Modular Block Connecting Techniques

Abstract

One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks. The retaining means includes a pair of retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. Each retaining bar has at least front, base, and side faces. The reinforcement member is secured between the front faces of the retaining bars through wedging action produced by force being applied to the base face of the second one of the retaining bars. Other systems and methods are also provided.

1 . A modular block system, comprising:
 a plurality of wall blocks stacked to form at least a portion of a wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface; and   retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks, the retaining means including a pair of retaining bars that are positioned within a slot that crosses the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block, the slot having a bottom surface, a front wall, and a rear wall, each retaining bar having at least front, base, and side faces, the front face opposing the angle formed by the base and side faces and angled relative to the base face at less than 90 degrees, a first one of the retaining bars being disposed within the slot such that the base face engages the bottom surface and the side face engages the front wall, a second one of the retaining bars being disposed within the slot such that the base face is oriented outward from the slot and the side face engages the rear wall, the reinforcement member being secured between the front faces of the retaining bars through wedging action produced by force being applied to the base face of the second one of the retaining bars.   
   
   
       2 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein the force applied to the base face of the second one of the retaining bars comprises a tensile force applied to the reinforcement member. 
   
   
       3 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the reinforcement member is clamped between the front faces of the retaining bars. 
   
   
       4 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the retaining bars further comprises a top face that is adjacent to the front and side faces of the respective retaining bar. 
   
   
       5 . The modular block system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the retaining bars has a front to back dimension measuring from the respective top face that is greater than a front to back dimension measuring from the respective bottom face. 
   
   
       6 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein the base and side faces of a retaining bar are perpendicular. 
   
   
       7 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein the base and side faces of a retaining bar are adjacent. 
   
   
       8 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein the front, base, and side faces of a retaining bar are effectively planar. 
   
   
       9 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface, the front wall, and the rear wall of the slot are effectively planar. 
   
   
       10 . The modular block system of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement member comprises geogrid material in a lattice arrangement that comprises fabric composed of a polymeric material. 
   
   
       11 . An elongated retaining bar for securing a reinforcement member to a modular retaining wall comprised of a plurality of retaining wall blocks having transverse channels which align to form an elongated channel when the blocks are arranged in a course of the retaining wall, the retaining bar comprising:
 a base face;   a side face; and   a front face opposing the angle formed by the base and side faces and angled relative to the base face at less than 90 degrees;   wherein the reinforcement member is secured to the retaining wall when the retaining bar is inserted into the elongated channel over the reinforcement member such that the front face of the retaining bar mates with the front face of another retaining bar disposed in the elongated channel, the reinforcement member being clamped between the front faces of the retaining bars, the retaining bars being wedged between side walls of the elongated channel.   
   
   
       12 . The elongated retaining bar of  claim 11 , further comprising a top face that is adjacent to the front and side faces. 
   
   
       13 . The elongated retaining bar of  claim 12 , having a front to back dimension measuring from the top face that is greater than a front to back dimension measuring from the bottom face. 
   
   
       14 . The elongated retaining bar of  claim 11 , wherein the base and side faces are perpendicular. 
   
   
       15 . The elongated retaining bar of  claim 11 , wherein the base and side faces are adjacent. 
   
   
       16 . The elongated retaining bar of  claim 11 , wherein the front, base, and side faces are effectively planar. 
   
   
       17 . The elongated retaining bar of  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcement member comprises geogrid material in a lattice arrangement that comprises fabric composed of a polymeric material. 
   
   
       18 . A method for forming a modular retaining wall, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of wall blocks, each wall block having an exterior face, an interior face, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a transverse channel formed in the top surface of each wall block, the transverse channel having a bottom surface, a front wall, and a rear wall;   providing a pair of elongated retaining bars, each retaining bar having a base face, a side face, and a front face opposing the angle formed by the base and side faces, the front face angled relative to the base face at less than 90 degrees;   positioning a plurality of the blocks to define a lower tier of blocks such that the transverse channel of respective blocks are in alignment;   positioning a first one of the retaining bars into the transverse channel such that the base face engages the bottom surface and the side face opposes the front wall;   placing an edge of a reinforcement member into the transverse channel; and   wedging a second one of the retaining bars into the transverse channel such that the side face engages the rear wall, the front face mates with the front face of the first one of the retaining bars, and the side face of the first one of the retaining bars engages the front wall, the reinforcement member thereby being secured between the front faces of the retaining bars.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of placing the reinforcement member onto soil to be reinforced behind the wall. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of positioning a tier of wall blocks atop the transverse channel to further secure the retaining bars within the transverse channel.