AU2011207138A1

AU2011207138A1 - Separating element for traffic surfaces

Info

Publication number: AU2011207138A1
Application number: AU2011207138A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mathias Redlberger
Original assignee: Rebloc GmbH
Current assignee: Rebloc GmbH
Priority date: 2010-01-21
Filing date: 2011-01-17
Publication date: 2012-08-30
Also published as: JP2013517396A; JP5813663B2; CN102713073B; CN102713073A; WO2011088485A1; RU2012135687A; EP2526229A1; TR201910445T4; US20120269574A1; AT509359A1; AT509359B1; PL2526229T3; ES2736223T3; BR112012017582A2; EP2526229B1; CA2786698A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating element for traffic surfaces, which is preferably made of concrete, having at least one connecting element (5, 6) on each opposite end face (4), by means of which connecting element the separating element can be connected to an adjacent separating element (1, 20). At least one projection (41, 43) is arranged on one end face (4) and at least one recess (42, 44) is arranged on the other end face, wherein a projection (41, 43) is inserted into a recess (42, 44) of an adjacent separating element (1, 20) in order to transmit forces acting in the plane of the end face (4) from one separating element (1, 20) to the adjacent separating element (1, 20).

Description

WO 2011/088485 PCT/AT2011/000024 Separating Element for Traffic Surfaces The invention relates to a separating element for traffic surfaces that is made preferably of concrete and that on opposite end faces has at least one connecting element at a time with which it can be connected to a subsequent separating element (AT 405 851 B and EP 1124014 A). These separating elements are conventionally coupled to one another by suitable connecting elements in order to form a continuously closed guide wall. These elements that are connected to one another in the end region or on the end faces are generally mounted freely on the foundation. The so-called retaining system acquires its serviceability by the resulting tension member action of this chain that is formed from the separating elements and is able to repel colliding vehicles. Before the connecting apparatus consisting of the connecting elements that have been joined to one another is loaded in tension by a colliding vehicle and the retaining system builds up its tension member action, upon impact first a transverse force arises that is higher, the heavier and faster the colliding vehicle. The force is directly fed mainly into that separating element in which the initial contact between the vehicle and the retaining system occurs. This separating element is first displaced by the transverse force, the bordering separating elements being displaced at the same time in a correspondingly vigorous impact. This displacement, due to the positive locking of the connecting apparatus, feeds a corresponding transverse force into the connecting apparatus and into the region of the concrete element in which the connecting elements are incorporated. This transverse force loads the connecting apparatus in a form for which it can only be to some extent 1 dimensioned with difficulty. Furthermore, this briefly occurring transverse force can lead to damage in that region of the concrete element in which the connecting apparatus is incorporated. Therefore, the object of the invention is to devise a separating element of the initially named type that improves the transmission of the transverse forces from one separating element to a bordering separating element. This object is achieved with a separating element of the initially-named type in that on one end face, there is at least one projection, and on the other end face, there is at least one depression, a projection engaging a depression of a subsequent separating element in order to transfer the forces acting in the plane of the end face from one separating element to a subsequent separating element. The at least one projection that engages one depression of a subsequent separating element makes it possible to better control the force acting on the connecting apparatus and the transfer of the transverse forces that occur between the elements and to route the transverse forces out of the generally more sensitive connecting apparatus to other sites in the end face, for example into the base region of the separating elements, where the elements are generally made more solid. Another advantage of the at least one projection that engages one depression of a subsequent separating element is the effect that the separating elements in the case of collision in the junction region cannot be displaced relative to one another. Depending on at what height the connecting apparatus is provided, due to impact in the base region, an offset often occurs between the separating elements since the forces of friction on the mounting surfaces act against the transverse force. This offset or this twisting in the junction region can lead to the corners of the separating elements in the junction region no longer pressing against one another during the buckling that is caused by the impact and thus no longer stiffening the system. The positive 2 connection of the separating elements according to the invention keeps the end faces in their position to one another so that during buckling/displacement of the chain and of the individual elements, the corners continue to strike/press against one another and thus stiffen the system. In this way, the displacement in a case of impact is reduced. The projection and the depression preferably consist of metal, preferably of steel, and are located on a rigid compression plate on the end faces of the separating element and are attached there. The compression plate is connected to the concrete element such that the transverse and compressive forces that occur can be transmitted between the elements and can be routed into the bordering element. A symmetrical version makes it possible for the individual elements to be removed from the closed chain and re-inserted anywhere. This version also allows the elements to be able to be mounted from any