Segmental retaining wall system

Abstract

A segmental retaining wall system comprising a plurality of wall blocks. Each wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In addition, a plurality of wall blocks include apparatus for retaining a reinforcement member to the segmental retaining wall. In one arrangement, this apparatus comprises a channel that is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface. This channel is provided in one of the faces and surfaces, and includes an inwardly extending shoulder.

1. A wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system, said wall block comprising:
 an interior block face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall;  
 an exterior block face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall;  
 first and second block sides that extend from said exterior block face to said interior block face;  
 a block top surface and  having a lock channel formed therein, the lock channel being defined by a channel front wall, a channel rear wall, and a channel bottom surface, the lock channel extending transversely across the block top surface from the first block side to the second block side, wherein the channel front wall forms a first shoulder that extends towards the interior block face so as to overhang a portion of the channel front wall, wherein the channel rear wall forms a second shoulder that extends towards the exterior block face so as to overhang a portion of the channel rear wall, and wherein the shoulders are spaced apart and run generally parallel to each other along the lock channel; 
 a block bottom surface; and  
 a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface and extending across one of said faces and surfaces, said rear wall including an inwardly extending shoulder.a lock flange on the bottom surface of the block, the lock flange being defined by a flange front surface extending from the block bottom surface, a flange rear surface extending from the block bottom surface, and a flange bottom surface extending between the flange front and rear surfaces, the lock flange extending transversely across the block bottom surface in substantially the same direction as the lock channel, the lock flange being sized, shaped, and positioned so that the flange will fit into the lock channel of a similarly configured wall block in an adjacent lower course when the lock flange is passed downwardly through the space between the first and second shoulders of the similarly configured wall block and into the lock channel of that wall block from above, and wherein the flange front surface includes a portion that is sized and shaped so as to engage the first shoulder of the lock channel of the similarly configured block either directly, or indirectly if a portion of a soil reinforcement member is interposed between the flange front and the first shoulder, such that when the wall block is stacked atop the similarly configured block the wall block is properly aligned thereon. 
 
     
     
       2. The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein said channel is formed in said top surface of said wall block.  the flange front surface includes a portion that extends towards the exterior block face so as to overhang a portion of the flange front surface and is sized and shaped so as to engage the first shoulder of the lock channel of the similarly configured block either directly, or indirectly if a portion of the soil reinforcement member is interposed between the flange front surface and the first shoulder, such that when the wall block is stacked atop the similarly configured block, the engagement between the lock flange and the lock channel of the similarly configured block resists forward leaning or toppling of the wall block. 
     
     
       3. The wall block of  claim 2 , wherein said channel extends transversely across said top surface from said first side to said second side of said wall block. 
     
     
       4. The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein said rear wall  the second shoulder is formed as a curved lip. 
     
     
       5. The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein said channel is adapted to receive a reinforcement member retaining bar. 
     
     
       6. The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein said front wall of said channel includes an inwardly extending shoulder. 
     
     
       7. The wall block of claim  6    1 , wherein said front wall  the first shoulder is formed as a curved lip. 
     
     
       8. The wall block of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange that is sized and configured so as to mate with a channel of another of said blocks. 
     
     
       9. The wall block of  claim 8 , wherein said flange is provided on said bottom surface of said wall block. 
     
     
       10. The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein said wall block is formed of a concrete material. 
     
     
       11. A segmental retaining wall system comprising:
 a wall block including: 
 an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall;  
 an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall;  
 first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face;  
 a top surface and a bottom surface; and  
 retaining means for retaining a reinforcement member to the wall block, said retaining means including a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface and extending across one of said wall block faces and surfaces, at least one of said front wall and rear wall having an inwardly extending shoulder associated therewith.  
 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said retaining means comprises a retaining bar that is sized and configured to fit within said channel. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said channel extends transversely across said top surface from said first side to said second side of said wall block. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein said inwardly extending shoulder is associated with said rear wall of said channel. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein said rear wall shoulder is formed as a curved lip. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13  wherein the inwardly extending shoulder is associated with said front wall of said channel. 
     
     
       17. The system of claims  11 ,  14 , or  16  wherein said inwardly extending shoulder is integrally formed with its associated channel wall. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 13  wherein an inwardly extending shoulder is associated with said front wall of said channel and an inwardly extending shoulder is associated with said rear wall of said channel. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18  wherein each inwardly extending shoulder is integrally formed with its associated channel wall. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 11 , wherein said wall block is formed of a concrete material. 
     
     
       21. A method for forming a segmental retaining wall, said method comprising the steps of:
 stacking a plurality of wall blocks in aligned courses, a plurality of said wall blocks having a channel formed therein, the channel including at least one inwardly extending shoulder; and  
 securing at least one reinforcement member to the wall with a retaining bar that overlaps the reinforcement member within the channel;  
 wherein the retaining bar in cooperation with the channel secures the reinforcement member to the wall when tensile forces are imposed upon the reinforcement member.  
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one inwardly extending shoulder is formed with a curved lip.