A reinforced wall system comprising fill material, a plurality of facing baskets, a plurality of reinforcing members at least partially disposed within the fill material, and an impermeable membrane at least partially encapsulating at least a portion of the fill material and one or more of the reinforcing members. Each of the plurality of reinforcing members is associated with a corresponding facing basket. An outer end of each reinforcing member is above a substantially horizontal portion of the corresponding facing basket. The facing baskets and the reinforcing members are positioned in a plurality of layers, with each layer comprising one facing basket and one corresponding reinforcing member. The impermeable membrane is positioned to span two or more layers of the plurality of layers. At one or more layers of the plurality of layers, a portion of the impermeable membrane is positioned around an outer end of the corresponding reinforcing member.

The invention provides a seal for placement between a washer plate of a rock bolt and a rock face, wherein the washer plate has an outer edge at a perimeter thereof and wherein the rock bolt has a longitudinal axis, wherein the seal comprises a body made of a spongy material, wherein the body is planar and has an outer dimension that matches that or that is larger than that of outer edge of the washer plate and an inner dimension that has a void towards the center of the inner dimension through-which the longitudinal axis of the rock bolt can pass. The seal is for preventing the leakage of cementing grout (that is used in securing the rock bolt in a bore hole in a mass of rock below a rock face) between the washer plate and the rock face.

A reinforced wall system comprising fill material, a plurality of facing baskets, a plurality of reinforcing members at least partially disposed within the fill material, and an impermeable membrane at least partially encapsulating at least a portion of the fill material and one or more of the reinforcing members. Each of the plurality of reinforcing members is associated with a corresponding facing basket. An outer end of each reinforcing member is above a substantially horizontal portion of the corresponding facing basket. The facing baskets and the reinforcing members are positioned in a plurality of layers, with each layer comprising one facing basket and one corresponding reinforcing member. The impermeable membrane is positioned to span two or more layers of the plurality of layers. At one or more layers of the plurality of layers, a portion of the impermeable membrane is positioned around an outer end of the corresponding reinforcing member.

A system for strengthening a sloped structure comprises first and second opposing sides, a bottom side, fill material, a plurality of facing baskets adjacent the first side, a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material, and an impermeable membrane. The second side is adapted to be adjacent the sloped structure. The bottom side adjoins bottom edges of the first and second sides, thereby forming a cavity within the first, second, and bottom sides. The fill material is disposed within the cavity. The impermeable membrane encapsulates at least a portion of the fill material and one or more of the reinforcing members. The facing baskets and the reinforcing members are positioned in a plurality of layers, with each layer comprising one facing basket and one corresponding reinforcing member. The impermeable membrane is positioned to span two or more layers of the plurality of layers.

A system for reinforcing and facing a wall comprises a plurality of facing baskets and corresponding substantially horizontal reinforcing members, arranged in a plurality of layers. An impermeable membrane is positioned to uninterruptedly span two or more layers. At each of one or more layers, a portion of the impermeable membrane is positioned around the outer end of the corresponding reinforcing member.

A non-corrosive form setting stake and a permanent leak-proof plugging method of using the stake in cases where soil conditions are such that a vapor barrier is required to prevent potentially harmful elements in the soil from escaping and harming anything or anyone above the barrier. The stake comprises a slender elongated body, a wedge-shaped leading end for piercing the earth, a plurality of holes through which nails are driven to attach the form board to the stake, and a trailing end that serves as a striking surface for driving the stake into the ground. In the forming of a slab on grade foundation, a plurality of stakes is driven through the vapor barrier and into the earth in order to hold the form boards in place. Next, a seal is created around the stakes to the vapor barrier. Once the stakes are sealed, each stake acts as a permanent leak-proof plug in the vapor barrier that prevents elements in the soil from escaping through or around the stake. After governing agencies have inspected the vapor barrier and the forms are removed, a top section of the stake is cut off above the stake's sealed portion and below the slab's finished surface. The concrete is then finished with the lower portion of each stake left permanently embedded in the earth and beneath the finished concrete.