E21D11/385

CAST-IN TUNNEL GASKET AND JOINING METHOD
20210215042 · 2021-07-15 ·

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).

Process for Sealing Joints Between Prefabricated Ashlars or Similar Construction Elements, in Particular in The Construction of Tunnels and Galleries, and Corresponding Sealing System and Strip

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.

UNDERGROUND SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD
20200263542 · 2020-08-20 · ·

An underground support system having an underground reinforcement system that is at least partially encapsulated with concrete or a cement material. The underground reinforcement system includes a flexible wire mesh having a matrix of longitudinally and transversely extending metal wires. The matrix of longitudinally and transversely extending metal wires has at least one three-dimensional sheet, each sheet having at least one raised corrugation, positioned along the length of an underground space. The raised corrugation acts as a template depth girder for application of concrete or cement material at a defined depth such that the underground reinforcement system is at least partially encapsulated with the concrete or cement material.

TUNNEL SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD
20200263543 · 2020-08-20 · ·

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.

Helical segmental lining
10746022 · 2020-08-18 ·

The Helical segmental lining is an invention in tunneling industry wherein segments are designed in helical shape that are connected by interlocking system. The proposed helical tunnel lining method allows for segment erection and excavation to be completed concurrently and continuously by Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which will result in increasing the tunneling speed. The segments have tongue projection on the two trailing sides (circumferential and radial) and similar groove recess in the opposite two leading sides. This forms a tongue-and-groove joint at both circumferential and radial joints. The system allows for optional post-tensioning (PT) strand to be inserted into the leading circumferential side of the segments. The optional PT strand is fitted into a continuous groove located at the leading circumferential side of the segments. The system has solutions for the alignment curves and turning of the helical segmental lining, sealing of the system as well as terminating the strand and beginning another due to limitation of the strand length. The method is eliminating bolt connection between segments and increase tunnel advancement rate. The system allows for using typical (identical) segments.

Tunnel system
10731462 · 2020-08-04 · ·

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.

SEALING PROFILE FOR EMBEDDING INTO A MOULDING OF CURABLE MATERIAL
20200173586 · 2020-06-04 ·

A sealing profile for embedding into a moulding of curable material, in particular a concrete or plastic moulding, and to a sealing arrangement comprising such a sealing profile. The object of the present invention is to provide a sealing profile for embedding into a moulding of curable material that can be anchored into the moulding in particular such that displacements of the seal in its seat occur to a significantly lesser extent, if at all, when installing or assembling the mouldings. The object is achieved by a sealing profile (1) with a profile region (2) having a profile region surface (4) which is directed towards the moulding (3) after embedding the sealing profile (1), wherein the profile region (2) has, at least in one subregion (6), a non-woven, felted or random fibre layer (5) which is fixedly connected to the sealing profile (1) and which extend beyond the profile region surface (4).

Removable and replaceable anchored frame-like tunnel gasket construction with soft corners
10662643 · 2020-05-26 · ·

A cast-in-place gasket construction 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 gasket portions of the construction extend in different directions and are connected to each other at a first joint. The gasket portions are made of an elastomeric material having a first durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. The joint comprises an elastomeric material having a second and lesser durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. A method for replacing a damaged frame-like gasket construction is also disclosed.

FIRE RESISTANT EXPANSION JOINT SYSTEMS

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.

FIREPROOF MATERIAL AND FIREPROOF PLATE, AND FIREPROOF WALL STRUCTURE FOR TUNNEL AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD
20200017412 · 2020-01-16 ·

Disclosed are a fireproof material, a fireproof plate, a fireproof wall structure for tunnels and a construction method. The fireproof material includes the following components in weight ratio: 20-35 parts of aluminosilicate; 10-25 parts of calcium carbonate; 5-15 parts of magnesium oxide; 5-15 parts of silica; 20-40 parts of a binder; and 5-10 parts of a curing agent, the binder includes at least one of lithium silicate, potassium silicate and sodium silicate in combination with at least one of quartz sand and industrial sugar; and the curing agent is at least one of lithium oxide and magnesium oxide. In the preparation, firstly forming the mixture of aluminosilicate, magnesium oxide and silica into particles at 900 C.-1250 C., and then mixing the particles with calcium carbonate, the binder and the curing agent, and then pouring same into a forming mold and heating and pressing to form the fireproof material.