Footing for sound-barrier walls

Abstract

A footing for use to support stanchions of sound-barrier walls is a one-piece monolithic element that includes a base having a plurality of prestressing cables therein. A stanchion is accommodated in a bore defined in either a sleeve included with the base or directly in the base. If a sleeve is included, the sleeve includes a plurality of prestressing strands or rebars. One form of sound-barrier wall includes adjacent panels on opposite sides of a stanchion whereby a panel must be lifted in order to tip the stanchion over so wind forces are safely accommodated. Another form of the footing includes projections that extend into the bore. Various forms of sound-barrier wall configurations can be accommodated by the footing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A footing element for use with a sound-barrier wall comprising: 
 a one-piece, monolithic body having a base portion and a sleeve portion extending away from said base portion and having a bore defined therein;    a plurality of first prestressing cables in the base portion of said body; and    a plurality of prestressing elements in the sleeve portion of said body, each of said prestressing elements being connected to one of said prestressing cables.    
     
     
         2 . The footing element defined in  claim 1  wherein said body is formed of concrete.  
     
     
         3 . The footing element defined in  claim 1  wherein said base portion is rectangular.  
     
     
         4 . The footing element defined in  claim 3  wherein said sleeve portion is rectangular.  
     
     
         5 . The footing element defined in  claim 1  wherein said prestressing elements include rebars.  
     
     
         6 . In combination: 
 a footing element comprising a one-piece, monolithic body having a base portion and a sleeve portion extending away from said base portion and having a bore defined therein; a plurality of first prestressing cables in the base portion of said body; and a plurality of prestressing elements in the sleeve portion of said body, each of said prestressing elements being connected to one of said prestressing cables; and    a wall panel supporting stanchion accommodated in said body.    
     
     
         7 . The combination defined in  claim 6  wherein said stanchion includes a channel extending lengthwise of said stanchion.  
     
     
         8 . The footing element defined in  claim 1  wherein said body is buried when in use.  
     
     
         9 . The footing element defined in  claim 1  wherein said sleeve includes at least one projection extending into said bore.  
     
     
         10 . The combination defined in  claim 7  wherein said sleeve includes at least one projection extending into said bore to be accommodated in the channel of said stanchion when said stanchion is in place in said sleeve.  
     
     
         11 . The combination defined in  claim 10  wherein said projection includes a screw.  
     
     
         12 . The combination defined in  claim 6  further including a first wall panel connected to said stanchion.  
     
     
         13 . The combination defined in  claim 12  further including a second wall panels connected to said stanchion.  
     
     
         14 . The combination defined in  claim 13  further including an a fastener connecting said wall panels to said stanchion.  
     
     
         15 . The combination defined in  claim 14  wherein said stanchion is positioned between said wall panels.  
     
     
         16 . The combination defined in  claim 12  further including an upper wall panel connected to said stanchion and being located on top of said first wall panel.  
     
     
         17 . The combination defined in  claim 13  further including an upper wall panel connected to said stanchion and being located on top of one of said first or second wall panels.  
     
     
         18 . A footing element for use with a sound-barrier wall comprising: 
 a one-piece, monolithic body having a base portion and a sleeve portion extending away from said base portion and having a bore defined therein;    a plurality of first prestressing cables in the base portion of said body; and    a plurality of re-bars in the sleeve portion of said body.    
     
     
         19 . The footing element defined in  claim 18  wherein each of said re-bars is connected to one of said plurality of prestressing cables.  
     
     
         20 . The footing element defined in  claim 1  wherein said body is pre-cast concrete.  
     
     
         21 . The footing element defined in  claim 18  wherein said body is precast concrete.  
     
     
         22 . A footing element for use with a sound-barrier wall comprising: 
 a one-piece monolithic body having a base portion with a bore defined therein; and    a plurality of prestressing cables in the base portion of said body.    
     
     
         23 . The footing element defined in  claim 22  further including a projection element on said body extending into said bore.  
     
     
         24 . The footing element defined in  claim 23  wherein said body is pre-cast concrete.