Multi-oriented segmental wall blocks, soil reinforcing system, and methods

A soil reinforcing system comprising:

• (a) a plurality of segmental wall blocks, each block comprising a front face;
• a rear cavity opposing the front face and formed by an inner rear face, an outer rear face on three sides of the inner rear face and spaced apart therefrom, and a shelf defined therein by the inner rear face and the outer rear face;
• a troughed top face residing between the front face and the outer rear face;
• a flat bottom face opposing the troughed top face;
• a first side face residing between the front face and the outer rear face, and between the troughed top face and the flat bottom face;
• a second side face opposing the first side face;
• a trough running along a length of the troughed top face and along a length of the first side face;
• a first groove disposed within the trough and running along the length of the troughed top face and along the length of the first side face;
• and a second groove running along a length of the second side face;
• and
• (b) a plurality of connectors that secure the plurality of segmental wall blocks together, each connector secured within the first groove or the second groove of each of the segmental wall blocks.

A method of reinforcing soil comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a plurality of segmental wall blocks, each block comprising a front face;
• a rear cavity opposing the front face and formed by an inner rear face, an outer rear face on three sides of the inner rear face and spaced apart therefrom, and a shelf defined therein by the inner rear face and the outer rear face;
• a troughed top face residing between the front face and the outer rear face;
• a flat bottom face opposing the troughed top face;
• a first side face residing between the front face and the outer rear face, and between the troughed top face and the flat bottom face;
• a second side face opposing the first side face;
• a trough running along a length of the troughed top face and along the length of a first side face;
• a first groove disposed within the trough and running along the length of the troughed top face and along the length of the first side face;
• and a second groove running along a length of the second side face;
• (b) orienting a first wall block of the plurality of wall blocks in a desired orientation;
• (c) providing a connector having a first member and a second member;
• (d) engaging the first member of the connector in the first groove of the first wall block;
• (e) orienting a second wall block of the plurality of wall blocks in a desired orientation adjacent to the first wall block;
• and
• (f) engaging the second member of the connector in the second groove of the second wall block.