A Draining Mesh Module and a Method of Operating a Draining Mesh in a Construction

Abstract

A draining mesh module for building into a construction, such as a tunnel wall, to provide draining channels in said construction, includes at least one semi pipe of a flexible material. The draining mesh module has a longitudinal direction and a cross direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction. The semi pipe constitutes a part of a channel extending from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the draining mesh module, and that the longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module comprise attachment means for interconnecting longitudinal ends of two adjacent draining mesh modules, whereby a channel in one of those two draining mesh modules is connected to a channel in the other of those two draining mesh modules.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A draining mesh module for building into a construction, such as a tunnel wall, to provide draining channels in said construction, comprising at least one semi pipe of a flexible material, wherein said draining mesh module has a longitudinal direction and a cross direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction, said at least one semi pipe constituting at least a part of a channel extending from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the draining mesh module, and the longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module is provided for interconnecting longitudinal ends of two adjacent draining mesh modules, whereby a channel in one of those two draining mesh modules is connected to a channel in the other of those two draining mesh modules.

22. A draining mesh module according to claim 21, said draining mesh module comprising a number of channels extending from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, said channels being mutually disconnected between said longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module.

23. A draining mesh module according to claim 21, wherein several of said channels are interconnected at the longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module by cross channels.

24. A draining mesh module according to claim 23, wherein at least a first of said cross channels is provided by a section of thin walled material, a second of said cross channels being adapted to reach over to seize the material of the first cross channel to interconnect longitudinal ends of two adjacent draining mesh modules .

25. A drainage mesh module according to claim 21, wherein attachment means for interconnecting longitudinal ends of two adjacent draining mesh modules are snap-locking means.

26. A drainage mesh module according to claim 24, said draining mesh module comprising a flat section adjacent the second of the cross channels for fixing to the construction.

27. A draining mesh module according to claim 21, wherein at least two adjacent channels are extending from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the draining mesh module said two adjacent channels extending in a wave like manner and in a mutual 180? phase displacement whereby the two adjacent channels are interconnected at junctions where troughs and crests of the respective waves meet.

28. A draining mesh module according to claim 27, wherein a cross-sectional area of the junctions is approximately twice a cross-sectional area of the channels.

29. A draining mesh module according to claim 21, wherein said material is degradable.

30. A drainage mesh module according to claim 21, wherein said material is translucent or transparent to microwave radiation, especially at a wavelength used by Ground Penetrating Radar technique (GPR).

31. A method of operating a drainage mesh in a construction, provided by a number of drainage mesh modules according to claim 21, said method comprising scanning a surface of said construction overlying at least a part of the drainage mesh to observe blockages in said draining mesh, providing a hole from said surface into a channel of the drainage mesh, and removing one or more said blockages via said hole.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the step of removal of one or more said blockages includes flushing a flushing fluid through said hole.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the step of removal of one or more said blockages includes inserting a tool through said hole to mechanically remove one or more said blockages.

34. A method according to claim 31, further comprising the step of flushing fluid through said drainage mesh and observing whether said one or more blockages have been removed by observing whether said fluid exits said drainage mesh.

35. A method according to claim 31, wherein said hole extends at an inclined angle to said drainage mesh.

36. A draining mesh module for building into a construction to provide draining channels in said construction, comprising at least one semi pipe of a flexible material, wherein said draining mesh module has a longitudinal direction and a cross direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction, said at least one semi pipe constituting at least a part of a channel extending from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the draining mesh module, and the longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module comprise attachment means for interconnecting longitudinal ends of two adjacent draining mesh modules, whereby a channel in one of those two draining mesh modules is connected to a channel in the other of those two draining mesh modules.

37. A draining mesh module according to claim 36, said draining mesh module comprising a number of channels extending from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, said channels being mutually disconnected between said longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module.

38. A draining mesh module according to claim 36, wherein at least two adjacent channels are extending from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the draining mesh module said two adjacent channels extending in a wave like manner and in a mutual 180? phase displacement whereby the two adjacent channels are interconnected at junctions where troughs and crests of the respective waves meet.

39. A draining mesh module according to claim 36, wherein a cross-sectional area of the junctions is approximately twice a cross-sectional area of the channels.

40. A draining mesh module for building into a construction to provide draining channels in said construction, comprising at least one semi pipe of a flexible material, wherein said draining mesh module has a longitudinal direction and a cross direction extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction, said at least one semi pipe constituting at least a part of a channel extending from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the draining mesh module, and the longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module is provided for interconnecting longitudinal ends of two adjacent draining mesh modules, whereby a channel in one of those two draining mesh modules is connected to a channel in the other of those two draining mesh modules, wherein at least two adjacent channels are extending from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the draining mesh module said two adjacent channels extending in a wave like manner and in a mutual 180? phase displacement whereby the two adjacent channels are interconnected at junctions where troughs and crests of the respective waves meet, and wherein at least two channels, different from said adjacent channels, are mutually disconnected throughout between said longitudinal ends of the draining mesh module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] In the following the invention will be explained in further detail having reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from an outside of a draining mesh module according to an example of an embodiment of the invention,

