Abstract: Tunnel liners are formed from panels of arched, bendable sheet material. The panels include a central portion, inclined side portions, wing portions, and hook and receptacle portions on opposite sides of each panel. Panels are joined with the hook portion of one panel fitting into the receptacle portion of the other panel and are then continuously seamed from the underside, i.e., the inside of the arched assembly.

Abstract: A method of renovating sewers or pipes where an elongate plastic strip (30) is spirally wound in the sewer or pipe, the strip having joint formations (32) along each side so that a joint formation (33) on one side of the strip will butt against the joint formation (34) along the other side of an adjacent strip and a joining strip ( 50 ) is spirally wound into engagement with the adjacent joint formations to lock the windings of the strip into place. Grout is injected into the spaces between the liner and the wall of the sewer or pipe to secure the liner in position.

Abstract: A tubbing-type tunnel lining, which comprises a plurality of tubbing rings, each of which consists of an even number of tubbing blocks, which are similar or identical and have a trapezium-shaped or trapezoidal or diamond basic shape and are so arranged that the joints between adjacent rings are defined by the end faces of said blocks and are connected together by plug-connections, which permit a restricted transmission of shear forces, and in each ring are connected at inclined longitudinal gaps by key-groove connections consisting of continuous longitudinal grooves in inclined longitudinal side faces and keys inserted therein.

Abstract: A tunnel wall with a lining is comprised of substantially trapeze- or trapezoid-shaped tubbing stones (8-13), which are at least similar and complement each other in an even number to form a respective tubbing ring (7), the tubbing stones being held together at their end faces (14, 15) defining the annular gap after mounting by dowel-like plug connections permitting a limited transfer of shearing forces and along the oblique longitudinal gaps (16) by groove-spring connections consisting of springs (18) inserted into longitudinal grooves (17) extending along the oblique longitudinal sides.

Abstract: Underground storage tank consisting of an internal metal structure (1), of a static external facing (2) and of a filler (4) such a hot blown bitumen located between the metal structure (1) and the static facing (2), the outer surface of the metal structure (1) presenting welded structural shapes (7) properly spaced and cross connected to increase the bond between the metal structure (1) and the filler (4).

Abstract: Tunnel liner plate assembly comprising a tunnel liner plate comprising an outer wall and inwardly extending side and end flanges, each having bolt holes therein, and a longitudinally extending plate metal reinforcement extending from end flange to the other and comprising a center section which abuts the outer wall of the liner plate, a pair of upstanding side section which are integrally joined to the center section along respective side edges, and laterally projecting flanges which project laterally from the upper (or inward) edges of the respective side sections. The center section and the side sections together provide a U-shaped configuration and the laterally projecting flanges, which are spaced from the outer plate of the outer wall of the tunnel liner plate and are parallel thereto, afford a marked increase in moment of inertia and section modulus with very little increase in mass.

Abstract: A process for the construction of a semi-buried structure for the protection of a subgrade formed on a mountainside, and the structure thus constructed. The structure consists entirely of precast concrete elements forming a succession of adjacent sections, each consisting of three precast elements, respectively an upper covering element bearing, via longitudinal articulations, on two side elements comprising, respectively, a solid wall on the uphill side and at least one pillar on the downhill side, and each provided with a widened footing enabling the element simply to be placed on the ground, and with an upper portion in the form of a stringer on which are formed longitudinal portions for the articulated bearing of the corresponding lateral edge of the covering element. The invention applies, in particular, to the protection of highways or railroad tracks in mountainous locations.

Abstract: A seal for leaking fissures or faults of a tunnel which has a first, deformable layer with two surfaces, one of which is scalloped in vertical cross-sectional dimension and the other of which abuts a second flexible layer of more dense material such as neoprene. The surface of the second layer remote from the first layer is overlain about its periphery by strapping preferably made from steel. The seals are generally rectangular in horizontal plan and if the seal is sufficiently elongated intermediate strappings are provided between the width end straps as required. A plurality of registering apertures are provided in the first and second layers and the strapping material to receive therethrough elongated self-threading concrete screws for securing the seal into pilot holes in the tunnel surface around a leaking fissure or fault.

