EP1121493B1 - Soil construction anchored in the soil having a steep front and method for producing said soil construction - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the inventive method, a steep front (2) is anchored in the soil (1) using front elements (3). Said front elements consist of angular support grids (6) each comprising a front grid element (7) upwardly oriented and a substantially horizontal bottom grid element (8). Together, the front grid elements (7) form a grid system which is congruent with the front (2). The bottom grid elements (8) extend from the front (2) into the soil construction. One front element (3) which is arranged parallel to the front grid element (7) is provided with an intermediate grid (9) which is fastened to said front element (3) by means of holding members (10). A cavity (14) between the front grid element (7) and the intermediate grid (9) is filled with coarse filling material (15) such as gravel or pebble stones. At least one backfill cavity (16) is filled with any desired bulk material (17) on the side of the intermediate grid (9) facing away from the front grid element (7). The invention especially provides a means for producing supporting structures and revetments.

Description

The invention relates to an earth structure attached to the ground with a steep front, especially a support or Cladding construction, according to the preamble of the claim 1, as well as a method for creating this earth structure.

An earth structure of the type mentioned at the outset is, for example known from EP-B-0197000 and / or CH-A-666510. It includes side-by-side as well as rows stacked front elements made of angular Support grids, each with an upward front grille part and a substantially horizontal bottom grille portion exhibit. The front grille parts together form a latticework, which is essentially congruent with the front. The Floor grille parts extend from the front in the earth structure inside. The front elements are with one Filling material filled.

Such devices serve as front elements Building reinforced earth structures by simultaneously Formwork and support tasks.

The one disclosed in EP-B-0197000 and / or CH-A-666510 geotextile reinforced earth construction will fill up the material backfilled to the front. This filler material is called the floor material designated and is thus an arbitrarily chosen i.e. normal Bulk material.

Angular support grids with infill are also made US-A-4117686 known. In the front area and up to the front backfilling with coarse, essentially stony Bulk material, however, because no rear support is intended, of course, must be relatively wide, which leads to leads to a correspondingly high material requirement. coarse Bulk material such as stones, crushed stone (broken material), Rubble (round or rounded material) and the like but is relatively expensive. In the figures of US-A-4117686 are relatively narrow fillings can also be seen, but it will does not disclose how they come about inexpensively.

The construction of a front with defined layer thickness Such a coarse bulk material is fundamentally from the known as stone baskets (gabions). This is what it is about but self-contained baskets made of wire mesh, Steel or, more rarely, plastic grids. Have these baskets usually a square cross section and therefore lead also to a correspondingly high material requirement.

A double-shell grid is known from WO-A-96/17134, that as a front cladding for a geotextile reinforced earth construction is used. The front elements are direct statically connected to the reinforcement, in particular by Loops. The two-shell grid is intended to serve as the basis for a green area on the construction front, absorb humus. However, this system is for efficient filling with coarse bulk material such as stones, gravel, rubble and the like not suitable because its stability for mechanical Backfilling is hardly sufficient and also its handling is complicated and the size of the installation too leaves a lot to be desired.

In the above devices and their Manufacturing process can be at the front, i.e. in a narrow Layer in the double-shell grid, not a special one from the normal bulk different material rationally, i.e. are largely installed mechanically. A is desired special coarse material for installation in the front is suitable, for example stones for installation by hand, or for mechanical installation preferably gravel or Scree. This particular rough material is relatively expensive, and its installation is in the above devices very elaborate, because it has to be done either by hand take place, or broad layers must be provided the back of which is inclined at the natural slope angle is what leads to high material consumption at the relatively expensive Bulk material leads.

GB-A-2167794 is an earth structure reinforced with nets known that has a steep exterior formwork and, behind and at a short distance from it, has a retention network. The reinforcement networks and the retention network are network-like Plastic structures that are not particularly suitable as geotextiles be designated. The whole thing stops with a train attachment the external formwork ultimately on the reinforcement nets. Stability of the filling in the space between the outer casing and the retention network is with one Construction not guaranteed.