side. It is preferred in the invention if compression plates are attached in the region of lateral outer edges of the end faces. These can be the compression plates on which the projection and/or the depression are located, but also compression plates independent thereof. Separating elements of guide walls are somewhat displaced first of all in a collision, as a result of which energy from a collision of a motor vehicle is reduced. If the collision is so strong that this small displacement of the separating elements is not sufficient to reduce the energy of the impact, the separating elements that are held together in their middle region by the connecting elements strike one another in the region of their lateral outer edges, as a result of which the originally articulated connection between two separating elements becomes a largely rigid connection. Since separating elements for traffic surfaces are generally made of concrete and the 3 latter breaks relatively easily especially in the edge region, the compressive force between two separating elements is distributed by the rigid compression plates onto a relatively large surface region that can be chosen by the size of the compression plates especially toward the interior of the separating elements, as a result of which the concrete, among others, due to the reinforcement that is present if necessary, is able to absorb much higher compressive forces without breaking. In this way, the separating elements, especially in a collision of heavy vehicles or of vehicles with high speed, are able to absorb these forces in the region of the outer edges or corners without their being destroyed to such an extent that they can no longer accommodate loads that occur. Instead of separate compression plates on one end face of the separating element, especially in the region of the lateral outer edges, in the invention it can also be provided that there is a compression plate that passes from one lateral outer edge to the other lateral outer edge. The advantage of this embodiment lies not only in that a very large surface on which the forces are distributed is created by the compression plate that passes from one edge to the other, but also in that the compression plate acts as a type of tension/compression member that extends from one edge to another. Even if it were possible for the compression plate(s) to extend over a large part of the height of the end faces or over the entire end face, it is generally preferred if the compression plate(s) is/are located on one lower edge of the end faces since in this region, the outer edges generally lie farthest apart or break most easily. A still more stable embodiment of the invention arises by the compression plate(s) with clips and/or plates extending around the lateral outer edges except for the longitudinal sides of the separating element. 4 The invention is used preferably in a separating element that is characterized in that it has lower side surfaces that are arranged at a right angle to a bottom surface and oblique surfaces that adjoin over the side surfaces and that are tilted at an angle of less than 900, preferably at an angle of between 450 and 750, to the bottom surface and in that the compression plate(s) extend around the lateral outer edges except for the side surfaces and oblique surfaces. In this way, the entire edge region of the separating elements that is especially subject to fracture is protected. In addition, in a preferred further development of the invention to protect the separating elements, it can be provided that the compression plate(s) extend(s) around one lower edge of the end face except for a bottom surface. One especially preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one end face, preferably both end faces, have a middle region and side regions, in that the middle region is located at a right angle to a vertical longitudinal middle plane of the separating element, in that compression surfaces on compression plates on the side regions are arranged at an angle of less than 900 to the vertical longitudinal middle plane, and in that the compression plates are located at least on the lower edge of the side regions. Depending on the angle of the side regions, guide walls with curve radii of different sizes can be built by this embodiment of the separating elements. In one further development of the invention, the separating elements according to the invention can be made such that one connecting element of one separating element with one connecting element of a subsequent separating element defines a pivot and that the pivot is located in one plane of the compression surfaces of the compression elements. In one alternative embodiment that is preferred in the invention, a separating element according to the invention can also be characterized in that one connecting element of one 5 separating element with one connecting element of a subsequent separating element defines a pivot and that one plane of the compression surface of the compression element lies on the side of the pivot facing away from the respective separating element. In this way, the compression surfaces of adjacent separating elements during a displacement do not immediately strike one another flat on the side regions, but first in a transition region that lies further to the inside between the middle region and the side region. When the force that further displaces the elements and "buckles" them in their connecting region relative to one another continues further, subsequently the coupling that consists of the connecting elements that have been joined to one another is stretched, and in addition, the edge region between the middle region and the side region in which the separating elements strike one another is deformed, as a result of which further energy is reduced. Only afterwards do the separating elements on the compression surfaces collide flatly as far as the corner region and can accommodate even stronger forces due to the larger compression surface. Briefly occurring peak forces/peak energies are better accommodated/reduced by this embodiment. This