# US 4,391,557 A · Retaining wall for earthen formations and method of making the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,391,557 A - Document ID: US4391557A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/320,326 - Filed: 1981-11-12 - Granted: 1983-07-05 - Earliest claimed: 1979-07-12 - Assignees: Hilfiker Pipe Co. - Inventors: William K. Hilfiker; Harold O. Hilfiker, deceased; William B. Hilfiker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4391557A ## CPC - E02D 29/0241: {the retention means being reinforced earth elements} - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract An earthen formation is retained by welded wire trays embedded in the formation to effect its reinforcement. A concrete face panel is cast in place at the face of the formation and reinforced by upturned ends on the trays. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A retaining wall structure comprising: a generally rectangular steel wire tray defined by an elongate floor section extending over the length of the tray and a face section of a depth less than the length of the floor section extending at an angle relative to the floor section, said tray having longitudinal rods extending continuously over the length thereof and across said floor and face sections in spaced, generally parallel relationship to one another and cross rods welded to and extending transversely across said longitudinal rods in spaced relationship to one another; a screen disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship to the face section to the side thereof from which the floor section extends, said screen being generally coextensive with the face section; and a concrete face coextensive with and cast around said face section, said face being disposed between the mat and face section and being of a thickness sufficient to extend beyond the side of the face section opposite that from which the floor section extends whereby the face section functions to reinforce the face. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A retaining wall according to claim 1 wherein said face is of a thickness sufficient to contact said screen. ### Claim 3 A retaining wall structure comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular steel wire trays, each of said trays being defined by an elongate floor section extending over the length of the tray and a face section of a depth less than the length of the floor section extending at an angle relative to the floor section, said respective trays being disposed in superimposed relationship to one another with the floor sections thereof generally parallel to one other and the face sections of successive trays secured together so that the intersection between the floor and face sections of one tray is secured to the distal edge of the face section of the next adjacent tray, said trays each having longitudinal rods extending continuously over the length thereof and across the floor and face sections in spaced, generally parallel relationship to one another and cross rods welded to and extending transversely across said longitudinal rods in spaced relationship to one another; a screen disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship to each of said face sections to the side thereof from which the floor section extends; and a concrete face coextensive with and cast around each of said face sections. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A retaining wall structure according to claim 3 wherein the face sections of the respective trays are secured together by extended portions formed on the distal ends of the longitudinal rods in the face sections of the trays. ### Claim 5 A method of constructing a retaining wall, said method comprising: providing a plurality of generally rectangular steel wire trays, each of said trays being defined by an elongate floor section extending over the length of the tray and a face section of a depth less than the length of the floor section extending at an angle relative to the floor section, said trays each having longitudinal rods extending continuously over the length thereof and across the floor and face sections in spaced, generally parallel relationship to one another and cross rods welded to and extending transversely across said longitudinal rods in spaced relationship to one another; successively superimposing said trays upon one another with the floor sections thereof generally parallel to one another and the face sections of successive trays secured together so that the intersection between the floor and face sections of one tray is secured to the distal edge of the face section of the next adjacent tray; placing a screen in spaced relationship to the face section of each tray to the side thereof from which the floor section extends prior to the placement of the next successive tray, said screen being generally coextensive with the face section; at least partially filling each tray with soil prior to the placement of the next successive tray; and forming a concrete face in place around said face sections whereby said sections function to reinforce said face. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method according to claim 5 wherein the face is formed by spraying the concrete in place. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A method according to claim 5 wherein the face is formed by securing form panels to the trays in outwardly spaced relationship to the face sections and pouring concrete between these panels and the screens. ### Claim 8 A method of constructing a retaining wall, said method comprising: providing a plurality of generally rectangular steel wire trays, each of said trays being defined by an elongate floor section extending over the length of the tray and a face section of a depth less than the length of the floor section extending at an angle relative to the floor section, said trays each having longitudinal rods extending continuously over the length thereof and across the floor and face sections in spaced, generally parallel relationship to one another and cross rods welded to and extending transversely across said longitudinal rods in spaced relationship to one another; successively superimposing said trays upon one another with the floor sections thereof generally parallel to one another and the distal edges of the face sections of each tray secured to the next adjacent tray; at least partially filling each tray with soil prior to the placement of the next successive tray; and forming a concrete face in place around said face sections whereby said sections function to reinforce said face.