Abstract: A method and device for lining a bore shaft extending through an aquiferous formation comprises, lowering a base ring on guide and alignment columns into the bore until the base ring is seated on a shoulder near the bottom of the bore which is at or below the lower end of the aquiferous formation. The base ring with connected columns are then centered in the bore. A plurality of lining rings are then sequentially lowered in a guided and aligned fashion on the column to rest on the base ring and on each other and to form sealing joints therebetween. The space between the thus formed lining and the bore can then be filled with filler material.

Abstract: A method of sinking a shaft, particularly in unstable ground, comprises driving an annular shield into the ground and controlling the sinking speed of the driving shield by varying the cross-sectional area of the shield, and lining the excavated shaft behind the shield as it is advanced. An excavating device for forming the vertical shaft comprises an annular driving shield which is displaceable relative to an annular platform by fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder jacks connected therebetween. The structure includes an annular shield tail which is connected to the shield and extends rearwardly of the shield and the platform and the shield itself is provided with an inwardly directed taper and has prop means associated therewith for varying the affective taper and the affective cross-sectional area of the shield. The excavated shaft is lined behind the shield and the tail portion thereof as the shield is advanced.