function can also be achieved or reinforced in that on the side of a compression plate that is located on one side region, which side is adjacent to the middle region, there is a compression element that projects above the surface of the compression plate. In order to be able to adjust the size of the gap between the side regions, in the invention an optionally wedge-shaped spacer element can be attached to at least one compression plate. The separating element according to the invention can be characterized in that the compression plate(s) on the side that points toward the interior of the separating element has/have connecting elements. These connecting elements, for example setbolts, clamps or the like, can be concreted into a separating element that conventionally consists of concrete and in this way can 6 ensure a very strong connection between compression plate(s) and concrete bodies of the separating element and very good delivery of forces into it. Other features and advantages of the connecting apparatus according to the invention and of the separating elements according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. Here: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a separating element according to the invention in an oblique view, Figure 2 shows a top view of the connecting region between two separating elements according to Figure 1 in the stretched state, Figure 3 shows a top view of the connecting region between two separating elements according to Figure 1 in the buckled state, Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a separating element according to the invention in an oblique view, Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of a separating element according to the invention, Figure 6 shows a top view of the connecting region between two separating elements according to Figure 5 in the stretched state, Figure 7 shows a top view of the connecting region between two separating elements according to Figure 5 in the buckled state, Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a separating element according to the invention, 7 Figure 9 shows a fifth embodiment of a separating element according to the invention, Figure 10 shows a sixth embodiment of a separating element according to the invention, Figure 11 shows a seventh embodiment of a separating element according to the invention, Figure 12 shows an eighth embodiment of a separating element according to the invention, and Figure 13 shows a ninth embodiment of a separating element according to the invention with a seventh embodiment of compression plates. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a separating element 1 according to the invention. This separating element 1 consists in the conventional manner of an essentially trapezoidal upper part 2 and a wider, likewise essentially trapezoidal lower part 3, and a middle part that is narrower than the upper part 2 and the lower part 3. This yields a roughly I-shaped profile that has high stiffness at reduced weight compared to a roughly trapezoidal profile. Moreover, reflectors 35 or the like that are protected by the projecting upper part 2 and lower part 3 against damage can be attached to the middle part. The separating element 1 according to the invention has two opposite end faces 4 to which connecting elements 5, 6 are attached preferably in the region of the upper part 2, and with which one separating element 1 can be connected to further separating elements 1 to form separating walls, guide walls or other retaining systems on roads or other locations, as is shown in, for 8 example, Figures 2 and 3. In this respect, the separating element 1 is made as inherently known from the prior art and can also be made like the known separating elements largely without limitations. The end face 4 of the separating element 1 has an upper section 4a, a lower section 4b, and a middle section 4c, the middle section 4c being tilted obliquely from the upper section 4a down and to the outside. In this way, the upper section 4a lies in one plane behind the lower section 4b, as a result of which the upper sections 4a of adjoining separating elements are always spaced apart from one another even if the lower sections 4b lie against one another. On the lower section 4b, there is a compression plate 40 made of steel with a projection 41 that is wedge-shaped in this embodiment and a wedge-shaped depression 42, which each can engage as is shown in Figures 2 and 3 on one depression 42 and one projection respectively of an opposite compression plate 40 of a subsequent separating element when they are connected to one another using the connecting elements 5, 6. This yields a positive connection between the compression plates 40, which prevents transverse displacement of the separating elements 1 on the compression plates 40, as a result of which transverse forces can be better transferred from one separating element 1 to a subsequent separating element 1 and the loading of the connecting elements 5, 6 by transverse forces is reduced. Because the lower section 4b is offset forward relative to the upper section 4a, separating elements 1 can be easily connected to one another or separated from one another by one separating element 1 or the other being raised or lowered, and at the same time the connecting elements 5, 6 can be joined to one another/separated from one another, and one projection 41 on one separating element 1 can be inserted into/withdrawn from one depression 42 on the subsequent separating 9 element 1. On the side of the compression plate 40 facing the interior of the separating element 1, connecting elements 12 are attached that in this embodiment are made as setbolts that with their end opposite the head are welded to the compression plates 40. The setbolts 12 are cast into the body of the separating element in the production of the separating element 1 and thus constitute a strong connection between the compression plates 40 and the body, generally the concrete body, of the separating element 1. The compression plate 40 extends in the form of clips 14 around edges 9 to over the