EP0665363A1 - Assembling device for joining the tunnel lining segments - Google Patents

Abstract

The arch stones (3,4) which are combined in pairs have respective their mutual circumferential edges (12,13) placed side by side relative to the tunnel longitudinal axis. These edges are longitudinal but have a localised zone (17), in a longitudinal direction, having edge positioning parts (39,51). One part comprises a longitudinal fork (39) ) having two longitudinal teeth (41) defining between them a longitudinal slot (40) which is open in the longitudinal direction (2). The other part is a tenon (51) which is gripped by the fork by engaging the tenon in the slot. The tenon forms a projection relative to the edge (13) and the positioning fork is withdrawn relative to the edge and housed in a pocket (18)

Description

The present invention relates to a pair of conjugated segments, intended for the realization of a tunnel of determined longitudinal axis and comprising in particular, for this purpose, a respective edge of mutual circumferential juxtaposition, in a relative position determined in particular in radial direction, this edge being essentially longitudinal but having at least one localized zone turned in a respective longitudinal direction in order to allow mutual circumferential juxtaposition by relative translation at least approximately longitudinal of the segments.

It is known that a technique for making a tunnel consists of digging simultaneously over the entire cross section thereof, by means of a tunnel boring machine which progresses along the axis of the tunnel to be produced, and to be put in place, as the TBM progresses, behind it in reference to its direction of progression, successive transverse rings of segments mutually juxtaposed circumferentially, to reinforce the cavity thus created.

The concepts of longitudinal direction, transverse direction, circumferential direction and radial direction which will appear during the present description are understood by reference to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel, defined in the case of a straight tunnel as a line mean, rectilinear, thereof, and in the case of a curved tunnel as a tangent to such a mean, curved line, at the level of the ring considered, for example in a longitudinally median zone thereof.

As the segments are put in place, they are linked together, both from one ring to the other and from one segment of a ring to another segment of the same ring, by means of positioning which ensure mutual retention of the segments which, themselves, ensure the stability of the cavity.

From one ring to another, for example, longitudinal tenons are used, which automatically engage in longitudinal mortises when the segments are put in place by pushing them longitudinally or approximately longitudinally towards a ring already in place, so that no human intervention is necessary for this purpose.

On the other hand, we usually ensure the connection between segments mutually juxtaposed circumferentially by keying, bolting, twisting of respective reinforcements, or other methods all requiring manual intervention, on the one hand, and the reservation of access pockets for handling, in the segments, on the other hand; depending on the end use of the tunnel, it may then be necessary to fill these pockets, also by manual intervention of recovery, before possible internal coating of the tunnel or before direct use of the latter without coating.

• du type fourche longitudinale, comportant deux dents longitudinales définissant entre elles une lumière longitudinale ouverte dans ledit sens longitudinal respectif, ou
• du type tenon,

   susceptible de venir en prise avec l'organe de positionnement dudit autre chant, respectivement du type tenon ou du type fourche, par engagement du tenon dans la lumière lors de ladite translation longitudinale relative, et de rester en prise avec cet organe de positionnement dans ladite position relative, l'organe de positionnement de l'un des types formant une saillie par rapport au chant respectif et l'organe de positionnement de l'autre type étant placé en retrait par rapport au chant respectif et logé dans une poche débouchant longitudinalement dans celui-ci.The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and, to this end, the present invention proposes segments combined in pairs, of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that each of said mutual circumferential juxtaposition edges comprises, in the zone respective localized, at least one positioning member with respect to the other of said edges in said determined relative position, respectively

• of the longitudinal fork type, comprising two longitudinal teeth defining between them a longitudinal lumen open in said respective longitudinal direction, or
• of the tenon type,

capable of engaging with the positioning member of said other edge, respectively of the tenon type or of the fork type, by engagement of the tenon in the lumen during said relative longitudinal translation, and of remaining engaged with this positioning member in said relative position, the positioning member of one of the types forming a projection relative to the respective edge and the positioning member of the other type being set back relative to the respective edge and housed in a pocket opening longitudinally into this one.

The arrangement of said zones located on the essentially longitudinal edges of the segments can result, for example, from an embodiment of the latter in a so-called "trapezoidal" shape or in a so-called "parallelogram" shape, with reference to their flat development, d 'a way known in itself; it is also possible to arrange local areas which are strictly transverse, or having transverse and longitudinal components, on edges which are also strictly longitudinal, thus having a stepped shape, other conformations being still possible without leaving the frame. of the present invention; in particular, this can be applied to both ring segments called "bias" and ring segments known as "straight".

A person skilled in the art will readily understand that the positioning members of conjugate segments, in accordance with the present invention, automatically come into mutual engagement, to ensure precise radial relative positioning of the segments at their level, when successively put in place, by a relative quasi-longitudinal movement, the segments of the same ring; the same movement can thus cause, automatically, the mutual engagement of the segments of the same ring in progress and the engagement of these segments with those of a previously placed ring.

No manual intervention is necessary for this purpose.

In particular, it is not necessary to have access to the positioning members during their mutual engagement, so that one can provide that the pocket is closed in particular in the centripetal radial direction and, preferably, in the radial direction centrifugal, that is to say, no longer opens as soon as the mutual assembly of the segments is ensured, which dispenses with any subsequent clogging intervention.

Naturally, it is preferable that each song of mutual circumferential juxtaposition comprises several copies of said positioning member, of the same type or of different type.

A person skilled in the art will also readily understand that various relative positions and designs of the positioning members make it possible to implement the present invention, that is to say to mutually link the neighboring segments in the same ring, so as to ensure their positioning. relative in particular in radial direction.

Thus, one can in particular provide that the teeth of the fork are mutually offset circumferentially, that the light is open in the centrifugal direction and in the centripetal direction, and that the lug is radial. It is then preferably the positioning member of the tenon type which is housed in the pocket, which makes it possible to anchor it easily in the material constituting the segment, on the one hand, and to ensure particularly simple a stop of the positioning member of the fork type with respect to the positioning member of the tenon type in the centripetal radial direction and the centrifugal radial direction, that is to say a precise radial relative positioning of the segments, by fork stop in both directions inside the pocket, on the other hand.

It can also be provided that the teeth of the fork are mutually offset radially, that the lumen is open circumferentially at least in a circumferential direction facing towards said other edge, and that the tenon is circumferential to engage in the lumen thus oriented.

Positioning devices thus designed and arranged can not only ensure the relative radial positioning of the segments, but also ensure mutual circumferential retention if, according to a preferred embodiment and while the fork opening is open in both circumferential directions, the post has, circumferentially opposite the respective edge, a first shoulder turned towards it and engaged with the fork in said relative position.

