A underground support includes a first row of panels, and a second row of panels configured to be secured to the first series of panels to define an interior space for receiving construction aggregate or concrete. Each panel of the first row of panels and the second row of panels includes a body having a top edge, a bottom edge positioned opposite from the top edge, a left edge, and a right edge positioned opposite from the left edge, with the top edges of the panels of the first row of panels configured to abut the bottom edges of the panels of the second row of panels.

A tunnel reinforcement system having a plurality of structural supports positioned at spaced intervals along the length of a tunnel. Each structural support has a plurality of structural segments connected in an end to end relationship. Each structural segment has a plurality of bars connected to a first end and a second end, in which the first end comprises a first butt plate having one or more apertures, and the second end comprises a second butt plate having one or more apertures. The one or more apertures of the first butt plate or the second butt plate of a structural segment are coaxially aligned with the one or more apertures of the first butt plate or the second butt plate of another structural segment in an end to end relationship. The first butt plate or the second butt plate of a structural segment is attachable to the first butt plate or the second butt plate of another structural segment in an end to end relationship. Each structural support defines a geometric supporting framework.

A hydraulic end die of a tunnel secondary lining trolley, comprises a trolley side die-end die assembly (6) and a trolley top die-end die assembly (10). The trolley side die-end die assembly is fixed at an outer ring of a trolley side die assembly (2) by means of a trolley side die-end die fixing device (3); the trolley top die-end die assembly is fixed at an outer ring of a trolley top die assembly (11) by means of a trolley top die-end die fixing device (8); and the trolley side die-end die assembly and the trolley top die-end die assembly are connected to a hydraulic control system by means of a trolley side die-end die hydraulic telescopic device (4) and a trolley top die-end die hydraulic telescopic device (9) respectively. Further disclosed is a construction method for a hydraulic end die of a tunnel secondary lining trolley. The hydraulic end die of the tunnel secondary lining trolley and the construction method therefor can conveniently and quickly mount and dismount the trolley end dies while accelerating the construction progress of tunnel secondary lining construction, thus reducing construction costs and improving labor productivity.

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.

A waterproofing system including at least two different layers, one layer being a mounting layer and one other layer being a functional layer, the two layers being directly or indirectly connected to each other over at least parts of their opposing surfaces, wherein the functional layer includes at least a thermoplastic polymer and at least a mineral binder.

A method of limiting or reducing liquid and/or gas inflow through a porous matrix, comprising delivering to said porous matrix a coagulable polymer emulsion or colloid for contacting with at least one selected additive which interacts with said polymer emulsion or colloid to form a sealing barrier to reduce liquid and/or gas inflow through the porous matrix wherein said coagulable polymer emulsion or colloid contains at least one selected additive including one or a combination of radiation stabilisers to confer radiation resistance; and wherein said sealing barrier is formed by contacting said polymer emulsion or colloid with a further selected additive to cause coagulation of said polymer emulsion or colloid to form said sealing barrier. The sealing composition, which has low toxicity, preferably contains carbon black as radiation stabiliser conferring radiation resistance for the sealing barrier in the range 1 to 100 MRad.

A method of limiting or reducing liquid and/or gas inflow through a porous matrix, comprising delivering to said porous matrix a coagulable polymer emulsion or colloid for contacting with at least one selected additive which interacts with said polymer emulsion or colloid to form a sealing barrier to reduce liquid and/or gas inflow through the porous matrix wherein said coagulable polymer emulsion or colloid contains at least one selected additive including one or a combination of radiation stabilisers to confer radiation resistance; and wherein said sealing barrier is formed by contacting said polymer emulsion or colloid with a further selected additive to cause coagulation of said polymer emulsion or colloid to form said sealing barrier. The sealing composition, which has low toxicity, preferably contains carbon black as radiation stabiliser conferring radiation resistance for the sealing barrier in the range 1 to 100 MRad.

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 tunnel segment gasket and a method for making and using a tunnel segment gasket (1, 1) comprising a shaped profile (3, 3) having at least two anchoring legs (5, 5) for casting in to a tunnel segment (6, 6); a plurality of longitudinally extending bores (7, 7); a shot film joint (43) and a strengthening element (11, 4) at the base (9) of the gasket (1, 1).

A process (10) for the sealing of joints (G) between prefabricated ashlars (C) or similar construction elements, comprising the following steps: inserting of a sealing strip (11), of plastic material, in a joint (G) between two adjacent prefabricated ashlars (C) so that the sealing strip (11), once inserted, extends along the joint (G) to be sealed; and injecting, by means of an injector tool (A), of a sealing resin (12) into the interior of the joint (G), so as to distribute, thanks to the containment and confinement action of the sealing strip (11) inserted in the joint (G), the sealing resin (12) along the extension of the joint (G) and therefore fill it; wherein the sealing strip (11) has, preferably, in section, a special configuration showing a plurality of inclined fins (11c), protruding from a central body (11b), apt to co-operate with the walls of the joint (G) in which the sealing strip (11) is inserted, so as to prevent the escape of the sealing resin (12) and the detachment of the sealing strip (11) from the joint (G) due to the pressure (P) applied by the sealing resin (12) which is injected into the joint (G).

The process of the invention offers safe sealing that can be carried out easily and fast, and therefore advantageously allows a reduction in the construction and maintenance costs of the galleries and tunnels wherein the joints between these prefabricated ashlars must be appropriately sealed so as to avoid infiltration and similar phenomena.