the first anchoring wire; and wherein the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure with a portion of the reinforcement sheet extending downwardly through the slot, wrapping around the securing rod under the horizontal structure, extending upwardly through the slot, and extending rearwardly.

25. The apparatus of claim 9 dependent from claim 2, wherein the strut is configured for extending from a rear side of the second anchoring wire; wherein the first hook is on a front side of the strut, and at least comprises: an upwardly curved hook portion extending from a body of the strut for engaging the first and second anchoring wires, and a downwardly curved portion forwardly transitioning from the upwardly curved portion for receiving the securing rod; and wherein the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure with a portion of the reinforcement sheet wrapping around the securing rod.

26. The apparatus of claim 9 dependent from claim 2, wherein the reinforcement sheet is arranged above the horizontal structure with a portion of the reinforcement sheet extending downwardly through the slot, wrapping around the securing rod, extending upwardly through the slot, and extending rearwardly; and wherein the securing rod has a diameter greater than a width of the slot and / or laterally extending between and engaging a pair of laterally spaced structural wires on laterally opposite sides of the slot for preventing the securing rod from moving through the slot.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring structure at least comprises a plurality of laterally distributed, upwardly extending, and downwardly curved wire portions forming a securing channel for receiving the securing rod; wherein the reinforcement sheet at least comprises a geogrid overlapping the horizontal structure and extending rearwardly, the geogrid at least comprising a plurality of laterally spaced strips longitudinally extending between a plurality of transverse bars, each of the plurality of transverse bars having a thickness greater than that of the plurality of strips; wherein the plurality of transverse bars comprises a first transverse bar located on a front side of the first anchoring wire; and wherein the geogrid is arranged above the horizontal structure with the first transverse bar on a front side of the securing channel and a portion of the geogrid under the securing rod.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein one or both of the front portion and the rear portion of the horizontal structure comprise a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending wires.

29. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the horizontal structure comprises a plurality of laterally spaced wires longitudinally extending from the front portion to the rear portion thereof.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 or 29, wherein one or both of the front portion and the rear portion of the horizontal structure comprise one or more longitudinally spaced, laterally extending reinforcement wires.

31. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the vertical structure at least comprises a plurality of laterally spaced, vertically extending wires.

32. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the vertical structure at least comprises a panel.

33. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the strut further comprises a second hook for engaging the vertical structure.

34. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 33 further comprising: the rearwardly extending reinforcement sheet secured to the anchoring structure.

35. A decoration panel for coupling to a front side of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining-wall panel, the decoration panel comprising: a sloped front surface such that, when a plurality of the apparatuses and a plurality of correspondingly coupled decoration panels are vertically stacked, the front surfaces of the plurality of decoration panels form a substantially flat surface.

36. The decoration panel of claim 35, wherein the decoration panel comprises an extrusion on a top thereof and a recess on a bottom thereof such that, when a plurality of the MSE retaining- wall panels and a plurality of correspondingly coupled decoration panels are vertically stacked, the extrusion of a lower one of the plurality of decoration panels extends into the recess of a higher one of the plurality of decoration panels.

37. The decoration panel of claim 35 or 36, wherein the decoration panel is a solid panel.

38. The decoration panel of claim 35 or 36, wherein the decoration panel comprises a hollow interior and a plurality of openings on the front wall, a top wall, and / or a bottom wall thereof in fluid communication with the hollow interior; and wherein the hollow interior comprises a reservoir in a rear portion of the bottom wall for storing water flowed therein.

39. The decoration panel of claim 38, wherein the decoration panel comprises a water interface in fluid communication with the hollow interior.

40. The decoration panel of claim 39 further comprising a water tank, the water tank comprising: an inlet; a first outlet fluidly connected to the water interface; and a second outlet below the first outlet, the second outlet fluidly connected to the water interface via an outlet valve.

41. The decoration panel of claim 40, wherein the inlet is configured for periodically filling water into the water tank, and the outlet valve is configured for periodically discharging water from the water thank to the hollow interior of the decoration panel.

42. A decoration panel for coupling to a front side of a MSE retaining-wall panel, the decoration panel comprising: one or more containers, each container comprising a hollow interior with an open top for growing plants therein.

43. The decoration panel of claim 42, wherein each container further comprises a plurality of openings on a front wall, a rear wall, and / or a bottom wall thereof in fluid communication with the hollow interior.

44. The decoration panel of claim 42 or 43, wherein the hollow interior of each container comprises a reservoir in a rear portion of the bottom wall for storing water flowed therein.

45. The decoration panel of any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein the decoration panel comprises a plurality of containers; and wherein a first one of the plurality of containers at a lower elevation has a size greater than that of a second one of the plurality of containers at a higher elevation.

46. An apparatus for retaining a landfilling material, the apparatus at least comprising: a vertical structure;a horizontal structure; and a strut for engaging the vertical structure and the horizontal structure, the strut at least comprising a first hook; wherein the horizontal structure at least comprises: a front portion longitudinally rearwardly extending from a lower portion of the vertical structure, an anchoring structure on a rear side of the front portion for engaging the first hook of the strut for securing a rearwardly extending reinforcement sheet to the anchoring structure, and a rear portion on a rear side of the anchoring structure; wherein a portion of the first hook received a first securing rod and a second securing rod extending therethrough; and wherein a first section of the reinforcement sheet between a proximal end and a distal end of the reinforcement sheet extends between the first and second securing rods and at least partially wraps about the first and second securing rods on opposite sides thereof such that the first securing rod is in pressurized contact with the second securing rod via a portion of the first section of the flexible sheet sandwiched therebetween.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the first section of the reinforcement sheet, in addition to said at least partially wrapping about the first and second securing rods on opposite sides thereof, further wraps both of the first and second securing rods.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the reinforcement sheet further wraps about a combination of the first securing rod, the second securing rod, and the first section of the reinforcement sheet between the first and second securing rods.

49. A retaining-wall system for retaining a landfilling material, the apparatus at least comprising: a first structure comprising an upwardly extending first wall and a pad extending forwardly from a bottom of the first wall; a second structure seating on the pad at a distance from the first wall of the first structure and upwardly extending therefrom; andone or more reinforcement sheets extending between the second structure and the first wall of the first structure for coupling the second structure to the first wall.

50. The retaining-wall system of claim 49, wherein the first structure further comprises a foot downwardly extending from a bottom of the first structure.

51. The retaining-wall system of claim 50, wherein the foot downwardly extends from the first wall or the pad.

52. The retaining-wall system of any one of claims 49 to 51 , wherein the first wall is a vertical wall or is a sloped wall.

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