From WO-A-96/04430 it is known to guarantee or Improving the stability of a cladding of an earth structure a re-stitching or fixation of the floor grille parts the support grid with tension elements on anchorages and / or securing elements in the backfill room and / or to be provided in the cultivated soil.

Near an earth structure of the type mentioned Type comes, for example, the one known from DE-A-3932493 Erdkonstruktion. With this earth construction there is a front element with an overhanging material carrier box attached to it provided which is substantially parallel to the front grille part arranged on its side facing away from the ground and is filled with filling material. On the other, the Earth-facing side of the front grille part extends there is a backfill space between this and the floor grille part, which is filled with bulk material. The material carrier box has the overhanging load of the filler material too wear and must therefore have a particularly solid construction exhibit. In contrast to the earth structures of the beginning mentioned type form in the earth structures according to DE-A-3932493 the upward front grille parts together no lattice work that would be congruent with the front, because it does the overhanging material carrier boxes are arranged in front of it. From a green support or cladding structure not be talked about, but only from a front behind the greenery of a row of planters is hidden. Therefore, the teaching according to DE-A-3932493 can neither alone nor in Combination with any other state of the art into one Lead earth construction of the type mentioned at the beginning.

FR-A-2601399 is a basket-shaped material carrier box known for filling with coarse filling material. This material carrier box however, is not suitable for starting a front grille part according to DE-A-3932493 on the soil opposite side and for subsequent filling with coarse Filling material such as gravel or rubble because of the basket FR-A-2601399 with its cuboid lattice structure the after DE-A-3932493 overhanging load of the filling material certainly cannot bear.

From WO-A-97/43489 is an earth structure attached to the ground known with a steep front, one with the Front congruent, upward facing grille part Filling material filled behind the front is limited. Essentially parallel to the front grille part is at a distance from it and an intermediate grille on the side facing the ground arranged, and the space thus formed is coarse Filling material filled. The intermediate grille only holds through it Jamming in the filling material filled behind the front and is not attached to the front grille part or otherwise. Under these circumstances the backfill is filled with the coarse filling material only with tedious Manual installation of flat stones while pulling up the Filling of the filling material behind the front possible.

The object of the invention is to provide an earth structure to create the type mentioned above, with which the mentioned Let disadvantages be overcome.

This task is at the beginning of an earth structure mentioned type with the combination defined in claim 1 solved by features. Advantageous training of the Earth construction according to the invention, a method for its Creation and advantageous further developments of this method are defined in the dependent claims.

In the earth construction according to the invention there is a Front element with an attached to it by means of holding elements Intermediate grid provided that is substantially parallel to the Support grid is arranged. One in the front element between the Front grille part and the interstitial space formed is with coarse filling material such as gravel or rubble filled. A backfill room located on the front grille opposite side of the intermediate grille at least extends between this and the bottom grille part is with any bulk material filled, for example with compressible earth material.

The connection between a holding element and a Front element can come about, for example, by the fact that the holding element is shaped as a guy hook and with one Hook angled ends is provided, so that a holding element hooked into a rod of the front element at each end can be. For its part, the connection between one Holding element and an intermediate grid by means of binding wires come about, the holding element on a rod of the intermediate grid is bound. Optionally, you can also order the holding element to fix to a rod of the intermediate grid, one Clamp or a nut can be used, or still, it can a round bar running horizontally over the holding elements be provided as a line support for the intermediate grille serves and fixed to the holding elements with tie wires is.

The intermediate grille can have a flat geckompatible Make be provided, in particular the intermediate grille on its side facing the front grille part the flat geocompatible make. For his part, can at least the front grille part in a support grille on its side facing the intermediate grille with a provided second flat geocompatible make, in particular to be occupied.

