Retaining wall systems

Abstract

Retaining wall systems are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retaining wall system comprising:
 a plurality of blocks positioned in a stack of blocks, at least one block of the plurality of blocks defining at least a through-opening;   a tension link extending through the through-opening of the at least one block of the plurality of blocks;   a fastener applying, to the tension link, a tension force;   a tension force transfer body defining at least an opening through which the tension link extends, the tension force transfer body and the fastener only partially covering the through-opening of the at least one block of the plurality of blocks; and   at least one filler material hardened at least in the at least one block of the plurality of blocks in the through-opening between the at least one block of the plurality of blocks and a portion of the tension link in the through-opening.   
     
     
         2 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension force transfer body transfers at least a portion of the tension force to the at least one block of the plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         3 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension force transfer body is between the at least one block of the plurality of blocks and the fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The retaining wall system of  claim 3 , wherein the tension force transfer body contacts the fastener and a surface of the at least one block of the plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         5 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension force transfer body extends outwardly radially past the fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the opening of the tension force transfer body is filled at least partially by the hardened at least one filler material. 
     
     
         7 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the opening defined by the tension force transfer body is a slot extending through the tension force transfer body from a first side edge of the tension force transfer body towards a second side edge of the tension force transfer body, the first and second side edges on opposing lateral sides of the tension link, the slot open at the first side edge. 
     
     
         8 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the at least one block defines a recess and at least a portion of the tension force transfer body is in the recess. 
     
     
         9 . The retaining wall system of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the fastener is in the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The retaining wall system of  claim 8 , wherein the tension force transfer body is between the surface of the at least one block defining the recess and the fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The retaining wall system of  claim 8 , wherein the hardened at least one filler material covers at least a portion of the tension force transfer body. 
     
     
         12 . The retaining wall system of  claim 8 , wherein the tension force transfer body contacts the surface of the at least one block defining the recess. 
     
     
         13 . The retaining wall system of  claim 8 , wherein the recess is filled at least partially by the hardened at least one filler material. 
     
     
         14 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the through-opening of the at least one block of the plurality of blocks is entirely filled with the hardened at least one filler material. 
     
     
         15 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blocks comprises at least one wall block and at least one ground stabilizing base body supporting the at least one wall block. 
     
     
         16 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension link applies at least 15,000 pounds of the tension force to the plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         17 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension link applies at least 40,000 pounds of the tension force to the plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         18 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension link comprises at least one coil rod. 
     
     
         19 . The retaining wall system of  claim 18 , wherein the fastener is threadably engaged with the at least one coil rod. 
     
     
         20 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the filler material comprises concrete. 
     
     
         21 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blocks are stacked plumb. 
     
     
         22 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the tension link contacts the tension force transfer body. 
     
     
         23 . A method of constructing the retaining wall system of  claim 1 , the method comprising when the tension force transfer body only partially covers the through-opening of the at least one block of the plurality of blocks, at least partially filling the through-opening of the at least one block of the plurality of blocks with the at least one filler material. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one filler material passes through the opening defined by the tension force transfer body. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one filler material passes through a block stacked above the at least one block of the plurality of blocks prior to filling the through-opening of the at least one block of the plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising upon the fastener applying the tension force to the tension link, backfilling an area proximal the at least one block of the plurality of blocks prior to stacking a block above the at least one block of the plurality of blocks.