A fire and/or water resistant expansion joint system for installation between substrates of a tunnel. The system includes a fire resistant coating applied at a predetermined thickness to achieve a substantially uniform layer on the substrates and a fire and water resistant expansion joint. The expansion joint includes a core having an edge, wherein the substantially uniform layer of the coating extends along the substrates of the tunnel to the edge of the core, and a fire retardant infused into the core. The core is configured to facilitate the compression of the expansion joint system when installed between the substrates. The coating and the fire and water resistant expansion joint are each capable of withstanding exposure to a temperature of at least about 540 C. or greater for about five minutes.

The present application discloses an integrated immersed tube section and an installation method thereof, and an installation and closure method of immersed tube sections, wherein the integrated immersed tube section includes a standard immersed tube section; and closed annular telescopic water stop joints are arranged at two ends of the standard immersed tube section. By the adoption of the integrated immersed tube section of the present application, a finally closed immersed tube section is still the standard immersed tube section, and a foundation which is the same as that for common tube sections is used, namely the foundation for the finally closed immersed tube section and the foundation for other immersed tube sections do not have a rigidity difference, so that the risk of the non-uniform settlement of the tube sections during operation of the subsea tunnel is effectively reduced; and in addition, the finally closed immersed tube section and other immersed tube sections are installed with the same installation equipment, and no extra equipment such as a floating crane is needed. Compared with an existing method, the methods have the advantages of eliminating installation of one special final joint, simplifying the construction process and reducing the engineering risk. As offshore special construction equipment and ships are very expensive in rent, use of the integrated immersed tube section substantially reduces the cost and saves various resources.

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 method for preparing an article includes at least a first component of a polyolefin in conjunction with a second component of a polymer made by ring-opening metathesis polymerisation of norbornene type monomers. The method includes pre-treating a surface of the first component, applying a ring-opening metathesis polymerisable mixture of norbornene type monomers and a catalyst to the surface, and curing the ring-opening metathesis polymerisable mixture in contact with the surface, wherein the ring-opening metathesis polymerisable mixture has a .sub.1000 at 30 C. of more than 9 sec. Articles such as a pipe line field joint or a protective element for a concrete tunnel lining element can be made using the method.

The invention discloses a device and a method for accurately fixing an internal waterstop in a lakebed tunnel, comprising two supporting bars arranged in parallel, two transverse clamping bars arranged in parallel between the supporting bars, vertical clamping bars arranged on the transverse clamping bars, wherein the supporting bars, the transverse clamping bars and the vertical clamping bars are mutually perpendicular, at least two vertical clamping bars are arranged on each transverse clamping bar, and the vertical clamping bars are arranged at the inner side of the transverse clamping bars. The beneficial effects of the invention are as follows: With vertical clamping bars that clamp the waterstop, the invention can limit the movement and rotational degree of freedom of the waterstop within in the space, to avoid displacement of the waterstop, thus making the construction more productive.

A method and sensor system for monitoring in time a geometric property of a gasket (32, 34) that sealingly interconnects two structural members (20, 21) of a subterraneous or immersed tunnel (10). The system includes a sensor (42) for measuring position indications for surface portions (48) of the gasket relative to a reference (26, 27, 47) associated with one or both structural members, and a processor (44) that is coupled with the sensor to receive the position indications. The processor is configured to derive indications of displacement (?Y) for each of the gasket surface portions based on the measured indications of position, to compare the indications of displacement for each of the gasket surface portions with at least one threshold value (Ty), and to generate a warning message for an operator if at least one of the indications of displacement transgresses the at least one threshold value.

An insulating material for a waterproofing system having first and second insulating elements joined by melting or welding to form a connecting joint. The insulating material being provided on at least one side with a combustible or thermally destructible and electrically conductive element. Also, a method of inspecting the connecting joint and a control system for controlling the quality of the connecting joint.

A flexible seal system for provision of a substantially watertight seal between adjacent concrete panels; said system comprising

a first flexible seal member proximate a first end of one said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of an outer surface of said concrete panel; said surface component extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member further including an overlap component extending from said surface component beyond said first end of said concrete panel; and
a second flexible seal member proximate a second opposite end of an abutting said concrete panel; said second flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of a surface of said abutting concrete panel; said surface component of said second flexible seal member extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said abutting concrete panel; and
wherein the overlap component of the first flexible seal member is structured and selected in use to overlap the surface component of the second flexible seal member sufficient to permit welding of at least a portion of said overlap component of said first flexible seal member to at least a portion of said surface component of said second flexible seal member so as to form a continuous welded seal between and along the length of said first flexible seal member and said second flexible seal member.

Method for producing a construction element, in particular a tunnel element, from a curing material, such as concrete, in a mold, said construction element being provided with a watertight seal on at least one side thereof, wherein a gasket is used comprising a deforming body which is produced from a yielding material, such as rubber. According to the invention a base is produced from a relatively strong material, which base may or may not be detachable from the deforming body. Said base with or without said deforming body is placed against an inner side of the mold, said curing material is cast in the mold, and said curing material is cured to form said construction element with said watertight seal.

A flexible seal system for provision of a substantially watertight seal between adjacent concrete panels; said system comprising a first flexible seal member proximate a first end of one said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of an outer surface of said concrete panel; said surface component extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member further including an overlap component extending from said surface component beyond said first end of said concrete panel; and a second flexible seal member proximate a second opposite end of an abutting said concrete panel; said second flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of a surface of said abutting concrete panel; said surface component of said second flexible seal member extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said abutting concrete panel; and wherein the overlap component of the first flexible seal member is structured and selected in use to overlap the surface component of the second flexible seal member sufficient to permit welding of at least a portion of said overlap component of said first flexible seal member to at least a portion of said surface component of said second flexible seal member so as to form a continuous welded seal between and along the length of said first flexible seal member and said second flexible seal member.