This flat geocompatible product acts as a filter made of geotextile. It prevents erosion on the front grille part and flushing out of the backfilling if its grain size is or is partially smaller than the mesh of the front grille part. With a rather fine-meshed front grille part for example, from specially corrosion-protected steel wire and a sufficiently coarse grain size can indicate the geocompatible Make be waived. Guaranteed on the intermediate grille the geocompatible make the separation of the gross Filling material and the finer bulk material from each other as protection against the effects of erosion and flushing. ever after the time of backfilling, i.e. depending on the backfilling only before the intermediate grille and then behind it or vice versa, the geocompatible make is in front of or behind the intermediate grid i.e. on its the front grille part be facing or facing away so that it Filling not pushed away, but against the intermediate grille pressed and supported by it as long as it is not complete is embedded in the entire backfill. In general it will be useful from the handling, first to fill the gap so that the geocompatible make in front of the intermediate grid i.e. on its the front grille part facing side will be arranged. Here too can, under favorable circumstances, similar to the front grille part, the geocompatible make can be dispensed with.

The "lost" built in (and possibly with a Intermediate grid used as a filter acting geotextile enables the rational, mechanical installation of a narrow one Gravel and / or rubble layer that is clean and filter proof is separated from the rest of the bulk material. The width of the between the front grille part and the intermediate grille formed Space, i.e. the distance between the front grille part and the intermediate grille in the front element and thus the width the gravel and / or cereal layer, depend on it the type of bulk material used and the method of backfilling. The narrow gravel and / or formed in the space Rubble forms together with the angular Support grid and the attached intermediate grid Front element with supportive effect, which is a fuse and Supporting the slope front of the reinforced earth structure guaranteed. The inherent stability of the front elements enables if necessary the contact area of the front elements i.e. the bottom grid parts of the support grid with essentially flat level horizontal reinforcement elements and a mutual fixation through the clamping alone under the load of the floor grid parts on the reinforcement elements to achieve so that there is no direct static Connection via hooks, loops etc. requires what the Installation also simplified, but does not exclude, if necessary a power transmission via a direct fixation to be provided with hooks, eyes, screw connections etc.

When the mesh of the front grille section is larger than the grain diameter of the backfill i.e. than the dimension of the ballast and / or rubble, can be in a support grid at least the front grille part with a second flat provided geocompatible make, especially with it to keep the filling material in the space. The geocompatible brand is then generally behind the Front grille part i.e. on his facing the intermediate grille Be arranged so that it does not push away when filling, but pressed against the front grille part and is supported by it.

To ensure adequate attachment can it is also recommended for the front elements according to the invention a known rear suspension or fixation the bottom grille parts of the support grilles with tension elements on anchorages and / or securing elements in the backfill room and / or to be provided in the cultivated soil.

The process aims to be a simple, rational and cost-effective steep slope construction, which, combined with ground reinforcement, makes the construction of earth reinforced Support and cladding structures allows, where angle of inclination of more than approx. 60 ° for the filling process can be met. The procedure can be shared with others Kinds of rear suspension or fixation can be combined. In addition, the method can either be made of supporting grids and Intermediate grids made on site or with prefabricated front elements.

The invention enables at the front of the earth structure an approximately 0.1 to 0.3 m wide, that is, proportionate narrow gravel and / or rubble layer and mostly behind to install normal, mixed-grain earth material. this makes possible in turn, planting using humus-filled Earth sacks with the gravel and / or rubble in the front elements be inserted and into the bulk material in the Backfill space is sufficient.

Fig. 1

eine schematisch-perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Erdkonstruktion mit zur Veranschaulichung aufgebrochenen bzw. nicht fertiggestellten Teilen;

Fig. 2

einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch zumindest ein Frontelement einer erfindungsgemässen Erdkonstruktion;

Fig. 3

einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch eine zur Stützung verwendete erfindungsgemässe Erdkonstruktion;

Fig. 4

einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt duach eine zur Verkleidung verwendete erfindungsgemässe Erdkonstruktion;

Fig. 5

einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Erdkonstruktion mit direkter Rückverhängung über einzelne Zugglieder;

Fig. 6

einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Erdkonstruktion mit verlängerten Bodengitterteilen für einen Einbau ohne zusätzliche Bewehrung;

Fig. 7

einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Erdkonstruktion mit zusätzlicher Fixierung durch vertikale und gegebenenfalls auch schräge Sicherungselemente;

