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: A fishplate comprises two portions 18 and 19 which are set at 120.degree. to each other. The fishplate has two edge portions 21,22 which are bulbous shaped and are joined by flat portion 23 in which there are rectangular apertures 24 for bolts to pass through. At the inner edge of the fishpate is a curved indentation 25 which is adapted to accommodate the junction of the RSJs forming the colliery support. Without this indentation, if the inner edge followed the line 26 the portion marked 27 would foul the RSJ beams.The curved portion is formed in the bulbous inner edge 22. The symmetry of the fishplate enables it to be used in either the right hand or left hand position and it is so shaped that is will fit snugly into the flanges of the RSJs.

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 shield tunneling machine in which a segment holding member is movable through a lifting beam in the radial direction of a shield frame so that the segment holding member holds a segment and sets it at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of a tunnel within the shield frame; and an end balancer is pivotably connected to a base or root balancer which in turn is slidably mounted on the lifting beam so that the segment held by the segment holding member is correctly set at a predetermined position while the posture of the segment is suitably adjusted, whereby the erection and assembly of segments can be easily accomplished.

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: A tubular structure, such as a sewer, is lined by the use of long length elements having edge formations which facilitate a number of the elements being arranged in a side-by-side interlocked configuration within the tunnel structure. At least some of the elements are formed with a cavity into which a settable compound may be injected thereby to strengthen the lining when set. Preferably the elements are relatively flexible prior to injection with the settable compound so as to facilitate storage of long lengths on a drum.

Abstract: Arcuate concrete segments of a tunnel wall are joined together in the circumferential direction by an internally threaded fitting embedded in the end of one segment and a bolt extending through an opening in the end of a peripherally adjacent segment and interengaged with the fitting. Longitudinally adjacent segments are interconnected by bolt openings extending longitudinally through the segments and opening into corresponding enlarged conical recesses at the interface between the segments, a conically tapered positioning ring engaging the recesses, and threaded bolts extending through the longitudinally extending openings through the segments and having threaded ends interengaged with a common coupler member located in the corresponding recesses.

Abstract: Arcuate concrete segments of a tunnel wall are joined together in the peripheral direction by abutting steel castings embedded and anchored in the segment ends, and nut and bolt assemblies interconnecting the castings. Longitudinally adjacent segments are joined together by arcuate openings through the segments, nesting positioning members at the interface between the segments, and arcuate nut and bolt assemblies extending through the openings and positioning members.

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 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: 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: Two voussoirs forming part of a tunnel lining have their adjacent longitudinal sides in mutual contact, each side having a convex radial profile. The voussoirs are rigidly locked relative to each other by circumferential bolts 10 and by wedges 15 and 16 wedged into opposing recesses in the adjacent sides by radial bolts 17. In comparison to the 180.degree. relative angular position of the voussoirs which occurs when the radius of the lining is equal to that of the voussoirs, an angular position, higher or lower than 180.degree., can be used in order to obtain a lining radius larger or smaller than that of the voussoirs.

Abstract: A tunnel lining comprises a plurality of arcuate segments connected to one another by connecting elements. Each connecting element protrudes from one segment and engages in a recess defined by an adjacent segment. Each recess is considerably larger than the connecting element and contains means for clamping the connecting element to one wall of the recess.

Abstract: An improved manhole concrete blockout for forming sewer pipe openings in the cast-concrete wall of a manhole where a hole is dug in the ground and at least one vertical hollow form is positioned within the hole and spaced apart from the surface which defines the hole and concrete is poured between the surface defining the hole and the form for forming a manhole wall. A plurality of form sections are connected together so that their outer surfaces can be positioned to become a longitudinal extension of the outer surface of the form. A blockout member is connected to the outer surface of at least one of the sections for forming an opening in the manhole wall, the end adjacent to the section being shaped to engage and conform to the outer surface of the section and the other end being shaped to conform to and engage the corresponding portion of the surface defining the hole so that an opening in the shape of the blockout member will extend through the wall when it is formed.

Abstract: A device for limiting stresses exerted by neighbouring ground on a buried structure which comprises at least two neighbouring elements which form at least one part of the wall of the structure. The stress limiting device comprises at least one longitudinal slidable plate adapted to be connected by one of its edge portions to one of the neighbouring structure elements, at least two longitudinal guide elements adapted to be connected to the other structure element and applied respectively by one of their faces against at least the opposed edge portion of the slidable plate. A plurality of fixing means extend through apertures in the slidable plate and in the guide elements for clamping the opposed edge portion of the slidable plate between said guide elements. At least one of the guide elements constitutes a fishplate.