To this end, the post may have the shape of a circumferential rod having, circumferentially opposite the respective edge, a head defining said shoulder. Then the positioning members can also ensure a relative positioning of the segments in the longitudinal direction if, in accordance with a still preferred embodiment, the shoulder defined by the head has a convexity towards the respective edge, and the light opens in the opposite direction in the respective longitudinal direction in a bowl for receiving said convexity in said relative position.

The engagement of the head of the tenon in the bowl intended to receive it is advantageously helped by an elastically compressible joint provided between the edges of the segments, in a manner known in itself, or also by a certain elastic flexibility of the fork, linked to a precise tolerancing of this fork as well as of the tenon in the circumferential direction.

It can also be provided that the post has, circumferentially opposite the first shoulder, a second shoulder engaged with the fork, in said relative position, and therefore opposing a mutual circumferential approximation of the segments.

Such a second shoulder can be provided regardless of the conformation of the post, and in particular when the latter has the aforementioned shape of a rod.

In an alternative embodiment, the post has the shape of a longitudinal fork comprising two longitudinal teeth mutually offset circumferentially and defining between them a longitudinal lumen open radially, in centrifugal direction and in centripetal direction, and in said respective longitudinal direction for s' nest with the fork-type positioning member, the lumen of which is open circumferentially in both directions, in said relative position.

Naturally, it is preferably housed in the most vulnerable pocket of the positioning members, which will in most cases be the positioning member of the fork type but could also be the positioning member of the tenon type.

A person skilled in the art will readily understand that the present invention is not limited to pairs of conjugate segments, but extends to segments capable of entering into such a pair.

Advantageously, a segment thus designed comprises said circumferential juxtaposition edge in two copies, mutually opposite circumferentially and whose localized zones, in which they comprise at least one respective positioning member, are rotated in the same longitudinal direction, so that the segments of the same ring cooperate with each other in the same way.

Advantageously, the positioning members are of the same type on the two circumferential juxtaposition edges of the same segment, which facilitates the identification of the segments when they moreover have different shapes, as is known to a man of profession, for example to distinguish between female segments, placed first when making a ring, and male segments, placed second.

However, it is also possible to design segments according to the invention certainly also comprising said circumferential juxtaposition edge in two copies, mutually opposite circumferentially, but whose localized zones, in which they comprise at least one respective positioning member, are rotated in mutually opposite longitudinal directions, for example so that these segments have the shape of a parallelogram if one refers to their development flat.

Such a shape corresponds to another known technique for installing segments of the same ring, consisting of placing a female segment, for example of trapezoidal type, then a certain number of segments, the localized edge areas of which are thus turned in directions. mutually opposite longitudinal ones, for example of the parallelogram type, then a male segment, for example of the trapezoidal type.

• La figure 1 montre le développé à plat, côté intrados, d'un anneau susceptible d'être constitué de voussoirs appariés conformément à la présente invention.
• La figure 2 montre, en une vue analogue mais à plus grande échelle et avec arrachement partiel, un détail de la coopération de l'un de ces voussoirs avec deux voussoirs circonférentiellement voisins.
• La figure 3 montre le détail de la coopération des organes de positionnement respectifs, encore à plus grande échelle et en coupe par un plan moyen repéré en III-III à la figure 4, auquel peut être assimilé localement un cylindre intermédiaire entre l'intrados et l'extrados des voussoirs.
• La figure 4 montre l'organe de positionnement du type fourche dans un sens circonférentiel repéré en IV à la figure 3, avec coupe de l'organe de positionnement coopérant, du type tenon, par un plan non référencé incluant l'axe du tunnel et constituant par exemple un plan moyen pour l'organe de positionnement du type fourche.
• La figure 5 montre une vue des organes de positionnement, coopérant, en coupe par un plan transversal repéré en V-V à la figure 3.
• Les figures 6 et 7 montrent des vues analogues à celles des figures 3 et 4 dans le cas d'une variante de réalisation des organes de positionnement ; la figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon un plan moyen repéré en VI-VI à la figure 7 et défini comme le plan III-III, et la figure 7 est une vue pour l'essentiel dans un sens circonférentiel repéré en VII à la figure 6 et pour partie en coupe par un plan non référencé incluant l'axe du tunnel et constituant par exemple le plan moyen pour l'organe de positionnement du type fourche.
• Les figures 8 et 9 montrent des vues analogues à celles des figures 3 et 4 dans le cas d'une autre variante de réalisation des organes de positionnement ; la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon un plan moyen repéré en VIII-VIII à la figure 9 et défini comme le plan III-III, et la figure 9 est une vue pour l'essentiel dans un sens circonférentiel repéré en IX à la figure 8 et pour partie en coupe par un plan non référencé incluant l'axe du tunnel et constituant par exemple le plan moyen pour l'organe de positionnement du type fourche.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description below, relating to a nonlimiting example of implementation, as well as from the appended drawings which form an integral part of this description.

• Figure 1 shows the flat development, pressure side, of a ring capable of consisting of segments matched in accordance with the present invention.
• Figure 2 shows, in a similar view but on a larger scale and with partial cutaway, a detail of the cooperation of one of these segments with two circumferentially neighboring segments.
• FIG. 3 shows the detail of the cooperation of the respective positioning members, still on a larger scale and in section through a mean plane marked in III-III in FIG. 4, which can be assimilated locally to an intermediate cylinder between the lower surface and the upper surface of the voussoirs.
• FIG. 4 shows the positioning member of the fork type in a circumferential direction identified in IV in FIG. 3, with a section of the cooperating positioning member, of the tenon type, by an unreferenced plane including the axis of the tunnel and constituting for example a mean plane for the positioning member of the fork type.
• FIG. 5 shows a view of the positioning members, cooperating, in section through a transverse plane marked in VV in FIG. 3.
• Figures 6 and 7 show views similar to those of Figures 3 and 4 in the case of an alternative embodiment of the organs of positioning ; Figure 6 is a sectional view along a medium plane marked in VI-VI in Figure 7 and defined as the plane III-III, and Figure 7 is a view essentially in a circumferential direction identified in VII in the Figure 6 and partly in section through a plane not referenced including the axis of the tunnel and constituting for example the mean plane for the positioning member of the fork type.
• Figures 8 and 9 show views similar to those of Figures 3 and 4 in the case of another alternative embodiment of the positioning members; Figure 8 is a sectional view along a mean plane marked in VIII-VIII in Figure 9 and defined as the plane III-III, and Figure 9 is a view in the main in a circumferential direction marked in IX at the Figure 8 and partly in section through a plane not referenced including the axis of the tunnel and constituting for example the mean plane for the positioning member of the fork type.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated by way of nonlimiting example, as segments which can be produced and matched in accordance with the present invention, segments known as "trapezoidal", having in their flat development the respective form of an isosceles trapezoid, it being understood that no limitation should be deduced therefrom as to the possible shapes of segments capable of implementing the present invention.