Fig. 8

einen schematisch dargestellten Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Erdkonstruktion mit Frontelementen, in die im Hinblick auf eine Bepflanzung humusverfüllte Säcke eingelegt sind.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, elements and parts corresponding to one another being provided with the same reference symbols in all the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of an earth structure according to the invention with parts broken open for illustration or not finished;

Fig. 2

a schematically illustrated cross section through at least one front element of an earth structure according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a schematically illustrated cross section through an earth structure according to the invention used for support;

Fig. 4

a schematically illustrated cross section duach an earth structure according to the invention used for cladding;

Fig. 5

a schematically illustrated cross section through an earth structure according to the invention with direct rear suspension via individual tension members;

Fig. 6

a schematically illustrated cross section through an earth structure according to the invention with extended floor grille parts for installation without additional reinforcement;

Fig. 7

a schematically illustrated cross section through an earth structure according to the invention with additional fixation by vertical and optionally also inclined securing elements;

Fig. 8

a schematically illustrated cross section through an earth structure according to the invention with front elements, in which humus-filled bags are inserted with a view to planting.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an inventive Earth structure that is attached to soil 1. It is for example a support or cladding construction, which is intended to have a steep front 2.

This earth structure is made up from the side as well as rows of stacked front elements 3 from two crossed and welded at the crossing points Shares of corrosion-protected round steels or thick steel wires 4, 5 built. The round steels or thick steel wires 4 of a coulter lie approximately one another parallel as well as approximately horizontally in the direction of a width of the Front 2. The round steel bars or thick steel wires 5 of the others Coulters are approximately orthogonal to the round steel or thick Steel wires 4, and they are angled so that angular Support grid 6 are formed, each one upward front grille part 7 and one essentially has horizontal floor grille part 8. So make up the front grille parts 7 together essentially a latticework from roughly horizontal round steels or thick steel wires 4 and upward-facing round steels or thick steel wires 5, which is congruent with the front 2. For your part the floor grille parts 8, starting from the front 2, in the ground 1 or essentially horizontally in the earth structure inside.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a cross section through a Front element 3 and parts of others adjacent to it Front elements. The front element 3 is with an intermediate grille 9 from two crossed and welded at the crossing points Shares of corrosion-protected round steels or thick steel wires provided on the bottom grille part 8 attached and essentially parallel to the front grille part 7 at a distance from it and on the earth 1 facing it Side is directed. The distance between the intermediate grid 9 to Front grille part 7 is preferably smaller than about half Height of the front element 3.

Holding elements 10 are provided on the front element 3 are attached to it and to the intermediate grid 9 and thus hold the latter on and in the front element 3. In the illustrated Training are the holding elements 10 as guy hooks shaped with ends 11, 12 angled into a hook, one end 11 on the front grille part 7 and the other End 12 on the bottom grille part 6, each on one of the round steels or thick steel wires 4 of the front element 3 is hooked. The intermediate grille 9 or one approximately horizontally in the direction a width of the front 2 lying round steel or thicker Steel wire 13 of the intermediate grid 9 is on the holding element 10 attached by means of tie wires, not shown (Alternatively, a clamp or a Nut can be used). The holding element 10 could also take place on round steel or thick steel wire 13 of the intermediate grid 9 on a horizontally extending over the holding elements 10 Round iron can be attached, which serves as a line support for the intermediate grille 9 would serve and in turn on the holding element 10 is fixed with tie wires.

The front elements 3 are in respective filling rooms filled with two types of filler. In one in the front element 3 between the front grille part 7 and the intermediate grille 9 formed intermediate space 14 is coarse filler material 15 like rubble or rubble. In a backfill room 16, which faces away from the front grille part 7 Side of the intermediate grid 9 at least between this and the Floor grille part 8 extends, is any chosen bulk material 17 backfilled, for example common earth material.

To prevent bulk material 17 through the intermediate grid 9 into the coarse filling material 15 arrives, the two filled filling rooms i.e. the space 14 and the backfill space 16 by a flat geocompatible make 18 separated from each other become. In the training shown, this is flat geocompatible make 18 a geotextile in the form of a geos fleece or a fine-mesh geogrid with which the interstitial 9 on its front grille part 7 Page is occupied. Optionally, the intermediate grid 9 could also be provided with the geotextile in another way. On the one hand could make 18 in advance, for example, on the intermediate grille 9 be attached. On the other hand, the make 18 on one side or the other of the intermediate grid 9 depending on the order in which the two backfill rooms be filled: Make 18 is on the intermediate grille 9 must always be arranged in such a way that it depends on the weight of the backfilling not first pushed away from the intermediate grid 9, but is pressed against it.

