U.S. patent application number 13/351365 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for splice for a soil reinforcing element or connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to T & B STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas P. Taylor.
Application Number | 20120114430 13/351365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46019777 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120114430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor; Thomas P. |
May 10, 2012 |
SPLICE FOR A SOIL REINFORCING ELEMENT OR CONNECTOR
Abstract
An apparatus and method for splicing a soil reinforcing element
to a grid-strip. The apparatus may include a splice having a first
block plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves
configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element, and a second
block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves
configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of
longitudinal wires of a grid-strip. The first block plate and
second block plate are further configured such that the portion of
the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element
and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the
grid-strip are retained in at least one of the respective one or
more first and second longitudinal grooves when the first and
second block plate are coupled to one another.
Inventors: |
Taylor; Thomas P.;
(Colleyville, TX) |
Assignee: |
T & B STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
LLC
Ft. Worth
TX
|
Family ID: |
46019777 |
Appl. No.: |
13/351365 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12887907 |
Sep 22, 2010 |
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13351365 |
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12684479 |
Jan 8, 2010 |
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12887907 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/302.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 29/0233 20130101;
E02D 29/0241 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/302.4 |
International
Class: |
E02D 3/00 20060101
E02D003/00 |
Claims
1. A splice for a soil reinforcing element, comprising: a first
block plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves
configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element; and a second
block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves
configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of
longitudinal wires of a grid-strip, wherein the first block plate
and second block plate are further configured such that the portion
of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing
element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of
the grid-strip are retained in at least one of the respective one
or more first and second longitudinal grooves when the first and
second block plate are coupled to one another.
2. The splice of claim 1, wherein the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is interposed
between a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and a soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire attached to the soil
reinforcing element, and the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the grid-strip is interposed between a
grid-strip first transverse wire and a grid-strip second transverse
wire attached to the grid-strip.
3. The splice of claim 2, wherein the first block plate and second
block plate are further configured such that the soil reinforcing
element first transverse wire and the grid-strip second transverse
wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a first end of the
first and second block plate, and the soil reinforcing element
second transverse wire and the grid-strip first transverse wire are
adjacent to one another and proximal to a second end of the first
and second block plate when the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion
of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated
and retained in the at least one of the respective one or more
first and second longitudinal grooves and the first and second
block plate are coupled to one another.
4. The splice of claim 3, wherein the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion
of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated
and retained in the at least one of the respective one or more
first and second longitudinal grooves such that the first and
second soil reinforcing element transverse wires and the first and
second grid-strip transverse wires are interposed between one or
more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing
element and one or more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of
the grid-strip.
5. The splice of claim 1, further comprising a fastener assembly,
wherein the first block plate further defines at least one first
block plate aperture and the second block plate further defines at
least one second block plate aperture, the at least one first block
plate aperture and the at least one second block aperture
configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener assembly
therethrough such that the first block plate and the second block
plate are coupled to one another.
6. The splice of claim 5, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a
threaded bolt and a nut, the threaded bolt configured to be
inserted through at least one of the first and second block
apertures and the nut configured to be threaded to an end of the
threaded bolt.
7. The splice of claim 1, wherein the first and second block plates
are configured such that the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is vertically
offset from the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of
the grid-strip when the portion of the plurality of longitudinal
wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the
plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated in the
at least one of the respective one or more first and second
longitudinal grooves and the first and second block plate are
coupled to one another.
8. The splice of claim 1, wherein the first block plate forms at
least one first block plate transverse protrusion and the first
block plate further defines at least one first block plate
transverse channel, and the second block plate forms at least one
second block plate transverse protrusion and the second block
further defines at least one second block plate transverse
channel.
9. The splice of claim 8, wherein the at least one first block
plate transverse channel is configured to receive and seat therein
the at least one second block plate transverse protrusion, and the
at least one second block plate transverse channel is configured to
receive and seat therein the at least one first block plate
transverse protrusion.
10. The splice of claim 9, wherein the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is interposed
between a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and a soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire attached to the soil
reinforcing element, and the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the grid-strip is interposed between a
grid-strip first transverse wire and a grid-strip second transverse
wire attached to the grid-strip.