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a section along II-II in FIG. 1 seen obliquely from the outside and in a downwards longitudinal direction,

[0029] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective partial view seen from an inside of adjacent ends of two draining mesh modules,

[0030] FIG. 4 is a vertical section of a tunnel wall comprising a draining mesh, and

[0031] FIG. 5 is a vertical section of a tunnel wall comprising a draining mesh and illustrates insertion of a cleaning tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an overview of a draining mesh module 1 comprising of a number of draining channels 2 forming a mesh structure. The draining mesh module 1 is generally an element of a thin walled, flexible material and comprises a plurality of semi pipes 21 providing the draining channels 2. The draining channels 2 are extending in a wave like manner from a first longitudinal end 1a to a second longitudinal end 1b of the draining mesh module 1. Thus the draining mesh module 1 has an arbitrarily defined longitudinal direction A and a cross direction B extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction A.

[0033] In an intended mounted position, the draining channels 2 thus extend downwards in an alternating angle from a vertical direction. The draining channels 2 are in the embodiment shown organized in pairs and the two channels in each pair are mutually displaced by 180? to have regular junctions 3 between the paired draining channels where respective troughs and crests of the waveforms meet. The junctions 3 form common voids allowing drained water from a first draining channel to flow into its paired draining channel and thereby distribute flow. The cross-sectional area of the junctions 3 is approximately twice the cross-sectional area of the channels 2 to ensure an even flow through different parts of the draining mesh module.

[0034] The alternating angle of the respective draining channels creates a shape having a width 4 being the largest distance between the two paired draining channels at half way between respective junctions 3.

[0035] The draining mesh module 1 comprise five pairs of draining channels 2, the pairs being disconnected from each other between the longitudinal ends 1a, 1b of the draining mesh module 1.

[0036] At the longitudinal ends 1a, 1b the pairs of channels 2 are mutually connected in that the junctions 3 of a top row 7 and a bottom row 8 are interconnected by cross channels 9, 10. The cross channels 9, 10 are provided by respective sections 11, 12 of the thin walled material and the dimensions of the cross channel 9 at the top row 7 are slightly larger than the dimensions of the cross channel 10 at the bottom row 8 and accordingly the section 11 of one draining mesh module 1-2 is adapted to reach over and seize the section 12 of an adjacent draining mesh module 1-1 as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 3, the cross channel 8 being thereby nested into the cross channel 7. Thus the sections 11 and 12 provide attachment means for interconnecting the longitudinal ends 1a and 1b of two adjacent draining mesh modules 1-2 and 1-1. The section 11 may even snap-lock onto the section 12 to keep the two draining mesh modules 1-1 and 1-2 together during installation as explained below. The draining mesh module 1 is further equipped with lateral connection means 13, 14 for connecting laterally a series of draining mesh modules 1 as it will be explained below. The lateral connection means comprise left connection means 13 and right connection means 14 both of which are cup-shaped but slightly different of size whereby the right connection means 14 may be nested into the left connection means 13 (or vice versa) and be snap-locked in the nested position.

[0037] Finally, the draining mesh module comprises first web sections 15 or flat section at top row 7 of junctions 3 and second web sections 16 or flat section at the junctions 3 intermediate of the top and bottom rows 7, 8.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4 a draining mesh 30 may be installed in a tunnel wall as follows. A first layer of shotcrete 31 is applied to a rock wall 32 of a tunnel 33. The first layer of shotcrete 31 provides a relatively even surface, compared to the surface of the rock wall 32, as a support for the draining mesh 30. The draining mesh 30 is provided by attaching draining mesh modules 1 to the first layer of shotcrete 31 by positioning draining mesh modules 1 on said first layer of shotcrete 31 with the inside of the draining mesh modules 1 against the first layer of shotcrete 31 and fixing the draining mesh module 1 e.g. by driving nails through the first and second web sections 15 and 16 by means of a nail gun. The draining mesh modules 1 are positioned with their top row 7 upwards and the cross channels 9, 10 substantially horizontal. A number of draining mesh modules 1 may be interconnected before being attached to the first layer of shotcrete 31 nesting together cross channels 9 and 10 as described above and nesting left and right connection means 13, 14 together as also described above, or the draining mesh modules 1 may be connected successively as they are ready for fixing to the first layer of shotcrete 31 in order to secure the correct mutual positioning of adjacent draining mesh modules 1. Especially cross channels 9, 10 should be correctly nested to ensure connection of the channels 2 of one draining mesh module 1-2 with the channels 2 of the adjacent draining mesh module 1-1 below.

[0039] Thus, in the embodiment shown (FIG. 3), the five junctions 3 in the bottom row 8 of the first draining mesh module 1-1 are nested into the five junctions 3 og the top row 7 of the second draining mesh module 1-2 when the section 12 is nested into section 11 to provide a united junctions connecting the five paired channels 2 of the first draining mesh module 1-1 respectively with the five paired channels 2 of the second draining mesh module 1-2. Thus sets of paired channels 2 may be provided from the top of the tunnel to the bottom of the tunnel, where the cannels 2 of the lowest draining mesh modules are connected to a drain such as a gutter or the like. At the connections between respective draining mesh modules 1 the nested, and thus combined, cross channels 9, 10 provide for liquid flowing laterally between the different sets of paired channels 2.

