Geoinclusion method and composite

Claim 1

A geoinclusion composite for allowing deformation of earth materials adjacent to a retaining wall, and the like, said geoinclusion composite comprising: a compressible layer operable to extend along a retaining wall said compressible layer being composed of a material having resilient properties; an insulation and drainage layer extending parallel to and being generally coextensive with said compressible layer, said drainage layer being composed of an aggregate of insulation members disposed in a generally homogeneous arrangement to create random void spacing between said insulation members to permit the tortuous passage of water or other fluids through said drainage layer to operably relieve hydrostatic pressure against the retaining wall surface, said drainage layer having a density greater than that of said compressible layer; a water permeable membrane extending parallel to and being generally coextensive with said drainage layer, said water permeable membrane being composed of a geotextile that operably restricts particles of earth materials from traversing said water permeable membrane and entering the voids in said drainage layer; and said compressible layer and said insulation and drainage layer operably permitting deformation of the surrounding earth material, thereby reducing the stress delivered to the retaining wall surface.

Claim 13

A method for allowing deformation adjacent to a retaining wall and the like, said method comprising the steps of: installing a compressible layer adjacent to a retaining wall surface, the compressible layer being composed of a material having resilient properties; and installing an insulation and drainage layer co-extensively with said compressible layer and having drainage voids there throughout with a density per cubic foot greater than the density of the compressible layer; wherein lateral deformation of an earth formation adjacent the retaining wall will be accommodated by compression of the compressible layer adjacent the retaining wall while the insulation and drainage layer maintains its configuration to relieve hydrostatic buildup from the retaining wall.

Claim 14

A method for allowing deformation adjacent to a retaining wall and the like, said method comprising the steps of: installing a compressible layer adjacent to a retaining wall surface, the compressible layer being composed of a material having resilient properties; and installing an insulation and drainage layer co-extensively with said compressible layer and having drainage voids there throughout with a density per cubic foot greater than the density of the compressible layer; wherein lateral deformation of an earth formation adjacent the retaining wall will be accommodated by compression of the compressible layer adjacent the retaining wall while the insulation and drainage layer maintains its configuration to relieve hydrostatic buildup from the retaining wall.