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Landscape • 4" x 18" x 12" • 1/2 sq ft • 36 lbs

OPEN CORE GEOSTONE

-The Best Kept Secret In The Industry

Standard • 8" x 18" x 12" • 1 sq ft • 72 lbs

Universal Cap • 4" x 18" x 12" • 50 lbs

COMPARISON OF ENGINEERED MODULES ON THE MARKET

All engineered modules in the market have been granted a patent based upon their unique method of connection. Connection methods include lips, pins, lugs, bars, clips, and open core.

All engineered modules have been tested in NCMA approved testing labs to determine the precise strength of their connection. Their connection strengths differ.

Engineers use the connection strength numbers achieved by the test results for each module to design walls with that module.

Examples of various patented retaining wall modules

NCMA Testing - Block to Block Shear

NCMA Testing - Grid Pull Out Test

NCMA Testing - Grid pullout simulator

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These charts show GeoStone's grid pull out tests in comparison to other systems' test results using various grids. GeoStone's open core is shown in comparison to a commercial lip system and a commercial pin system.

Each chart represents a different grid strength or gauge. Wall height is represented as well as pressures exerted in the effort to simulate the force required to represent grid pull out or wall failure. The ultimate goal of these tests is to see how much force is required to produce a simulated wall failure.

The black line represents the GeoStone Retaining Wall System. The chart shows in all cases that due to its larger open core and Rock Interlock, the GeoStone system continues to get stronger as the wall gets taller resulting in far superior connection strength. In other words, the grids do not pull out of the GeoStone wall.

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Connection Strength Comparisons

GeoStone Open-Core vs Pin System

GeoStone Open-Core vs Lip System

Comparison Performed By:

Scott A. Jacobs, P.E.

Senior Geo-technical Engineer

ECS Carolinas, LLP

8702 Red Oak Boulevard, Suite A

Charlotte, NC 28127

GeoStone Walls are built using the same procedures used in construction of all segmental walls. There are no LIPS, PINS, BARS, or LUGS. GeoStone's exclusive OPEN-CORE design achieves maximum connection strength through ROCK INTERLOCK. * Note: Click on spec sheet above to download.

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GEOSTONE USES OPEN-CORE CONNECTION

Advantages of GeoStone Open-Core

Maximum Connection Strength
Weighs less than any engineered module

Maximum Flexibility and Freedom to be Creative
Vertical Walls
90° Corner
Speed of Construction
Ashlar 3 Piece

ADVANTAGES OF GEOSTONE OPEN-CORE

Top View - GeoStone Open Core Block

Rock Quarry Walls - 47 ft tall / all rock backfill / maximum live load surcharge

Wendy's- 23 ft tall / all rock backfill / Commercial traffic / live load surcharge

Upscale downtown living - 4" block retaining walls with significant backslope.

4" block retaining wall 17' tall supporting swimming pool and basketball court

15' tall retaining wall - GeoStone 4" block - commercial dumpster pad on 90° corner. Footing in wetlands area.

25' tall retaining wall - GeoStone 4" block - Proposed medical office and parking lot. Severe bottom slope.

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Maximum Connection Strength

Open Core utilizes Rock Interlock Connection
Larger Core = More Rock = Superior Connection & Drainage capabilities
Rock Quarry Walls
- 47 ft tall
- Max live load - surcharge (mining dump trucks 200+ ton)
Wendy's (Commercial Drive)
- 23 ft tall
- Drive-through within 3 ft of back of wall

ADVANTAGES OF GEOSTONE OPEN-CORE

GeoStone Landscape Block: 4”x18”x12” – 36 lbs

GeoStone Standard Block: 8”x18”x12” – 72 lbs

GeoStone 8" and 4" blocks animated - View all sides

- No "hidden" appendages / connectors! True open core.

Delivery of GeoStone - Simple design = balanced pallet (easier handling in transport than lip and lug systems)

GeoStone Landscape 4" block - lighter weight makes it easier to maneuver on difficult terrain - carrying up hill

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Weighs less than any engineered module

4”x18”x12” – 36 lbs
8”x18”x12” – 72 lbs
Lower cost of materials
Easier and less cost to produce
Logistics – more square footage per truck

ADVANTAGES OF GEOSTONE OPEN-CORE

GeoStone various stair options - Inside corners, Inside radius, Outside corners, Outside radius - Interior stairs / Exterior stairs

GeoStone various stair options - Inside corners, Inside radius, Outside corners, Outside radius - Interior stairs / Exterior stairs2

GeoStone Landscape Block: 4”x18”x12” – Dual stairs surround natural area supported by retaining wall

GeoStone Landscape Block: 4”x18”x12” – inside steps with landings in tiered retaining wall application

GeoStone Ashlar retaining wall with steps and landings. Interior & Exterior steps.

