Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for joining structural units. A structural unit, such as a precast concrete section of pipe, decking, bridge structure, building structure, or pavement, includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned tubular members. The ends of each structural unit are flush, and the ends of the tubular members are flush with the ends of the structural units. When two of such units are to be joined together, a guide member is inserted in one end of each of the first tubular members in the first structural unit, while an internally threaded insert member is inserted into a corresponding end of each tubular member in the second structural unit. The guide members and insert members have axial apertures with the aperture in the insert member being internally threaded. The two structural units are brought together so that each guide member on the first structural unit enters into the corresponding end of the tubular members containing the inserts in the second structural unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a constructional element such as a tunnel lining, part of which is shown in the drawing, comprising adjacent segments which have facing surfaces between which there is a joint which is physically deformable under load. The joint comprises a toroidal body or tube of substantially circular cross section received in complementary or semi-circular facing recesses in the surfaces respectively, and comprises a flexible material such as polypropylene and which means in the form of a nozzle for gaining access to the interior of the body. The body is initially filled with a fluid, which could be a liquid or gas, through the nozzle, which can then be maintained in the body by closing the nozzle as by a valve.

Abstract: A general segment 20 which is propelled and set in an excavated hole by a propulsion excavating machine, and a flexible segment where flexible members 4 and rigid ring members are alternately installed and connected inside the skin-plate 7 provided on the outer periphery side of the side rings 5 having the same thickness as the general segment and a thrust-receiving member 9 is provided inside the flexible portion, are propelled and set by the propulsion excavating machine and then secondary coating concrete 30 including a secondary watertight band 15 is applied to said side ring. As a segment for a shield tunneling method, the flexible segment appropriately provides flexibility to quickly cope with earthquakes and uneven settlement. The flexible segment may be handled in the same manner as a standard general segment during excavation work, providing excellent application potential.

Abstract: An insulating liner system especially adapted to railroad and highway tunnels to eliminate ice buildup on the tunnel crown, walls and roadbed caused by water leakage from the tunnel face. The insulating liner system includes a modular assembly of insulating panels, each comprised of a sheet metal or plastic face adherred to a preformed insulating foam core which is then waterproofed by coating all exposed faces of said core with an elastomeric or similar waterproof film. The ability of both the foam core and the elastomeric coating to stretch allows the panels to be fabricated and shipped in a flat configuration and formed to the tunnel arch during installation. The system also includes an insulating base with enclosed water drainage system, means of joining individual panels with waterproof joints, methods of supporting the liner system to the tunnel walls and a means of equalizing piston-effect pressures on the front and back faces of the liner system.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from the interior or a duct by the introduction within the duct of a tube having a coating of a curable, strippable resin using an everting/inverting membrane assembly. The coated tube is contained within the inverted membrane assembly and urged against the walls of the duct as the membrane is everted. The coated tube extends through an open end of the duct and is secured to the duct to retain the tube within the duct. The membrane is again inverted for the resin to cure and adhere contaminants to the tube. Another membrane assembly is then everted with the tube, the tube is secured to the membrane assembly, and withdrawn within the membrane as the membrane is inverted from within the duct. The contaminants are contained with the inverted membrane for analysis or disposal. In one embodiment, a towing membrane assembly is inserted through a second open end of the duct and attached to the tube-carrying membrane.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for permanently repairing roofs using a colloidal clay such as sodium montmorillonite (commonly called bentonite). A layer of particles of the colloidal clay is spread on the surface of the roof that is to be repaired so that the layer of colloidal clay covers any cracks or openings in the roofing material that are causing leaks. A membrane made of water impermeable material is then applied over the layer of colloidal clay particles so as to confine the particles underneath the membrane. During a rainstorm, water wets the colloidal clay, and the clay swells rapidly to form a water tight blockage between the roof and the membrane. Rain water cannot infiltrate beneath the membrane and thus cannot leak through holes or openings in the roof material that have been covered by the layer of colloidal clay and the membrane. The colloidal clay material is held permanently in place beneath the membrane, and thus the repair is a permanent repair rather than a temporary repair.