Abstract: A method of renovating sewers or pipes where an elongate plastic strip (30) is spirally wound in the sewer or pipe, the strip having joint formations (32) along each side so that the joint formation (33) on one side of the strip will butt against the joint formation (34) along the other side of an adjacent strip and a joining strip (50) is spirally wound into engagement with the adjacent joint formations to lock the windings of the strip into place. Grout is injected into the spaces between the liner and the wall of the sewer or pipe to secure the liner in position.

Abstract: A liner for large diameter pipes is formed from lengths of PVC panels (10) which are cut to length and placed around the wall of the pipe, the ends (19) of the panels being butt-joined by joining strips (20). Each panel (10) has a formation along one side complementary with a formation along the other side so that adjacent panels (10) can be clipped together to form a liner extending from manhole to manhole along the pipe.

Abstract: This invention concerns paneling for the internal walls of road tunnels, preferably provided with a fretted transversal section and characterized by the remarkable simplicity with which it can be mounted and maintained, and able to guarantee the diffusion of the right amount of light inside the tunnels themselves, as well as efficiently containing any water which may seep from the walls of such tunnels.

Abstract: An arcuate tunnel lining segment includes a precast concrete body that is divided into two angularly adjoining segment parts by a compressible strip which runs the length of the segment and throughout the thickness thereof. The segment parts are held fastened together through the strip by a plurality of connectors each having two laterally protruding ends which are embedded in the respective segment parts. The connectors are anchored in a way that permits the adjoining faces of the segment parts to move towards one another as the compressible strip becomes compressed in use.

Abstract: An improvement in corrugated structural panels, useful in the construction of tunnels, shoring, and other pressure bearing or containing structures, wherein the improvement comprises the utilization of a prism element transverse to the longitudinal axis of the corrugation in the design of the end sections of each corrugation within the panel thereby providing means to collect shear, bending and axial stresses from the corrugated panel and transmit them to the panel's supporting edge.

Abstract: An insulating and rehabilitation system especially adapted to unlined rock tunnels forthe prevention of ice buildup on tunnel arches, walls and base structurethe prevention of future deterioration of tunnel rock structure resulting from freeze-thaw cycle, andthe stabilization of present tunnel rock structure which has been weakened by prior freeze-thaw cycles.The system comprises a modular system of sandwich panels with protected metal skins and insulating cores, prefabricated as a complete liner system to conform with tunnel dimensions and clearance requirements.

Abstract: A method of waterproofing inner surfaces of tunnels, channels and mine galleries in which sheets of material are unrolled and cut in situ and applied to the surfaces of the wall to obtain the desired fit and so that the sheets are overlapped. Holes are cut into the walls through the sheets and anchors are attached to the walls. The anchors applied where the sheets overlap are on top of one of the sheets and are covered by another sheets. The overlapping regions are welded by thermal fusion. The anchors in the intermediate zones (where the sheets do not overlap) are covered with a circular part made from the same material as the sheets and more than 6 cm. greater than the diameter of the anchor heads. The anchors are applied in a greater density at the starting and ending zones and a sealing bead is applied between the sheets and the wall surface.

Abstract: A tunnel or pipe section which includes a plurality of panels which are connected together to form a closed tunnel or pipe section. Each panel includes a plurality of tubular connectors which are anchored within the panel, preferably to the reinforcing members of the concrete panels, and which are connected to one another, such as by bolting through apertures in walls of the aligned connectors.

Abstract: A tubbing ring for lining a tunnel comprises end faces lying in respective planes, which preferably include an acute angle with each other. The tubbing ring comprises an even number of tubbing blocks, which have abutting longitudinal side faces that have such an inclination to a line which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ring that the tubbing blocks constitute ring segments which are substantially trapezoidal in a view on a diametral plane.

