The invention relates to a frame system (1) for a manhole covering (100) having at least one first frame element (10) and one second frame element (20), which each include at least one first connecting surface (10a; 20a) and/or at least one second connecting surface (10b; 20b). The first and second frame element (10; 20) are connectable to one another in a friction-locked and/or formfitting manner along the opposing first or second connecting surfaces (10a; 10b; 20a; 20b), wherein in the connected state of the first and second frame element (10; 20) at least one joining region (12) is formed between the opposing first connecting surfaces (10a; 20a) or between the opposing second connecting surfaces (10b; 20b). The joining region (12) can be filled using a joining element (60) in such a way that the joined connection of the frame elements (10; 20) is detachable and reproducible wherein the joining element (90) comprises a hot melt adhesive. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manhole covering (100) having a manhole cover and such a frame system.

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for constructing diaphragm walls. A guideway tube is provided for casting into a concrete panel along a height of a face of the concrete panel, comprising: an elongate guideway track comprising at least one elongate side wall and an elongate slot along the at least one elongate side wall, the elongate slot having a first width; and, an elongate closure panel comprising: a rear panel portion configured to close the elongate slot enclosing an elongate internal volume, and, a front panel portion of a second width greater than the first width. Preferably the rear panel portion is a close fit within elongate slot sufficient to resist the ingress of slurry and concrete. Preferably the rear panel portion is configured to engage the elongate slot in a manner configured to resist compression forces.

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for constructing diaphragm walls. A guideway tube is provided for casting into a concrete panel along a height of a face of the concrete panel, comprising: an elongate guideway track comprising at least one elongate side wall and an elongate slot along the at least one elongate side wall, the elongate slot having a first width; and, an elongate closure panel comprising: a rear panel portion configured to close the elongate slot enclosing an elongate internal volume, and, a front panel portion of a second width greater than the first width. Preferably the rear panel portion is a close fit within elongate slot sufficient to resist the ingress of slurry and concrete. Preferably the rear panel portion is configured to engage the elongate slot in a manner configured to resist compression forces.

Provided are apparatus and method(s) for forming one or more shear key(s) between embedded concrete retaining wall(s) and concrete floor slab(s), kits for forming such shear key(s) and underground structures such as embedded concrete wall(s) and slab(s) comprising a shear key. In particular, the invention relates to a shear key former apparatus comprising: a box having an enclosable, internal volume, the box comprising a base and at least one, and preferably four, side wall(s), the side wall(s) terminating in a rim; rearwardly of the rim in two opposing portions of the side wall(s), at least one pair of opposing apertures, each pair of apertures defining an entrance and exit in each respective side wall portion for a rigid member to be accommodated extending across the internal volume between the entrance and the exit; a closure panel configured to be received into the rim to enclose the internal volume.

Provided are apparatus and method(s) for forming one or more shear key(s) between embedded concrete retaining wall(s) and concrete floor slab(s), kits for forming such shear key(s) and underground structures such as embedded concrete wall(s) and slab(s) comprising a shear key. In particular, the invention relates to a shear key former apparatus comprising: a box having an enclosable, internal volume, the box comprising a base and at least one, and preferably four, side wall(s), the side wall(s) terminating in a rim; rearwardly of the rim in two opposing portions of the side wall(s), at least one pair of opposing apertures, each pair of apertures defining an entrance and exit in each respective side wall portion for a rigid member to be accommodated extending across the internal volume between the entrance and the exit; a closure panel configured to be received into the rim to enclose the internal volume.

A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members can be snapped into the groove.

A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members can be snapped into the groove.

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for constructing diaphragm walls. A guideway tube is provided for casting into a concrete panel along a height of a face of the concrete panel, comprising: an elongate guideway track comprising at least one elongate side wall and an elongate slot along the at least one elongate side wall, the elongate slot having a first width; and, an elongate closure panel comprising: a rear panel portion configured to close the elongate slot enclosing an elongate internal volume, and, a front panel portion of a second width greater than the first width. Preferably the rear panel portion is a close fit within elongate slot sufficient to resist the ingress of slurry and concrete. Preferably the rear panel portion is configured to engage the elongate slot in a manner configured to resist compression forces.

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for constructing diaphragm walls. A guideway tube is provided for casting into a concrete panel along a height of a face of the concrete panel, comprising: an elongate guideway track comprising at least one elongate side wall and an elongate slot along the at least one elongate side wall, the elongate slot having a first width; and, an elongate closure panel comprising: a rear panel portion configured to close the elongate slot enclosing an elongate internal volume, and, a front panel portion of a second width greater than the first width. Preferably the rear panel portion is a close fit within elongate slot sufficient to resist the ingress of slurry and concrete. Preferably the rear panel portion is configured to engage the elongate slot in a manner configured to resist compression forces.

A tunnel system includes at least two adjacent tunnel lining systems and a sealing system. Moreover, the tunnel lining systems can include plural tunnel lining segments.