side surfaces 15 that adjoin the edges 9. The setbolts 12 are also located on the clips 14 in order to create a strong connection of the clips 14 to the concrete body. Figure 2 shows that in the illustrated embodiment, the sections 4b of the end faces 4 of adjoining separating elements 1 when the connecting elements 5, 6 are joined to one another (shown only symbolically in Figures 2 and 3) are spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, the projections 41 do not completely engage the depressions 42, but the surfaces of the projections 41 and depressions 42 have a distance from one another that corresponds to the distance of the end faces 4. This distance in the illustrated embodiment is chosen such that the tips of the projections 41 engage only a small piece in the depressions 42. When a separating element 1 is displaced due to the impact of a motor vehicle, the separating element 1 as shown in Figure 3 can twist around the connecting region of the connecting elements 5, 6, as a result of which a projection 41 more deeply engages the assigned or opposite depression 42. In this way, a stable positive connection is created between the bordering separating elements 1 that is able to accommodate transverse forces that are acting at a right angle to the 10 longitudinal extension of the separating elements 1 or in the plane of the end faces 4 so that the connecting elements 5, 6 that would otherwise have to accommodate these transverse forces are relieved of these transverse forces. In this way, the connecting elements 5, 6 can be optimized to the tensile forces that are acting in the longitudinal direction of the separating elements. Figure 4 shows one embodiment of a separating element 1 that consists, as is inherently known, of an essentially trapezoidal upper part 2 and a wider, likewise essentially trapezoidal lower part 3. In this embodiment, the projections 43 and depressions 44 are made semicircular. It goes without saying that also other shapes of projections and depressions can be used, such as roughly trapezoidal geometries, it also being possible for the projections and depressions to combine different shapes or geometries or proportions. The projections and depressions in all described embodiments can be provided only on the compression plates; the compression plates can therefore rest largely flat on the underlying concrete. The projections or depressions can also, however, as well as shown in the drawings, be present on the concrete body and can be covered and protected by the compression plates. The end face 4 of the separating element 1 of Figure 5 has a middle region 7 and two side regions 8. The middle region 7 and the two side regions 8 in this illustrated embodiment lie in one plane, the middle region having roughly the width of the upper part 2 and the side regions 8 occupying the area by which the lower part 3 projects laterally over the upper part 2. On the side regions 8, on the end face 4, compression plates 11 made of metal, preferably stainless steel, are attached and in the illustrated embodiment extend from the middle region 7 to lateral outer edges 9 of the end face 4. The compression plates 11 can be seated either on side regions that are flush with the middle region 7 and consequently project with the plate thickness 11 over the middle region 7 or can be inserted into depressions whose depth corresponds roughly to the plate thickness so that the free compression surface 10 of the compression plates 11 is flush with the surface of the middle region 7. One projection 41 is attached to one compression plate 11, and one depression 42 is made on the other compression plate 11. On the opposing end face 4, corresponding compression plates 11 that are likewise not shown with one projection 41 and one depression 42 each are attached so that adjoining separating elements 1 can be connected to one another analogously to the manner as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The connection between two separating elements 1 is shown once in the stretched state (Figure 6) and once in the buckled state (Figure 7) in Figures 6 and 7, similarly to as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The middle region 7 is aligned at a right angle to a vertical longitudinal middle plane; conversely, the side regions 8 are located at an angle a of less than 900 to the vertical longitudinal middle plane. For two separating elements 1 that are aligned flush with one another, there are thus V-shaped openings between the side regions 8 that are opposite to one another. In this embodiment, the compression surfaces 10 of the compression plates 11 are located on the side regions 8 at an angle a of less than 90' to the longitudinal axis of the separating element 1, the planes of the compression surfaces 10 passing roughly through the pivot between the connecting elements 5, 6. In this way, the compression elements 11 with their projections 41 and depressions 42 adjoin one another flatly when the separating elements 1 are twisted against one another to the degree as shown in Figure 7. When the separating elements 1 are pivoted as shown in Figure 7, the compression plates 11 with their compression surfaces 10 adjoin one another flatly so that for a continuously acting force F, for example in the direction shown in Figures 3 or 7, the compressive forces acting between the 12 two separating elements 1 in the region of the compression plates 11 are delivered over a large area into the concrete body of the separating elements 1 so that premature breaking-off of an affected corner region of the separating elements 1 can be prevented. In the embodiment of the separating element 1 according to the invention that is shown in Figure 8, the basic shape corresponds to that of Figure 5. Instead of two separate compression plates, however, in this case there is a single compression plate 13 [with] one projection 41 and one depression 42, which extends from one edge 9 of one side region 8 to the other edge 9 of the other side region 8. The compression plate 13 consists preferably of a one-piece steel plate that is again