FIG. 1 thus illustrates a ring 1, transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel, defined, as indicated previously, with reference to a mean line of the tunnel, and simply symbolized by an arrow 2 indicating the longitudinal direction of progression of the tunnel boring machine , this ring 1 being formed by a circumferential juxtapostion of such segments placed head to tail. By way of nonlimiting example, this ring 1 is formed by an alternation of three female segments 3, mutually identical, and three male segments 4, mutually identical. The ring 1 thus formed has two annular, transverse edges 5, 6 defined by the alternation, circumferential, of respective transverse edges of the segments 3, 4, namely the transverse edges 7 of the female segments 3 corresponding to the large base of the trapezoid and the transverse edges 8 of the male segments 4 corresponding to the small base of the trapezium with regard to the edge 5, and the transverse edges 9 of the female segments 3 corresponding to the small base of the trapezium and the transverse edges 10 of the male segments 4 corresponding to the large base of the trapezium with regard to the edge 6.

By its edge 5, the ring 1 is joined and mechanically connected to a previously made ring, in particular from segments identical to segments 3 and 4, in a manner not shown but known to a person skilled in the art, and for example by l 'Intermediate of a system of longitudinal mortise pins, while the edge 6 is intended to receive, under analogous conditions and with mutual connection also under analogous conditions, another ring produced subsequently, for example by means of the same segments. In this regard, reference is made to the current design and installation of the rings, it being understood that the longitudinally extreme rings of the tunnel are generally designed and installed differently.

In relation to the aforementioned positioning of the female segments 3 and male 4, these segments are delimited in circumferential direction 11, and mutually juxtaposed in this same circumferential direction 11, by respective edges 12, 13, corresponding to the oblique sides of the trapezium if the we refer to the flat bench press, and which have an essentially longitudinal orientation, although they have a transverse component given their obliquity. This transverse component makes it possible to set up the male segments 4 after the neighboring female segments 3, placed in their final position, by a simple translational movement at least approximately longitudinal in direction 67 opposite to direction 2, as is well known from a skilled person. It is understood that there would be such a transverse component with segmental conformations other than a trapezoidal conformation, and that it would not depart from the scope of the present invention by choosing such conformations.

The present invention relates to the mutual connection of a female segment 3 and a male segment 4 along their edges or edges 12, 13 mutually juxtaposed circumferentially.

A person skilled in the art will easily understand that it also applies to segments which are capable of being considered as an integral combination of a male segment and a female segment mutually juxtaposed in final relative position, namely segments defined circumferentially by longitudinal edges, one of which is turned in the direction 2 and the other in the opposite longitudinal direction 67, unlike the longitudinal edges 13, 12 of a male segment 4 or of a female segment 3, which are rotated in the same longitudinal direction, respectively 67 or 2. In particular, it applies to segments having in their flat development the shape of a parallelogram, such segments being able to be considered as integrally combining a male segment 4 and a female segment 3, both of trapezoidal type, as shown schematically in 99 in FIG. 1, and consequently as being delimited circumferentially, each, by a edge 12, on the one hand, and by a edge 13, on the other hand, juxtaposed circumferentially respectively to the edge 13 of a male segment 4 or of another segment in parallelogram 99 and to the edge 12 of a female segment 3 or of another segment in p arallelogram 99 in a tunnel ring.

To ensure the connection between two segments 3, 4 or 99 along their edges 12, 13 mutually juxtaposed circumferentially are provided means which will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5, Figure 2 illustrating the insertion of a male segment 4 between two female segments 3 and FIGS. 3 and 4 the assembly of this male segment 4 with one of the two female segments 3, in practice the one located on the right in FIG. 2; more precisely, in this example in which each male segment is circumferentially linked to each female segment in two localized zones 14, 15 of edge 12 and 16, 17 of edge 13, these zones being longitudinally offset mutually on the corresponding edge respectively, we have illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the mutual assembly at the bottom right of FIG. 2, between the localized zone 15 of the edge 12 of the female segment 3 and the localized zone 17 of the edge 13 of the male segment 4, it being understood that the mutual assembly at the level of the zones 14, 16 is carried out under conditions which are similar in all respects.

In the example illustrated, the edges 12 and 13 are planar and respectively include a determined radial generator, for example longitudinally median, with reference to the axis of the tunnel, if we refer to the segment when it occupies its final position inside of it, but it would not go beyond the scope of the present invention to profiling differently and in particular by giving them a transverse profile of mutual circumferential nesting; by way of nonlimiting example of such a transverse profile, there is illustrated in phantom in FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment in which the edges 12 and 13 are respectively concave and convex towards each other, in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

In zone 15, the edge 12 of the female segment 3 is hollowed out of a pocket 18 open in the direction 2 as well as in the circumferential direction, in the edge 12, but also closed, in particular towards the lower surface 19 and the upper surface 20 of the segment, namely the main faces of the latter, respectively turned in the direction 21 of a radial approximation relative to the axis of the tunnel and in the direction 22 of a radial distance relative to this axis.

The pocket 18 is for example symmetrical with respect to a tangent mean plane 23, in the localized zones 15 and 17 assumed to be combined, with a cylinder not shown, centered on the axis of the tunnel and constituting an intermediate cylinder between the lower surface 19 and the upper surface 20, but another positioning could also be adopted, it being understood that the closure of the pocket 18 in the direction 21 and 22, however, would preferably be retained, that is to say towards the lower surface 19 and the upper surface 20.

In the example illustrated, the pocket 18 is in particular delimited by a flat bottom 24 perpendicular to the mean plane 23 and placed in withdrawal with respect to the edge 12.

The bottom 24 is elongated in the direction 2, in which it can be connected to the edge 12, as does the bottom 25 of the pocket 26 arranged in the area 14 and moreover in all points identical to the pocket 18, or, as illustrated and insofar as the pocket 18 is close to the edge 9 in the example illustrated, this bottom 24 can be connected to the edge 9 by a bevelled face 27 to which it is connected along a straight edge 28 perpendicular to the plane 23.

