Earth retaining and geo-grid wall system

Abstract

The instant invention relates to an earth retaining wall system, definable with reference to an x,y,z Cartesian coordinate system, for stabilizing an earthen wall, the system comprising a y-axis footing having an x-axis width, the footing embedded within the earth along a y-z plane at a base of an earthen mass to be retained by the system, the footing having a flat xy upper surface thereof; and upon the upper surface of the footing, a retaining wall comprising a multiplicity of courses of constructional blocks, each block thereof defining a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration, an x-axis thereof defining a width axis of the wall, a y-axis thereof defining a segment of a length of the wall, and a z-axis thereof defining a segment of a height of the wall, in which one xz end surface of each block comprises a positive y-axis deep key geometry and each opposing xz end surface thereof comprises a negative y-axis deep key geometry complementally interlockable to a part of a substantially planar xy geo-grid positioned within at least one xy plane between the retaining wall and the earthen mass to be retained, a y-axis edge of the geo-grid rigidly secured between opposing surfaces of y-axis courses of blocks of the retaining wall, in which elements of the grid near to the y-axis edge thereof define x and y axes separations proportioned for complemental interposition between successive z-axis recesses and interlocking blocks of opposing z-axis courses, whereby securing the y-axis edge of the geo-grid is secured between adjacent z-axis courses of blocks of the retaining wall.

1 . A retaining wall system, definable with reference to an x, y, z Cartesian coordinate system, for stabilizing an earthen wall, said system comprising: 
 (a) a y-axis footing having an x-axis width, said footing embedded within the earth along a y-z plane at a base of an earthen mass to be retained by said system, said footing having a flat xy upper surface thereof; and    (b) upon said upper surface of said footing, a retaining wall comprising a multiplicity of courses of constructional blocks, each block thereof defining a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration, an x-axis thereof defining a width axis of said wall, a y-axis thereof defining a segment of a length of said wall, and a z-axis thereof defining a segment of a height of said wall, in which one xz end surface of each block comprises a positive y-axis deep key geometry and each opposing xz end surface thereof comprises a negative y-axis deep key geometry complementally interlockable within xy grids a substantially planar xy geo-grid positioned within at least one xy plane between said retaining wall and said earthen mass to be retained, a y-axis portion of said geogrid rigidly secured between opposing surfaces of y-axis courses of blocks of said retaining wall, in which elements of said geo-grid near to said y-axis edge thereof define said xy grids and are proportioned for complemental interposition about successive z-axis and male members of Interlocking blocks of opposing z-axis courses,    whereby securing said y-axis portion of said geo-grid is secured between adjacent z-axis courses of blocks of said retaining wall.    
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 mortar placed between opposing xy surfaces of said blocks,    thereby providing a substantially rigid and load resistant interlock of each geo-grid between vertically contiguous courses of said blocks when joined together as components of said retaining wall system.    
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , in which: 
 a z-axis length of each of said male members of said lower xy surface of each block exceeds a z-axis depth of contiguous xy surface recesses of a vertically contiguous course to thereby provide space for insertion of said mortar between opposing xy surfaces of blocks of said courses of said retaining wall,    
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , in which: 
 a y-axis length of said positive y-axis deep key geometry exceeds a y-axis depth of said negative deep key geometry, thereby providing space for the insertion of mortar between opposing xz brick surfaces within a given course of said retaining wall.    
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , in which each of said deep key geometries each comprise a trapezoidal structure.