A method of forming simulated stone or brick column or a retaining wall is made up of rows of masonry blocks of generally trapezoidal configuration arranged in end-to-end relation to one another in each row, each block including a recessed portion being aligned with one another in each row and each block having textured wall surfaces simulating the appearance of brick or stone along one or more wall surfaces arranged in different configurations without the necessity of interlocking the blocks together.

A system of retaining wall blocks, a method of assembling a retaining wall block assembly, and a mold for manufacturing retaining wall blocks having adjustable engagement configurations.

Geosynthetic reinforced wall panels comprising soil reinforcing hoop members and retaining wall system formed therewith is disclosed. Namely, a geosynthetic panel wall system is provided that includes at least one concrete facing panel that has at least one stabilizing hoop coupled thereto and wherein a soil reinforcing element or strip may be coupled to the stabilizing hoop. Additionally, a method of using the presently disclosed geosynthetic panel wall system reinforced with at least one stabilizing hoop and soil reinforcing element is provided.

A simulated stone or brick column or retaining wall is made up of rows of masonry blocks of generally trapezoidal configuration arranged in end-to-end relation to one another in each row, each block including a recessed portion being aligned with one another in each row and each block having textured wall surfaces simulating the appearance of brick or stone along one or more wall surfaces arranged in different configurations without the necessity of interlocking the blocks together.

Elements, methods, and systems are presented for facilitating construction of a tiered wall of elements most or all of which are oriented along the wall. Such elements may each have a front, for example, that extends between opposite sides of the wall. Such walls may include localized widening or graduated element weights, for example, engineered to allow advantageous pressure distributions over those of conventional retaining walls. Alternatively or additionally such elements may include frontal projections that stabilize a curvilinear wall by allowing an element to penetrate an adjacent element of the same tier in one or two dimensions.

Elements, methods, and systems are presented for facilitating construction of a tiered wall of elements most or all of which are oriented along the wall. Such elements may each have a front, for example, that extends between opposite sides of the wall. Such walls may include localized widening or graduated element weights, for example, engineered to allow advantageous pressure distributions over those of conventional retaining walls. Alternatively or additionally such elements may include frontal projections that stabilize a curvilinear wall by allowing an element to penetrate an adjacent element of the same tier in one or two dimensions.

A retaining wall block including a pair of curved engagement surfaces extending convexly from a rear side of the block and being symmetrical about a transverse axis are configured to engage a planar surface of a setback lip of similar overlying blocks when stacked in successive courses to form a wall structure, where the curved engagement surfaces maintain a desired setback distance successive courses for straight, convex, and concave wall structures.

Elements, methods, and systems are presented for facilitating construction of a tiered wall of elements most or all of which are oriented along the wall. Such elements may each have a front, for example, that extends between opposite sides of the wall. Such walls may include localized widening or graduated element weights, for example, engineered to allow advantageous pressure distributions over those of conventional retaining walls. Alternatively or additionally such elements may include frontal projections that stabilize a curvilinear wall by allowing an element to penetrate an adjacent element of the same tier in one or two dimensions.

A bridge to construct a multi-stage wall is provided with a clip at each end. One of the clips is sized and shaped to fit snugly onto the wall of a standard concrete masonry unit (CMU), while the other is sized and shaped to fit onto a segmental wall system (SWS) unit. A retaining or stand-alone wall is constructed by laying a row of SWS units and a row of CMUs roughly parallel to each other, with bridges extending between them to fix the units. The hollow spaces in each unit and the space between the rows is filled with gravel, rock or other fill material as each course is laid. Additional courses of SWS units and CMUs are placed on top of the prior courses, with bridges added to each course. This process is repeated until the desired wall height is reached. Various sized and shaped clips and connector brackets are provided to allow spacing of the walls at different distances, with varying blocks. Multiple walls can be constructed in parallel and connected with bridges to provide sufficient retention mass for taller walls.

A hardscaping unit includes a first block fixedly attached to a second block. The method of assembling the hardscaping unit includes the steps of forming a first block from a first material, placing a second material into a mold, contacting a surface of the first block with the second material that is in the mold, maintaining contact of the surface of the first block with the second material while transitioning the second material from a first state to a second state, the second state being more solid than the first state, and when in the second state the second material forms a second block that is fixedly attached to the first block.