Retaining wall and method of making same

Abstract

A retaining wall is provided that may include a first/bottom mat, a second/top mat and a third/cap mat. Each of the mats may include a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid and may have a generally flat section. Each of the first and second mats may also include an upstanding section extending upwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section. The upstanding sections may be inclined backwardly toward the generally flat sections. The upstanding section of the first mat may also include a plurality of extension members extending upwardly from an upper end of the upstanding section at an angle in relation to the upstanding section of the first mat, and be adapted for engagement with the second mat. The third mat may include a face section extending downwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the third mat, which face section may be adapted for engagement with the upstanding section of the second mat, such as by means of a hook. One or more support members may be attached to the first and second mats to prevent the upstanding sections of the mats from bowing or inclining outwardly. Related methods are also provided.

1 . A retaining wall comprising: 
 at least one first mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the at least one first mat having a generally flat section and an upstanding section extending upwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the first mat, the upstanding section of the first mat including a plurality of extension members extending upwardly from an upper end of the upstanding section of the first mat at an angle in relation to the upstanding section of the first mat; and    a second mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the second mat having a generally flat section and an upstanding section extending upwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the second mat, whereby the extension members on the first mat are adapted for engagement with the second mat.    
   
   
       2 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , further including a third mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the third mat having a generally flat section and a face section extending downwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the third mat, whereby the face section is adapted for engagement with the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       3 . The retaining wall of  claim 2 , wherein the third mat further includes at least one hook member adapted for engagement with an uppermost elongated member on the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       4 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , wherein each grid is formed of welded wires.  
   
   
       5 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding section of the first mat is inclined upwardly from the generally flat section of the first mat when in a relaxed state.  
   
   
       6 . The retaining wall of  claim 5 , wherein the angle between the upstanding section of the first mat and the generally flat section of the first mat is between approximately 75 and 80 degrees when in the relaxed state.  
   
   
       7 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding section of the second mat is inclined upwardly from the generally flat section of the second mat when in a relaxed state.  
   
   
       8 . The retaining wall of  claim 7 , wherein the angle between the upstanding section of the second mat and the generally flat section of the second mat is between approximately 75 and 80 degrees when in the relaxed state.  
   
   
       9 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , further including at least one support member connected between one of the elongated members in the flat section of the first mat and one of the elongated members in the upstanding section of the first mat.  
   
   
       10 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , further including at least one support member connected between one of the elongated members in the flat section of the second mat and one of the elongated members in the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       11 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , further including a first section of filter material disposed adjacent a back surface of the upstanding section of the first mat, and a second section of filter material disposed adjacent a back surface of the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       12 . The retaining wall of  claim 1 , further including at least one face mat disposed adjacent a back surface of at least one of the upstanding sections of the first and second mats.  
   
   
       13 . The retaining wall of  claim 12 , further including at least one section of filter material placed in one of a position between the face mat and the upstanding section and a position behind and against the face mat.  
   
   
       13 . A retaining wall comprising: 
 at least one first mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the at least one first mat having a generally flat section and an upstanding section extending upwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the first mat, the upstanding section being backwardly inclined toward the generally flat section when in a relaxed state, the upstanding section of the first mat including a plurality of extension members extending upwardly from an upper end of the upstanding section of the first mat at an angle in relation to the upstanding section of the first mat; and    a second mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the second mat having a generally flat section and an upstanding section extending upwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the second mat, the upstanding section being backwardly inclined toward the generally flat section when in a relaxed state, whereby the extension members on the first mat are adapted for engagement with the second mat.    
   
   
       14 . The retaining wall of  claim 12 , further including at least one support member attached to one of the first and second mats and adapted to restrict the upstanding member of the respective first or second mat from flexing past a generally upright vertical position.  
   
   
       15 . The retaining wall of  claim 12 , further including a third mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the third mat having a generally flat section and a face section extending downwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the third mat, whereby the face section is adapted for engagement with the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       16 . The retaining wall of  claim 14 , wherein the third mat further includes at least one hook member adapted for engagement with an uppermost elongated member on the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       17 . A retaining wall comprising: 
 at least one first mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the at least one first mat having a generally flat section and an upstanding section extending upwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the first mat, the upstanding section of the first mat including a plurality of extension members extending upwardly from an upper end of the upstanding section of the first mat at an angle in relation to the upstanding section of the first mat;    at least one first-mat support member connected between one of the elongated members in the flat section of the first mat and one of the elongated members in the upstanding section of the first mat;    a second mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the second mat having a generally flat section and an upstanding section extending upwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the second mat, the upstanding section being backwardly inclined toward the generally flat section when in a relaxed state, whereby the extension members on the first mat are adapted for engagement with the second mat; and    at least one second-mat support member connected between one of the elongated members in the flat section of the second mat and one of the elongated members in the upstanding section of the second mat.    
   
   
       18 . The retaining wall of  claim 16 , further including a third mat including a plurality of elongated members connected to form a grid, the third mat having a generally flat section and a face section extending downwardly from a forward edge of the generally flat section of the third mat, whereby the face section is adapted for engagement with the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       19 . The retaining wall of  claim 17 , wherein the third mat further includes at least one hook member adapted for engagement with an uppermost elongated member on the upstanding section of the second mat.  
   
   
       20 . A method of constructing a retaining wall comprising: 
 positioning a first mat on a surface, the first mat being constructed of a plurality of elongated members connected in a grid-like fashion and having a generally flat section and an upstanding section, the upstanding section of the first mat including a plurality of generally straight extension members extending upwardly from an upper end of the upstanding section of the first mat at an angle in relation to the upstanding section of the first mat;    positioning a first section of filter material adjacent a back surface of the upstanding member of the first mat;    positioning a portion of soil on the flat section of the first mat so as to hold the filter material in place;    positioning a second mat on top of the soil on the first mat, the second mat being constructed of a plurality of elongated members connected in a grid-like fashion and having a generally flat section and an upstanding section, and    engaging the extension members on the upstanding section of the first mat with the second mat.    
   
   
       21 . The retaining wall of  claim 19 , wherein the portion of soil on the flat section of the first mat has an upper surface substantially horizontally level with the upper end of the upstanding section of the first mat.  
   
   
       22 . The retaining wall of  claim 19 , wherein the upstanding section of the first mat is inclined backwardly toward the generally flat section of the first mat when in a relaxed state, and is flexed forwardly to a generally upright vertical position when the portion of soil has been positioned on the flat section of the first mat.  
   
   
       23 . The retaining wall of  claim 19 , further including connecting at least on support member to the first mat to restrict the upstanding section of the first mat from extending away from the generally flat section of the first mat beyond a generally upright vertical position.