Abstract: Shield tunnelling method and assembling and disassembling apparatus for use in practicing the method. A shield having shield jacks is actuated for drilling a hole in the ground. Inner forms and outer forms are assembled into a plurality of tubular units coaxially jointed in the hole so that an annular concrete lining space is defined between the inner forms and the outer forms, the tubular units having a leading tubular unit.The shield jacks are applied against inner forms of the leading tubular units for thrusting the shield during actuating of the shield to further drill the hole. A concrete is injected into the annular concrete lining space to form a concrete lining. The concrete lining within a predetermined length of tubular units is set for providing adhesion to the inner forms, in contact with the concrete lining, against a reaction force of the jack thrust for the shield.

Abstract: A sealing profile made of rubber or rubber-like material, for sealing tubular tunnel segments provided with a recess extending therearound at their edges. The base surface of the profile has 4, 5, or 6 grooves extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction. Correspondingly, on top of the grooves are 3, 4, or 5 ducts, respectively, which are displaced sideways with respect to the grooves. The ducts also extend parallel in the longitudinal direction of the profile. The base surface of the profile has a plane surface and the grooves are identically shaped and arranged with equal spacings between each other. The ducts disposed above the grooves also have the same spacing between each other. The wall thickness of the profile is nearly everywhere equal, and the lateral sides of the profile are inclined with an angle of 10.degree. to 20.degree..

Abstract: The invention relates to the construction of tunnels.Its subject is a shuttering and shoring wall formed by joining end to end sections (1) which each consists of at least two section parts (2, 3, 4, 5) joined together end to end, the ends facing one another being connected by means of a key (6). Each section part consists of a certain number of elements articulated relative to one another. The key has two lateral insertion surfaces, and the end elements adjacent to the latter are equipped with assembly means compatible with these insertion surfaces.The advantage of the shuttering wall according to the invention is that it consists of elements which can be adapted to any tunnel shape and which can be recovered after use, is easy to handle, makes it possible to transmit longitudinal and transverse forces generated as a result of the advance of the shield of the tunnel-driving machine and the casting of the concrete and does not require the use of a shuttering skin.

Abstract: A curtain wall (12) used to divide the shaft in a shaft construction (10) is made of panels (26) in the shapes of parallelograms. Side edges (28 and 30) of the panels (26) are received in channels (18 and 20) in the peripheral wall (16) of the shaft construction. These side edges are parallel to each other, and the perpendicular projections of each side edge are substantially non-overlapping with the other side edge. The result is that the panels can be lowered lengthwise into place and then rotated into the proper orientation. The panels can therefore be lowered through smaller openings than rectangular panels can, and they do not have to be lowered by "chivvying," as rectangular panels do.

Abstract: A method for producing cylindrical hollow bodies bearing on the ground along one generatrice, of large cross sectional area, by assembling on site previously prepared longitudinal components.The method consists in determining by calculation the optimum cross-sectional profile of said hollow body as a function of known parameters concerning the site, conditions of use of said hollow body and its inherent characteristics; divising said optimum cross-sectional profile into adjacent sections each corresponding to a longitudinal component of the hollow body and together providing a substantially continuous interior surface; and giving the transverse wall section of at least some of said components a variable thickness for adapting the latter component to the stresses to be exerted thereon.

Abstract: A prefabricated support and covering structure for making artificial tunnels, small bridges, and the like, is comprised of a plurality of modular bodies each of which consists of a plurality of prefabricated reinforced concrete panels interconnected by reinforcing rods so that upon lifting of the center portion of each modular body the prefabricated panels will fold about hinges defined by the reinforcing rods. The reinforcing rods are disposed at angles relative to each other and intersect along a line parallel to the axis of the structure, which line defines the hinge axis. Each prefabricated panel of reinforced concrete has abutting edges and the gap between the confronting faces of the panels is filled with binding material. The modular bodies are each provided with lateral flanges to define a space between the lateral spaces of adjacent bodies which is also filled with a binding material to unite the modular bodies to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular system for construction of an overcast for use in a mine. The overcast comprises a plurality of rectangular sheets of cladding each braced to resist out of plane deformation and connected in edge abutment by fastenings extending through holes in edge flanges perpendicular to the sheets. The sheets are supported on each side of being joined to support members comprising two rectangular sheets disposed at an angle one to the other each braced to resist out of plane deformation and each having perforated edge flanges extending perpendicularly along the free edges thereof. The overcast can be extended in either length or span by the addition of further sheets and/or support members. In a modification the support members are fitted with telescopically adjustable legs which can yield in response to floor heave or roof pressure to reduce structural damage to the overcast.

