Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall System and Method

Abstract

An improved mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall system comprising a plurality of base segments secured to a plurality of precast segments with dowel rods to provide an MSE wall system. Each precast base segment generally includes a T-shaped cross-section having the upright wall substantially perpendicular to the footer. The design of the footer of the base segment is configured to be disposed on a grade surface and self-support the precast base segment in an upright position when securing the precast segment to the precast base segment. In an alternative embodiment, the MSE wall system comprises a first MSE wall system secured to a second MSE wall system, with the second MSE wall system secured to an existing wall. The MSE wall system, in this exemplary embodiment, is configured to widen an existing elevated roadway built on top of traditional stabilized earth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall system, comprising:
 a precast base segment including an upright wall extending continuously from a footer; and   a precast segment securable to a top end of the precast base segment,   wherein the footer is configured to be disposed on a grade surface and self-support the precast base segment in an upright position when securing the precast segment to the precast base segment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the precast base segment has a generally T-shaped cross-section having the upright wall substantially perpendicular to the footer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the precast base segment is secured to the precast segment with at least one or more dowel rods. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the precast base segment is securable to another precast base segment. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a second precast segment is securable to a top end of the precast segment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall strap is anchored to the precast base segment or the precast segment. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the precast base segment and the precast segment include a textured surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the textured surface includes form lines to generate a panel pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the precast base segment and the precast segment are greater than 25 square feet in size. 
     
     
         10 . A mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall system, comprising:
 a plurality of precast base segments secured to one another, each of the precast base segments including an upright wall extending continuously from a footer; and   a plurality of precast segments,   wherein a portion of the plurality of the precast segments are secured to the precast base segments, and a portion of the plurality of the precast segments are secured to one another, and   wherein the footer of each precast base segment is configured to be disposed on a grade surface and self-support the precast base segment in an upright position when securing a precast segment to a precast base segment.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the precast base segment is secured to the precast segment with at least one or more dowel rods. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the precast base segments and each of the precast segments are greater than 25 square feet in size. 
     
     
         13 . A mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall system, comprising:
 a first MSE wall system including a plurality of precast base segments and a plurality of precast segments secured to one another, each of the precast base segments including an upright wall extending continuously from a footer; and   a second MSE wall system securable to the first MSE wall system,   wherein the footer of each of the precast base segments of the first MSE wall system is configured to be disposed on a grade surface and self-support the precast base segment in an upright position when securing additional precast segments to construct the first MSE wall system.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first MSE wall system and the second MSE wall system are positioned substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second MSE wall system is securable to an existing wall opposite the first MSE wall system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first MSE wall system is secured to the second MSE wall system and the second MSE wall system is securable to an existing wall, opposite the first MSE wall system, with at least dowel rods. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a void is provided between the first MSE wall system and the second MSE wall system and configured to receive backfilling material therein. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second MSE wall system is secured to a footer of the existing wall. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the precast base segments generally has a T-shaped cross-section having the upright wall substantially perpendicular to the footer. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the precast base segments and each of the precast segments are greater than 25 square feet in size.