The front grille part is also in the illustrated embodiment 7 of the support grid 6 provided with a geotextile. This is also a (second) flat geocompatible Make 19 with which the front grille part 7 on its the grille 9 facing side is occupied. This second geocompatible product 19 is, for example, in Form of a geogrid, geogrid or geogrid, the opening width of which or mesh size is smaller than the grain (Grain diameter) of the coarse filler 15. The geocompatible Make 19 can, by the way, as shown in the Training, also on the bottom grille part 8 of the support grid 6 (or at least part of it).

To improve the strength of the resulting earth structure can the bottom grid parts 8 of the support grid 6, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, from one Reinforcement element 20 be underlaid and by Hold the clamp. This reinforcement element 20 is, for example an essentially flat geotextile, i.e. a geocompatible product, for example in the form of a Reinforcement mesh, reinforcement mesh, reinforcement mesh or Reinforcement fabric. Alternatively, as in one in FIG. 6 schematically represented variant, the earth structure extended Floor grille parts 8 for installation without additional Have reinforcement.

To further improve the strength of the resulting Earth structure for installation without additional reinforcement can the bottom grid parts 8 of the support grid 6, such as in the illustrated formations, with tension elements 21 Anchors 22 (FIG. 5) and / or securing elements 23 (Fig. 7) in the backfill room 16 and / or in the soil 1 be hung back or fixed. As examples are in Fig. 5 an earth structure with direct rear suspension about individual tension members, in Fig. 7 with an earth structure additional fixation by vertical and if necessary also shown diagonal locking elements schematically.

With regard to planting the front 2, for example with climbing plants, shrubs and the like, as in the training shown in Fig. 8, in one Front element 3 at least one elongated humus-filled sack 24 be inserted from the front 2 or from the front grille part 7 over the intermediate space 14 and through the intermediate grille 9 extends into the backfill space 16.

The earth structure according to the invention is diverse usable. For example, the earth structure according to Fig. 3 can be used to support an embankment while the earth structure 4 for covering a rocky cut is usable.

To create such an earth structure optionally two methods are available. Be the one method the front element 3 is set up on site at the other Method, it is first prefabricated and then installed.

According to the first method, a formation 25 is first created. Support grids 6 are now strung together on the formation 25 put on to make a layer of strings To build up front elements 3.

You can choose to do this before placing the support grille 6 onto the subgrade 25, initially a reinforcement element 20 be placed on the formation 25, and the support grid 6 only then placed on the reinforcement element 20, so that the bottom grid parts 8 of the support grid 6 from the reinforcement element 20 are underlaid, the latter on the subgrade 25 support and hold it by clamping. This reinforcement element 20 is, for example, essentially flat flat geotextile, i.e. a geocompatible brand, for example in the form of a geofleece or a fine mesh Geogewebes.

Then each front element 3 in the Support grid 6 an intermediate grid 9 substantially parallel to the front grille part 7 at a distance from it and on the Soil 1 installed side facing. For example at the lower part of the intermediate grille 9 downward vertical Elements made of round steel or thick steel wire the bottom grid part 8 of the support grid 6 inserted into the formation then the lowest horizontal if desired Round steel or thick steel wire element of the Intermediate grid 9 with the bottom grid part 8 of the support grid 6 can be fixed by means of binding wires. The intermediate grille can 9 with the flat geocompatible make 18 either be provided before it is installed or only be provided after its installation.

Now the intermediate grille 9 is in its upright position held by it on the front element 3 by means of holding elements 10 is attached. For example, at least one, generally two holding elements 10 shaped as guy hooks with their ends 11, 12 angled into hooks on the front grille part 7 and on the bottom grille part 6, each on one of the round steels or thick steel wires 4 of the front element 3, hooked become. Then a round steel or thick steel wire 13 of the intermediate grid 9 on the holding element 10 by means of binding wires or a clamp or a nut.