In direction 67 opposite to direction 2 and in directions 21 and 22, the bottom 24 is delimited by its connection to a flank 29 which, itself, connects it to the edge 12. This flank 29 has respectively in the directions 21 and 22 planar zones 30, 31 mutually symmetrical with respect to the mean plane 23 and approximately parallel to it, although converging mutually in direction 67 opposite to direction 2, and it has in this direction 67 opposite to direction 2 a zone 32 which connects the two zones 30 and 31 mutually and presents in the example illustrated a concave shape in direction 2, namely an approximately semi-cylindrical shape around an axis 33 defined by the intersection of the mean plane 23 with a transverse plane 34, that is to say perpendicular to the axis of the tunnel and coinciding in practice with the cutting plane marked in VV in FIG. 3. In direction 2, each zone 30, 31 is connected, by a respective rectilinear edge 68, 69 perpendicular to the edge 28 and to the bottom 24, to a respective bevel face 56, 57 which connects it to the edge 9, the two faces 56 and 57 being plane, mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 23 and diverging mutually in the direction 2. These bevel faces 56, 57 are optional at the same title as the beveled face 27 and, in pa In particular, the pocket 26, further from the edge 9, does not have such bevelled faces.

In the area 32 of the sidewall 29 and in the parts of its areas 30 and 31 directly adjacent to this area 32 is disposed a flat plate 35, arranged along a mean plane 36 perpendicular to the plane 23 and including the axis of the tunnel.

In mutually opposite circumferential directions, going respectively from the edge 13 towards the edge 12 and towards the bottom 24 of the pocket 18 and from the edge 12 towards the edge 13, this plate 35 is delimited by faces 64, 74 essentially flat , parallel to the mean plane 36.

The plate 35 is entirely set back with respect to the edge 12 of the segment 3, inside the pocket 18, in which its position is however such that its face 64 allows to remain with respect to the bottom 24, to which it is parallel, a space 37 fully open in direction 2 and also delimited by the area 32 of the sidewall 29 and by the parts of the areas 30 and 31 of this sidewall 29 directly adjacent to this area 32.

The plate 35 is rigid, for example metallic, and it is for example fixed in the constituent material of the segment 3, generally a concrete, by embedding in the sidewall 29 and connection, for example welded, with reinforcements such as 38 of the constituent material in question.

Inside the pocket 18, the plate 35 has the general shape of a fork 39 symmetrical with respect to the mean plane 23 and open in direction 2.

More specifically, for this purpose, the plate 35 has in the pocket 18 a longitudinal lumen 40 open on the one hand circumferentially and on the other hand in the longitudinal direction 2, between two longitudinal teeth 41 mutually symmetrical with respect to the mean plane 23 and placed cantilevered towards it, inside the pocket 18, with respect to the parts of the zones 30 and 31 of the sidewall 29 adjacent to the zone 32 thereof, respectively.

The light 40 is delimited by a sidewall 42 perpendicular to the mean plane 36 and having in particular two flat zones 43, 44 parallel to the mean plane 23, mutually symmetrical with respect thereto, and delimiting the light 40 respectively in the direction 21 and in the direction 22. In the direction 2, these zones 43, 44 are connected to a respective zone 45, 46 of the sidewall 42; these zones 45, 46, also plane and mutually symmetrical with respect to plane 2, diverge mutually until they reach a respective zone 47, 48 of the edge 49 of the insert 35, which zones 47 and 48 are mutually symmetrical with respect to at plane 23 and mutually coplanar, along a geometric plane perpendicular to this plane 23; these zones 47 and 48, like the entire edge 49, essentially housed inside the material constituting the segment 3, are moreover perpendicular to the mean plane 36 of the plate 35.

In direction 67 opposite to direction 2, the two zones 43 and 44 of the flank 42 are connected to a concave zone 50 of the latter, which is cylindrical of revolution around the axis 33 with a diameter slightly greater than the mutual spacing zones 43 and 44 of the sidewall 42 perpendicular to the mean plane 23, which corresponds to an angular development, around the axis 33, slightly greater than 180 ° and for example of the order of 240 °; a person skilled in the art will easily understand that this figure is only given by way of nonlimiting example.

To cooperate with the fork 39 thus disposed in the pocket 18 of the zone 15 of the edge 12 of the female segment 3, the edge 13 of the male segment 10 carries integrally, in its zone 17, a stud 51 projecting from the edge 13.

More specifically, the post 51, fixed to the male segment 4 for example by embedding in a material constituting the latter, is straight and has an axis 52 coinciding with the axis 33 when the two segments 3 and 4 are assembled together, in their final relative position inside the tunnel, illustrated in all of the figures.

The position of this axis 52 between the lower surface 53 and the upper surface 54 of the male segment 4 as well as in the direction of a distance from the edge 10 thereof is therefore defined in an identical manner to the position of the 'axis 33 relative to the lower surface 19 and the upper surface 20 of the segment 3 and relative to the edge 9 thereof; in fact, in the final relative position, illustrated in the figures, segments 3 and 4, the lower surfaces 19 and 53 extend mutually without unevenness, as well as the upper surfaces 20 and 54, and the edges 12 and 13 can be considered as joined mutually, except for a continuous functional clearance 55 between them, housing for example a seal not shown.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated, the post 51 comprises a rod 58 of cylindrical revolution around the axis 52 with a diameter substantially equal to the aforementioned mutual spacing of the zones 43, 44 of the flank 42 of the lumen 40, which rod 58 constitutes in particular the area of the tenon 51 which, projecting relative to the edge 13, is the closest to the latter.

In the direction of a distance from the edge 13 along the axis 52, corresponding substantially to a circumferential direction, the rod 58 is connected integrally, for example by making in one piece, to a head 59 delimited, in the direction of a distance with respect to the axis 52, by an outer peripheral face 60 of cylindrical revolution around this axis with a diameter greater than that of the outer peripheral face 61 delimiting in this direction the rod 58; this diameter is also greater than that of the zone 50 of the flank 42 of the lumen 40, but it is less than that of the zone 32 of the flank 29 of the pocket 18.

The two outer peripheral faces 60 and 61 are connected to each other by a face 62 forming a shoulder turned circumferentially towards the edge 13; according to the preferred embodiment illustrated, this face 62 is frustoconical of revolution about the axis 52 and diverges from the external peripheral face 61 towards the external peripheral face 60 which, opposite its connection with this frustoconical face 62 in reference to axis 52, connects to one face extreme 63 flat, perpendicular to the axis 52, delimiting the head 59 as well as the entire tenon 51 in the direction of a distance from the edge 13.

Along the axis 52, the tenon 51 is dimensioned, in particular with regard to its part projecting relative to the edge 13, so that its head 59 is housed in the space 37 intermediate between the plate 35 and the bottom 24 of the pocket 18 in the final relative position of the segments 3 and 4, and then takes support by its frustoconical face 62 on the plate 35, around the zone 50 of the flank 42 of the lumen 40 thereof, in a circumferential direction turned towards the edge 13, to oppose a mutual circumferential spacing of the edges 12 and 13, that is to say determine for the functional clearance 55 a maximum limit value, in the circumferential direction or perpendicular to the edges 12 and 13. This value maximum is predetermined so that it results for the elastically compressible seal, not shown, generally interposed between the edges 12 and 13 an elastic crushing suitable for ensuring a seal between the latter.

