Abstract: A connector for a mucking duct of a tunnel boring machine including a fitting having a first end configured to be added and fastened onto the flexible pipe of the mucking duct and a second end configured to be mounted on an additional duct section, and a clamping device, mounted in the fitting and configured to block the additional duct section relative to the fitting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (S10) for optimizing the characteristics of a tunnel boring machine, particularly a tunnel boring machine of the slurry pressure or VD type, said method comprising the following steps: S0: determining a ground/machine interaction model, S11: instantaneous measurement of the set of specific boring parameters of the tunnel boring machine, S13: determining the group of individuals corresponding to the boring parameters measured in step S11 by means of the ground/machine interaction model, S14: optimizing the characteristics of the tunnel boring machine as a function of the group of individuals thus determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting wheel of a tunnel boring machine comprising at least one material discharge opening (5), said discharge opening (5) being delimited by a circumferential wall (10), the cutting wheel (3) being characterized in that it further comprises at least one ultrasonic emitter (6) configured to generate a mechanical vibratory motion in a range of ultrasonic frequencies, said emitter (6) being fixed against the circumferential wall (10) so as to transmit the mechanical vibratory motion to the vibrating circumferential wall (10) and to reduce its coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A trailer of a backup train of a tunnel boring machine includes a rolling means configured to allow movement of the trailer on a circulation route, a chassis including a lower portion including the rolling means and an upper portion, opposite to the rolling means, conveying means, fixed in the lower portion of the chassis, the conveying means being configured to move at least one support along the trailer, the support being configured to transport at least one arch segment along the chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated device for drilling a hole in the vault and walls of a tunnel and for installing an anchoring element in said hole, characterized in that it comprises: a robot (5) comprising a base (50), a robotic arm (51) extending from the base and a multifunctional head (52) arranged at the end of the arm and movable over 360 degrees, said multifunctional head comprising a drilling means (520), a percussion means (521) suitable for inserting an anchoring element in the hole, and a vision system (522), an elevating platform (1) bearing a device (2) for guiding in translation the base of the robot, a control unit suitable for communicating with a controller of the robot and comprising a processor configured to determine in real time the position of the robot in a three-dimensional reference frame of the tunnel and a man-machine interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automated picking up and placing of a segment forming the lining of a tunnel, intended to be coupled to a tunnel-boring machine (1) provided with a segment erector (2), comprising:—a controller designed to communicate with an automated system of the tunnel boring machine, suitable for controlling the actuation of the erector; and—a three-dimensional vision system comprising at least four laser profilometers; the controller is designed to receive a segment positioning plan and to determine, from the analysis data of the three-dimensional vision system, the measurement data of the erector sensors and the segment positioning plan, an erector trajectory for positioning the segment (V) to be placed in alignment with a segment and/or ring (A) of segments already placed, and to communicate movement commands to the automated system of the tunnel boring machine, for actuating the erector to pick up the segment to be placed and move it according to the above trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automated picking up and placing of a segment forming the lining of a tunnel, intended to be coupled to a tunnel-boring machine (1) provided with a segment erector (2), comprising: —a controller designed to communicate with an automated system of the tunnel boring machine, suitable for controlling the actuation of the erector; and —a three-dimensional vision system comprising at least four laser profilometers; the controller is designed to receive a segment positioning plan and to determine, from the analysis data of the three-dimensional vision system, the measurement data of the erector sensors and the segment positioning plan, an erector trajectory for positioning the segment (V) to be placed in alignment with a segment and/or ring (A) of segments already placed, and to communicate movement commands to the automated system of the tunnel boring machine, for actuating the erector to pick up the segment to be placed and move it according to the above trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter holder (1) for a tunnel boring machine, comprising: a housing (2) comprising two cavities (26) formed in opposite walls (20), and two clamping sets (3), configured to be removably mounted on either side of the roller cutter (10) in the housing (2), and each comprising: a base plate (32), and a center wedge (34), movably mounted on the base plate (32), two side wedges (36), hinged between the base plate (32) and the center wedge (34) between a retracted position and a clamping position, wherein the side wedges (36) transversely swing and enter into the cavity (26) facing the housing (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing a disk cutter (1) mounted with preload in a casing (2) attached to the cutting head of a tunnel boring machine, operated using a disk cutter (1) bearing, firmly attached thereto, an element (4) for locking into the housing (2) and preloading means (5), the method involving the steps of: a) removing a worn disk cutter (1) from said housing (2): • clamping a disk cutter (1) handling device (3) onto the housing (2); • taking hold of the disk cutter, • releasing the preload, • unlocking, • extracting the disk cutter (1), • unclamping the device (3), b) fitting a replacement disk cutter (1) in reverse order.

Abstract: A tunnel is built in successive sections by a machine suitable for operating at the surface and in immersion that is displaced in the water on the sub-sea soil. This machine includes a fluid-tight working space (6) for accommodating the personnel and equipment required for construction. Further, this space has a rearward-facing opening for building and erecting a section at the rear of the machine. The forward section of the machine includes a ballastable chamber (7) which prepares and grades the soil for erection of a section.

Abstract: The invention relates to molding a right cylindrical body from a settable loose granular composition in a mold cavity, in which a mold cavity (4) is fed with successive charges of the composition in the loose state and each new charge is thrust by means of thrust surfaces (11) into the surface S of the molded composition in order to cause the new charge and the molded composition to interpenetrate in such a manner as to densify the molded composition. The invention is applicable to making a pipe, in particular out of a cement composition.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of organic fibers having a melting point lower than 300° C., an average length l more than 1 mm and a diameter Ø not more than 200 ?m, in ultra high performance concrete for improving the concrete fire resistance, the amount of organic fibers being such that their volume ranges between 0.1 and 3% of the concrete volume after setting and the concrete having a compressive strength at 28 days of at least 120 Mpa, a bending strength of at least 20 Mpa, and a spread value in non-hardened state of at least 150 mm, the values being for a concrete preserved at 20° C., the concrete consisting of a particularly hardened cement matrix wherein metal fibres are dispersed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a concrete obtained by mixing with water, cement, granular elements, elements with puzzolanic reaction, constituents capable of improving the toughness of the matrix, metal fibers and at least a dispersing agent, in specified conditions and proportions. Said concrete has improved properties compared to prior art concrete comprising metal fibers.