Disclosed is a liquid foaming additive for use in mechanised excavation by a tunnel boring machine, containing 5-40% by weight of one or more surfactants, 0.01-5% by weight of one or more biopolymers, and 55-94.99% by weight of water.

The present invention relates to a mechanical tunneling apparatus and process for a tunnel in a quicksand stratum. The mechanical tunneling apparatus comprises isolating apparatuses arranged at an upper end and a lower end of a supporting apparatus; an excavation apparatus arranged at a front end of the supporting apparatus; a spraying apparatus arranged on the isolating apparatuses and the excavation apparatus; a muck discharging apparatus arranged at a lower part of the supporting apparatus; and a propulsion apparatus arranged at a rear end of the supporting apparatus. The mechanical apparatus of the present invention may effectively increase a tunneling speed and safety for the tunnel in the quicksand stratum, ensure the stability of surrounding rocks of the tunnel, and reduce a large volume of collapse of the quicksand stratum due to tunnel construction disturbance.

Systems and methods for installing pipe underground are disclosed. The system includes a pneumatic rammer configured to provide a percussive force to a section of pipe. The system also includes a main jacking frame coupled to the pneumatic rammer, the main jacking frame including a surface for contacting the section of pipe. The system also includes one or more hydraulic jacks coupled to the main jacking frame and configured to provide a hydraulic force to the section of pipe. The system also includes a set of tracks coupled to the main jacking frame, the set of tracks permitting the main jacking frame to slide in a longitudinal direction. An independently displaceable soil-clearing system can be included to clear dirt coming inside the pipe during the installation and add extra jacking force as needed.

A mobile tunnel boring unit is disclosed, comprising a support body driven by first drive means, the first drive means including a pair of spaced apart crawler tracks in contact with the tunnel floor and related track driving means to move the tracks. A cutter head drive means is located at an operatively front end of the boring unit, to which a rotatable cutter head can be fitted and rotatingly driven, in use, the cutter head comprising a full face cutter head fitted with cutters to bore a tunnel face. The cutter head is arranged to allow cuttings to pass through the cutter head for discharge into a muck hopper and onto a first conveyor arrangement, the cutter head drive means and a rear portion of the cutter head defining aligned central apertures to accommodate the muck hopper and a front part of the first conveyor arrangement. A telescopic shield arrangement is provided to shield the boring unit.

A mobile tunnel boring unit is disclosed, comprising a support body driven by first drive means, the first drive means including a pair of spaced apart crawler tracks in contact with the tunnel floor and related track driving means to move the tracks. A cutter head drive means is located at an operatively front end of the boring unit, to which a rotatable cutter head can be fitted and rotatingly driven, in use, the cutter head comprising a full face cutter head fitted with cutters to bore a tunnel face. The cutter head is arranged to allow cuttings to pass through the cutter head for discharge into a muck hopper and onto a first conveyor arrangement, the cutter head drive means and a rear portion of the cutter head defining aligned central apertures to accommodate the muck hopper and a front part of the first conveyor arrangement. A telescopic shield arrangement is provided to shield the boring unit.

The invention relates to a protective element for connecting to a concrete element of a tunnel extension, which has a protective section having a first side facing the concrete element (10), on which first side at least one connecting element (17) is provided for establishing a retaining connection of the protective section to the concrete element (10), wherein the protective section is made from at least one plastic material, characterized in that the protective section (20) has at least one drainage element (40) through which a fluid can pass from the first side of the protective section (20) to the opposite side of the protective section (20) facing away from the concrete element (10).

Systems and methods for installing pipe underground are disclosed. The system includes a pneumatic rammer configured to provide a percussive force to a section of pipe. The system also includes a main jacking frame coupled to the pneumatic rammer, the main jacking frame including a surface for contacting the section of pipe. The system also includes one or more hydraulic jacks coupled to the main jacking frame and configured to provide a hydraulic force to the section of pipe. The system also includes a set of tracks coupled to the main jacking frame, the set of tracks permitting the main jacking frame to slide in a longitudinal direction. An independently displaceable soil-clearing system can be included to clear dirt coming inside the pipe during the installation and add extra jacking force as needed.

Disclosed is a liquid foaming additive for use in mechanised excavation by a tunnel boring machine, containing 5-40% by weight of one or more surfactants, 0.01-5% by weight of one or more biopolymers, and 55-94.99% by weight of water.

Systems and methods for detecting underground voids, comprising steps of: digging a tunnel to be the detection path; placing fluid dispensing means along the bottom part of the tunnel wherein said dispensing means further equipped with fluid pressure sensing means; partially sealing the tunnel as to allow a reasonable portion of the fluids dispensed from said fluid dispensing means to travel downwards, deeper into the ground; providing remote device in data or mechanical communication with said sensing means; on initial activation, allowing pressured fluid to be dispensed from said dispensing means until predefined constant pressure threshold in the system is met; maintaining predefined constant pressure range in the system by constantly or periodically dispensing fluid via said dispensing means; constantly or periodically monitoring said pressure sensing mean; and upon detection of abnormal low pressure in the system activating alert means.

Systems and methods for installing pipe underground are disclosed. The system includes a pneumatic rammer configured to provide a percussive force to a section of pipe. The system also includes a main jacking frame coupled to the pneumatic rammer, the main jacking frame including a surface for contacting the section of pipe. The system also includes one or more hydraulic jacks coupled to the main jacking frame and configured to provide a hydraulic force to the section of pipe. The system also includes a set of tracks coupled to the main jacking frame, the set of tracks permitting the main jacking frame to slide in a longitudinal direction. An independently displaceable soil-clearing system can be included to clear dirt coming inside the pipe during the installation and add extra jacking force as needed.