connected on the side regions 8 via setbolts 12 to the concrete body. The embodiment of Figure 9 is very similar to the embodiment of Figure 8, the compression plate 13 extending in the form of clips 14 around the edges 9 to over the side surfaces 15 that adjoin the edges 9. There are also setbolts 12 on the clips 14 in order to create a strong connection of the clips 14 to the concrete body. The embodiment of Figure 10 represents a further development of the embodiment of Figure 3 in which the compression plate 13 in the form of plates 17 extends in addition around extensions 9' of the outer edges 9 in the region of side oblique surfaces 16 of the lower part 3. The oblique surfaces 16 are as is known tilted at an angle of less than 90, preferably at an angle of between 450 and 75', to the bottom surface of the separating element 1. The above-described setbolts 12 are also attached to the plates 17. In the embodiment as shown in Figure 11, a bottom plate 18, which also like the one already described is connected securely with setbolts 12 to the concrete body of the separating element 1, is attached to the compression plate 13 in addition to the clips 14 and the plates 17 on 13 the bottom surface of the separating element 1. Figure 12 shows one embodiment of the invention that is not dissimilar to the one of Figure 11, but with the difference that similarly to the embodiment according to Figure 5, it has separate compression plates 11 that like the embodiment according to Figure 5 have a projection 41 and a depression 42, side clips 14, side plates 17 and bottom plates 18 that are each securely connected by setbolts 12 to the concrete body. It goes without saying that in all illustrated and described embodiments of separating elements 1, on two opposite end faces 4 there can be the same or similar compression plates 11, 13 even if this was not described in detail above. Moreover, the separating elements 1 need not have a symmetrical cross-section, but can also be asymmetrical. Figure 13 shows one embodiment of a separating element 20 according to the invention that has a simple trapezoidal shape as a cross-sectional shape. The separating element 20 like the separating element 1 on two opposite end faces 4 in the lower third has a trapezoidal compression plate 21 on which a projection 41 and a depression 42 are located and that extends over the entire width of the end face 4 from one outer edge 9 to the other edge 9. The two compression plates 21 are connected to one another via side plates 23. Both the compression plates 21 and also the side plates 23 have connecting elements in the form of setbolts 12, with which they are securely connected to the concrete body. In all described embodiments, the compression plates, to the extent that they are located on the end faces 4, and also the sections that are angled to the side surfaces and to the bottom surface are bent either from one-piece plates that are welded to one another if necessary on the borders or edges, or they consist of individual plates that are welded to one another. 14 The basic shapes of the separating elements 1, 20 of the individual illustrated and described embodiments as well as the shapes and the manner of attachment of the compression plates 11, 13, 21 of the individual illustrated and described embodiments can be interchanged among one another as desired. The previously illustrated and described embodiments of the separating elements 1 allow a limited pivoting capacity of the separating elements to one another, among others to be able to form curve radii. The degree of freedom of motion that thus allows a certain buckling angle until the compression plates adjoin another in the case of a vehicle impact has a corresponding effect on the displacement of the overall system (=element chain). This can become a problem in systems that are designed to allow only a small displacement in an impact of a vehicle, based on the case of application. In order to be able to solve this problem, the compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40 in one embodiment of the invention can be made such that in the base position of the separating elements 1, 20 (=straight mounting), they fill a possible gap between the separating elements 1, 20 on one or both sides. If, for example, in one curve region, a buckling is necessary, spacer elements 34 that are arranged to be dismountable and that are attached to the compression plate 21 or integrated in it can be removed in order to thus form a gap that enables a certain buckling angle. One embodiment for such a spacer element 34 is shown in Figure 13. Here, in addition, in the gap that is opened by buckling, therefore opposite that side where the filling element is being removed, a spacer element 34 can be attached that fills the resulting gap in order to again enable immediate transfer of compressive forces. The basic idea of these filling elements that can be attached in different embodiments, for example point-symmetrically to the compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40, are part of 15 them or assume the function of the compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40, is different than in the known versions not a damping action, but in contrast a rigid action that transfers the compressive forces that arise by the buckling to the bordering separating element 1, 20 in the case of a vehicle impact. Thus, the overall system that consists of a series of separating elements 1, 20 becomes stiffer and opposes displacement in the case of a vehicle impact. In all of the above-described embodiments, one projection 41 and one depression 42 each are attached to each end face 4. It goes without saying that only one projection 41 or one depression 42 or more than one projection 41 or more than one depression 42 can be located on each end face 4. Moreover, the projections 41 and depressions 42 need not be attached to compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40, but can also be attached without compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40 or next to compression plates 11, 13, 21, 40. 16

