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Anchor Landmark Retaining Wall System Evaluation Completed By HITEC
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – (October, 2003) – The Landmark retaining wall system, developed by Anchor Wall Systems, has recently been evaluated by the Highway Innovative Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC) at the Civil Engineering Research Foundation (CERF) in Washington, D.C. “The Landmark retaining wall system represents a breakthrough in tall and high-load-bearing reinforced wall engineering,” according to Don Armstrong, PE, Chief Engineer at Anchor Wall Systems. “It is the culmination of years of our research and testing to develop a modular-block, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure for high performance under extreme loading conditions. Anchor Wall Systems developed the Landmark system specifically to address the high standards established by the transportation industry. We carefully monitored the construction of more than 50 Landmark structures before we submitted the system to HITEC for evaluation. The tallest Landmark project completed to date is about 58 feet tall.” “The Landmark/Mirafi system evaluated was found to be in complete compliance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design and construction standards with no noted exceptions,” explains Armstrong. “The HITEC report calls it a technically viable and cost-competitive MSE segmental retaining wall system.” The Landmark system features patented Zero Normal Load (ZNL)™ connection technology that consists of specially-formed channels in the top surfaces of the blocks and PVC lock bars. The lock bars are easily inserted into the aligned channels in a course of blocks which mechanically clamps the geosynthetic reinforcement to the blocks. The ZNL connection generates unsurpassed block-grid connection values, allowing designers to use 100 percent of the allowable design strength of the geosynthetic reinforcement. And, unlike other modular block systems, the highly efficient Landmark ZNL connection technology does not depend on the presence of blocks and weight above the point of connection. This is especially relevant in seismic areas where vertical accelerations can reduce the available confining stress. “The Landmark system functions extremely well with a wide variety of geosynthetic reinforcement products, making it substantially less costly than traditional retaining wall systems,” says Armstrong. “HITEC specifically evaluated the Landmark modular blocks in combination with Mirafi polyester geogrids. This is the first modular concrete-block and polyester grid system to have been evaluated by HITEC.” Another important feature of the Landmark system is the incorporation of open horizontal cores through the blocks. The cores of the blocks line up to form open horizontal passageways through the courses of the wall facing. Structural steel can be placed in these passageways for direct anchorage of the facing units with soil nails or other tieback systems. This patented feature makes the Landmark an excellent choice as a facing system for applications where excavation for reinforcement placement is not possible. HITEC, established through a cooperative agreement between CERF and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is a nationally recognized clearinghouse for implementing highway innovation. It provides impartial performance evaluations of products where no standards or specifications exist. Many state Departments of Transportation will not consider using a product until it has been through the HITEC evaluation process. The HITEC report on the Landmark system is available at www.cerf.org/hitec/eval/ongoing/ers.htm. Based in Minneapolis, MN, USA, Anchor Wall Systems, Inc. designs versatile, cost-effective, high- quality concrete-block retaining wall systems for a variety of residential, commercial and municipal applications worldwide. These systems, including the Landmark system, are supplied worldwide by licensed manufacturers. For more information about Anchor products and for the name of an Anchor-licensed manufacturer near you, contact Anchor Wall Systems, Inc. at 1-877-295-5415 or visit www.anchorwall.com. ### Photographs of various Landmark system walls are at http://www.anchorwall.com/newsroom/
“Landmark,” “Zero Normal Load” and “Anchor Wall Systems” are trademarks of Anchor Wall Systems, Inc. “Mirafi” is a trademark of Ten Cate Nicolon, Inc.
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