[0040] Lateral connection of draining mesh modules 1 may be dispensed with since the channels 2 of respective draining mesh modules 1 are not laterally interconnected.

[0041] Once the draining mesh modules 1 have been fixed to the first layer of shotcrete 31 by means of nails (or other suited fastening means), a second layer of shotcrete 34 is applied starting with covering the semi pipes 21, junctions 3, and the bottom and top row 8, 7 including the combined cross channels 9, 10 to further secure the draining mesh modules 1 to the first layer of shotcrete 31 and ensure formation of draining channels in the second layer 34 of shotcrete. Subsequently shotcrete is applied to the areas between semi pipes, etc. to provide a complete second layer of shotcrete 34 with a good adherence to the first layer of shotcrete 31. A third layer of shotcrete 35 is subsequently applied. Whereas the first and the second layer of shotcrete are water permeable to allow water seeping from the rock wall 32 to be drained through the draining mesh 30 thus provided, the third layer 35 is water impermeable to force the seeping water into the draining mesh 30.

[0042] In an embodiment the second layer of shotcrete 34 may be water impermeable and in such case the third layer of shotcrete may be dispensed with. Such embodiment is e.g. applicable where only small amounts of water are leaking or seeping from the rock wall.

[0043] In the embodiment shown the paired draining channels 2 forms generally a diamond like shape allowing water leaking through the rock wall 32 to be efficiently drained. It is preferred that the shaped formed by the paired draining pipes have a width 4 that is smaller than the length between adjacent junctions 3 connecting the two channels 2 of a pair of channels, but the shape could be any elongated shape such as an ellipse shape or a hexagonal shape. The width 4 is in an embodiment 10 to 20 cm.

[0044] In the embodiment shown each channel 2 in the draining mesh module 1 forms three waves and five pairs of channels 2 are present in the draining mesh module 1. The draining mesh module 1 is in an embodiment made of a flexible thin walled material and thus the inside of the draining mesh module 1 is generally a negative of the outside of the draining mesh module 1. This allows the draining mesh modules 1 to be stacked for transport, at least the semi pipes 21, and the junctions 3 and 3 of a draining mesh module 1 being at least partially nested into the semi pipes 21, and the junctions 3 and 3 of adjacent draining mesh modules 1 above and below in the stack. The draining mesh module 1 preferably has overall dimensions in the longitudinal direction A and the cross direction B that are suited for transport e.g. for the draining mesh module to have dimensions similar to a pallet, e.g. a EUR-pallet.

[0045] A draining mesh like the draining mesh 30 risk blockage of channels e.g. due to debris emanating from the rock wall 32 and accordingly flushing of certain sections of certain channels may be needed once in a while. Accordingly, an inner surface 36 of the tunnel wall may be scanned at intervals of e.g. 1 to 5 years using any known scanning technique suited to observe material such as water or solid material in the normally hollow channels 2. Such scanning may e.g. be a GPR scanning technique. Having observed a blockage 37 a hole may be drilled as indicated by arrow D into the channel 2, see FIG. 4, at the blockage to provide an opening for injecting flushing liquid, such as water into the draining mesh 30 to remove the blockage.

[0046] As an alternative, as shown in FIG. 5, blockage may be removed by inserting a tod-shaped tool 40 through said hole to mechanically remove the blockage 37. The tool shown is so flexible as to allow it to enter the drainage mesh 30 so as to remove the blockage 37. Flexibility of the tool 40 allows for easier removal of the blockage.

[0047] Subsequent to removal of the blockage, fluid is flushed through the drainage mesh 30 and it is observed visually whether the blockage 37 has been removed by observing whether the fluid is able to exit from the drainage mesh 30.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the hole extends at an inclined angle, specifically about 45 degrees, to the drainage mesh 30. The drainage mesh 30 extends substantially in a plane; however, with a small curvature corresponding to that of the tunnel wall, said angle being 10 to 80, 20 to 70, 30 to 60 or 40 to 50 degrees in relation to said plane. This allows for easier cleaning since the tool 40 may be inserted at a similarly inclined angle, allowing for easier access to the spacings of the drainage mesh. Subsequent to removal of the blockage 37, the hole is sealed using a quick-drying mortar.

[0049] In an embodiment the material of the draining mesh modules 1 is degradable, especially biologically degradable, such as polylactic acid. In this case the draining mesh modules may be degraded and flushed away by water seeping from the rock wall leaving draining mesh walls of shotcrete, and the draining mesh modules will not influence the scanning.

[0050] In an embodiment in which the material of the draining mesh modules is not degradable a material may be chosen which is translucent or transparent to microwave radiation, especially at the wavelength used by Ground Penetrating Radar technique (GPR) in order not to impede GPR scanning.