Multi-segment spandrel wall for overfilled arch structures

An overfilled structure comprising:

• A) a monolithic arch element for an overfilled earth structure comprising a curved body, end edges on said body, two feet on means supporting said arch element, said end edges extending for the entire circumferential length of said curved body from one foot to the other and having an overall length measured circumferentially from one foot to the other, and a curb on said body adjacent to one end edge, said curb extending for at least one-half of said overall length;
• B) a center segment resting on said arch element and having a front surface abutting said curb;
• C) a lateral segment resting on said arch element and having a front surface abutting said curb;
• and
• D) means for supporting said segments including a vertical support and a horizontal support, the horizontal support for said center segment consisting entirely of said curb in abutting contact with the front surfaces of said center segment and overfill.

A method of erecting an overfilled structure comprising:

• A) placing a curb on an arch so that said arch includes ends and rests on two feet on supporting means and each of the ends has an overall length extending circumferentially from one foot to the other foot and having the curb extend for at least one-half of the overall length;
• B) positioning the arch element to have the feet resting on the supporting means;
• C) placing one segment of a spandrel wall on the arch element;
• D) placing a second segment of the spandrel wall on the arch element;
• E) positioning each segment so a surface thereof is in abutting contact with the curb on the arch element;
• F) using overfill and the abutting contact between the curb and the one segment as the sole horizontal support for the one segment;
• and
• G) stabilizing the segments.

A combination of an arch end element of an earth overfilled arch structure and a spandrel wall comprising:

• A) an arch end element having an outer surface, two feet resting on means for supporting said arch element, an end edge which extends from one foot to the other and has an overall length measured circumferentially along the end edge from one foot to the other foot, and a curb on said arch end element adjacent to said one end and extending upward above said outer surface for at least one-half of said overall length;
• B) a center segment resting on said arch end element and having a front surface abutting said curb;
• C) a lateral segment which rests on said arch end element and has a front surface abutting said curb and an end edge abutting an end edge of said center segment;
• D) wherein said arch end element provides vertical support for said segments and said curb provides horizontal support for said segments, with said curb and overfill providing all of the horizontal support for said center segment.