Self-supporting modular wall

Abstract

A self-supporting, modular wall unit apparatus. A wall unit according to one embodiment of the invention is prefabricated from reinforced lightweight for transportation to the construction site. The wall unit then is placed in prepared ground, where it is self-supporting. The modular wall unit incorporates an integral footer component, eliminating the need to place a separate footing in advance of wall placement. The wall unit typically has the general cross-sectional shape (along at least a portion of its length) of an inverted “T,” with the footer portion extending laterally from opposite sides of the wall. Alternatively, the wall unit may present a non-planar profile or footprint that zigzags or undulates to depart from a vertical plane, to enhance the wall unit's stability with minimized integral footer.

1 . A modular pre-cast wall unit comprising: 
 a footer portion; and    a wall portion integral with and extending vertically from said footer portion, said wall portion comprising:    a wall first end and a wall second end, each respective wall end defining a wall end surface;    a wall first face in spaced relation with a wall second face;    an imaginary centersurface defined intermediately and substantially equidistantly between said first face and said second face; and    a wall top surface extending from said wall first end and said wall second end and between said faces;    wherein said footer portion and said wall portion comprise pre-cast reinforced concrete.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said footer portion comprises: 
 a footer first end and a footer second end, each respective footer end defining a footer end surface;    at least one top surface extending between said first footer end and said second footer end; and    a bottom extending between said first footer end and said second footer end.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according  claim 2  wherein said footer bottom is non-planar, comprising a lowermost center portion and a lateral surface inclined upwardly away from said center portion on either side thereof.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said footer bottom defines a convex curved surface.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said footer bottom comprises a centerline and a pair of substantially flat surfaces inclined upwardly away from said centerline.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said footer portion extends laterally from said wall portion a distance beyond either one of said wall faces.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said footer portion extends laterally from said wall portion a first distance beyond said first wall face, and a second distance beyond said second wall face.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said footer portion comprises: 
 a footer first side and a footer second side, said centersurface of said wall portion being between said footer sides;    a footer first top surface extending between said first wall face and said footer first side;    a footer second top surface extending between said second wall face and said footer second side; and    a bottom extending laterally between said footer first side and said footer second side.    
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according  claim 8  wherein said footer bottom is non-planar, comprising a lowermost center portion and a lateral surface inclined upwardly away from said center portion on either side thereof.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said footer bottom defines a convex curved surface.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said footer bottom comprises a centerline and a pair of substantially flat surfaces inclined upwardly away from said centerline.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said footer portion comprises a bottom surface of said wall portion.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein said wall faces and said centersurface are non-planar.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said wall faces and said centersurface are serpentine.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said wall faces and said centersurface are mutually parallel.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein at least one of said wall faces comprises decorative features cast therein.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein each of said wall faces comprises at least two angularly intersecting substantially flat surfaces.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein said wall faces and said centersurface are mutually parallel.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein at least one of said wall faces comprises decorative features cast therein.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising means cast within said wall portion by which said wall unit may be lifted and lowered.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 20  further comprising reinforcing means disposed vertically within said wall portion, ends of said reinforcement projecting from said wall top surface, and wherein said lifting and lowering means comprises loops or hooks on said reinforcement means.  
   
   
       22 . A modular pre-cast wall unit comprising: 
 a footer portion, wherein said footer portion comprises: 
 a footer first end and a footer second end, each respective footer end defining a footer end surface;  
 at least one top surface extending between said first footer end and said second footer end; and  
 a bottom extending between said first footer end and said second footer end, said bottom being non-planar to comprise a lowermost center portion and a lateral surface inclined upwardly away from said center portion on either side thereof; and  
   a wall portion integral with and extending vertically from said footer portion, said wall portion comprising: 
 a wall first end and a wall second end, each respective wall end defining a wall end surface;  
 a non-planar wall first face in spaced relation with a non-planar wall second face;  
 an imaginary centersurface defined intermediately and substantially equidistantly between said first face and said second face; and  
 a wall top surface extending from said wall first end and said wall second end and between said faces;  
 wherein said footer portion and said wall portion comprise pre-cast reinforced concrete.  
   
   
   
       23 . A modular pre-cast wall unit comprising: 
 a footer portion; and    a wall portion integral with and extending vertically from said footer portion, said wall portion comprising: 
 a wall first end and a wall second end, each respective wall end defining a wall end surface;  
 a wall first face in spaced relation with a wall second face;  
 an imaginary centersurface defined intermediately and substantially equidistantly between said first face and said second face; and  
 a wall top surface extending from said wall first end and said wall second end and between said faces;  
 wherein said footer portion and said wall portion comprise pre-cast reinforced concrete.  
   
   
   
       24 . An apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein said wall faces and said centersurface are mutually parallel.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein said wall faces and said centersurface are serpentine.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein each of said wall faces comprises at least four substantially flat surfaces, each said flat surface having an angular intersection with at least one adjacent other one of said flat surfaces.