11. The splice of claim 10, wherein the first block plate and
second block plate are further configured such that the soil
reinforcing element first transverse wire and the grid-strip second
transverse wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a first
end of the first and second block plate, and the soil reinforcing
element second transverse wire and the grid-strip first transverse
wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a second end of
the first and second block plate when the portion of the plurality
of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the
portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip
are seated and retained in the at least one of the respective one
or more first and second longitudinal grooves and the first and
second block plate are coupled to one another.
12. The splice of claim 11, wherein the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion
of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated
and retained in the at least one of the respective one or more
first and second longitudinal grooves such that the first and
second soil reinforcing element transverse wires and the first and
second grid-strip transverse wires are interposed between one or
more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing
element and one or more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of
the grid-strip.
13. A method for splicing a soil reinforcing element to a
grid-strip, comprising: seating a portion of a plurality of
longitudinal wires proximal a reinforcing end of the soil
reinforcing element in one or more first longitudinal grooves
defined by a first block plate; seating a portion of a plurality of
longitudinal wires proximal a splicing end of the grid-strip in one
or more second longitudinal grooves defined by a second block
plate; aligning a first block plate aperture defined by the first
block plate with a second block plate aperture defined by the
second block plate; and extending at least a portion of a fastener
assembly through the first and second block plate apertures and
securing the portion of a fastener assembly from removal, thereby
splicing the soil reinforcing element to the grid-strip.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fastener assembly comprises
a threaded bolt and a nut, and extending the at least a portion of
the fastener assembly comprises inserting the threaded bolt through
the first and second block plate apertures and securing the
threaded bolt from removal by threading the nut to an end of the
threaded bolt.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is interposed
between a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and a soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire attached to the soil
reinforcing element, and the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the grid-strip is interposed between a
grid-strip first transverse wire and a grid-strip second transverse
wire attached to the grid-strip.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising aligning the portion
of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing
element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of
the grid-strip, such that the soil reinforcing element first
transverse wire and the grid-strip second transverse wire are
adjacent to one another and proximal to a first end of the first
and second block plate, and the soil reinforcing element second
transverse wire and the grid-strip first transverse wire are
adjacent to one another and proximal to a second end of the first
and second block plate.
17. A composite soil reinforcing element, comprising: a soil
reinforcing element having a plurality of soil reinforcing element
longitudinal wires coupled to a plurality of soil reinforcing
element transverse wires, the soil reinforcing element having a
wall end and a reinforcing end; a grid-strip having a plurality of
grid-strip longitudinal wires coupled to a plurality of grid-strip
transverse wires, the grid-strip having a splicing end; and a
splice configured to couple the reinforcing end of the soil
reinforcing element to the splicing end of the grid-strip, the
splice comprising: a first block plate defining one or more first
longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of
the plurality of soil reinforcing element longitudinal wires
proximal the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element; a
second block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves
configured to receive and seat a portion of the plurality of
grid-strip longitudinal wires proximal the splicing end of the
grid-strip; and a fastener assembly, wherein a portion of the
fastener assembly is extensible through a first block plate
aperture defined by the first block plate and a second block plate
aperture defined by the second block plate to couple the first
block plate to the second block plate, thereby coupling the
reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element to the splicing end
of the grid-strip.
18. The composite soil reinforcing element of claim 17, wherein the
fastener assembly comprises a threaded bolt and a nut, at least a
portion of the threaded bolt configured to be inserted through the
first and second block plate aperture and the nut configured to be
threadingly attached to an end of the at least a portion of the
threaded bolt.
19. The composite soil reinforcing element of claim 17, wherein the
first block plate forms at least one first block plate transverse
protrusion and further defines at least one first block plate
transverse channel, and the second block plate forms at least one
second block plate transverse protrusion and further defines at
least one second block plate transverse channel.
20. The composite soil reinforcing element of claim 19, wherein the
at least one first block plate transverse channel is configured to
receive and seat therein the at least one second block plate
transverse protrusion, and the at least one second block plate
transverse channel is configured to receive and seat therein the at
least one first block plate transverse protrusion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/887,907, entitled
"Splice for a Soil Reinforcing Element or Connector," which was
filed on Sep. 22, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,479, entitled
"Wave Anchor Soil Reinforcing Connector and Method," which was
filed on Jan. 8, 2010. Each patent application identified above is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Retaining wall structures that use horizontally positioned
soil inclusions to reinforce an earth mass in combination with a
facing element are referred to as Mechanically Stabilized Earth
(MSE) structures. MSE structures can be used for various
applications including retaining walls, bridge abutments, dams,
seawalls, and dikes. Basic MSE technology involves a repetitive
process by which layers of backfill and several horizontally placed
soil reinforcing elements are sequentially positioned one atop the
other until a desired height of the earthen structure is
achieved.