Abstract: A tunnel barrier system for lining the interior surface of a tunnel cavity includes a first panel in facing engagement with and affixed to a first impermeable membrane. A second panel is in facing engagement with and is affixed to a second impermeable membrane. The second panel is positioned adjacent to but spaced apart from the first panel to form a cavity between the panels. A filling material is positioned within the cavity. A third impermeable membrane is in facing engagement with both the first and second impermeable membranes and extends across the cavity such that the first panel, the second panel and the cavity are rendered airtight and watertight.

Abstract: A formwork for a draft tube which includes ganged precast forms, each precast form corresponding to a curved segment of the draft tube. The precast forms are molded with continuous side plates extending thereabout and anchored in the precast concrete form and projecting beyond the surface opposite to the contact surface to provide a flange. A fastening means for attaching adjacent forms with a space therebetween to allow for stripping. A method includes determining the outline of the inner surface of the draft tube and dividing it into segments and preparing molds to make precast forms corresponding to each segment. The precast forms are assembled and shored to provide the draft tube ganged formwork, and concrete is poured about the draft tube formwork and is cured. The precast forms are stripped from the set concrete structure and reused in another draft tube formwork.

Abstract: A profiled seal for use in tunnel segments and comprising cut out grooves along the bottom of the seal; channels along the upper part of the seal; lateral faces and spreading feet for the seal; plus a bridge system having an outer bridge and an inner bridge.

Abstract: A gap between tunnel segments 1 is sealed by rubber sealing members 8 that are provided with grooves 10 and tubular cavities 11. To improve sealing when a high pressure is applied to one side of the seal, at least one cavity nearest that side is open to the high pressure through apertures 12.

Abstract: The disclosed invention comprises novel prefabricated tunnel sections comprising generally open channel configured, reinforced concrete, opposing lower and upper channel members with mating elements along opposing leg edges of the channel for forming a generally rectangular, tubular, assembled tunnel section having opposite ends with rectangular edges grooved for interlocking engagement with a generally matching, grooved adjacent assembled tunnel sections and containing metal tying plates for holding the sections together in an assembled tunnel. A system is also disclosed for on site assembly of a vehicular tunnel comprising the sections.

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: A sealing profile made of rubber or rubber-like material for installation in a recess extending around concrete segments for a tunnel tube. The profile has on the base side a plurality of parallel grooves extending in the longitudinal direction, and parallel ducts extending in the longitudinal direction on the top side. The ducts are laterally displaced with respect to the grooves, and the back of the profile is substantially shaped with a plane surface. Of the three grooves provided on the base side, the center groove is from 10% to 20% deeper and wider than the adjacent grooves. In the center of the profile, the spacing between the ducts is larger than the spacing between the ducts disposed away from the center of the profile. The lateral sides of the profile are inclined at an angle of from 10 to 20 degrees.

Abstract: A sealing profile formed of rubber or rubber-like material is provided for sealing tunnel segments which have circumferential recesses. There is a plurality of slotted grooves running parallel in the lengthwise direction on the base side of the profile and a plurality of channels running parallel in the lengthwise direction, the number of channels being no greater than the number of slotted grooves and at least one channel being in alignment with a corresponding groove.

Abstract: A method of construction of tunnels under water by pre-fabricating them in short sections with their ends adapted to make fluid-tight joints with adjacent sections, transporting, sinking and joining them together and forming the sections into sets by installing a bulkhead in the last section of each set and dewatering the sets and tying the sections together.

Abstract: There is provided a sealing profile formed of rubber or rubber-like material for tunnel segments having a recess therefor extending therearound, the profile having a base side facing the segment and a back side facing away from the segment, a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel flutes in the base side, lateral flanks extending angularly from the base side, a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel ducts, and at least one centrally disposed bridge through extending from the base side to the back side without impairment in its supporting effort by a longitudinal duct.