More specifically, to receive the frustoconical face 62 of the head 59, the plate 35 has around the area 50 of its flank 42, in its face 64, which is also flat, facing the bottom 34 of the pocket 18 and parallel to it. ci, a bowl defined by a concave facet 65, frustoconical of revolution around the axis 33 with a conicity identical to that of the face 62 with reference to the axis 52.

Thus, in the final relative position of the segments 3 and 4, the head 59 fits, by its frustoconical face 62, into the bowl thus defined, which ensures mutual retention of the segments 3 and 4 in their final relative position at the times in the radial direction relative to the axis of the tunnel, in the circumferential direction relative to this axis and in the longitudinal direction, that is to say parallel to this axis. The functional clearance 55, generally accommodating an elastically compressible seal, facilitates this mutual interlocking of the head 59 of the post 51 and of the facet 65 of the plate 35, but one could also provide for this purpose a design and an assembly of the plate 35 giving the latter a certain elastic flexibility, in a manner not illustrated but easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

The engagement of the head 59 of the stud 51 with the plate 35 when the male segment 4 is installed after installing the female segment 3, according to a laying technique known in itself, by moving the segment 4 in direction 67 opposite to direction 2 with respect to the female segment 3, is advantageously facilitated by the arrangement, at the junction of the face 64 of the plate 35 with the parts 47 and 48 of the edge 49 thereof and the zones 45 and 46 of the flank 42 of the lumen 40, on either side of the latter, of a respective flat area, at a bevel 66 progressively moving away from the bottom 24 of the pocket 18 in direction 2.

We find an assembly identical to that which has just been described in zones 14 and 16, with the exception that the pocket 26 does not have in the direction 2 of flaring similar to that defined by the faces 27, 56 and 57 in the case of pocket 18.

It will be noted that the presence of such an assembly in duplicate along each of the pairs of associated edges 12-13 makes it possible automatically, when the male segments 4 are put in place, by sliding in the opposite direction 67 to the direction 2 with respect to one or two female segments 3 already in place, a precise relative positioning of these segments and a maintenance of the latter according to this precise relative positioning, under conditions making it possible to dispense with any subsequent intervention of mutual solidarity.

It is understood that the provisions for this purpose which have just been described, however, constitute only a non-limiting example of implementation of the present invention, and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to what has has been described without departing from the scope of this invention.

In particular, the number of arrangements similar to that which has been described with reference to zones 15 and 17, along each pair of edges 12-13 associated, could be different without departing from the scope of this invention it could also be provided that these are the edges 12 of the female segments 3 which carry the pins 51 and the edges 13 of the male segments 4 which carry the plates 35 inside pockets 18, or alternatively provide that each edge 12, 13 carries both at least one stud 51 and at least one plate 35 housed in a pocket 18. It could also be provided that it is the pins 51 which are placed in pockets 18 and the plates 35 which are placed projecting relative to the corresponding song.

Also, the shape of the plates 35 and of the head 59 of the studs 51 could be simplified so that there is no mutual interlocking in the final relative position of the segments, the face 62 then being replaced by a flat annular face. , perpendicular to the axis 52 and the facet 65 being omitted, in which case the cooperation between each tenon 51 and the corresponding plate 35 would no longer ensure, among the aforementioned functions, that of relative longitudinal positioning of the segments. We could still simply remove the head 59, in which case the pins 51 and plate 35 no longer ensured mutual retention of the segments in the circumferential direction, only then being provided the function of relative positioning in the radial direction relative to the axis from the tunnel; in the latter case, the lumen 40 of the plate 35 could be closed in a circumferential direction from the edge 13 towards the edge 12 and towards the bottom 24 of the pocket 18 insofar as the space 37 becomes superfluous, and the plate 35 could be directly attached to the bottom 24 of the pocket 18; this bottom 24, or a part of the plate 35 doubling this bottom by closing the light 40 in a circumferential direction going towards it, could then serve as a stop for the stud in this direction, and impose on the functional clearance 55 a predetermined minimum limit value of so that the crushing of the aforementioned elastically compressible seal, between the edges 12 and 13, cannot reach values such that it may result in deterioration of this seal.

Conversely, we can also make the pins suitable for fulfilling this function of imposing a limit on the mutual circumferential approximation of the segments at the same time as all of the retaining functions obtained by means of the pin 51 as it has been described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, namely a mutual retention of the segments 3 and 4 in the centrifugal direction and in the centripetal direction with reference to the axis of the tunnel, in the circumferential direction of a mutual spacing and in the two longitudinal directions.

To this end, while retaining the provisions described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 and as shown schematically in phantom in Figure 3, we can provide the rod 58 of the stud 51 with a shoulder 73, annular of revolution around axis 52, rotated in the direction of a circumferential distance from the edge 13 and located between the latter and the head 59, circumferentially opposite the shoulder defined by the face 62 thereof, in order to be able to bear on the face 74 of the wafer 35 , in a circumferential direction from edge 13 to edge 12, in the relative position of the segments. It will be observed that the dimension separating the shoulder 73 and the face 62, or more precisely the junction of the face 62 with the face 61 of the stud 51, parallel to the axis 58 must be large enough to allow the longitudinal path of the light 40 by the rod 58 of the stud 51 during the installation of the segments for this purpose, this distance must be approximately equal and slightly greater than the thickness of the plate 35 measured between its faces 64 and 74, perpendicular to the plane 36, so that there remains a slight play of circumferential movement between the stud 51 and the plate 35, that is to say between the segments 3 and 4, in the final relative position of the latter; this clearance and this clearance can be practically canceled if a planar configuration is adopted for the face 62 and if the bowl 65 is removed from the face 64 around the light 40.

Another design of the pins for this purpose will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, where we find under the same numerical references, incremented by 100, the various components or part of components described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, practically identical except for the modifications which will be described; as regards the components or parts of components which are practically unchanged, reference is made to the description of FIGS. 2 to 5.