[0003] Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a typical soil reinforcing element
100 that can be used in the construction of an MSE structure. The
soil reinforcing element 100 generally includes a welded wire grid
having a pair of longitudinal wires 102 that are disposed
substantially parallel to each other. The longitudinal wires 102
are joined to a plurality of transverse wires 104 in a generally
perpendicular fashion by welds or other attachment means at their
intersections, thus forming the welded wire grid. In some
applications, there may be more than two longitudinal wires 102.
The longitudinal wires 102 may have lead ends 106 that generally
converge toward one another, as illustrated, and terminate at a
wall end 108. In other applications, however, the lead ends 106 do
not converge, but instead terminate substantially parallel to one
another. Backfill material and a plurality of soil reinforcing
elements 100 are then combined and compacted sequentially to form a
solid earthen structure taking the form of a standing earthen
wall.
[0004] The wall end 108 of each soil reinforcing element 100 may
include several different connective means adapted to connect the
soil reinforcing element 100 to a substantially vertical facing
110, such as a wire facing, or concrete or steel facings
constructed a short distance from the standing earthen wall. Once
appropriately secured to the vertical facing 110 and compacted
within the backfill, the soil reinforcing element 100 provides
tensile strength to the vertical facing 110 that significantly
reduces any outward movement and shifting thereof.
[0005] The longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element
100 may extend several feet into the backfill before terminating at
corresponding reinforcing ends 112. Where added amounts of tensile
resistance are required, longer soil reinforcing elements 100 are
required, thereby disposing the reinforcing ends 112 even deeper
into the backfill. Single soil reinforcing elements 100, however,
often cannot be manufactured to the lengths required to adequately
reinforce the vertical facing 110, nor could such soil reinforcing
elements 100 of extended lengths be safely or feasibly transported
to job sites.
[0006] What is needed, therefore, is a system and method of
splicing a soil reinforcing element to extend its length.
SUMMARY
[0007] Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a splice for a
soil reinforcing element. The splice may include a first block
plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves configured to
receive and seat a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of
the soil reinforcing element, and a second block plate defining one
or more second longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat
a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of a grid-strip. The
first block plate and second block plate are further configured
such that the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the
soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of
longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are retained in at least one
of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves
when the first and second block plate are coupled to one
another.
[0008] Embodiments of the disclosure may further provide a method
for splicing a soil reinforcing element to a grid-strip. The method
may include seating a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires
proximal a reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element in one
or more first longitudinal grooves defined by a first block plate,
and seating a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires proximal
a splicing end of the grid-strip in one or more second longitudinal
grooves defined by a second block plate. The method may also
include aligning a first block plate aperture defined by the first
block plate with a second block plate aperture defined by the
second block plate, and extending at least a portion of a fastener
assembly through the first and second block plate apertures and
securing the portion of a fastener assembly from removal, thereby
splicing the soil reinforcing element to the grid-strip.
[0009] Embodiments of the disclosure may further provide a
composite soil reinforcing element. The composite soil reinforcing
element may include a soil reinforcing element having a plurality
of soil reinforcing element longitudinal wires coupled to a
plurality of soil reinforcing element transverse wires, the soil
reinforcing element having a wall end and a reinforcing end. The
composite soil reinforcing element may also include a grid-strip
having a plurality of grid-strip longitudinal wires coupled to a
plurality of grid-strip transverse wires, the grid-strip having a
splicing end. The composite soil reinforcing element may further
include a splice configured to couple the reinforcing end of the
soil reinforcing element to the splicing end of the grid-strip. The
splice may include a first block plate defining one or more first
longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of
the plurality of soil reinforcing element longitudinal wires
proximal the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element, and a
second block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves
configured to receive and seat a portion of the plurality of
grid-strip longitudinal wires proximal the splicing end of the
grid-strip. The splice may also include a fastener assembly, such
that a portion of the fastener assembly is extensible through a
first block plate aperture defined by the first block plate and a
second block plate aperture defined by the second block plate to
couple the first block plate to the second block plate, thereby
coupling the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element to the
splicing end of the grid-strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present disclosure is best understood from the following
detailed description when read with the accompanying Figures. It is
emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the
industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the
dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or
reduced for clarity of discussion.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a prior art soil reinforcing
element.
