MODULAR TUNNEL FORMWORK DEVICE

Abstract

A modular tunnel forming apparatus includes at least two modules which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork device and are detachably connectable to one another. The at least two modules each have a frame part, and the frame parts of the interconnected modules form a frame of the tunnel formwork device. At least two support structures, which can be connected to the frame of the tunnel formwork device and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork arrangement, are provided for supporting the frame on a tunnel floor. The frame carries at least two support cylinders at at least two positions spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, which support cylinders can be connected to longitudinal beams extending in the longitudinal direction, which longitudinal beams carry tunnel formwork elements of the tunnel formwork device.

Claims

1. A modular tunnel formwork device, comprising: at least two modules, which are arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork device and can be detachably connected to one another, wherein the at least two modules each have a frame part, and the frame parts of the at least two modules form a frame of the tunnel formwork device, at least two support structures, which can be connected to the frame of the tunnel formwork device and are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork device, for supporting the frame on a tunnel floor, wherein the frame carries at least two support struts in the form of support cylinders in at least two mutually spaced positions in the longitudinal direction, which support cylinders can be connected to longitudinal beams extending in the longitudinal direction, which longitudinal beams carry tunnel formwork elements of the tunnel formwork device.

2. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein the modules comprise two end modules, which form the two ends of the tunnel formwork device in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork device, and at least one intermediate module, which is to be arranged between the end modules and can be connected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to at least one of the two end modules.

3. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure is height-adjustable and is formed by hydraulically telescopic supporting legs.

4. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein the two supporting cylinders are each supported on the frame part by at least two modules.

5. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 4, wherein the frame part of the at least two modules carries at least six supporting cylinders, two of which project vertically upwards, and four of which are directed horizontally or obliquely upwards or downwards.

6. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two supporting cylinders is pivotably articulated to the frame or frame part and/or in that the longitudinal beams are connected to the supporting cylinders in each case via a pivotable joint.

7. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein a length of an intermediate and/or end module in the longitudinal direction is between 1 m and 4 m and a width is between 3 m and 10 m.

8. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal beams have hydraulically actuated rams for support on a tunnel wall/tunnel ceiling.

9. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein each supporting structure is formed by in each case two height-adjustable and/or width-adjustable supporting legs which can be detachably connected to the frame.

10. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein at least one working platform is mounted on the frame, which platform is supported on the frame in a movable manner to be height-adjustable and/or laterally adjustable via a lifting device.

11. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 10, wherein only the frame parts of intermediate modules carry hydraulic supporting cylinders and that the frame parts of end modules carry the respective at least one working platform.

12. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein each end and/or intermediate module has integrated connections for air and/or hydraulics and/or electrics.

13. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein it has load sensors for forces acting on the supporting cylinders, which are connected to a control arrangement for the supporting cylinders.

14. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 1, wherein it has a control module with a control arrangement for the hydraulic support cylinders.

15. Tunnel formwork device according to claim 14, wherein a control arrangement for electrics and hydraulics of the tunnel formwork device is arranged in a cabin or a control cabinet.

16. A mobile formwork arrangement with a tunnel formwork device according to claim 1 and at least three transport vehicles for receiving the modules and supporting structures, which transport vehicles are formed by an articulated truck or an articulated trailer of a freight train.

17. Tunnel concreting device comprising a tunnel formwork device according to claim 1 and at least one concrete pump which is controlled by a control arrangement for controlling the support cylinders of the tunnel concreting device, at least one delivery line of the concrete pump being connected to an intermediate space between the tunnel formwork elements and a tunnel wall, the concrete pumps being controllable in dependence on signals from load sensors arranged in connection with the support cylinders.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention is described schematically below in the accompanying drawing.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tunnel formwork device composed of two end modules and seven intermediate modules,

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view in longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork device,

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tunnel formwork device of FIG. 1 from diagonally below,

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side view of the tunnel formwork positioned by the support cylinders and the longitudinal beams towards the tunnel wall,

[0040] FIGS. 5 to 7 are perspective views of a mobile formwork arrangement with nine transport vehicles,

[0041] FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the tunnel formwork assembly from a longitudinal end;

[0042] FIG. 9 is a view according to FIG. 8 showing the possible working area of the tunnel formwork device,

[0043] FIG. 10 is a view according to FIG. 8 with a setting for flat and wider tunnels, and

[0044] FIG. 11 is a view according to FIG. 8 with a setting for narrower higher tunnels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