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: A sealing profile made of rubber or a rubber-like material for sealing tunnel segments provided with peripherally extending recesses. The profile includes grooves extending parallel to each other on the base side in the longitudinal direction, angled lateral sides, and plane-surfaced top and base surfaces. Ducts extend in the longitudinal direction within the profile and are arranged in a plurality of rows. The ducts have an approximately equal spacing between each other both within each row and from one row to another.

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: Segmental tunnel lining for tunnels, galleries and similar underground works, in which individual tubbings, made of reinforced concrete, are braced, in use, with each other both in annular or peripheral direction and in longitudinal direction with the aid of tension rods (3, 4) and corresponding tensioning elements (5). The rods connect neighboring tubbings (1) and extend in channels (2) in the tubbing. To obtain closed joints as planned in a simple and safe way, each tubbing has no less than one anchor element (6), which is firmly connected with the tubbing at least in the built-in state, for the purpose of anchoring the tension rod which effects the connection with the neighboring tubbing; and the tensioning element, which is arranged on the end of the tension rod opposite the anchor element, is freely accessible for the application of a tensioning machine in the direction of the shaft of the tension rod.

Abstract: A tubular member is arranged to be inserted in a hole drilled in adjacent monoliths astraddle a joint between the monoliths. The tubular member comprises an outer layer of material saturated with a resin capable of bonding to defining walls of the hole. An inner layer of fluid impermeable material is bonded to the outer layer of the tubular member. When installed in a drilled hole, the tube is placed with the resin saturated layer against and in bonding relation with the wall of the hole. A core portion may be placed in the tube to hold it in tight bonded engagement with the hole, such core portion comprising a flexible filler such as grout having an elasticity which when cured flexes with differential movements of adjacent monoliths. The tubular member has two or more barriers therein which prevent the saturating resin from washing away during installation.

Abstract: A tubular member is arranged to be inserted in a hole drilled in adjacent monoliths astraddle a joint between the monoliths. A tubular member comprises an outer layer of material saturated with a resin capable of bonding to defining walls of the hole. An inner layer of fluid impermeable material is bonded to the outer layer of tubular member. Prior to installation, the tubular member is non-inverted, having the resin saturated layer on the inside whereby upon being inverted into the hole by an inverting gas or fluid, the resin saturated layer turns outwardly for bonding to the walls of the hole. A core portion is placed in the tube to hold it in tight bonded engagement with the hole, such core portion comprising a grout having an elasticity which when cured flexes with differential movements of adjacent monoliths.

Abstract: A prefabricated tunnel lining is disclosed comprised of a plurality of interconnected longitudinally abutting rings, each ring being comprised of a plurality of interconnected ring sections. The ring sections are each prefabricated of concrete with an internally cast steel reinforcement and have overlapping circumferential and longitudinal edges adapted to mate with corresponding edges of circumferentially adjacent sections in the same ring and longitudinally adjacent sections in longitudinally adjacent rings of the liner. Threaded fasteners extend at an angle through holes in the ring segments extending from the inside surfaces of each segment through an edge portion thereof, and communicating with a threaded insert cast into the corresponding mating edge of adjacent sections.

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: The invention is concerned with a method of constructing a lined tunnel using a tunnelling shield having a tall skin and in which the tunnel lining is of the expanded type comprising a number of ring sections 4 fitted together end to end and in which each ring section 4 is formed from a number of arcuate segments 5 which are fitted together circumferentially and which are expanded radially into contact with the surrounding ground 1. The expansion may be effected by means of one or more wedges which are driven between pairs of the segments, or by jacks which are expanded between segments.

Abstract: Plastic hose means, preferably of high pressure polyethylene admixed with a flame retarding agent and treated to render the same antistatic and characterized by a resistance to tearing of at least 15 N/mm.sup.2, an extension of at least 450 percent, a resistance to piercing of at least 1.5 J and a resistance to continued tearing of at least 17 N/mm, are disclosed, as is a process for using the hose means for filling the space between the rock face of a mine or tunnel and the supporting structure therefor.