[0012] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a splice, according to an
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the splice shown in FIG.
2A.
[0014] FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a splice, according to
another embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the splice shown in FIG.
3A.
[0016] FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a splice, according to yet
another embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the splice shown in FIG.
4A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] It is to be understood that the following disclosure
describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different
features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary
embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are
described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these
exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the
present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in
the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided
herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and
clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the
various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in
the various Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature
over or on a second feature in the description that follows may
include embodiments in which the first and second features are
formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which
additional features may be formed interposing the first and second
features, such that the first and second features may not be in
direct contact. Finally, the exemplary embodiments presented below
may be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from
one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary
embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0019] Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the
following description and claims to refer to particular components.
As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may
refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the
naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended
to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically
defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not
intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but
not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the
claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an
open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean
"including, but not limited to." All numerical values in this
disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise
specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the
disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges
disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope.
Furthermore, as it is used in the claims or specification, the term
"or" is intended to encompass both exclusive and inclusive cases,
i.e., "A or B" is intended to be synonymous with "at least one of A
and B," unless otherwise expressly specified herein.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-4B, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a joint
or splice 200, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS.
3A and 3B depict a joint or splice 300, according to another
embodiment of the disclosure, and FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a joint or
splice 400, according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure.
The splice 200,300,400 may be employed to lengthen the extent of a
soil reinforcing element 100, such as the soil reinforcing element
100 generally described above with reference to FIG. 1. Extending
the length of the soil reinforcing element 100 may prove
advantageous where the soil reinforcing element 100 is not long
enough to adequately reinforce a vertical facing 110 (FIG. 1) into
adjacent backfill (not shown).
[0021] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, several
designs of soil reinforcing elements 100 having numerous connective
devices for attaching the soil reinforcing element 100 to a
vertical facing 110 can be used without departing from the scope of
the disclosure. For example, the soil reinforcing elements and
their various connective devices described in co-owned U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,517,293 and 7,722,296 may be used. The contents of these
patents are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent
consistent with the present disclosure. Other examples of soil
reinforcing elements and their exemplary connective devices that
may be appropriately used with the splice 200,300,400 disclosed
herein include co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
12/479,448, 12/756,898, 12/818,011, 12/837,347, and 12/861,632
filed on Jun. 5, 2009, Apr. 8, 2010, Jun. 17, 2010, Jul. 15, 2010,
and Aug. 23, 2010, respectively. The contents of each of these
applications are also hereby incorporated by reference to the
extent consistent with the present disclosure.
[0022] To effectively extend the length of a soil reinforcing
element 100 into adjacent backfill (not shown), the splice
200,300,400 may couple one or more grid-strips 202 to the soil
reinforcing element 100. The grid-strip 202 generally extends the
length of the soil reinforcing element 100 to the length required
for the particular MSE application. Similar to the soil reinforcing
element 100, the grid-strip 202 may include a plurality of
longitudinal wires 204 welded or otherwise attached to a plurality
of transverse wires 206. Once coupled together, the combination of
the soil reinforcing element 100, splice 200,300,400 and grid-strip
202 may be characterized or otherwise typified as a single
composite soil reinforcing element, for purposes of reinforcing a
vertical facing 110 (FIG. 1).
[0023] In one or more embodiments, the transverse wires 104,206 may
be equally-spaced or substantially equally-spaced along the length
of the longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 and/or along
the length of the longitudinal wires 102 the soil reinforcing
element 100. In other embodiments, however, the spacing of the
transverse wires 104,206 may only need to be equally-spaced at or
near the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100
and/or a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202. In yet other
embodiments, the spacing of the transverse wires 104, 206 may be
irregular along the length of the longitudinal wires 102, 204,
respectively.
[0024] Further, in one or more embodiments, the spacing between
each transverse wire 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be
the same or substantially the same as the spacing between each
transverse wire 206 of the grid-strip 202. In another embodiment,
the spacing between each transverse wire 104 of the soil
reinforcing element 100 at the reinforcing end 112 of the soil
reinforcing element 100 may only need to be the same or
substantially the same as the spacing between each transverse wire
206 of the grid-strip 202 at the splicing end 214 of the grid-strip
202.
