Abstract: Excavating equipment comprising a rigid support structure with articulately mounted surface clamps, an excavating device downstream of the surface clamps in a direction of excavation and an urging device for urging the excavation means in a direction of excavation during excavating. The equipment further comprises a power device coupled to the excavating device for operating same and for operating the urging device. The power device is also coupled to the surface clamps for laterally displacing the surface clamps against rigid supporting surfaces so as to generate a counter-reaction to forces generated by operation of the excavating device. Additionally, a displacing device is coupled to the support structure for displacing the equipment into and out of an excavation.

Abstract: A method for underground excavation below an area, without opening the area above the excavation, the method comprising constructing at least a pair of diaphragm walls, the walls being at two opposite sides of the area and extend substantially from the surface area to beneath the lowest level of the excavation. Either prior or after constructing the walls, a plurality of tunnels are bored under the surface area, with the tunnels extending from one diaphragm wall of a pair to another and having a diameter allowing them to accommodate one or more cables. Then, the one or more cables are inserted through the tunnels, and tensioned with their ends anchored to two diaphragm walls of a pair and excavating is performed between said diaphragm walls and beneath the cables.

Abstract: For the drilling of bore holes there is provided an assembly of drilling machine elements which are positioned on top of each other and which include a gripping body comprising of two or more shells between which are positioned expanding-contracting cylinders for causing the shells to be pressed against the wall of a hole being drilled, a hollow drive shaft and a drilling tool being suspended below the gripping body. In addition to the above mentioned gripping body which acts outwardly of the center of the assembly, there are provided gripping plates which act radially inwardly of the hollow drive shaft to grip the stem of the drilling tool, which extends within the hollow drive shaft.

Abstract: Soil drilling tools are provided with at least two sidewardly movable plate members adapted to exert pressure on the wall of a bore hole to prevent a cave in.

Abstract: A ground anchor is composed of a number of components and is firmly held in position in the ground by its components being moved apart and firmly urged onto the wall of the cavity in which the ground anchor is positioned.