Abstract: Method and apparatus for lowering a heavy hollow column into hard soil and rock at the bottom of a body of water which column has a downwardly widening outer surface and a sharp lower edge. By means of plurality of suction nozzles erosive water flows are generated alongside and below the lower edge which sharp lower edge due to the erosive effect of the water flows and the local tensions generated in the soil by the weight of the column disintegrates the soil.

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: A silo or like structure (16) adapted to be driven end first into the ground comprising an elongate body, wherein the body is enlarged at one end thereof, wherein the enlarged portion carries a cutter (28) directed axially away from the body so as to form an outsize hole for the body when the structure (16) is driven in, wherein ducts (210, 211, 212) are provided for conveying a fluid from a fluid source to the outside of the body behind the enlarged portion, and wherein the structure (16) includes a flexible sleeve (214) attached to the enlarged portion and adapted to cover the body in spaced relationship therefrom, the ducts (210, 211, 212) opening into the annular space defined between the body and the sleeve (214) when the sleeve (214) is in its covering position.

Abstract: A composable well of right prismatic or right cylindrical shape has a polygonal or circular base respectively, and consists of a plurality of walls (1), the walls having on their lateral borders, on one side a plurality of hooking elements (2) of male type and on the opposite side a plurality of hooking elements (3) of female type. Stable hooking between each wall (1) with the preceding wall and the successive wall is easily achieved. The well may be easily transported and stored in the form of a plurality of walls which are superimposed and occupy little space and is then assembled at the final place. After it is assembled, the well forms a box-type structure, with or without the bottom closure and does not require nails, screws or the like.

Abstract: An inflatable, stretchable plug for obstructing a hole drilled in the ground for a foundation pier comprises a sturdy elastic envelope having an air valve mounted in the wall thereof for connection with outside supply of pressurized air and a handle bonded to upper portion of the envelope for easy removal of the plug from the hole before concrete mixture is poured in to produce the pier.

Abstract: To store radioactive materials in bore holes of salt domes these bore holes are lined with superimposed tubular sections made of metallic material including in each case of an outer ring and an inner ring which are securely joined together by an intermediate ring of an electrochemically nobler material; the joining of the tubular section with each other is carried out by welding the intermediate rings and by inserting support rings in corresponding recesses of the outer rings.

Abstract: A caisson sinking method comprises the steps of excavating the ground to make a support ditch having the same plan-view shape as a caisson to be sunk, casting into the excavated ditch a bearing material that can carry the caisson as supported in the ditch but collapses easily by itself, placing entire tapered bottom edge of the caisson on the bearing material cast in the support ditch as aligned therewith, and sequentially removing the bearing material immediately below the bottom edge of the caisson, the caisson being thereby smoothly sunk down to a caisson sinking position without any tilting of the caisson.

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: The invention concerns a cistern structure intended to be used as a subterranean cistern. The shell of the cistern has been formed of a material impermeable to the substance to be stored therein. The shell of the cistern has been encircled with mutually spaced annular juncture elements (13). The juncture elements (13) have been provided with anchoring elements (14) by the aid of which the cistern has been anchored in the rock or soil. The shell of the cistern is supported by a supporting layer in concrete construction, and the shell consists of sheet steel (12). The shell of the cistern is advantageously composed of element-designed components (11). The element-designed components (11) one upon the other have been joined to become a compound structure, with the aid of a juncture element (13). The juncture element (13) is advantageously a concrete ring cast on site.

Abstract: A method of sinking shafts comprising excavating a series of lifts wherein each lift is excavated by drilling a pattern of blast holes for the full depth of the lift including boring a large diameter hole and creating a chamber at the lower end of the large diameter hole, blasting the walls of the chamber to deposit rock material into the chamber, extracting at least a portion of the rock material created by the blast and repeating the blasting and extraction step throughout the length of the lift wherein on the volume of said lift being blasted the remaining rock broken material is extracted.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a disclosure for sealing off dis-used open mineshafts. The closure comprises an open topped basket-like framework which has a polygonal shape with a side wall which tapers from the open top towards the base of the basket-like framework. The base has a conical shape with the apex of the conical shape extending inwardly of the basket. When at least partially filled with infill, the conical base positions the infill adjacent to the side wall and tends to force the side wall outwards, securing the basket-like framework in a mineshaft.

Abstract: A protective annular construction for protecting surface or subsurface facilities against shock. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes concentric slip formed concrete cylinders, at least partially embedded in the soil as a sacrificial construction to dissipate the shock. A method of forming the construction by slip casting concrete shapes followed by, or simultaneously excavating the soil beneath the void between the concrete shapes to allow the cylinders to descend into the soil.

