Disclosed are embodiments of a method for manufacturing concreate panels for a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall that employ geosynthetic strips that attach to the MSE retaining wall and extend into the backfill soil. One embodiment can be generally summarized as follows: (a) providing a mold for the concrete panel; (b) providing in the mold: (1) a plastic pipe; (2) a metal rod situated in the pipe; (3) a removable block-out insert that creates a geosynthetic strip cavity within the panel body around the pipe for enabling a geosynthetic strip to be looped around the pipe; (c) introducing concrete into the mold; (d) permitting the concrete to substantially solidity within the mold; and (e) after the concrete has substantially solidified, separating the panel from the mold and removing the block-out insert to expose the cavity and the pipe extending through the cavity.

A finishing assembly for a rail and post wall comprising: one or elongate capping members having longitudinal recesses for receiving a top of the wall and for installation therealong; and one or more post covers for installation over posts of the wall.

Various embodiments of an adjustable mold are disclosed for forming a precast concrete top panel for a modular earth retaining wall, for example but not limited to, a modular mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall. The adjustable mold has a support base with a top surface, bottom surface, and surrounding periphery. A plurality of rails is mounted to the support base and upstand generally perpendicular from the support base. The rails are collectively attached together to form a closed lateral side boundary with an open top designed to receive liquified concrete. The support base and rails are designed to form sides of the precast concrete top panel. The rails can be adjusted to change a geometric shape associated with the closed lateral boundary in order to enable production of different top panels having different lateral boundaries, and therefore geometries.

A supporting masonry block has a supporting masonry block body having a front surface, a back surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side. The front surface has a front-top edge and a front-bottom edge. A tie-back receptacle passes from the top surface, through to the bottom surface. The tie-back receptacle is open to the back surface for connecting the supporting masonry block to a tie-back.

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.

A caisson or casing 107 for installing a sheet 102/103 into a ground or underwater location, the caisson 107 having a shaped wall 107.1, which is open for a predetermined length and is adapted to receive and connect to an excavation means 3 within the confines of the caisson or casing 107. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a drilling assembly 3 for insertion of a caisson or casing 1, the drilling assembly 3 having one or more expanding drill bits 4 which are adapted to be driven by a drilling or rotation motive device 5, the expanding drill bits 4 being adapted to be arranged with respect to the caisson or casing 1 in use, so as form a hole or bore which substantially conforms to, or substantially overlaps with, the shape of the caisson or casing 1.

A connection device for fastening two expanded cellular confinement structures includes: an insertion member; an integral shank extending perpendicular from the insertion member; and an integral handle member extending perpendicular from the shank at an end of the shank remote from the insertion member. One or more barbs may project from the insertion member. The device can have a washer section between the handle member and insertion member. The handle can be curved, or it can be in the shape of a polygon.

Building blocks include a tongue and groove on each block that allow the blocks to be placed in a way that interlocks the tongue and groove of one block with the corresponding groove and tongue, respectively, of another block facing the opposite direction. In a first embodiment, the same building block that has a decorative front face is used for both sides of the wall, resulting in a wall with opposed finished surfaces. In a second embodiment, a first plurality of blocks that have a decorative front face are used for one side of the wall, while a second plurality of blocks that have a thicker and non-decorative face are used for the other side of the wall, with the first and second plurality of blocks interlocking back-to-back via their respective tongues and grooves. Both types of blocks can be made using the same concrete form.

A concrete block system is provided and allows for the use of a single type of non-integral connector to perform different functions in a mortarless structure, the system comprising a plurality of structural concrete blocks and a plurality of veneer units. The same connector can be used to connect veneer units to structural blocks, to retain the veneer units in different orientations; to create near vertical installations or a setback between stacked rows of structural blocks. In addition, the system provides a single structural block, which can be used for both straight portions or corners of a same structure. The structural block can also be used to create double-sided walls, with opposite lateral walls being configured to received/retain veneer units thereon.

Lifting apparatus for lifting, conveying and/or positioning blocks or slabs, such as blocks or slabs made of concrete, masonry, stone, brick, or similar materials, and methods of lifting, conveying and/or positioning such materials. The lifting apparatus may include two spaced block supporters that are positioned or positionable to respectively mechanically engage a block or slab to support the same mechanically. Upon biasing the two spaced block supporters, the block is engaged and its weight supported, and the block may be lifted, conveyed and/or positioned at a desired location. Unbiasing the block supporters releases the block. A plurality of lifting apparatuses may be used together, including in modular form.