[0025] Looking now at FIGS. 2A and 2B, in an embodiment, the splice
200 may include one or more wave plates, such as a first wave plate
208a and a second wave plate 208b. In at least one embodiment, the
first and second wave plates 208a,b are mirror images of one
another. Each wave plate 208a,b may include one or more transverse
protrusions 210 longitudinally-offset from each other. Each wave
plate 208a,b may further define one or more plate perforations,
such as plate perforations 212a, 212b, and 212c, as shown in FIG.
2B. Each transverse protrusion 210 may be configured to receive
and/or seat either a transverse wire 104 from the soil reinforcing
element 100 or a transverse wire 206 from the grid-strip 202.
Accordingly, in embodiments having two or more transverse
protrusions 210, each protrusion 210 may be spaced a predetermined
distance from an adjacent protrusion 210 so as to correspond to the
equally-spaced transverse wires 104, 206 of either the soil
reinforcing element 100 or the grid-strip 202.
[0026] In one or more embodiments, one or more transverse wires 104
proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element
100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the first wave
plate 208a. Likewise, one or more transverse wires 206 proximal a
splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or
otherwise seated within the second wave plate 208b. As illustrated,
the transverse wires 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be
disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 102, and the
transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip 202 may be disposed below
their respective longitudinal wires 204. In other embodiments,
however, the relative disposition of the transverse wires 104, 206
may be reversed without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Furthermore, the longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing
element 100 may be laterally-offset from the longitudinal wires 204
of the grid-strip 202.
[0027] As the wave plates 208a,b are brought together, and the
corresponding perforations 212a,b,c of each wave plate 208a,b are
axially aligned, the transverse wire(s) 104 of the soil reinforcing
element 100 may be seated or otherwise received into the transverse
protrusions 210 of the first wave plate 208a, and the transverse
wire(s) 206 of the grid-strip 202 may be seated or otherwise
received into the transverse protrusions 210 of the opposing second
wave plate 208b. With the corresponding perforations 212a,b,c
generally aligned, the transverse wires 104 of the soil reinforcing
element 100 disposed within corresponding transverse protrusions
210 of the first wave plate 208a may be vertically-offset from the
transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip 202 disposed within
corresponding transverse protrusions 210 of the second wave plate
208b.
[0028] The splice 200 may be secured by coupling the first wave
plate 208a to the second wave plate 208b. This can be done in
several ways. In at least one embodiment, a connective device 216,
such as a threaded bolt or similar mechanism, may be extended
through one or more of the perforations 212a,b,c defined on each
plate 208. While only two connective devices 216 are shown in FIGS.
2A and 2B, it will be appreciated that any number connective
devices 216 may be employed as corresponding to an equal number of
perforations 212 defined in the wave plates 208a,b. In one
embodiment, a single connective device 216 may be employed to
couple the first wave plate 208a to the second wave plate 208b.
[0029] Each connective device 216 may be secured against removal
from the splice 200 by threading a nut 218 or similar device onto
its end. Furthermore, one or more washers 220 may also be used to
provide a biasing engagement with each plate 208a,b. As can be
appreciated, the nut 218 and connective device 216 configuration
may be substituted with any attachment methods known in the art.
For instance, rebar or any other rigid rod may be used and bent
over on each end to prevent its removal from the perforations
212a,b,c, and thereby provide an adequate coupling mechanism.
[0030] Once the splice 200 is made secure, the transverse wires
104, 206 may be prevented from longitudinally escaping the splice
200 since they are seated in respective transverse protrusions 210.
Tightening the nut(s) 218 onto the bolt(s) 216, or similar
connection device, may clamp down on the longitudinal wires 102,
204 of the soil reinforcing element 100 and grid-strip 202,
respectively, thereby preventing the soil reinforcing element 100
and/or grid-strip 202 from translating laterally and thereby
escaping the splice 200.
