Device for containing granular elements

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for containing granular elements, comprising a metal mesh panel having metal wires welded together, the panel comprising at least one curvature of a first orientation and at least one curvature of a second orientation, the first orientation being characterized by a first axis and the second orientation being characterized by a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being non-collinear.

Claims

1. A device for containing granular elements, comprising a metal mesh panel comprising metal wires welded together, the metal mesh panel being formed to have at least a first bend and at least a second bend, the first bend and the second bend having a non-parallel orientation, wherein the metal mesh panel comprises a substantially planar portion and wherein the first bend is arranged to guide an out-of-plane metal wire out of a plane formed by said substantially planar portion of the metal mesh panel, the out-of-plane metal wire having a shorter length than a majority of the metal wires of the metal mesh panel.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the non-parallel orientation of the first bend and the second bend is perpendicular.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first bend is parallel to some of the metal wires of the metal mesh panel and wherein the second bend is parallel to others of the metal wires of the metal mesh panel.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metal wires are electro-welded to one another.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metal mesh panel comprises the metal wires having a diameter greater than or equal to 4 mm.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metal mesh panel is associated with a secondary mesh having a mesh size of smaller characteristic dimensions than the metal mesh panel.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the secondary mesh is selected from the group consisting of a woven mesh, a biomat, and a geotextile.

8. The device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the first bends.

9. The device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the second bends.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein an arrangement of the first bend and the second bend is configured to allow the device to be auto-stable.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the metal wires of the metal mesh panel are provided with a metal coating.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the metal coating is selected among zinc and an alloy comprising at least one of zinc and aluminum.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the non-parallel orientation of the first bend and the second bend are arranged substantially parallel to said substantially planar portion.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metal mesh panel comprises the metal wires having a diameter between 5 mm and 8 mm.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metal mesh panel further comprises a folded over portion that is configured to fold over the granular elements.

16. A method for manufacturing a device for containing granular elements, the method comprising: providing a metal mesh panel comprising metal wires welded together; bending the metal mesh panel in a first orientation to form at least one first bend of a first orientation, the metal mesh panel comprising a substantially planar portion and wherein the first bend is arranged to guide an out-of-plane metal wire out of a plane formed by said substantially planar portion of the metal mesh panel, the out-of-plane metal wire having a shorter length than a majority of the metal wires of the metal mesh panel; and subsequently bending the metal mesh panel in a second orientation that is non-parallel to the first orientation to form at least one second bend of a second orientation.

17. A reinforced soil structure comprising: a device for containing granular elements, a plurality of the granular elements contained by said device, at least one soil reinforcement member formed of a metal or a polymer material, wherein the device for containing the granular elements comprises a metal mesh panel comprising metal wires welded together, the metal mesh panel being formed to have at least a first bend and at least a second bend, the first bend and the second bend having a non-parallel orientation, wherein the metal mesh panel comprises a substantially planar portion and wherein the first bend is arranged to guide an out-of-plane metal wire out of a plane formed by said substantially planar portion of the metal mesh panel, the out-of-plane metal wire having a shorter length than a majority of the metal wires of the metal mesh panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features, details, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from reading the detailed description below, and from analyzing the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for containing granular elements according to one embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section of a structure according to the invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of a structure according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(5) The drawings and description below for the most part contain elements that are certain in nature. Therefore not only can these serve to provide a better understanding of the invention, but they also contribute to its definition, where appropriate.

(6) Reference is now made to FIG. 1. In the context of the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the containing device according to the invention is used as a facing member for a reinforced soil structure. The facing member is intended to be associated with other similar members which will be arranged one below the other.

(7) The member is obtained from a metal mesh of galvanized steel wires that are electro-welded when flat. The wires have a diameter of 6 mm. The welding step is done with no added filler, by locally inducing a very high electric field locally at the intersections of the wires. This causes localized heating, and an interpenetration of the wires takes place. The welding can be automated and be done on a conveyor belt.