Abstract: The invention provides a tunnel lining and a method of constructing the tunnel lining by aligning prestressed resilient lining panels of uniform thickness, such as plywood sheets, where longitudinal edges of the panels abut to form a ring. The longitudinal edges of the panel correspond to, and impose thrust against a second longitudinal edge of an adjacent panel. The thrust causes bending of the panels to form an arc about the longitudinal axis of the panels and to cause internal stresses within the ring to counteract loads applied at the exterior of the panels. The ring can consist of multiple layers of panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving casing rings of an interior casing in tunnels, shafts and the like structures is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubular support bridge structure arranged interiorly with respect to the inner casing, and a longitudinally movable transport carriage with carriage support ring which concentrically surrounds the support bridge structure. The apparatus also includes a segment support ring which carries adjustment manipulator assemblies for a respective casing ring. The segment support ring can be inclined with respect to the carriage support ring. A first intermediate support ring is mounted between the carriage support ring and the segment support ring. The connection for this includes cross guide assemblies and two pairs of control piston-cylinder assemblies. The control piston-cylinder assemblies serve to actuate the first intermediate support ring.

Abstract: Two adjoining voussoirs 1, 2 in a tunnel shield are assembled by sandwiching a wedge 12 between their adjacent sides 7, 8. The wedge extends over the entire length and width of the voussoir sides, and has concave surfaces 12a of equal curvature radius to the convex surfaces of the voussoir sides. The angle .alpha. between the adjacent outer surfaces of the voussoirs may be adjusted by varying the radial disposition of the wedge before tightening the assembly. The full mating contact between the voussoir sides and the wedge evenly distributes the applied stress.

Abstract: An apparatus for tightening a ring of refractory brick in order to accommodate the installation of the key brick into a key brick space of such a refractory brick ring to tightly close and complete the ring is provided. The apparatus includes an expansion frame including a first end and a second end. The first end is selectively attachable to a first brick on one side of the key brick space at a point on the first brick remote to the key brick space. The second end is selectively attachable to a second brick on the opposing side of the key brick space at a point on the second brick remote to the key brick space. A power device is associated with the expansion frame for providing outwardly opposing force on the first and second ends such that circumferential compressive force is exerted on the refractory brick ring remotely from the key brick space to tighten the ring.

Abstract: Arch elements (S) of an overfilled load support structure (L) suitable for use in highway construction are associated with a foundation (F) by a hinge (10). The hinge is formed by edges (12,14) of the arch element bearing on a horizontally disposed load bearing surface (22) and a vertically disposed load bearing surface (24). Essentially unrestrained rotation about the edge bearing on the horizontally disposed surface is permitted, and translation of the element is primarily restrained by the edge bearing against the vertically disposed load bearing surface. The rest of the element is spaced from the foundation.

Abstract: Arcuate concrete segments of a tunnel lining are joined together by means of a recess in a segment edge having a pair of abutment members projecting into the recess to define a constriction therein, the abutment members forming a pair of abutment surfaces facing inwardly of the constriction, and a screw-threaded headed bolt in an adjacent segment, the segments being positioned edge to edge with the bolt inserted in the recess and moved relatively to each other so that the bolt head engages the abutment surfaces. The recess is accessible from inside the lining to allow the bolt head to be tightened.