[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in another embodiment, the
splice 300 may include a first block plate 308a and a second block
plate 308b. In at least one embodiment, the first and second block
plates 308a,b are mirror images of one another. Each block plate
308a,b may define one or more longitudinal grooves 310
laterally-offset from each other. Each block plate 308a,b may
further define one or more block plate apertures, illustrated as
first and second block plate apertures 312a,b in FIG. 3B. At least
one of the longitudinal grooves 310 may be configured to receive
and seat either a portion of the longitudinal wire 102 from the
soil reinforcing element 100 or a portion of the longitudinal wire
204 from the grid-strip 202. In an exemplary embodiment, the
longitudinal grooves 310 may be spaced laterally apart in the first
and second block plates 308a,b by a predetermined distance so as to
correspond to the spacing between the longitudinal wires 102,204 of
either the soil reinforcing element 100 or the grid-strip 202. In
another embodiment, the number of longitudinal grooves 310 defined
in the first and second block plates 308a,b may be determined by
the corresponding number of longitudinal wires 102,204 of the soil
reinforcing element 100 and the grid-strip 202, respectively.
[0032] In one or more embodiments, the portion of the longitudinal
wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing
element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308a.
Likewise, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a
splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or
otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of
the second block plate 308b. In another embodiment, the portion of
the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the
grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308a.
Likewise, in another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal
wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing
element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the second block plate
308b.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the portion of the
longitudinal wires 102 coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308a
may be interposed between transverse wires 104 of the soil
reinforcing element 100. The transverse wires 104 may include a
soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and a soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire 122, such that each may
be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 102.
Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 coupled
to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves
310 of the second block plate 308b may be interposed between
transverse wires 206 of the grid strip 202. The transverse wires
206 may include a grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and a
grid-strip second transverse wire 222, such that each may be
disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 204.
[0034] As noted above, in another embodiment, the portion of the
longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the
grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308a.
In such a configuration, the transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip
202 may be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 204.
Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal
the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be
coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal
grooves 310 of the second block plate 308b. In such a
configuration, the transverse wires 104 may be disposed above their
respective longitudinal wires 102.
[0035] As the block plates 308a,b are brought together, and the
corresponding block plate apertures 312a,b of each block plate
308a,b are axially aligned, the portion of the longitudinal wires
102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 interposed between the soil
reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and the soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 may be seated or
otherwise received into the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of
the first block plate 308a. Correspondingly, the portion of the
longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 interposed between the
grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and the grid-strip second
transverse wire 222 may be seated or otherwise received into the
respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the opposing second block
plate 308b.
[0036] With the corresponding block plate apertures 312a,b
generally aligned, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 of the
soil reinforcing element 100 disposed within corresponding
longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308a may be
vertically-offset offset from the portion of the longitudinal wires
204 of the grid-strip 202 disposed within corresponding
longitudinal grooves 310 of the second block plate 308b. Upon the
first and second block plates 308a,b contacting one another, a
first end 322 of the first and second block plates 308a,b may be
proximal to adjacent transverse wires 104,206, and a second end 324
of the first and second block plates 308a,b may be proximal to
adjacent transverse wires 104,206.
[0037] More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
3A, the first end 322 of the first and second block plates 308a,b
may be proximal to the soil reinforcing element first transverse
wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222, where the soil
reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second
transverse wire 222 may be adjacent to one another. The soil
reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second
transverse wire 222 may be further interposed between the
longitudinal wires 102,204 as shown in FIG. 3A. Correspondingly,
the second end 324 of the first and second block plates 308a,b may
be proximal to the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire
122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220, where the soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first
transverse wire 220 may be adjacent to one another. The soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first
transverse wire 220 may be further interposed between the
longitudinal wires 102,204 as shown in FIG. 3A.
[0038] The splice 300 may be secured by coupling the first block
plate 308a to the second block plate 308b. This can be done in
several ways. In at least one embodiment, a fastener assembly
including a connective device 316, such as a threaded bolt or
similar mechanism, and a nut 318 may be utilized. The connective
device 316 may be extended through one or more of the block plate
apertures 312a,b defined in each plate 308a,b. While only two
connective devices 316 are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, it will be
appreciated that any number connective devices 316 may be employed
as corresponding to an equal number of block plate apertures 312a,b
defined in the block plates 308a,b. In one embodiment, a single
connective device 316 may be employed to couple the first block
plate 308a to the second block plate 308b.