[0046] The modular tunnel formwork device 10 according to the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The modular tunnel formwork device 10 comprises two end modules 12a, 12b and seven intermediate modules 14a-14g extending between the two end modules 12a, 12b, which modules are fixedly connected to each other. Each end module 12a, 12b includes a frame part 16a which is positively and/or non-positively connected to the frame parts 16b of the intermediate modules 14a-g, and also the frame parts 16b of the intermediate modules 14a-g are positively and/or non-positively connected to one another preferably in the same manner to form a common frame 20 of the tunnel formwork device 10. The frame parts 16a of the end modules 12a, 12b can be connected to supporting structures 18 here embodied as two supporting legs of each end module 12a, 12b, which securely support the frame 20 of the entire tunnel formwork device 10, formed by the frame parts 16a, 16b of all modules 12a, 12b, 14a-g, on the tunnel floor. At the lower end of each support leg 18 is arranged a support foot 19 with rollers, which can be moved along a path or rails in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel in the course of tunnel forming. The connection between the modules 12a, 12b and 14a-g and/or between their frame parts 16a, 16b is detachable so that the individual modules can be transported separately to the construction site. The support legs 18 are preferably height-adjustable via a hydraulic telescopic mechanism 23, while their mutual spacing in the transverse direction (horizontally transverse to the tunnel direction) is adjustable via a horizontal telescopic mechanism 21 or by means of insertable adapter pieces.

[0047] Two working platforms 22a, 22b and 22c, 22d respectively are supported on the frame parts 16a of the end modules 12a, 12b via a hydraulic lifting device 24, which can be raised relative to the frame parts 16a of the end modules 12a, 12b and can also be moved laterally, so that inspections or assembly work on the tunnel formwork elements, on the longitudinal beams and on the support cylinders can be carried out via these working platforms 22a-d. The frame 20 extends at least approximately over the entire length of the tunnel formwork device 10. Two vertical hydraulic support cylinders 26a, 26b are preferably attached to the frame 20 for each intermediate module 14a-g, so that when the frame 20 is raised via the hydraulic telescopic mechanisms 23 of the support legs 18 for height adjustment, the vertical support cylinders 26a, 26b are also raised. In this way, tunnels of different heights can be formed and concreted with the tunnel formwork device 10. The vertical support cylinders 26a, 26b therefore do not necessarily need to be hydraulic and adjustable in length.

[0048] Each frame part 16b of the intermediate modules 14a-g carries two obliquely downward pointing support cylinders 28a, 28b as well as two horizontally extending support cylinders 30a, 30b, which extend symmetrically with respect to the tunnel center towards the tunnel sides facing away from each other. The free ends of the supporting cylinders 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b are each connected to longitudinal beams 32a-f, which in turn support circular-arch tunnel formwork elements 33 (FIG. 4), which in their entirety form the tunnel formwork 37. The tunnel formwork device 10 shown in the figures thus controls six supporting cylinders or struts 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b, which extend over the entire inner circumference of the tunnel wall to be concreted, i.e. generally over a range of 150 to 270 degrees (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The tunnel formwork elements 33 may be supported on the tunnel floor 35 by separate support beams 36. Alternatively, the supporting cylinders 28a and 28f, which point downward at an angle, may form the lowest support of the tunnel formwork 37 assembled by the totality of the tunnel formwork elements 33. The support of the tunnel formwork 37 by the supporting cylinders 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b and by the longitudinal beams 32a, 32b, 32c is illustrated in FIG. 4. It is also evident from this illustration that the vertical support cylinders 26a, 26b do not have to be aligned exactly vertically, just as the horizontal support cylinders 30a, 30b do not have to be aligned exactly horizontally. These can be adjustable in their angle of attachment to the frame parts of the intermediate modules 14a-g at least in a small range of, for example, +/−15 degrees, while the support cylinders pointing downwards at an angle can preferably be adjustable in a larger angular range of, for example, 45 degrees. The support struts 26a, 26b are preferably rigidly, i.e. not pivotally, attached to the frame 20 so that the tunnel formwork has its angular position fixed, and the tunnel formwork 37 thus cannot tilt while the tunnel formwork device is in motion.

[0049] Needless to say, preferably all support cylinders 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b are provided with load sensors 38, which can be connected via data lines 40 to the central control arrangement 44 of a control module 42 of the tunnel formwork device 10. The control arrangement evaluates the data from the load sensors 38 and preferably also controls the support cylinders as a function of the recorded data in order to optimally position the tunnel formwork 37 and to actuate concrete pumps for filling the space between the tunnel wall and the tunnel formwork 37 in such a way that there is no excess load on the support cylinders or the tunnel formwork elements 33. On the tunnel formwork device 10, six longitudinal beams 32a-f are each supported by seven hydraulic support cylinders 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 30a, 30b, which are connected to the seven individual intermediate modules 14a-g. In this way, the forces of the tunnel formwork 37 can be effectively absorbed by the tunnel formwork device 10, with the force transfer in the driving condition ultimately occurring through the support structures 18 into the tunnel floor 35. The two ends of each of the longitudinal beams 32a-f are provided with hydraulically actuated rams 34, which are controlled in such a way that they bear against the tunnel walls, whereby all longitudinal beams 32a-f are fixed in their position between these and the support structures 18, resulting in reproducible formwork results.

[0050] The control module 42 preferably includes a cabin 46, preferably with at least one window 48, in which the control arrangement 44 is positioned. In this way, it is effectively protected from the dirt and moisture of the construction site. The control module 42 may be positioned anywhere on the tunnel formwork device 10. Preferably, it is connectable to the support structure 18 or to a frame part 16a, 16b of an end or intermediate module 12a, 12b, 14a-g. The control arrangement for the tunnel formwork device is connected to hydraulics for actuating all support cylinders and to concrete pumps for filling the cavity between the tunnel wall and the tunnel formwork 37 to optimally control the tunnel forming operation.