With regard to planting the front 2, for example with climbing plants, shrubs and the like, can now in a front element 3 one or more elongated humus-filled Bags 24 are inserted so that they from the Front 2 baw. from the front grille part 7 via the intermediate space 14 and through the intermediate grille 9 into the backfill space 16 are enough.

Then, optionally in the one given below Order or in reverse order, the space 14 between the front grille part 7 and the intermediate grille 9 with coarse filling material 15 such as gravel or rubble, and the Backfill space 16, which is on the front grille part 7 facing away from the intermediate grid 9 at least between this and the floor grille part extends with any selected fill material 17 filled.

Finally, the consequence of the above Repeat steps until the desired final height of the stacked and filled front elements 3 or the finished earth structure is reached.

According to the second method, front elements 3 prefabricated and provided by as in the preceding described for each front element 3 in the support grid 6 Intermediate grille 9 substantially parallel to the front grille part 7 at a distance from it and on the one facing the ground 1 Side is installed and attached, and then the intermediate grille 9 by means of holding elements 10 in its upright position held and attached to the front element 3. It can if desired, the intermediate grille 9 optionally before or after the latter step with the flat geocompatible Make 18 are provided.

Then a formation 25 is created on which the support grid 6 are lined up to create one Build up layer of lined up front elements 3.

Optionally, as described above, first and before placing the support grid 6 on the Flat 25, a reinforcement element 20 placed on the flat 25 be, the support grid 6 only afterwards on the reinforcement element 20 are put on.

If necessary, now with regard to planting the front 2, in a front element 3 one or more elongated humus-filled bags 24 as described above be inserted.

Then, as described above and optionally in one order or another, the space 14 with coarse filling material 15 such as gravel or rubble and the backfill space 16 with any chosen Bulk material 17 backfilled.

Finally, the consequence of the above Repeat steps of the second method until the one you want Final height of the stacked and filled Front elements 3 or the finished earth structure is achieved.

List of reference numbers

1

soil

2

front

3

front element

4

Round steel, in width

5

Round steel, angled

6

support grid

7

Front grille part

8th

Floor grating part

9

interstitial

10

retaining element

11

End of the holding element in front / above

12

End of the holding element behind / below

13

Round steel on the intermediate grille, in width

14

gap

15

Filling material, front coarse fill

16

Backfill space

17

Filling material, rear main bed

18

Geocompatible make on the intermediate grille

19

Second geocompatible brand

20

reinforcing element

21

tension element

22

anchoring

23

fuse element

24

Humus-filled sack

25

Planum

Claims (13)

1. Ground structure, especially a supporting or cladding structure, built against the ground mass (1), having a steep face (2), having facing elements (3) arranged beside one another and stacked above one another in rows and composed of angular supporting grids (6) each of which has an upwardly oriented facing grid portion (7) and a substantially horizontal base grid portion (8), the facing grid portions (7) together substantially forming a grid arrangement that is congruent with the face (2), the base grid portions (8) extending from the face (2) into the ground structure, and the facing elements (3) being filled with fill material (107, 108) such as rubble, aggregate or earth material,
         characterised in that
      a facing element (3) is provided with an intermediate grid (9), which is fastened to it by means of holding elements (10) and is arranged substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the facing grid portion (7), on the side thereof that faces the ground mass (1),
      an intermediate space (14) formed in the facing element (3), between the facing grid portion (7) and the intermediate grid (9), is filled with coarse fill material (15) such as rubble or aggregate, whilst
      a backfill space (16) - which, on that face of the intermediate grid (9) which is remote from the facing grid portion (7), at least extends between the intermediate grid (9) and the base grid portion (8) - is filled with any desired bulk material (17).
2. Ground structure according to claim 1, characterised in that the intermediate grid (9) is provided with a sheet-like, geocompatible fabrication (18).
3. Ground structure according to claim 2, characterised in that the intermediate grid (9) is, on its side that faces the facing grid portion (7), covered with the sheet-like, geocompatible fabrication (18).
4. Ground structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, in a supporting grid (6), at least the facing grid portion (7) is, on its side that faces the intermediate grid (9), provided, especially covered, with a second sheet-like, geocompatible fabrication (19).
5. Ground structure according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the intermediate grid (9) is arranged spaced apart from the facing grid portion (7) at a distance that is less than approximately half the height of the facing element (3).
6. Ground structure according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the base grid portions (8) of the supporting grids (6) are located on top of a substantially sheet-like, flat reinforcing element (20) and are held on it by clamping.
7. Ground structure according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the base grid portions (8) of the supporting grids (6) are back-hung or fixed by means of tension elements (21) on anchors (22) and/or securing elements (23) in the backfill space (16) and/or in the built-against ground mass (1).
8. Ground structure according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that, for the purpose of planting of the face (2), for example with climbing plants, shrubs or the like, at least one elongate humus-filled bag (24), extending from the face (2) or facing grid portion (7) via the intermediate space (14) and through the intermediate grid (9) into the backfill space (16), is placed in a facing element (3).
9. Method of producing a ground structure according to claim 1, alternatively characterised either by the following steps:

