# US 2017/0284052 A1 · Retaining wall system, method of supporting same, and kit for use in constructing same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284052 A1 - Document ID: US20170284052A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/085,671 - Filed: 2016-03-30 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Applicants: Pacific Prebenched Ltd. - Inventors: Robert Gordon McIntosh; Brent Lester Paul Loates; Calum James Buchan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284052A1 ## CPC - E02D 29/02: Retaining or protecting walls (piers or quay walls E02B3/06) - E02D 5/24: Prefabricated piles - E02D 5/34: Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position {; Apparatus for making same (E02D5/50 takes precedence; moulds E02D5/665; placing, removing moulds E02D7/00 - E02D11/00; placing the concrete E02D15/04)} - E02D 7/00: Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds (for both placing and removing E02D11/00; {accessories for coupling driver to piles or the like E02D13/10; for trees or other plants A01G17/16; placing posts E04H17/26}) - E02D 29/0225: {comprising retention means in the backfill} - E02D 29/025: {made up of similar modular elements stacked without mortar} - E02D 2250/0023: Cast, i.e. in situ or in a mold or other formwork - E02D 2250/0038: using an auger, i.e. continuous flight type - E02D 2300/002: Concrete - E02D 2600/40: comprising stabilising elements - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract A method is for supporting a retaining wall that includes a number of wall blocks positioned to retain material against a rear side of the plurality of wall blocks. The method includes attaching the rear side of at least one of the wall blocks to at least one ground-stabilizing base body supporting the wall blocks. Kits and systems are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of supporting a retaining wall comprising a plurality of wall blocks positioned to retain material against a rear side of the plurality of wall blocks, the method comprising attaching at least one of the plurality of wall blocks, on the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks, to at least one ground-stabilizing base body supporting the plurality of wall blocks. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein attaching the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks to the at least one ground-stabilizing base body comprises applying tension to at least one flexible cable attached to the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks and to the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein applying tension to the at least one flexible cable comprises applying tension to a flexible cable attached to the rear side of one of the plurality of wall blocks and to a portion of the at least one ground-stabilizing base body extending rearward from the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks with the flexible cable extending rearward away from the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein applying tension to the at least one flexible cable comprises applying tension to a flexible cable attached to: the rear side of at least one of wall blocks in a first stack of the plurality of wall blocks; the rear side of at least one of wall blocks in a second stack of the plurality of wall blocks adjacent the first stack; and the at least one ground-stabilizing base body supporting the wall blocks in the first and second stacks. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein: the at least one of the wall blocks in the first stack and the at least one of the wall blocks in the second stack are in alternating rows of the first and second stacks; and the flexible cable extends diagonally from the rear side of the at least one of the wall blocks in the first stack to the rear side of the at least one of the wall blocks in the second stack. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein applying tension to the flexible cable comprises: sliding the flexible cable against a first attachment surface on the rear side of the at least one wall block in the first stack; and sliding the flexible cable against a second attachment surface on the rear side of the at least one wall block in the second stack. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the flexible cable is attached to a pile attached to the portion of the at least one ground-stabilizing base body and engaging material under the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching at least one pile to the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising engaging the at least one pile with material under the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein engaging the at least one pile with the material under the at least one ground-stabilizing base body comprises positioning concrete in at least one respective space between the at least one pile and the material under the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising, when the at least one ground-stabilizing base body is already formed and before supporting the plurality of wall blocks on the at least one ground-stabilizing base body, positioning the at least one ground-stabilizing base body into a position on a surface for supporting the plurality of wall blocks. ### Claim 12 A kit for use in constructing a retaining wall, the kit comprising: a plurality of wall blocks configured to be positioned into at least one stack with material retained against a rear side of the plurality of wall blocks; and at least one base body positionable on a surface, configured to stabilize ground under the surface, and configured to support the at least one stack of the plurality of wall blocks; wherein the plurality of wall blocks are configured to be attached, on the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks, to the at least one base body when the at least one base body supports the plurality of wall blocks. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The kit of claim 12 further comprising at least one pile separate from the at least one base body, attachable to the at least one base body, and configured to engage with material under the at least one base body when the at least one pile is attached to the at least one base body and when the at least one base body supports the plurality of wall blocks. ### Claim 14 A retaining wall system comprising: a plurality of wall blocks retaining material on a rear side of the plurality of wall blocks; and at least one ground-stabilizing base body supporting the plurality of wall blocks; wherein at least one of the plurality of wall blocks is attached, on the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks, to the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 further comprising at least one flexible cable attaching the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks and the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein: the at least one ground-stabilizing base body comprises a portion extending rearward from the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks; the at least one flexible cable comprises a flexible cable attached to rear side of one of the plurality of wall blocks and to the portion of the at least one ground-stabilizing base body extending rearward from the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks; and the flexible cable extends rearward away from the rear side of the at least one of the plurality of wall blocks. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein: the plurality of wall blocks comprises wall blocks in a first stack and wall blocks in a second stack adjacent the first stack; the at least one ground-stabilizing base body comprises a first ground-stabilizing base body supporting the first stack and a second ground-stabilizing base body supporting the second stack; and the at least one flexible cable comprises a flexible cable attaching the rear side of at least one of the wall blocks in the first stack, the rear side of at least one of the wall blocks in the second stack, and one of the first and second ground-stabilizing base bodies. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein: the at least one of the wall blocks in the first stack and the at least one of the wall blocks in the second stack are in alternating rows of the first and second stacks; and the flexible cable extends diagonally from the rear side of the at least one of the wall blocks in the first stack to the rear side of the at least one of the wall blocks in the second stack. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein: the flexible cable is slidably attached to the at least one wall block in the first stack at a first attachment surface of the at least one wall block in the first stack; and the flexible cable is slidably attached to the at least one wall block in the second stack at a second attachment surface of the at least one wall block in the second stack. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein the flexible cable is attached to a pile attached to the portion of the at least one ground-stabilizing base body and engaging material under the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 further comprising at least one pile attached to the at least one ground-stabilizing base body and engaging material under the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21 further comprising concrete in a respective space between the at least one pile and the material under the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the at least one ground-stabilizing base body supports the plurality of wall blocks independently of any structure in the material retained against the rear side of the plurality of wall blocks. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of wall blocks collectively extend at least 12 feet above the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of wall blocks collectively extend at least 15 feet above the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of wall blocks collectively extend at least 20 feet above the at least one ground-stabilizing base body. ### Claim 27 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein: the plurality of wall blocks define at least one drainage channel configured to direct liquid from the rear side of the plurality of wall blocks to the at least one ground-stabilizing base body; and the at least one ground-stabilizing base body defines at least one drainage channel configured to direct liquid, from the at least one drainage channel of the plurality of wall blocks, out of the system.