Integrated wall system

Abstract

A composite wall system includes a foundationless wall substructure such as a sheet piling wall with a base portion embedded in the ground and an exposed portion extending above the ground, and one or more fascia panels or sheets such as synthetic simulated stonework panels applied over the foundationless wall substructure. Components of the wall system prevent debris from entering between the wall substructure and the fascia panels, and in seawall applications prevent water incursion and resist wave action.

1 . A composite wall system comprising;
 a foundationless wall substructure having a base portion embedded in the ground and an exposed portion not embedded in the ground; and   a panelized fascia attached to the foundationless wall substructure over at least the exposed portion thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundationless wall substructure comprises a sheet piling wall. 
   
   
       3 . The composite wall system of  claim 2 , wherein the sheet piling Wall comprises a plurality of vinyl pile members. 
   
   
       4 . The composite wall system of  claim 2 , wherein the sheet piling wall has a substantially continuous outer surface. 
   
   
       5 . The composite wall system of  claim 2 , wherein the sheet piling wall comprises metal pile members. 
   
   
       6 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the foundationless wall substructure comprises at least one concrete wall panel. 
   
   
       7 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the panelized fascia comprises a simulated stonework outer surface. 
   
   
       8 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the panelized fascia comprises a simulated brickwork outer surface. 
   
   
       9 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the panelized fascia is applied only to the exposed portion of the foundationless wall substructure. 
   
   
       10 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap member for attachment over upper edges of the exposed portion of the foundationless wall substructure and the panelized fascia. 
   
   
       11 . The composite wall system of  claim 10 , wherein the cap member comprises a simulated stonework outer surface. 
   
   
       12 . The composite wall system of  claim 10 , wherein the cap member comprises a simulated brickwork outer surface. 
   
   
       13 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lug-and-slot coupling system for attaching the panelized fascia to the foundationless wall substructure. 
   
   
       14 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , further comprising a starter strip affixed to the foundationless wall substructure beneath the panelized fascia. 
   
   
       15 . The composite wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the panelized fascia comprises a plurality of fascia modules, each fascia module comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions being partially horizontally offset from one another and joined at a medial portion, such that adjacent fascia panel modules combine to form a substantially continuous surface. 
   
   
       16 . A composite wall system comprising:
 a sheet-piling substructure comprising a plurality of elongate pile members, each pile member having at least one engagement member for connection with an adjacent pile member; and   a fascia panel for application over at least a portion of the sheet-piling substructure, the fascia panel having an inner face for attachment to the sheet-piling substructure, and a decorative outer face.   
   
   
       17 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate pile members comprise a synthetic polymer material. 
   
   
       18 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate pile members comprise metal. 
   
   
       19 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate pile members define a substantially continuous attachment surface for attachment of the inner face of the fascia panel thereto. 
   
   
       20 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , wherein the fascia panel comprises a synthetic molding. 
   
   
       21 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , further comprising a cap member for engagement over a top portion of the sheet-piling substructure and the fascia panel, the cap member having a decorative outer face. 
   
   
       22 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , further comprising a lug-and-slot coupling system for attaching the fascia panel to the sheet-piling substructure. 
   
   
       23 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , further comprising a starter strip for attachment to the sheet-piling substructure below the fascia panel. 
   
   
       24 . The composite wall system of  claim 16 , wherein the fascia panel comprises a plurality of modules, each module comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions being partially horizontally offset from one another and joined at a medial portion, such that adjacent modules combine to form a substantially continuous surface. 
   
   
       25 . A cap member for a composite wall system, said cap member comprising an upper panel and a front panel, the upper panel and the front panel each having an inner portion for engagement with a substructure, and an outer portion comprising a decorative surface. 
   
   
       26 . The cap member of  claim 25 , further comprising a back panel, wherein the front panel, the upper panel and the back panel combine to form a generally U-shaped profile. 
   
   
       27 . The cap member of  claim 25 , being at least partially formed of concrete. 
   
   
       28 . The cap member of  claim 25  further comprising a reinforcing flange within the concrete. 
   
   
       29 . A method of fabricating a composite wall system, said method comprising:
 driving at least one substructure member partially into the ground, whereby the substructure member comprises an embedded portion within the ground and an exposed portion above the ground; and   applying a panelized fascia over at least the exposed portion of the at least one substructure member.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one substructure member comprises a sheet piling wall. 
   
   
       31 . A method of fabricating a composite wall system, said method comprising:
 providing at least one substructure member having an outer attachment surface;   providing at least two types of fascia panel, a first of the at least two types of fascia panel having a first decorative appearance, and a second of the at least two types of fascia panel having a second decorative appearance different from the first decorative appearance; and   selecting one of the at least two types of fascia panel for attachment to the outer attachment surface of the substructure member.