(8) The wires assembled during formation of the mesh do not all have the same length. Thus, in one dimension, one wire out of two has a long length l1+l2 and one wire out of two has a short length l1.

(9) The mesh thus obtained then undergoes a first series of bends 13 in a first direction. These bends are grouped in series of three bends. In the figure, three series of three bends are represented, but the member may have more.

(10) The illustrated member comprises a first face 10 intended to be positioned on the facade of the structure. This first face 10 lies within a plane P1.

(11) Each series of three bends is configured to form a V shape and to guide a wire 131 out of the plane of the facade. This out-of-plane wire increases the horizontal rigidity of the facing member. Horizontal rigidity is understood to mean the resistance to deformation along a horizontal axis. Indeed, like a folded sheet of paper or a corrugated sheet, to impose a deformation along an axis perpendicular to the bends 13, it is necessary to apply compressive or tensile stress to the entirety of each out-of-plane wire 131, which represents significant resistance.

(12) This significant resistance which generates an increase in the horizontal rigidity exists only on the portion of the mesh which comprises out of planes wires. It is therefore possible to generate, in a simple manner, a second series of bends 14 at a level of the metal mesh which does not include out-of-plane wires. In the figure shown, this second series of bends comprises a single bend 14 which makes it possible to form a second face 20 of the member.

(13) This second face 20 which will not be visible on the structure and lies within a plane P2.

(14) The existence of this face generates an increase in the vertical rigidity, in other words the resistance to deformation along a vertical axis. Indeed, the wires 21 parallel to the bend 14 and comprised in face 20 of the member are subjected to compressive or tensile stress when face 10 is stressed, so as to bend in a vertical direction.

(15) Although in FIG. 1 the member has only a single bend 14 along a second curvature, it could include another bend so as to generate a third face at the top of the member which would further strengthen its vertical rigidity. The member could also include several series of three bends along this second orientation in order to offset some wires out of plane, in the manner of wires 131 but in a perpendicular direction.

(16) Different members according to FIG. 1 can be stored and transported when stacked atop one another. The deformations make it possible to limit the gap between members when they are stacked, which is very advantageous.

(17) The facing members are used on a structure such as one of those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(18) FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate schematic cross-sections of structures according to the invention. The general composition of such a structure corresponds to structures known under the brand name TerraTrel? which are offered by Terre Arm?e International.

(19) Such a structure comprises a plurality of members according to FIG. 1, arranged one atop the other. These members are used to contain fill 60 which can be composed of different materials such as compacted earth 61, a mixture of earth and pebbles 62, pebbles, or rock fragments 63. According to certain embodiments, the fill is composed of several types of fill material. These different types of fill material may be separated by a film, a fabric, in particular by a geofabric 50. It is thus possible to obtain structures whose appearance differs significantly and is chosen according to the desired aesthetics: according to FIG. 2, a layer of surface soil 61 can be placed in contact with the facing, which can then be planted; according to FIG. 3, it is possible to disperse rock fragments, in contact with the facing, which remain visible.

(20) The structure is reinforced by flexible strips 40 which extend into the facing. These flexible strips can be arranged in a horizontal plane perpendicularly or zigzagging relative to the facing.

(21) They are preferably attached to the facing by means of connection means arranged at the offset wires 131 in order to take maximum advantage of the increase in rigidity and to limit the deformations that may occur due to stresses undergone at these attachment points.

(22) They may also be attached to a wall which would be located behind the facing and where the space between this wall and the facing would be filled with fill.

(23) In the case of FIG. 3, it may be advantageous to move the connection devices to behind the facing, taking advantage in particular of face 20. Indeed, it may be advantageous to avoid having flexible strips 40 in the area 63 where the fill is rock fragments, in order to avoid damaging these strips.

(24) The invention is not limited to the examples described above solely by way of example, but encompasses all variants conceivable to those skilled in the art within the framework of the protection sought. In particular, although the example deals with reinforced soil structures, it is quite adaptable to the case of cladding carried out on an existing structure for aesthetic purposes, for example to give it a more mineral appearance.