   a) establishing a level (25);

   b) setting supporting grids (6) beside one another in a row on the level (25) to construct a layer of facing elements (3) arranged beside one another in a row;

   c) inserting an intermediate grid (9) into each facing element (3) substantially parallel to the facing grid portion (7) thereof, spaced apart therefrom and on the side thereof that faces the ground mass (1);

   d) fastening the intermediate grid (9) to the facing element (3) by means of at least one holding element (10);

   e) filling, either in the order given as follows or in the reverse order, of the intermediate space (14) between the facing grid portion (7) and the intermediate grid (9) with coarse fill material (15) such as rubble or aggregate, and of the backfill space (16) - which, on that face of the intermediate grid (9) which is remote from the facing grid portion (7), at least extends between the intermediate grid (9) and the base grid portion - with any selected bulk material (17);

   f) repeating steps (a) to (e) until the facing elements (3) stacked on top of one another and filled, or the completed ground structure, have/has reached a desired final height.

   or by the following steps:

   g) provision of prefabricated facing elements (3) by inserting an intermediate grid (9) into each facing element (3) substantially parallel to the facing grid portion (7) thereof, spaced apart therefrom and on the side thereof that faces the ground mass (1), and fastening the intermediate grid (9) to the facing element (3) by means of at least one holding element (10);

   h) establishing a level (25);

   i) setting facing elements (3) beside one another in a row on the level (25) to construct a layer of facing elements (3) arranged beside one another in a row;

   j) filling, either in the order given as follows or in the reverse order, of the intermediate space (14) between the facing grid portion (7) and the intermediate grid (9) with coarse fill material (15) such as rubble or aggregate, and of the backfill space (16) - which, on that face of the intermediate grid (9) which is remote from the facing grid portion (7), at least extends between the intermediate grid (9) and the base grid portion - with any selected bulk material (17);

   k) repeating steps (h) to (j) until the facing elements (3) stacked on top of one another and filled, or the completed ground structure, have/has reached a desired final height.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the intermediate grid (9) is, either before or after its insertion, provided, especially covered, with a sheet-like, geocompatible fabrication (18).
11. Method according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterised in that, in a facing element (3), at least the facing grid portion (7) is, either before or after setting the supporting grid (6) in place, provided, especially covered, with a second sheet-like, geocompatible fabrication (19).
12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that, before the supporting grids (6) are set in place on the level (25), a substantially sheet-like, flat reinforcing element (20) is placed on the level (25) and then the supporting grids (6) are so set in place on the reinforcing element (20) that the base grid portions (8) of the supporting grids (6) are supported on the level (25) by means of the reinforcing element (20).
13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that, for the purpose of planting of the face (2), for example with climbing plants, shrubs or the like, at least one elongate humus-filled bag (24) is, before carrying out filling steps (e) or (j), in each case so placed in a facing element (3) that it extends from the face (2) or facing grid portion (7) via the intermediate space (14) and through the intermediate grid (9) into the backfill space (16).

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