We find in the case of this embodiment a pocket 118 identical to the pocket 18 and a plate 135 identical to the plate 35 except that the zone 150 of the flank 142 of the lumen 140, that is to say say the area of the side 142 delimiting the light 140 in the direction 167, is planar and transverse, that is to say in particular perpendicular to the planes 123 and 136, and that the face 164 does not have near this area 150 of facet forming a bowl, similar to facet 65 of the face 64 of the wafer 35. In addition, between this zone 150 of the plane 142 of the lumen 140 and the zone 132 of the flank 129 of the pocket 118 remains a longitudinal distance greater than that which mutually separates the flank zones 50 and 32, in the case of the embodiment of the invention described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The post 151 is substantially more modified in the sense that instead of being in the form of a rod 58 carrying a head 59, it is in the form of another wafer 158 having the flank 123 as a mean plane when the two segments 103 and 104 occupy their final relative position.

This plate 158 is partially embedded in the material constituting the segment 104, by being for example integrally connected to reinforcements thereof as has been described in connection with the plate 35, and forms a projection relative to the edge 113 of the segment 104 on the one hand in a circumferential direction going towards the edge 112 and the inside of the pocket 118, and on the other hand longitudinally, and more precisely in the direction 167.

In the circumferential direction of a distance from the edge 113, this plate 158 is delimited by a flat edge area 163, situated in a plane not referenced including the longitudinal axis of the tunnel and whose circumferential projection, relative to the edge 113 of the segment 104, is such that this zone 163 is positioned relative to the bottom 124 of the pocket 118 in a position similar to that of the face 63 of the head 59 of the stud 51 relative to the bottom 24 of the pocket 18, c that is to say between the face 164 of the plate 135 and this bottom 124, preferably without contact with the latter, in the final relative position of the segments 103 and 104.

In direction 102, the plate 158 is delimited by an edge zone 170 to which its edge zone 163 is connected in this direction 102 and which has an indifferent shape, for example planar and transverse, parallel to the edge 110 of the segment 104.

In the direction 67, the edge zone 163 is connected to a flat edge zone 159, transverse, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel, and turned in the direction 167.

This zone 159, placed opposite the flank zone 132 of the pocket 118 in the final position of the segments 103 and 104, in the immediate vicinity of this flank zone 132, extends in a circumferential direction going towards the edge 113, as the edge zone 170, until it enters the material constituting the segment 4, in which it has an indifferent shape, in particular linked to the need to anchor the plate 158 in this constituent material.

However, according to a mean plane which coincides with the mean plane 136 if one refers to the final relative position of the segments, this edge zone 159 is hollowed out by a light 171 elongated longitudinally, closed in both circumferential directions but open on the one hand in the two radial directions 121 and 122 and on the other hand in the longitudinal direction 167.

• deux zones planes 162, 173, mutuellement symétriques par rapport à un plan confondu avec le plan 136 dans la position relative définitive des voussoirs, et tournées respectivement dans le sens d'un rapprochement circonférentiel vis-à-vis du chant 113 et dans le sens d'un éloignement circonférentiel par rapport à celui-ci ; la zone 162 est destinée à jouer vis-à-vis de la plaquette 135 le même rôle que la face 62 de la tête 59 vis-à-vis de la plaquette 35, c'est-à-dire constitue un épaulement qui, dans la position relative définitive des voussoirs, s'appuie sur la face 164 de la plaquette 135 dans le sens circonférentiel d'un rapprochement vis-à-vis du chant 13, pour s'opposer à un écartement circonférentiel mutuel des chants 112 et 113, c'est-à-dire imposer une valeur limite maximale à la dimension circonférentielle du jeu fonctionnel 155 ; à cet effet, la zone de flanc 162 s'appuie à plat contre la face 164, entre la zone de flanc 150 de la lumière 140 et la zone de flanc 132 de la poche 118 ; la zone de flanc 173 constitue quant à elle un épaulement destiné à venir s'appuyer à plat, circonférentiellement à l'opposé de la zone de flanc 162, sur la face plane 174, tournée circonférentiellement vers le chant 113 et symétrique de la face 164 par rapport au poan 136, pour imposer une valeur minimale à la dimension du jeu fonctionnel 155 en direction circonférentielle, c'est-à-dire s'opposer à ce que ce jeu 155 se réduise dans une mesure telle qu'il puisse en résulter un endommagement du joint élastiquement compressible, non représenté, interposé entre les chants 112 et 113 ; de préférence, comme il ressort de l'examen de la figure 6, I'écartement mutuel des zones de flanc 162, 173 en direction circonférentielle est sensiblement identique, bien que légèrement supérieur, à celui des faces 164 et 174 de la plaquette 135, de telle sorte que le jeu 155 présente une dimension circonférentielle prédéterminée, avec une bonne approximation, dans la position relative définitive des voussoirs ;
• une zone 175 également plane mais quant à elle perpendiculaire au plan confondu avec le plan 136, et plus précisément transversale, et tournée dans le sens 167 pour s'appliquer à plat contre la zone de flanc 150 de la lumière 140 dans la position relative définitive des voussoirs, comme le montre la figure 7 ; cette zone de flanc 175 raccorde mutuellement les zones de flanc 162 et 173 ;
• deux zones 176, 177 également planes mais quant à elles mutuellement symétriques par rapport au plan confondu avec le plan 136, ces zones 176 et 177 raccordant respectivement la zone 162 et 173, dans le sens 167, à la zone de chant 159 de la plaquette 158 en s'écartant mutuellement, symétriquement l'une de l'autre par rapport au plan confondu avec le plan 136, dans le sens 167 pour définir ainsi un évasement de la lumière 171 dans ce sens.

More precisely, this lumen 171 is delimited by a flank 172 perpendicular to the mean plane of the plate 158, coincident with the plane 123, and this flank 172 itself is made up of the following zones:

• two flat zones 162, 173, mutually symmetrical with respect to a plane coincident with the plane 136 in the final relative position of the segments, and rotated respectively in the direction of a circumferential approximation with respect to the edge 113 and in the direction a circumferential distance from it; the area 162 is intended to play vis-à-vis the wafer 135 the same role as the face 62 of the head 59 vis-à-vis the wafer 35, that is to say constitutes a shoulder which, in the final relative position of the segments, rests on the face 164 of the wafer 135 in the circumferential direction of an approximation with respect to the edge 13, to oppose a mutual circumferential spacing of the edges 112 and 113, that is to say, to impose a maximum limit value on the circumferential dimension of the functional clearance 155; for this purpose, the flank area 162 rests flat against the face 164, between the flank area 150 of the lumen 140 and the flank area 132 of the pocket 118; the flank zone 173 constitutes a shoulder intended to come to rest flat, circumferentially opposite the flank zone 162, on the flat face 174, facing circumferentially towards the edge 113 and symmetrical of the face 164 relative to the poan 136, to impose a minimum value on the dimension of the functional clearance 155 in the circumferential direction, that is to say to oppose that this clearance 155 be reduced to an extent such that it may result damage to the elastically compressible seal, not shown, interposed between the edges 112 and 113; preferably, as appears from the examination of FIG. 6, the mutual spacing of the flank zones 162, 173 in the circumferential direction is substantially identical, although slightly greater, than that of the faces 164 and 174 of the wafer 135, so that the clearance 155 has a predetermined circumferential dimension, with a good approximation, in the final relative position of the segments;
• a zone 175 also planar but as for it perpendicular to the plane coincident with the plane 136, and more precisely transverse, and turned in the direction 167 to be applied flat against the flank zone 150 of the lumen 140 in the final relative position segments, as shown in Figure 7; this flank zone 175 mutually connects the flank zones 162 and 173;
• two zones 176, 177 also flat but in turn mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane merged with the plane 136, these zones 176 and 177 connecting zone 162 and 173 respectively, in the direction 167, to the edge zone 159 of the wafer 158 by deviating mutually, symmetrically from one another with respect to the plane coincident with the plane 136, in the direction 167 so as to define a flare of the light 171 in this direction.