GeoStone ashlar retaining wall - transition from interior steps (below grade) to exterior steps (above grade).

GeoStone display - recirculating ponds with dual sheer decent waterfalls (located here)

GeoStone 4" Landscape walls with pool. Sheer descent waterfalls in retaining wall at various locations.

Repair of GeoStone commercial wall - Ladder Technique - Only possible with open core system

Wall Repair - Ladder Technique - Only possible with open core system. Dismantle wall ONLY in affected area.

Wall will abut concrete wall, turn inside 90° and continue along face of concrete wall as veneer

Wall will abut concrete wall, turn inside 90° and continue along face of concrete wall as veneer - Back notch on block

Back notch on GeoStone block shown above in the middle allows block to be "clipped" to another structure without affecting how the next course sits.

Back indention on GeoStone block allows block to be "clipped" CMU's adding a tail to the GeoStone block for gravity wall applications. This moves the unit's center of gravity back and increases unit weight. Can be used in top courses as additional resistance to overturning.

GeoStone 4" Landscape Block - built in stairs

GeoStone 4" Landscape Block - built in column

GeoStone 4" Landscape Block - column (Half / Whole Corner method) uses 6 block per course. Other column options are available using universal cap.

GeoStone 4" Landscape Block - built in stairs

Slope Walls - Making usable area out of sloped terrain - Top wall retains cut - Bottom wall retains flat patio area - Use material (if suitable) from cut to level out retained area.

Raft Footing - Necessary for conditions that involve unstable footings / possibility of differential settlement. Raft footings can extend to into retained areas if needed.

GeoStone 4" block is especially easy to manufacture on paver machines and therefore made in paver colors. Picture above shows 3 color mix with white cement. Very popular in coastal regions.

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Maximum Flexibility and Freedom to be Creative

Stairs
- Exterior / Interior
- Radius / Corner
- Above Grade / Below Grade
Ponds / Water Features
Repairs
- Remove section
  - Stair Step vs Ladder Technique

ADVANTAGES OF GEOSTONE OPEN-CORE

GeoStone Landscape Block: 4”x18”x12” True Vertical retaining wall – Abutting existing brick wall.

GeoStone Landscape Block: 4”x18”x12” – Abutting concrete wall and stone veneer - gradual transition from true vertical to 5° setback at corner

GeoStone Standard Block: 8”x18”x12” True Vertical retaining wall – Abutting existing concrete wall.

Property code restrictions prevented the use of batter in some places due to sidewalk widths and parking areas. Toe of slope was variable as top of wall location was fixed.

Rock Quarry walls - 47' tall - Max loading. Rock crusher located below mandated minimal batter in wall or near vertical (1°) as settling over time would lead to true vert.

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Vertical Walls

Necessary for
- abutting existing structures
- Commercial Codes
  - Parking Lots/Property Lines
  - Sidewalks
  - Toe of Slope
- Rock Quarry Walls
  - Rock Crusher Below
Not Possible With Built-In Batter Systems
- Lips
- Lugs
- Pins (near vertical option)

ADVANTAGES OF GEOSTONE OPEN-CORE

Corner block - different run / color difference

old/sitting up = efflorescence

Corner block - different run / color difference

old/sitting up = efflorescence2

What not to do.

Miter corners - no interlocking properties - separation is emanate.

GeoStone retaining wall corners - Half Whole procedure

GeoStone retaining walls - Inside & Outside Corners

GeoStone Corner - "Half" Side (other half used on next course)

GeoStone Corner - "Whole" Side

GeoStone retaining walls - various radius applications

Summit retaining walls - Pins, batter, and radius - It just doesn't work. Pins won't aling with holes after certain height

Ashlar Wall - Radius and Corners - Get creative!

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Corner and Radius

Corner Block
- ALWAYS different run
- Not available - have to be made
- Available - sitting up / efflorescence
- Another item to estimate
Miter Corner (cutting on 45°)
- joint always opens up
GeoStone Corners
- Half Whole Rule
- 1.5 Blocks per course
- Corner Video
Inside Corner
Radius
- Radius + Batter
  - Pin Systems
  - Lip Systems
  - Lug Systems