Abstract: A modular cast concrete element of this invention, capable of being assembled with other, similar elements into a tubular underground installation (e.g., sewer duct, tunnel liner) has a well opening to each of its axially-facing end surfaces wherein a rod is received that is insertable in a like well in an axially adjacent element to guide one of the elements to a predetermined position relative to the other and lock it in that position. In each well is a securement member having an annular radially outer marginal portion confined in a circumferential radially inwardly opening groove in the well and having resilient radially inwardly projecting teeth. The teeth have radially inner edges on a circle of smaller diameter than the rod and are flexible axially to enable the rod to be easily inserted into the securement member but to engage it under convergent bias for holding it against withdrawal from the well.

Abstract: A method and system for lining shafts such as mining shafts, comprising precasting lining panels and placing them in the shaft, assembling them to form a lining section, then filling the void behind the precast lining panels to secure the lining in place. Subsequent lining panels are passed down through previous liner sections, assembled and positioned around the walls of the shaft and temporarily secured. The void behind these sections is then filled to set the liner section. The precast panels are provided with hangers for temporarily hanging subsequent sections and also are provided with apertures or doors for pouring grouting to fill the void behind the panels after they are positioned. Each panel is also provided with a joint for mating with adjacent panels which permits checking the panel sections before placement and assembly into a lining section.

Abstract: In shoring a mine tunnel, use is made of a plurality of panels 11 each comprising a rectangular member with detents 15 formed in two opposed edges. The panel 11 may be composed entirely of sheet metal or may comprise spaced-apart rectangular or strips of sheet metal, with spaces between occupied by wire or rod mesh. The detents may comprise U-shaped tongues 18 defined by a C-shaped slot 16 and a T-shaped slot 17 the tongues acting in a hook like manner to interconnect the detents 15 on the superimposed edges of adjacent panels 11. Where the panel 11 is entirely of sheet metal, apertures 25 may be provided along the other pair of opposed sides for engagement of links such as 58; where the panel is partly of mesh such links can be looped through the mesh.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tunnel lining ring made up of a plurality of pre-cast arcuate concrete tunnel lining segments (10,11). The segments providing the lower part of the ring are formed with a recess (17) around the inner surface thereof to receive a secondary lining (18) in the completed tunnel to enable the inner surface of the invert of the tunnel to be graded as required and hence eliminate irregularities caused during the construction of the tunnel.

Abstract: Thin, sheet metal elements with longitudinally arranged corrugations are used for a gallery construction. The cross-sectional form of the thin, metal sheets is wavy. The construction elements are easy to handle, and can be quickly assembled to provide a provisional gallery. Final assembly with anchoring stays or with supporting arches can subsequently take place under the protection of the provisional construction.

Abstract: This invention discloses a prefabricated liner plate for lining the interior of a subterranean tunnel as a primary lining. The liner plate is formed in such a manner that an outer arcuate face has a depression formed therein so that a filter placed in the depression permits water flow therethrough, but prevents the passage of surrounding soil particles therethrough. Suitable conduit means allow any water which may pass through the filter to be bled through the liner plate and led out of the tunnel.

Abstract: A hollow tube element of a predetermined maximal width and defining a predetermined axis adapted to be secured to an adjoining hollow element defines a prearranged axis for use as building blocks for the construction of a tunnel; either element is rotatable about its axis by an arbitrary angle relative to the other. The hollow tube element includes a plurality of interconnected slabs; the locus of intersection of an imaginary first plane tangential to a first exterior portion of the hollow tube element with an imaginary second plane, and tangential to a second exterior portion of said hollow tube element disposed opposite the first portion, both plates having the predetermined width, is an imaginary annular surface having a predetermined outer diameter when either element is rotated 360.degree. about its axis relative to the other. The outer diameter is finite when the planes are converging at a finite distance from the element, and otherwise infinite.

Abstract: A form for producing a wall, particularly for an underground gallery, comprises a plurality of support members spaced from each other and casing elements supported on the support members. Each casing element includes two casing plates spaced from each other and consisting of shape-retaining synthetic resin, end and side walls extending between the casing plates, and a set of substantially parallel webs of synthetic resin. The webs connect the casing plates to provide a shape-retaining support for the casing plates and to transmit between the plates stress and pressure forces to which the casing element is subjected.