Retaining wall soil reinforcing connector and method

A method of manufacturing a soil reinforcing element assembly, comprising:

• punching a hole in a planar tab of a plate connection stud, the plate connection stud further comprising a planar stem extending longitudinally from the planar tab;
• forming a plurality of grooves in opposing first and second sides of the planar stem, the plurality of grooves defining ridges protruding from the first and second sides and extending in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the planar stem;
• forming at least one concave channel in at least one protruding ridge, the concave channel extending in a direction perpendicular to the at least one protruding ridge;
• positioning the plate connection stud in a resistance welding device to be welded to a soil reinforcing element, the soil reinforcing element having first and second longitudinal wires coupled to a plurality of transverse wires, the first and second longitudinal wires terminating at first and second lead ends, respectively;
• positioning the first lead end between the first side of the planar stem and a first electrode of the resistance welding device;
• positioning the second lead end between the second side of the planar stem and a second electrode of the resistance welding device;
• biasing the first and second lead ends against the first and second sides of the planar stem, respectively, with the first and second electrodes;
• activating the resistance welding device to weld the first and second lead ends to the first and second sides, respectively;
• and
• releasing the first and second electrodes from the first and second lead ends.

A system for securing a facing to an earthen formation, comprising:

• a soil reinforcing element having first and second longitudinal wires welded to a plurality of transverse wires, the first and second longitudinal wires terminating at first and second lead ends, respectively;
• a plate connection stud comprising,
• a planar tab defining at least one hole therein, and
• a planar stem extending longitudinally from the planar tab and having first and second sides, wherein
• a plurality of grooves are formed on the first and second sides,
• the plurality of grooves define ridges protruding from the first and second sides and extending in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the planar stem,
• at least one concave channel is defined in at least one protruding ridge,
• the concave channel extends in a direction perpendicular to the at least one protruding ridge, and
• the first and second lead ends are coupled to the first and second sides, respectively;
• a facing anchor having first and second connection plates extending from a back face of a facing and being vertically-offset from each other a distance X, each connection plate defining a horizontally-disposed perforation;
• and
• a coupling device extendable through each horizontally-disposed perforation and the hole of the plate connection stud to secure the plate connection stud to the facing anchor, wherein the soil reinforcing element is capable of swiveling in a horizontal plane and shifting vertically over the distance X.

A soil reinforcing element system, comprising:

• a soil reinforcing element having first and second longitudinal wires welded to a plurality of transverse wires, the first and second longitudinal wires terminating at converging first and second lead ends, respectively;
• and
• a plate connection stud comprising a planar tab defining at least one hole therein and a planar stem extending longitudinally from the planar tab, the planar stem having first and second opposing sides and the first and second converging lead ends being coupled to the first and second sides, respectively, wherein
• the first and second sides of the planar stem define a plurality of grooves therein,
• the plurality of grooves define ridges protruding from the first and second sides and extending in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the planar stem,
• at least one concave channel is defined in at least one protruding ridge, and
• the concave channel extends in a direction perpendicular to the at least one protruding ridge.