In the radial direction, respectively in the direction 121 and in the direction 122, the edge zones 159, 163,170 of the plate 158 as the flank zones 162, 173, 175, 176, 177 of the light 171 of the latter are connected to a respective flat face 178, 179, parallel to the plane coincident with the plane 123, with respect to which these two faces 178, 179 are parallel. The face 178 is thus turned in the centripetal direction 121 and the face 179 in the centrifugal direction 122, and their mutual spacing, perpendicular to the plane coincident with the plane 123, that is to say the thickness of the wafer 158 between them, is substantially equal, although slightly less, to the mutual spacing of the flank zones 142 and 143 of the lumen 140 of the plate 135 so that, in the final relative position of the segments and as shown in FIG. 7 , the faces 178 and 179 bear flat respectively on the flank zone 143, in the direction 21, and on the flank zone 142, in the direction 122, thus ensuring precise relative positioning of the two segments 103, 104 in the radial direction .

It will be noted that, respectively on either side of the lumen 171 in the circumferential direction, the plate 158 forms on the outside of the pushers 104, on the edge 113 thereof, a tooth 180, 181; both teeth 180, 181 thus defined are turned in the direction 167 and mutually offset circumferentially. The wafer 158 thus has the shape of a fork, like the wafer 135, and a person skilled in the art will easily design a single shape of wafer which can serve both as wafer 135 and as wafer 158, thanks to a possibility of implantation in two different positions, in the song of a segment.

However, the plate 158 could be shaped so as not to have the tooth 181 closest to the edge 113, the lumen 171 therefore being defined between the tooth 180 and the edge 113; in such a case, the only mutual circumferential retention of the segments 103, 104 would be carried out with respect to a mutual circumferential spacing, according to a possibility similar to that offered by the cooperation of the head 59 of the stud 51 with the plate 35.

Consequently, the insert 158 should be considered as an alternative embodiment of the post 51 and, in the appended claims, the term "post" also designates the post itself as it has been described with reference to the figures. 2 to 5 that the plate 158 described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 and that other components capable of playing an equivalent role.

However, such a plate can also be considered as constituting the positioning device of the fork type, and cooperate with a positioning device of the tenon type provided for replacing the positioning device of the fork type provided in the pocket 118 of the edge 112 of the female segment 103, in the form of the wafer 135.

Such an alternative embodiment has been illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 in which the components or parts of components described with reference to FIGS. 6 are found identically or practically identically, under the same numerical references incremented by 100. and 7, with the exception of any equivalent of the plate 135.

• la zone 275 du flanc 272 de la lumière 271 est concave, hémicylindrique de révolution autour d'un axe 252 commun au tenon 235 dans la position relative prédéterminée des deux voussoirs 203 et 204, comme il apparaîtra plus loin, avec un diamètre correspondant à l'écartement mutuel des zones 262 et 273 du flanc 272 ; l'axe 252 est orienté perpendiculairement au plan 223, constituant également pour la plaquette 258 un plan moyen de symétrie, dans cette position relative prédéterminée ;
• les faces 278 et 279, planes, de la plaquette 258, mutuellement symétriques par rapport au plan moyen de celle-ci, ne sont plus mutuellement parallèles, mais convergent légèrement dans le sens 267, d'une façon identique aux zones 230 et 231 du flanc 229 de la poche 218, de telle sorte que, dans ladite position relative déterminée, ces faces 278 et 279 s'appliquent à plat respectivement sur la zone 230 et sur la zone 231 du flanc 229, ou ne respectent vis-à-vis de ces zones de flanc qu'un jeu fonctionnel, et que, par ces faces 278 et 279, la plaquette 258 bute respectivement dans le sens centripète 221 et dans le sens centrifuge 222 contre le flanc 229 de la poche 218 dans cette position relative prédéterminée, immobilisant ainsi les voussoirs 203 et 204 à l'encontre de tout déplacement en direction radiale par rapport à l'axe du tunnel.

In particular, there is a pocket 218 at all points similar to the pocket 118 and a plate 258 at all points similar to the plate 158 except that, better adapted to its role of positioning device of the fork type 239, suitable for cooperating with a positioning member of the tenon type 251 housed integrally in the pocket 218 of the edge 212 of the female segment 203:

• the zone 275 of the flank 272 of the lumen 271 is concave, semi-cylindrical of revolution around an axis 252 common to the post 235 in the predetermined relative position of the two segments 203 and 204, as will appear below, with a diameter corresponding to l 'mutual spacing of the zones 262 and 273 of the flank 272; the axis 252 is oriented perpendicular to the plane 223, also constituting for the wafer 258 a mean plane of symmetry, in this predetermined relative position;
• the planar faces 278 and 279, of the wafer 258, which are mutually symmetrical with respect to the mean plane thereof, are no longer mutually parallel, but converge slightly in the direction 267, in an identical manner to the zones 230 and 231 of the side 229 of pocket 218, so that, in said determined relative position, these faces 278 and 279 are applied flat on area 230 and area 231 of side 229, or do not respect each other of these flank zones as a functional clearance, and that, by these faces 278 and 279, the plate 258 abuts respectively in the centripetal direction 221 and in the centrifugal direction 222 against the flank 229 of the pocket 218 in this predetermined relative position , thus immobilizing the segments 203 and 204 against any movement in the radial direction relative to the axis of the tunnel.