Abstract: The headframe supports tubular pipe guides in the shaft. Each guide comprises a multiplicity of pipes threaded one to another and extends below the normal range of conveyance travel in the shaft. Each guide is suspended from the headframe by a substantially solid bar depending from the headframe and threadably connected to the uppermost pipe. A bushing fixed in the shaft below the travel range has an associated pipe guide passing loosely therethrough to permit vertical and lateral movement of the pipe guide. A conveyance is suspended on wire rope from the headframe and is guided by the pipe guides. The conveyance has guide bushings slideably engaging each of the pipe guides. Weights are attached to the bottom of each of the pipe guides and the total weight added to each is not equal to that added to any other guide. This avoids having similar harmonics in the pipe guides.

Abstract: A drain pipe intended for use when laying surface-water drains, manholes and like structures, particularly in frost susceptible ground. The drain pipe has a length such as to enable the pipe to connect a drain cover with a drain-bottom part or a tubular raising member which is connected directly to the drain-bottom part or is connected to the drain-bottom part via one or more additional raising members. The outer form of the drain pipe is slightly conical over at least a part of the length of the pipe, the pipe being arranged to be mounted so that its widest end faces downwards and can be inserted into a socket or collar of the aforementioned drain-bottom part or of a raising member.The invention also relates to a method of laying a drain while using such a drain pipe, and to a drain laid in accordance with the method.

Abstract: Reinforced concrete walls, particularly circular shafts are constructed in difficult and rocky ground by casting a pair of guide walls spaced apart a distance larger than the nominal thickness of the final wall structure and the trench excavation for the wall is carried out between the two guide walls. Initially, backfilling is of a plastic erodable mixture such as cement-bentonite, sand-cement-bentonite, which have no large aggregates. At the surface above the guide walls, forms are set for casting the reinforced structures which are to form the concrete wall per se and hollow pipes are embedded in the structure at spaced intervals, each with pipe couplings extending out of the concrete, along with the vertical runs of the steel reinforcing bars, for the next succeeding section. Water is then injected into the pipes gradually washing the erodable backfill material and facilitating the descent of the cast concrete section, which is lowered by jacks anchored to the guide walls.

Abstract: A pipeline 1 crosses a manhole 2 with a degree of clearance and is provided, inside the manhole, with a vertical pipe 19 capped with a removable sealing cover 22. The movement of the pipeline in relation to its surroundings is thus enabled without it being necessary for the manhole to be sealed. The cover is provided with a drainage valve 32 operable from the top of the manhole by a chain 33.

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: The invention disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for setting a cement plug in the wide-mouth shaft of an earth cavern. The apparatus includes a deflated balloon with a liquid fill pipe therein. In practice, the cavern is first filled with a liquid. Following this, the balloon is encased in a releasable girdle and lowered into the cavern through a casing, along with a cement fill pipe which remains above the balloon. When the balloon reaches a certain point in the cavern, below the casing, the girdle is released from the balloon and the balloon is filled with a liquid to inflate it. The inflated balloon seats against the cavern walls to provide an excellent support for the cement, which is pumped down the cement fill pipe.

Abstract: In the mining of minerals from the earth, it is necessary to drill deep bore holes typically between 3000 and 6000 feet in the earth. In order to protect those entering the hole for additional mining operations, after drilling the hole, the hole is lined with a stack of specially constructed lining segments. These segments are formed of either prestressed concrete or steel. The segments are lowered one at a time into the bore hole so as to build up a stack within the hole, thereby lining the hole. The segments are carried to the hole on a transporter and then lowered by the transporter into the hole. Guide cables are threaded through guide conduits provided within the segments so as to maintain the orientation of such segments during the operation.

Abstract: Missiles located in the deeper (hard rock) portion of a shaft or tunnel are protected from damage during a nuclear attack by a mass of ice, preferably trumpet-shaped, located in the outermost portion (e.g., 600-900 meters). When missile egress is required, an ice-supported passageway is bored through the ice, preferably by melting. The trumpet shape assures a straight path for missile egress even if the shaft or tunnel should become transversely displaced by a cratering explosion against the surface.

Abstract: A procedure for constructing a concrete lined underground chamber along a bore hole drilled within the earth. Such chambers serve as access work chambers for carrying out other various drilling and mining operations, such as, for example, horizontal drilling operations for steam enhanced recovery of oil. In constructing the lined chamber, the bore hole is initially drilled in the earth to a predetermined depth at which the chamber is to be constructed. In a first belling operation, a first bell-shaped chamber is formed. A substantial portion of the floor of this first chamber is then covered with a mound of gravel material. The remainder of the first chamber is then filled with concrete. Subsequently the bore hole is redrilled to a depth extending below the bottom of the first chamber and a second belling operation is carried out for forming a second bell-shaped chamber.