Claims

1. Separating element for traffic surfaces that is made preferably of concrete and that on opposite end faces (4) has at least one connecting element (5, 6) at a time with which it can be connected to a subsequent separating element (1, 20), characterized in that on one end face (4), there is at least one projection (41, 43), and on the other end face, there is at least one depression (42, 44), one projection (41, 43) engaging one depression (42, 44) of a subsequent connecting element (1, 20) in order to transfer the forces acting in the plane of the end face (4) from one separating element (1, 20) to the subsequent separating element (1, 20).

2. Separating element according to Claim 1, wherein the projection (41, 43) consists of metal, preferably of steel, or is covered with a plate made of metal, preferably steel.

3. Separating element according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the depression (42, 44) consists of metal, preferably of steel, or is covered with a plate made of metal, preferably steel.

4. Separating element according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the projection (41, 43) and/or the depression (42, 44) is located on a rigid compression plate (11, 13, 21, 40) on one end face (4).

5. Separating element according to Claim 4, wherein the compression plates (11) are attached in the region of lateral outer edges (9) of the end faces (4).

6. Separating element according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein there is one compression plate (13, 21, 40) that passes from one lateral outer edge (9) to the other lateral outer edge (9).

7. Separating element according to one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the compression plate(s) (11, 13, 21, 40) are located on one lower edge of the end faces (4). 17

8. Separating element according to one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the compression plate(s) (11, 13, 21, 40) with clips (14) and/or plates (17, 23) extend(s) around the lateral outer edges (9) except for longitudinal sides (15, 16, 22) of the separating element (1, 20).

9. Separating element according to Claim 8, wherein it has lower side surfaces (15) that are arranged at a right angle to a bottom surface and oblique surfaces (16) that adjoin over the side surfaces and that are tilted at an angle of less than 900, preferably at an angle of between 450 and 75', to the bottom surface, and wherein the compression plate(s) (11, 13, 21) with clips (14) and/or plates (17, 23) extend(s) around the lateral outer edges (9, 9') except for the side surfaces (15) and oblique surfaces (16).

10. Separating element according to one of Claims 4 to 9, wherein the compression plate(s) (11, 13) extend around one lower edge of the end face (4) except for the bottom surface.

11. Separating element according to one of Claims 4 to 10, wherein at least one end face (4), preferably both end faces (4), have a middle region (7) and side regions (8), wherein the middle region (7) is located at a right angle to a vertical longitudinal middle plane of the separating element (1), wherein compression surfaces (11) on compression plates (11) on the side regions (8) are arranged at an angle (a) of less than 900 to the vertical longitudinal middle plane, and wherein the compression plates (11) are located at least on the lower edge of the side regions (8).

12. Separating element according to Claim 11, wherein one connecting element (5, 6) of one separating element (24) with one connecting element (5, 6) of a subsequent separating element (1, 20, 24) defines a pivot, and wherein the pivot is located in one plane (30) of the compression surfaces (10) of the compression plates (11).

13. Separating element according to one of Claims 4 to 12, wherein an optionally wedge 18 shaped spacer element (34) is attached to at least one compression plate (21).

14. Separating element according to one of Claims 4 to 13, wherein the compression plate(s) (11, 13, 21) on the side that points toward the interior of the separating element (1, 20, 24, 40) has/have projections (12).

15. Separating element according to Claim 14, wherein the projections (12) are setbolts, clamps, or the like.

16. Separating element according to one of Claims 4 to 15, wherein the compression plates (11, 13, 21, 40) consist of metal, preferably of steel.

17. Separating element according to one of Claims 8 to 16, wherein sections of a compression plate (11, 13, 21, 40) that are located on one end face (4) and sections of the compression plate (11, 13, 21, 40) that are located on one longitudinal side (15, 16, 22) or the bottom surface consist of elements that have been joined to one another by welding.

18. Separating element according to one of Claims 1 to 17, wherein it has a roughly I shaped cross-sectional shape. 19