[0039] Each connective device 316 may be secured against removal
from the splice 300 by threading the nut 318 or similar device onto
its end. Furthermore, one or more washers 320 may also be used to
provide a biasing engagement with each block plate 308a,b. As can
be appreciated, the fastener assembly may include any attachment
structures and/or methods known in the art. For instance, rebar or
any other rigid rod may be used and bent over on each end to
prevent its removal from the block plate apertures 312a,b and
thereby provide an adequate coupling mechanism.
[0040] Once the splice 300 is made secure, the portion of the
longitudinal wires 102, 204 may be prevented from laterally
escaping the splice 300 since they are seated in respective
longitudinal grooves 310. Tightening the nut(s) 318 onto the
bolt(s) 316, or similar connection device, may substantially reduce
or eliminate the ability of the soil reinforcing element 100 and/or
grid-strip 202 to translate vertically and escape the splice 300 in
such a manner. Further, the portion of the longitudinal wires
102,204 may be prevented from longitudinally escaping the splice
300 since the adjacent transverse wires 120,222 are disposed
proximal to the first end 322 of the first and second block plates
308a,b, and the adjacent transverse wires 122,220 are disposed
proximal to the second end 324 of the first and second block plates
308a,b. The application of the first and second block plates 308a,b
in conjunction with the transverse wires 104,206 and the connecting
device 316 provide shear resistance when opposing loads may be
applied to the splice 300.
[0041] Looking now at FIGS. 4A and 4B, another embodiment of the
splice 400 is depicted. The splice 400 may include a first block
plate 408a and a second block plate 408b. Each block plate 408a,b
may define one or more longitudinal grooves 410 laterally-offset
from each other. Each block plate 408a,b may further define one or
more block plate apertures, illustrated as first and second block
plate apertures 412a,b in FIG. 4B. At least one of the longitudinal
grooves 410 may be configured to receive and seat either a portion
of the longitudinal wire 102 from the soil reinforcing element 100
or a portion of the longitudinal wire 204 from the grid-strip 202.
In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal grooves 410 may be
spaced laterally apart in the block plates 408a,b by a
predetermined distance so as to correspond to the spacing between
the longitudinal wires 102,204 of either the soil reinforcing
element 100 or the grid-strip 202. In another embodiment, the
number of longitudinal grooves 410 defined in the first and second
block plates 408a,b may be determined by the corresponding number
of longitudinal wires 102,204 of the soil reinforcing element 100
and the grid-strip 202, respectively.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, each block plate 408a,b may
include at least one transverse channel 430 and at least one
transverse protrusion 432 longitudinally-offset from the transverse
channel 430. The transverse channel 430 of the first block plate
408a is configured to receive and seat the transverse protrusion
432 of the second block plate 408b therein when the first and
second block plates 408a,b are brought together. Correspondingly,
the transverse channel 430 of the second block plate 408b is
configured to receive and seat the transverse protrusion 432 of the
first block plate 408a therein when the first and second block
plates 408a,b are brought together.
[0043] In one or more embodiments, the portion of the longitudinal
wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing
element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408a.
Likewise, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a
splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or
otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of
the second block plate 408b. In another embodiment, the portion of
the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the
grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408a.
Likewise, in another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal
wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing
element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the second block plate
408b.
[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the portion of the
longitudinal wires 102 coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408a
may be interposed between transverse wires 104 of the soil
reinforcing element 100. The transverse wires 104 may include a
soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and a soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire 122, such that each may
be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 102.
Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 coupled
to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves
410 of the second block plate 408b may be interposed between
transverse wires 206 of the grid strip 202. The transverse wires
206 may include a grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and a
grid-strip second transverse wire 222, such that each may be
disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 204.
[0045] As noted above, in another embodiment, the portion of the
longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the
grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the
respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408a.
In such a configuration, the transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip
202 may be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 204.
Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal
the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be
coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal
grooves 410 of the second block plate 408b. In such a
configuration, the transverse wires 104 may be disposed above their
respective longitudinal wires 102.
[0046] As the block plates 408a,b are brought together, and the
corresponding block plate apertures 412a,b of each block plate
408a,b are axially aligned, the portion of the longitudinal wires
102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 interposed between the soil
reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and the soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 may be seated or
otherwise received into the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of
the first block plate 408a. Correspondingly, the portion of the
longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 interposed between the
grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and the grid-strip second
transverse wire 222 may be seated or otherwise received into the
respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the opposing second block
plate 408b.