[0051] The end modules 12a, 12b preferably carry working platforms 25a, 25b that project over the end faces of the support structures or support legs 18 so that the ends of the tunnel formwork 37 and the entire tunnel formwork device can be easily viewed via these working platforms.

[0052] As FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate, the tunnel formwork device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 can be effectively transported, in the present case by nine transport vehicles 50a-i in the form of semitrailer trucks. For example, the left-hand transport vehicle 50a carries the longitudinal beams 32a-f of the transport device, while the two transport vehicles 38b and 38c to its right carry parts of the working platform 22. The next right transport vehicle 50d carries the two end modules 12a, 12b and the transport vehicles 50e, 50g, 50h and 50i carry the seven intermediate modules, while the fourth transport vehicle 50f from the right carries the four support legs 18 of the tunnel formwork device 10.

[0053] On the middle transport vehicle 50e, in addition to an intermediate module 14, the control module 42 can also be transported, i.e. a cabin 46 with the control arrangement 44 of the tunnel formwork device 10, so that in fact all essential components of the tunnel formwork arrangement are transported on the transport vehicles 50a-i and can be easily assembled on site. An additional transport vehicle may optionally be provided for electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic infrastructure elements, such as lines, hydraulic cylinders, support cylinders and the like. At least one transport vehicle may include a crane for assembling the modules 12, 14 and the support structure 18 and all other components.

[0054] FIG. 8 shows the complete tunnel formwork device 10 in cross-section with the frame 20 supported on the supporting legs 18, with the supporting cylinders 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b and 30a, 30b arranged on the frame 20, the longitudinal beams 32a-f supported on the supporting cylinders and extending in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork device 10 (=tunnel direction), the tunnel formwork elements 33 stretched between them, which together form the tunnel formwork.

[0055] FIG. 9 shows the possible working range 52 of the tunnel formwork device, i.e. which tunnel cross-sections can be covered with the tunnel formwork device 10, by adjusting the length of the supporting cylinders 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b and 30a, 30b, by adjusting the vertical telescopic mechanisms 23 for height adjustment of the supporting legs 18, by adjusting the horizontal telescopic mechanism 21 or by installing adapter pieces for the mutual spacing of the supporting legs 18. The vertical longitudinal support cylinders 26a, 26b can also be non-adjustable in length, in which case the height adjustment is performed solely by the vertical telescopic mechanism 23 for the support legs 18.

[0056] This adjustability is shown in FIG. 10 for a flat tunnel tube. Here, the vertical telescopic mechanism 23 for the support legs 18 is not extended much, resulting in a low support height. For this purpose, adapter pieces are inserted into the support legs 18, which provide a greater distance between the two support legs 18 in the transverse direction or width direction of the tunnel formwork device 10. In addition, the inclined downward hydraulic support cylinders 28a, 28b and the horizontal support cylinders 30a, 30b are widely extended, resulting in a small height but a large width of the tunnel formwork 37 formed by the tunnel formwork elements 33.

[0057] FIG. 11 shows the adjustment of the corresponding components for an egg-shaped narrower tunnel wall.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment example, but may be varied as desired within the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0059] 10 Tunnel formwork device [0060] 12a,b End modules [0061] 14a-g intermediate modules [0062] 16a Frame part of the end modules [0063] 16b Frame part of intermediate modules [0064] 18 Support structures—support legs [0065] 19 Support feet with rollers at the lower end of the support legs [0066] 20 Frame of the tunnel formwork device formed by the frame parts of the end and intermediate modules [0067] 21 Horizontal hydraulic telescopic mechanism or adapter pieces for width adjustment, i.e. for adjusting the mutual distance of the support legs in the transverse direction [0068] 22a-d Height-adjustable working platforms, two at each end module [0069] 23 Vertical hydraulic telescopic mechanism for height adjustment of the support structure or support legs [0070] 24 Hydraulic lifting device for the working platforms, in particular arranged on the frame parts of the end modules [0071] 26a,b Vertical support cylinders, in particular hydraulically or non-length-adjustable support struts, preferably attached to the frame at a fixed angle [0072] 28a,b Support cylinders directed obliquely downwards, in particular hydraulically [0073] 30a,b Horizontal support cylinders, in particular hydraulic [0074] 32a-f Longitudinal beams running in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel formwork device for supporting the tunnel formwork elements [0075] 33 Circular-arc tunnel formwork elements [0076] 34 Hydraulically actuated rams on the longitudinal beams for support against the tunnel wall—support rams [0077] 35 Tunnel floor [0078] 36 Floor support element [0079] 37 Tunnel formwork [0080] 38 Load sensors [0081] 40 Data link [0082] 42 Control module [0083] 44 Control arrangement [0084] 46 Cabin [0085] 48 Window [0086] 50a-i Transport vehicles—semitrailers Trucks with semitrailers [0087] 52 Working area of tunnel formwork device in tunnel cross section