Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming underground vertical structures. Methods are described for constructing an underground vertical structure, comprising the steps of excavating soil to a sufficient depth to create a circular void to accommodate a plurality of segments; assembling a ring shaped structure comprising the plurality of segments; connecting the outside surface of the ring shaped structure with the soil in said circular void, thereby securing the ring shaped structure to the soil; excavating earth beneath the ring shaped structure to accommodate a second ring shaped structure; and repeating steps b-d thereby forming one or more additional ring shaped structures downward into the earth below already formed ring shaped structures until a predetermined depth is reached; thereby forming the underground vertical structure. Systems to perform the above methods are also disclosed.

Described herein are apparatus, systems and methods useful in forming vertical structures.

A coupler device is described for joining together two adjacent members 7,17 and in particular structural members which may for example may be tunnel segments, well segments, building segments, precast concrete members, preformed panels and other items used in but not limited to the construction industry. The coupler device has an elongate body 2 carrying spaced apart first and second projecting portions 6,16, wherein each of the first and second projecting portions is configured to be received within a complementarily recessed portion 8,18 in a face of a respective member and thereby in use to join together the two respective members.

The present invention discloses a control apparatus and method for buoyancy adjustment of shield tunnel segments, wherein the inner end wall of anchor rod accommodating cavity is provided with a first slurry channel extending forward to the outer peripheral wall of anchor rod, the countersunk bolt is provided with a second slurry channel passing through the front and rear end faces of the countersunk bolt, and a locking structure is disposed in the accommodating cavity to lock the countersunk bolt in the accommodating cavity and connect the first slurry channel and second slurry channel. The entire construction process which can be carried out during the construction or operation period greatly reduces construction costs and space.

A fastener for fastening adjacent portions of a structure requiring fastening is described. The present fastener enables delivery of grout or a sealing composition into a passage between or adjacent the portions of the structure or between adjacent parts of the structure. The portions of the structure may include tubbing rings and segments thereof. The fastener includes an inlet and at least one outlet. The inlet and at least one outlet are connected by a channel. Grout or sealing composition can be delivered into the inlet where it flows through the channel, outwardly through the at least one outlet and into the passage requiring sealing. A method of sealing a passage in a formation using the fastener is also described.

The present invention discloses a control apparatus and method for buoyancy adjustment of shield tunnel segments, wherein the inner end wall of anchor rod accommodating cavity is provided with a first slurry channel extending forward to the outer peripheral wall of anchor rod, the countersunk bolt is provided with a second slurry channel passing through the front and rear end faces of the countersunk bolt, and a locking structure is disposed in the accommodating cavity to lock the countersunk bolt in the accommodating cavity and connect the first slurry channel and second slurry channel. The entire construction process which can be carried out during the construction or operation period greatly reduces construction costs and space.

A prestressed tensioning device and a reinforcement method that is suitable for shield tunnels, pertaining to the technical field of shield tunnel construction and reinforcement technology. The device comprises: two sets of reinforcement components, wherein the reinforcement components are arranged opposite each other; a prestressing component disposed between the two sets of reinforcement components; and a prestressing rod disposed within the prestressing component. The prestressing rod is subjected to prestress tensioning by the prestressing component, wherein both ends of the prestressing rod extend beyond the prestressing component. Both ends of the prestressing rod are connected to the two sets of reinforcement components via high-strength nuts. The present invention utilizes an articulated structure, enabling the reinforcement components to adapt to handhole angles of tunnel segments with varying diameters, and is suitable for application within confined and smooth annular structures.

A method for constructing natural tunnels including advancing an excavation front of a tunnel by a predetermined advance length via point excavation with excavating machines, removing excavated material from a work region between the excavation front and a final lining front of the tunnel, applying a primary lining onto walls exposed by the excavation at the advance length of the excavation front, advancing the final lining front by a predetermined advance length by creating a final lining on the primary lining applied at the same advance length in a previous advance cycle, and repeating all steps until the tunnel is completed. The step of advancing the final lining front is carried out with a segment placing machine having a tubular frame. Passage or displacement of operating machines, vehicles, or equipment from/to the work region during the steps of removing and applying takes place through the tubular.