Abstract: In conjunction with the mining of minerals from the earth, it is necessary to construct deep verticle shafts normally between 10 and 20 feet in diameter and typically between 3000 and 6000 feet in depth in the earth. Technology has been developed for blind drilling of such shafts. After drilling the shaft however, in order to protect those entering the hole for additional mining operations the shaft needs to be lined with a stack of specially constructed lining segments. These segments are formed of prestressed concrete. The concrete segments are lowered one at a time into the bore hole shaft, which is filled with fluid, so as to build up a stack within the hole, thereby lining the hole. Each concrete segment has a top portion with an approximately V-shaped cross-sectional area with a flat top section and a bottom portion having an asymmetrically cross-sectional shape but such shape partially corresponding to the shape of the top portion so that the segments can be stacked.

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 making canalization by pressing a string of sewer pipes in a water-conductive ground with an underground water level, is based on the formation of a water-tight working shaft or trench, then a front partition with a starting opening is erected at the side of the trench through which the string is to be advanced; then a sealed tubular cutting member is inserted into the starting opening and the sheet piling opposite the starting opening is lifted and then by an electrohydraulic pressing unit the cutting member is pressed into the soil.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a cylindrical retainer form spaced inwardly of the wall of the shaft by the desired thickness of the liner to be poured and having overlapping edges which seal against concrete flow but permit the form to be contracted to a smaller circumference after the liner has hardened and is self-supporting. A curb ring extends downwardly and outwardly toward the shaft wall from the bottom of the retainer form to define the bottom surface of each poured liner section. An inflatable toroid forms a seal between the curb ring and the shaft wall. A form support gripper ring having gripper shoes laterally extendable under hydraulic power to engage the shaft wall supports the retainer form, curb ring and liner until the newly poured liner section becomes self-supporting. Adjusting hydraulic cylinders permit the curb ring and retainer form to be properly aligned relative to the form support gripper ring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for gaining access to an underground chamber is disclosed to utilize a pressurized pipe casing which defines a conduit for introducing compressed air to a drill, which drill is utilized to bore a rescue hole to an area of entrapped miners. Thereafter, access is gained to the area of entrapment and the drill pipe is utilized as casing defining a rescue shaft for providing ingress of rescue personnel and egress of entrapped miners.

Abstract: A composite underground shaft lining assembly particularly suitable for use as a leak proof water conduit is formed with a plurality of annular concrete sections joined together by interposed layers of flexible joint material forming a composite concrete cylinder, with a composite steel cylinder formed of annular steel sections being arranged about the outer cylindrical surface of the composite concrete cylinder. The annular steel sections of the composite steel cylinder are joined together by spring rings located adjacent the flexible joints formed between the annular concrete sections.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for supporting the wall of an upwardly excavated shaft. Cylindrical support frames which are successively thrust up through the shaft are respectively composed of several arcuate members and one or more disjointing members. A plurality of top supporting plates are provided on the top of the series of the cylindrical frames and are designed to fall inwardly toward the center of the shaft after the excavation of the shaft is terminated, thus constructing an umbrella like device for supporting the roof of the shaft.

Abstract: A slipform apparatus is described for forming a continuous upright monolithic lining within a preformed upright shaft. The slipform is provided in three independently movable sections that may be lowered into the shaft. Wet concrete is delivered to the sections and dispensed outwardly of the sections to form the lining. The formed sections hold the wet concrete against the walls of the shaft and progressively form a cylindrical upright bore within the shaft. As concrete is delivered to the slipform, the individual sections are moved in an "inchworm" effect in conjunction with an expansion mechanism to automatically lift itself upwardly within the shaft as the lining is being formed. A steering mechanism is provided to enable selective angular movement of the slipform in a nonvertical plane.

Abstract: A means of anchoring a lining of low flexural rigidity with grout into a borehole drilled in the earth, which comprises a relatively thin-walled cylinder which may be composed of steel, elastomeric or plastic material of selected diameter, which is less than that of the borehole. A plurality of keys, each having one end bouded to the wall of the cylinder, extend outwardly, and have an enlarged head portion which is adapted to be bonded to the grout, which will fill the annular space between the cylinder and the borehole. A plurality of vertically spaced support rings surround the cylinder and are attached to the cylinder by means of a plurality of keys. The support rings are supported and spaced apart by means of circumferentially spaced rods, which are attached at their ends to the support rings and are guided at intermediate positions by keys which are locked to the cylinder.

Abstract: A means of anchoring a lining of low flexural rigidity with grout into a borehole drilled in the earth, which comprises a relatively thin-walled cylinder which may be composed of steel, elastomeric or plastic material of selected diameter, which is less than that of the borehole. A plurality of keys, each having one end bonded to the wall of the cylinder, extend outwardly, and have an enlarged head portion which is adapted to be bonded to the grout, which will fill the annular space between the cylinder and the borehole. A plurality of vertically spaced support rings surround the cylinder and are attached to the cylinder by means of a plurality of keys. The support rings are supported and spaced apart by means of circumferentially spaced rods, which are attached at their ends to the support rings and are guided at intermediate positions by keys which are locked to the cylinder.