Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

A cut-and-cover concrete tunnel structure (10) is provided with a lower concrete part (2) and an upper concrete or steel part (3) of the structure. The lower part (2) of the structure is constructed in unreinforced concrete, poured directly against and supported by a partly horizontal, partly inclined and approximately circular or elliptically shaped excavation surface (6). The upper part (3) is arch shaped, constructed in reinforced (cast-in-place or precast) concrete or steel, and is of circular, elliptical or partly elliptical shape. This cut-and-cover structure allows a more efficient and less costly tunnel construction.

A cut-and-cover concrete tunnel structure (10) is provided with a lower concrete part (2) and an upper concrete or steel part (3) of the structure. The lower part (2) of the structure is constructed in unreinforced concrete, poured directly against and supported by a partly horizontal, partly inclined and approximately circular or elliptically shaped excavation surface (6). The upper part (3) is arch shaped, constructed in reinforced (cast-in-place or precast) concrete or steel, and is of circular, elliptical or partly elliptical shape. This cut-and-cover structure allows a more efficient and less costly tunnel construction.

The present application relates to an installation method for a closure joint of an immersed tunnel, and belongs to the technical field of closure joints; the installation method comprises the steps: establishing a first coordinate system; distributing feature points; installing the N.sub.+2 tube coupling; installing an N.sub.+1 tube coupling and pushing out a push-out segment; wherein, the first coordinate system is established at a tail end of an N.sub.+3 tube coupling, breakthrough points N.sub.+1S and N.sub.+1W are distributed at a head end and a tail end of a N.sub.+1 tube coupling respectively, breakthrough points DS and DW are distributed at a push-out segment, and breakthrough points N.sub.+2S and N.sub.+2W are distributed at a head end and a tail end of a N.sub.+2 tube coupling respectively; and coordinates of the breakthrough points DS, DW, N.sub.+1S, N.sub.+1W, N.sub.+2S, N.sub.+2W in the first coordinate system are calculated respectively; the installation method can improve the installation accuracy of the closure joint and is easy to operate.

The present application relates to an installation method for a closure joint of an immersed tunnel, and belongs to the technical field of closure joints; the installation method comprises the steps: establishing a first coordinate system; distributing feature points; installing the N.sub.+2 tube coupling; installing an N.sub.+1 tube coupling and pushing out a push-out segment; wherein, the first coordinate system is established at a tail end of an N.sub.+3 tube coupling, breakthrough points N.sub.+1S and N.sub.+1W are distributed at a head end and a tail end of a N.sub.+1 tube coupling respectively, breakthrough points DS and DW are distributed at a push-out segment, and breakthrough points N.sub.+2S and N.sub.+2W are distributed at a head end and a tail end of a N.sub.+2 tube coupling respectively; and coordinates of the breakthrough points DS, DW, N.sub.+1S, N.sub.+1W, N.sub.+2S, N.sub.+2W in the first coordinate system are calculated respectively; the installation method can improve the installation accuracy of the closure joint and is easy to operate.

An underground storage vault having a hatch affixed to a hatchway. The underfloor storage vault may be incorporated into a larger structure such that the surface of the vault's hatch may be flush with the surrounding floor, allowing for the hatch to be easily concealed. Once the concealment has been removed, fasteners can be undone so that the hatch can be removed from inhibiting access to the hatchway. Valuables and possessions can be stored in the vaults storage compartment and safely secured by re-affixing the hatch to the vault's hatchway.

A substantially rectangular trench shoring sheeting panel made primarily of polyethylene includes at least one pair of hand holes. In some embodiments, the sheeting panel includes a plurality of buttons protruding outwardly from one of the sheeting panel's surfaces. As compared to three-quarter inch FinnForm, the polyethylene sheeting panel typically has (i) equivalent or superior structural properties and (ii) a significantly lower useful-life cost.

A system providing environmentally friendly pathway tunnel utilizes a bottom configuration with multiple elongated beams and slots. One or more of the beams includes upstanding sedimentation members that are spaced apart along a span of the tunnel. The system interacts with the flowing water and earthen material in the flowing water such that capture and settling of the earthen material at locations along the tunnel occurs to produce a more natural water flow pathway along the tunnel.

A system providing environmentally friendly pathway tunnel utilizes a bottom configuration with multiple elongated beams and slots. One or more of the beams includes upstanding sedimentation members that are spaced apart along a span of the tunnel. The system interacts with the flowing water and earthen material in the flowing water such that capture and settling of the earthen material at locations along the tunnel occurs to produce a more natural water flow pathway along the tunnel.

A fire resistant tunnel expansion joint system for installation between substrates of a tunnel. The system includes a fire protection barrier applied at a predetermined thickness to the substrates and a fire resistant tunnel expansion joint. The tunnel expansion joint includes a core and a fire retardant infused into the core. The core is configured to define a profile to facilitate the compression of the tunnel expansion joint when installed between the substrates. The fire protection barrier and the fire resistant tunnel expansion joint are each capable of withstanding exposure to a temperature of at least about 540 C. or greater for about five minutes.