[0047] With the corresponding block plate apertures 412a,b
generally aligned and the transverse channels 430 of the first
block plate 408a and second block plate 408b receiving and seating
therein the transverse protrusions 432 of the second block plate
408b and the first block plate 408a, respectively, the portion of
the longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element 100
disposed within corresponding longitudinal grooves 410 of the first
block plate 408a may be vertically-offset from the portion of the
longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 disposed within
corresponding longitudinal grooves 410 of the second block plate
408b. Upon the first and second block plates 408a,b contacting one
another, a first end 422 of the first and second block plates
408a,b may be proximal to adjacent transverse wires 104,206, and a
second end 424 of the first and second block plates 408a,b may be
proximal to adjacent transverse wires 104,206.
[0048] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first end 422 of
the first and second block plates 408a,b may be proximal to the
soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip
second transverse wire 222, where the soil reinforcing element
first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222
may be adjacent to one another. The soil reinforcing element first
transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222 may
be further interposed between the longitudinal wires 102,204 as
shown in FIG. 4A. Correspondingly, the second end 424 of the first
and second block plates 408a,b may be proximal to the soil
reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first
transverse wire 220, where the soil reinforcing element second
transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220 may be
adjacent to one another. The soil reinforcing element second
transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220 may be
further interposed between the longitudinal wires 102,204 as shown
in FIG. 4A.
[0049] The splice 400 may be secured by coupling the first block
plate 408a to the second block plate 408b. This can be done in
several ways. In at least one embodiment, a fastener assembly
including a connective device 416, such as a threaded bolt or
similar mechanism, and a nut 418 may be utilized. The connective
device 416 may be extended through one or more of the block plate
apertures 412a,b defined in each plate 408a,b. While only two
connective devices 416 are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it will be
appreciated that any number connective devices 416 may be employed
as corresponding to an equal number of block plate apertures 412a,b
defined in the block plates 408a,b. In one embodiment, a single
connective device 416 may be employed to couple the first block
plate 408a to the second block plate 408b.
[0050] Each connective device 416 may be secured against removal
from the splice 400 by threading the nut 418 or similar device onto
its end. Furthermore, one or more washers 420 may also be used to
provide a biasing engagement with each block plate 408a,b. As can
be appreciated, the fastener assembly may include any attachment
structures and/or methods known in the art. For instance, rebar or
any other rigid rod may be used and bent over on each end to
prevent its removal from the block plate apertures 412a,b and
thereby provide an adequate coupling mechanism.
[0051] Once the splice 400 is made secure, the longitudinal wires
102, 204 may be prevented from laterally escaping the splice 400
since they are seated in respective longitudinal grooves 410.
Tightening the nut(s) 418 onto the bolt(s) 416, or similar
connection device, may substantially reduce or eliminate the
ability of the soil reinforcing element 100 and/or grid-strip 202
to translate vertically and escape the splice 400 in such a manner.
Further, the longitudinal wires 102,204 may be prevented from
longitudinally escaping the splice 400 since the adjacent
transverse wires 120,222 are disposed proximal to the first end 422
of the first and second block plates 408a,b and the adjacent
transverse wires 122,220 are disposed proximal to the second end
424 of the first and second block plates 408a,b. The application of
the first and second block plates 408a,b having transverse
protrusions 432 received therein by transverse channels 430 in
conjunction with the transverse wires 104,206 and the connecting
device 416 provide shear resistance when opposing loads may be
applied to the splice 400.
[0052] As will be appreciated, any number or combination of splices
200,300,400 and grid-strips 202 may be used to extend the length of
a single soil reinforcing element 100 and create a composite soil
reinforcing element that achieves a desired reinforcing distance
from the vertical facing 110 (FIG. 1). For instance, if splicing a
first grid-strip 202 to the reinforcing end 112 of the soil
reinforcing element 100 does not extend a sufficient distance into
the backfill (not shown), a second grid-strip 202 may be spliced to
the end of the first grid-strip 202, and so on until the desired
distance is achieved. Accordingly, multiple splices 200,300,400 and
multiple grid-strips 202 may be used to extend the length of a
single soil reinforcing element 100.
[0053] The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments
so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present
disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they
may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or
modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same
purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments
introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various
changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *