EP2534338B1

EP2534338B1 - Structural reinforcement device

Info

Publication number: EP2534338B1
Application number: EP10805626.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Charles Philip Richardson; Christopher Scott; David Hindle
Original assignee: Innovative Support Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Innovative Support Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2010-02-11
Filing date: 2010-12-17
Publication date: 2022-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-17
Also published as: WO2011098748A2; ES2939539T3; GB201002324D0; WO2011098748A3; WO2011098747A2; WO2011098747A3; EP2534338A2; PT2534338T

Description

The present invention relates to a structural reinforcement device and to a methods of forming the same. In particular, the present invention relates to devices that provide structural support to curved and partially curved surfaces such as the walls and roofs of tunnels. The invention further extends to methods of providing structural support, particularly to curved and partially curved surfaces and to a structural support assembly.
Structural support is required in many fields of construction. An area of particular interest is in providing structural support to the roof and walls of tunnels, mines and shafts.
Tunnels (underground passageways) are well known in the art and have been used for centuries in various guises. Tunnels often have curved roofs and straight or curved walls, usually as a result of the machines that are used to dig the tunnel.
The digging and maintaining of tunnels is a difficult and potentially dangerous process. It is therefore necessary to take many precautions to ensure that the walls, roof and floor of the tunnel are adequately supported to prevent them from collapsing inward due to the forces of the surrounding material. This is often done by installing structural reinforcement devices to the roofs and walls of tunnels during their construction. Further, during continued use of the tunnel and weathering of the support structures, it may be necessary to replace and upgrade existing tunnel reinforcements.
However, one problem associated with the digging and maintenance of tunnels is that the structural reinforcement devices used are very heavy and cumbersome and therefore are difficult to manoeuvre and install, requiring heavy machinery and extensive labour. Furthermore, by their nature, tunnels are often difficult to access, so the required heavy machinery may not be able to access the required area to enable the installation of the structural reinforcement device.
It is an object of aspects of the present invention to provide a solution to the above mentioned or other problems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a structural reinforcement device as disclosed in claim 1.
In use, the frame is then filled with a filler material such as by spraying concrete thereinto.
Advantageously, in the present invention, structural reinforcement is provided by a combination of a cross-linked frame and a filler material. Accordingly, the preparation and installation of a structural support device of the present invention is much easier than prior art structural reinforcement devices that use large steel frame structures, because that of the present invention is much lighter.
Preferably, the frame comprises at least four laterally spaced longitudinal rods.
Preferably, the or each linking member comprises an undulating linking member.
Preferably, the upper and lower plane are generally parallel with each other. Preferably, at least two longitudinal rods are in the upper plane. Preferably, at least two longitudinal rods are in the lower plane.
The structural reinforcement device may be modular. The structural reinforcement device may comprise one or more frame. The frame may comprise joining means operable to allow it to be joined to other similar frames. The joining means may be operable to allow frame members to be joined laterally or longitudinally. The joining means may comprise an overlap section in which a portion of adjacent frame members overlap.
The securing means may comprise one or more aperture. Preferably, the securing means are attached to one or more of the longitudinal rods.
The undulating rod may comprise a series of peaks and troughs and is preferably attached to the longitudinal rod generally at one or more nadir of the undulating rod, more preferably generally at each nadir of the undulating rod.
In creating the structural reinforcement device of the invention, the inventors have invented a surprisingly simple and efficient way of forming the frame, starting from a basic starting material and with little extra manufacturing steps.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a frame for a structural reinforcement device as disclosed in claim 6.
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the amount of pressure applied in the "second pressure" will determine the extent to which the longitudinal axis becomes arcuate. Accordingly, a person preparing the frame can easily do so to the specifications required by the end use.
Preferably, the sheet of overlapping rods comprises rods arranged generally parallel and perpendicular with each other, thereby forming a grid of generally rectilinear apertures, i.e. a rectilinear grid. Preferably, the grid is a regular grid, more preferably a Cartesian grid. In a most preferred embodiment, the sheet of overlapping rods is in the form of a grid of generally square apertures.
Preferably, the first pressure is applied substantially along the length of the one or more longitudinal rods.
Preferably, the or each longitudinal rod to which the first pressure is applied is deflected from the sheet by bending lateral rods that cross link adjacent longitudinal rods, preferably into an inverted generally bell shaped curve.
Preferably, the second pressure is applied in a generally opposite direction to the direction of the first force.
The further longitudinal rod is preferably parallel with longitudinal rods of the grids which have not had a first or second force applied thereto.
It will be appreciated that in the grid of overlapping rods, the rods are secured to each other at the cross over points by suitable means, such as, for example, welding etc.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing structural reinforcement to a partially curved surface as disclosed in claim 10.
Preferably, the method comprises arranging and securing a number of frames adjacent to a surface to be reinforced.
The method may comprise adding a filler material to the or each frame. The filler material may be any appropriate filler. For example, stones, sand, aggregate etc. However, in a preferred embodiment, the filler material comprises a curable material, such as a concrete material.
The method may further comprise covering the or each frame with a mesh material, such as a wire mesh, for example.
The method may comprise applying a flexure force to the frame to thereby cause the frame to push outward against the adjacent surface. The flexure force may be applied by jacking up ends of the frame.
The frame of the structural reinforcement device may be filled with a filler material. In this manner, a structural reinforcement assembly may be formed.
The structural reinforcement device may be covered with a mesh material, such as a wire mesh.
The filler material may be any appropriate filler. For example, stones, sand, aggregate etc. However, in a preferred embodiment, the filler material comprises a curable material, such as a concrete material.
The assembly may comprise securing means securing the structural reinforcement device to an adjacent structure. The securing means may comprise one or more pole, which may extend into the adjacent structure.
Preferably, the securing means are arranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame.
All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of the above aspects and in any combination.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a frame;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the frame in a second configuration;
Figure 3 shows an end view of the frame in the second configuration;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the frame in a third configuration;
Figure 5 shows a grid frame in a fourth configuration;
Figure 6 shows an end view of an extended frame;
Figure 7 shows a structural reinforcement device of the invention formed from the frame in the fourth configuration;
Figure 7a shows an enlarged view of a section of the structural reinforcement device of figure 7;
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a section of an extended structural reinforcement device of the invention;
Figure 9 shows a second embodiment of a structural support device of the invention;
Figure 10 shows a sectional view of overlapping sections of a structural reinforcement device;
Figure 11 shows an end view of a second embodiment of the frame of the present invention;
Figure 12 shows an end view of a third embodiment of the frame of the present invention; and
Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a section of a structural support device formed from the second embodiment of the frame.

Referring first to figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of a frame 102 in the form of a grid of open squares formed by securing overlapping metal rods secured together (by welding) at generally right angles to each other. In the frame 102 of figure 1 there are three horizontal rods 104, 106, 108 being generally parallel with each other along a longitudinal axis of the frame, and five vertical rods 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 being generally parallel with each other, but generally perpendicular with the horizontal rods 104, 106, 108 (and therefore generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the frame 102).
Figure 2 shows the frame 102 in a second configuration 202 after having a pressure applied across the length of the centremost of the three horizontal rods 106 as shown by arrows "A" in figure 1. This downward pressure has caused the vertical rods 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 to bend to form an inverted generally bell curved shape. This shown more clearly in figure 3, which shows an end on view of the second configuration 202 of the frame 102.
Referring now to figure 4 there is shown the frame 102 in a third configuration 302. The third configuration 302 is a result of applying pressure to the centremost of the three horizontal rods 106 of the frame in the second configuration 202 at points between the vertical rods 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, as shown by arrows "B" in figure 2. This applied pressure has the effect of bending the horizontal rod 106 at several points, forming an undulating rod 106, causing the frame 102 to buckle slightly, resulting in the longitudinal axis thereof becoming curved, as shown in figure 4.
Referring now to figure 5, there is shown the frame 102 in a fourth configuration 402. The fourth configuration is a result of adding a securing rod 120 to the frame 102 to secure the frame in the curved configuration of the third configuration 302 as discussed above with reference to figure 4. The securing rod 120 is curved in a similar manner to the horizontal rods 104 and 108, as shown in figure 5 and thus runs generally perpendicular therewith.
The frame described above with reference to figure 5 can be used to form a structural reinforcement device of the invention as will be described hereunder.
Referring to figure 6 there is shown an end view of a frame 502 being equivalent to that shown in figure 3, but where the initial frame is larger (has more horizontal rods) and is bent to form an inverted generally bell curved shape at more than one place. Accordingly, in figure 6, the frame has six horizontal rods 504, thus the vertical rod shown 506 has two inverted bell shaped sections 508, 510. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that this structure can be extended to a frame with a very large number of horizontal and vertical frames. A securing rod 620 is also shown in figure 6, which will be described below in relation to figure 7.
Referring now to figure 7 there is shown a structural reinforcement device 602 being formed from a frame similar to that (but larger than, i.e. with more vertical bars) of the frame 102 in the fourth embodiment 402. As can be seen in figure 7, the structural reinforcement device takes the form of a curved beam which, in use, is used to support curved structures, such as the walls and roofs of tunnels.
A section of the reinforcement device 602 is enlarged and shown in figure 7a. As can be seen, in this enlarged view, the reinforcement device is formed from the frame 102 in the fourth configuration as shown in figure 5 having horizontal rods 604, 606, 608, vertical rods 610, 612 and a securing rod 620. Of particular interest, as will be discussed in detail hereunder, is the aperture 622 defined between the undulating horizontal rod 606 and the securing rod 620.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a section of a structural reinforcement device 702 derived from a frame as described above with regard to figure 6. It will be appreciated that the number of horizontal and vertical rods can vary depending on the requirements of the user. For ease, structural reinforcement device of the invention can be provided in sections. For example, a section comprising six horizontal bars (as shown in figure 8) and, perhaps ten vertical bars could be provided, but with means to attach it to similar sections (longitudinally and laterally).
Referring now to figure 9 there is shown a second embodiment of a structural reinforcement device 802 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the device 802 comprises parallel straight (non arcuate) side walls 804, and an arcuate roof section 806.
The side walls are formed from sections of frame similar to that described above in relation to figure 2, i.e. before the longitudinal axis is bent into an arc, whereas the roof section 806 is curved by bending a longitudinal rod 808 at various places and adding a securing rod 810 to hold the curved portion in its curved position. In this manner, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the device may be used to transfer the load from the curved roof via the straight walls 806 to the ground 812. Accordingly, a structural reinforcement device of the present invention may be used on surfaces that have curved and straight sections.
Referring now to figure 10 there is shown a cross sectional view of two overlapping frames 902. A first frame 904 and a second frame 906 are substantially identical in cross section and, in use, in order to extend the area to which the structural reinforcement device may be deployed, ends 908, 910 may be overlapped and secured together, using bolts, for example (not shown).
As can be seen from the above description, the frame for use in a structural reinforcement device of the invention can be simply and easily prepared from a flat sheet of overlapping rods requiring minimal process steps, thus being quicker, easier and cheaper to manufacture than prior art devices. Furthermore, the device can be made into any required angle of curvature and can have straight and curved portions.
The structural reinforcement device is used as follows.
A user, when digging a tunnel, shaft or mine, may first dig away a roof section, then secure an arcuate portion of the frame to the roof (similar to that described above in relation to figure 7) by driving a rod through the apertures 622. In this manner, the section of frame reinforces the roof, then allowing a user to reinforce the walls, be they straight or curved, by securing further frame members to the frame member that is secured in place. In this manner, the roof under which the user is working is reinforced while the user works underneath it.
After the walls have also been reinforced, the structure may look like that shown in figure 9, and the digging and reinforcement of the tunnel, shaft or mine may be continued by repeating this process. This is done by overlapping and securing sections of frame together as shown in figure 10, and by further securing the new frame member to the previous frame members by pushing the rods through the apertures 622 as described above.
Referring now to figures 11, 12 and 13 there is shown an end view of a second embodiment of a frame 1002 of the present invention (figure 11), an end view of a third embodiment of a frame 1102 (figure 12) and a perspective view of a section of a structural support device 1202 formed using the frame of figure 11 (figure 13).
The frame 1002 shown in figure 11 is similar to that of the first embodiment (see figure 3, for example), except that instead of having a single rod 104, 106, 108 at the apex of the undulations, the frame comprises two rods 1004, 1006, 1008 to thereby form flat topped/bottomed undulations, rather than the inverted generally bell curved shape as described above in relation to figure 3.
The frame shown in figure 12 is very similar to that shown in figure 11, except that the distance between the rods 1106 is greater than the distance between the inner left rod 1108 and the innermost right hand rod 1104, thereby tapering upward and outward toward the rods1106.
It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art the embodiments shown in figures 11 and 12 and described above represent two embodiments on a continuum of embodiments where the ratio of the distance between bars 1006 to the distance between the innermost left rod 1008 and the inner most right rod 1004 can be varied, depending on the particular use envisaged for the device.
The device shown in figure 13 represents the frame in figure 11 having undergone bending at point along the rods 106 to thereby form an arcuate longitudinal axis.
In use the second embodiment frame may be used in a similar manner to that described above in relation to the first embodiment. In particular, the device as shown in figure 13 may be used to support curved interior walls such as tunnels or shafts by locating an arcuate section between two fixed points, then jacking up the ends to thereby cause the arcuate section to provide a spring pressure outward against the walls. This is particularly advantageous in providing a temporary supporting structure, prior to making the structure more permanent with the addition of concrete etc.

Claims

A structural reinforcement device for providing support to a roof and/or walls of tunnels, mines and/or shafts, the device comprising a frame (102) having a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of the said longitudinal axis being generally arcuate, the frame comprising at least three laterally spaced longitudinal rods (104, 106, 108) arranged generally parallel with each other and with the longitudinal axis of the frame, the longitudinal rods being linked together by one or more laterally extending linking member (110), the or each linking member being arranged to link the longitudinal rods together in an undulating manner to thereby form an upper plane in which at least a first of the longitudinal rods is situated (104, 108) and a lower plane in which at least a second of the longitudinal rods is situated (106),
the frame further comprises securing means operable to allow the frame to be secured to an adjacent surface,

wherein the securing means comprises the second of the longitudinal rods and which is an undulating longitudinal rod (106) attached to a securing longitudinal rod (120), wherein the undulation may cause the undulating longitudinal rod to deviate away from and back toward the securing longitudinal rod, thereby forming a plurality of apertures (622),
the frame being obtainable by the following process:
applying a first pressure to at least three longitudinal rods on a grid of overlapping rods, the longitudinal rods being parallel with a longitudinal axis of the grid, to thereby deflect the longitudinal rods to which the first pressure is applied from the plane of the sheet;

applying a second pressure to a portion of the at least three longitudinal rods to which the first pressure is applied at one or more position between lateral rods to thereby cause the at least three longitudinal rods to which the first pressure is applied to buckle and form an arcuate portion on a longitudinal axis; and

adding a further longitudinal rod to a portion of the at least three longitudinal rods to which the second pressure has been applied to thereby secure the rods in their buckled position and reinforce the arcuate portion of the longitudinal axis of the frame.
A structural reinforcement device according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises at least four laterally spaced longitudinal rods.
A structural reinforcement device according to either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each linking member comprises an undulating linking member.
A structural reinforcement device according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper and lower plane are generally parallel with each other.
A structural reinforcement device according to any preceding claim, which comprises one or more frame, wherein the frame comprises joining means operable to allow it to be joined to other similar frames.
A method of forming a frame for a structural reinforcement device for providing support to a roof and/or walls of tunnels, mines and/or shafts, the method comprising the steps of:
applying a first pressure to at least three laterally spaced longitudinal rods on a grid of overlapping rods, the longitudinal rods being parallel with a longitudinal axis of the grid, to thereby deflect the at least three longitudinal rods to which the first pressure is applied from the plane of the sheet;

applying a second pressure to a portion of the at least three longitudinal rods to which the first pressure is applied at one or more position between lateral rods to thereby cause the at least three longitudinal rod to which the first pressure is applied to buckle and form an arcuate portion on a longitudinal axis; and

adding a further longitudinal rod to a portion of the at least three longitudinal rods to which the second pressure has been applied to thereby secure the rods in their buckled position and reinforce the arcuate portion of the longitudinal axis of the frame.
A method according to claim 6, wherein the sheet of overlapping rods comprises rods arranged generally parallel and perpendicular with each other, thereby forming a grid of generally rectilinear apertures, i.e. a rectilinear grid.
A method according to either of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first pressure is applied substantially along the length of the one or more longitudinal rods.
A method according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second pressure is applied in a generally opposite direction to the direction of the first force.
A method of providing structural reinforcement to a partially curved surface of a roof and/or wall of a tunnel, mine and/or shaft, the method comprising the steps of
arranging and securing a frame of a structural reinforcement device of any of claims 1 to 5, or as made by the method of any of claims 6 to 9 adjacent to a surface to be reinforced.
A method according to claim 10 which further comprises arranging and securing a number of frames adjacent to a surface to be reinforced.
A method according to either of claims 10 or 11, which comprises adding a filler material to the or each frame.
A structural reinforcement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame (102) is filled with a filler material.