To cooperate with the fork type member 239 thus formed, and more precisely with the light 271 thereof, the positioning member of the tenon type 251 has the shape of a rod 258 delimited by an external peripheral face 261 cylindrical of revolution about the axis 252 with a diameter approximately equal to, but slightly smaller than, that of the zone 275 of the flank 272 of the lumen 271; this rod 258 passes right through, along the axis 252, the lumen 218 leaving a space 237 opposite the bottom 224 thereof allowing the passage of the tooth 280. The rod 258 thus penetrates into the material constituting the segment 203 by the zones 230 and 231 of the edge 229 of the pocket 218, and presents inside this material of the extreme zones which are embedded therein, and by which it is advantageously connected in an integral manner, for example by welding, to reinforcements 238 of this constituent material.

A skilled person will easily understand that a longitudinal translation of the male segment 204 relative to the female segment 203 in the direction 267, when the male segment 204 is put in place while the segment 203 occupies its final position, successively causes the engagement of the fork-type positioning member 239 in the pocket 218 then, when approaching the final relative position of the segments 203 and 204, the fitting of this member 239 onto the positioning member of the tenon type 251 by the fork 271. When, during this movement, the zone 275 of the edge 272 abuts in the direction 267 on the external peripheral face 261 of the rod 258, the predetermined relative position is reached and fixed both in the centripetal and centrifugal radial directions 221 and 222, in the longitudinal direction 267 if we consider the male segment 204 relative to the female segment 203, and in the two circumferential directions 211, respectively by abutment of the faces 278 and 279 against the zones 230 and 231 of the flank 229 of the pocket 218, by pressing the zone 275 of the flank 272 of the lumen 271 against the external peripheral face 261 of the rod 258, and by pressing the zones 262 and 273 of this flank 271 against this same face per outdoor device 261.

These examples of variants are by no means exhaustive, as a person skilled in the art will readily understand.

Claims (18)

Pair of combined segments (3, 4; 103, 104; 203, 204), intended for the realization of a tunnel of determined longitudinal axis and comprising in particular, for this purpose, a respective edge (12,13; 112, 113 ; 212, 213) of mutual circumferential juxtaposition, in a relative position determined in particular in the radial direction, this edge (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213) being essentially longitudinal but having at least one localized zone (14 to 17, 115, 117; 215, 217) turned in a respective longitudinal direction (2, 67; 102, 167; 202, 267) in order to allow mutual circumferential juxtaposition by longitudinal relative translation of the segments (3, 4; 103, 104; 203, 204),
characterized in that each of said edges (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213) comprises, in the respective localized area (14 to 17; 115, 117; 215, 217), at least one member (39, 51; 139, 151; 239, 251) of positioning with respect to the other of said edges (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213) in said determined relative position, respectively - of the longitudinal fork type (39; 139; 239), comprising two longitudinal teeth (41; 141; 280, 281) defining between them a longitudinal lumen (40; 140; 271) open in said respective longitudinal direction (2; 102; 267), or - of the tenon type (51; 151; 251), likely to come into engagement with the positioning member (39, 51; 139, 151; 239, 251) of said other edge (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213), respectively of the tenon type (51; 151; 251) or of the fork type (39; 139; 239), by engagement of the tenon (51; 151; 251) in the lumen (40; 140, 271) during said relative quasi-longitudinal translation, and to remain in engagement with this positioning member (39, 51; 139, 151; 239, 251) in said relative position, the positioning member (51; 151; 239) of one of the types forming a projection relative to the edge (13; 113; 212) respective and the positioning member (39; 139; 251) of the other type being set back relative to the edge (12; 112; 213) respective and housed in a pocket (18; 118; 218 ) opening longitudinally therein. Pair of conjugate segments according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said edges (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213) comprises several copies of said positioning member. Pair of conjugate segments according to claim 2, characterized in that said copies are of the same type or of different type on the same edge (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213). Pair of conjugate segments according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the teeth (41; 141) are mutually offset radially and the lumen (40; 140) is open circumferentially at least in a circumferential direction facing towards said other edge (13; 113), and in that the post (51; 251) is circumferential. Pair of conjugate segments according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the fork opening is open in two mutually opposite circumferential directions, the lug (51; 151) has, circumferentially opposite the edge (13; 113) respective, a shoulder (62; 162) turned towards the latter and engaged with the fork (39; 139) in said relative position. Pair of conjugate segments according to claim 5, characterized in that the tenon (51; 151) has, circumferentially opposite the first shoulder (62; 162), a second shoulder (73; 173) engaged with the fork (39; 139) in said relative position. Pair of conjugate segments according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the post (51) has the shape of a circumferential rod (58). Pair of conjugate segments according to claim 7, characterized in that the shoulder defined by the head (59) has a convexity towards the respective edge (13), and in that the light (40) opens in the opposite direction (67) in the respective longitudinal direction (2) in a bowl (65) for receiving said convexity (face 62) in said relative position. Pair of conjugate segments according to claim 6, characterized in that the tenon (151) has the shape of a longitudinal fork comprising two longitudinal teeth (180, 181) mutually offset circumferentially, constituting the first and second shoulders and defining between them a longitudinal light (171) open radially, in centrifugal direction (122) and in centripetal direction (121), and in said respective longitudinal direction (167) to nest with the fork-type positioning member (139), the lumen (140) of which is open circumferentially in both directions, in said relative positions. Pair of conjugate segments according to any one of Claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the fork-type positioning member (39; 139) is housed in the pocket (18; 118). Pair of conjugate segments according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the teeth (280, 281) are mutually circumferentially offset and the lumen (271) is open in the centrifugal radial direction (222) and in the centripetal radial direction (221), and in that the tenon (251) is radial. Pair of conjugate segments according to claim 11, characterized in that the tenon-type positioning member (251) is housed in the pocket (218) and in that the pocket (218) constitutes a stop for the positioning member of the fork type (239) in the centrifugal radial direction (222) and in the centripetal radial direction (221). Pair of conjugate segments according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the pocket (18; 118; 218) is closed in particular in the centripetal radial direction (21; 121; 221) and, preferably, in the radial direction centrifugal (22; 122; 222). Segment as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13. Segment according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises said edge (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213) of circumferential juxtaposition in two copies, circumferentially mutually opposite. Segment according to claim 15, characterized in that the localized zones (14 to 17; 115, 117; 215, 217), in which the said edges (12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 213) of circumferential juxtaposition of a voussoir comprise at least one respective positioning member (31, 59; 131, 159; 231; 259), are rotated in the same longitudinal direction (2, 67; 102, 167; 202, 267). Segment according to claim 16, characterized in that the positioning members (39, 51; 139, 151; 239, 251) are of the same type. Segment according to claim 15, characterized in that the localized zones (14 to 17), in which said edges (12, 13) of circumferential juxtaposition of a segment (99) comprise at least one respective positioning member (31, 59 ), are rotated in mutually opposite longitudinal directions (2, 67).

Images