GB2046814A - A connection arrangement for liner segments of an arcuate or annular tunnel liner - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection arrangement for adjacent liner segments (2,6) of a tunnel liner includes plates (15 and 23) which each have one end secured to a respective one of adjacent liner segment ends (2,6) so that the plates extend in opposite directions over the abutment point of the two segments. The other ends of the plates (15, 23) engage under respective clamping pieces (e.g. 28) secured to the other liner segment ends. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A connection arrangement for liner segments of an arcuate or annular tunnel liner The invention relates to a connection arrangement for liner segments of an arcuate or annular tunnel liner.

In one such arrangement the segments have webbed sections and abutting ends and the adjacent liner segments ends are connected by and between two plates each having essentially a U-shaped cross-section. The plates are arranged to extend respectively on both sides of the abutment point of the webs and/or flanges of the liner segments and furthermore, before assembly, each plate is connected to an end zone of one of the liner segments and, after assembly the free end thereof is pressed against the web and/or the flanges of the other liner segment by means of a clamping piece connected to the other liner segment.

In one known construction of this type (German Patent 2118189) both plates are fixedly screwed to the same liner segment before final assembly and have inclined faces at their free ends extending over the abutment point, which faces cooperate with clamping elements, which are welded on both sides of the adjoining liner segment on the flanges thereof. This is disadvantageous initially in that the two plates of each connection have to be constructed differently. This involves relatively expensive manufacture and storage.

Furthermore, the individual liner segments do not have radial symmetry with respect to the plates and the clamping elements so that in the assembly of the liner segments great care must be observed so that a succeeding liner segment is secured by its correct end to the preceding liner segment. This requires careful attention by the service personnel in order to obtain an assembly operation without difficulty. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the known clamping elements are arranged externally of the external contour of the liner segments and are expensive. These clamping elements must, that is, be welded in the factory to the liner segments in as much as they require official approval. The known clamping elements welded and fixed to the liner segments are also disadvantageous in that they prevent a practical liner assembly.If, namely, tunnel branches or crossings must emanate from an initially established heading ensured with such tunnel lining, the liner segments of the tunnel liner of the heading must be at least partly dismantled again. In the known construction this is relatively difficult and time consuming.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a connection arrangement for two adjacent liner segments of an arcuate or annular tunnel liner in which the segments each have a webbed section and their ends abut against each other and wherein after assembly of the arrangement, the adjacent liner segment end zones are interconnected by and lie between two plates each having essentially a U-shaped cross-section and wherein before assembly of the arrangement the respective end zone of each liner segment carries on one radial face thereof, one of the plates and, on the opposite radial face thereof, a clamping piece, and after assembly of the arrangement, the free end of the plate on one liner segment is pressed against the web of the other liner segment by the clamping piece on the other liner segment each liner segment having at least one opening located between its clamping piece, and its end face and aligned with respective openings in the plates in the assembled arrangement.

In this way the liner segment ends are constructed completely in the same way so that, during the assembly of the liner segment ends it is no longer important which end of the succeeding liner segment is coupled with the preceding liner segment. In this way an essentially simple assembly is obtained in even the most difficult of assembly situations.

In this assembly, on both sides of the liner segments to be connected, one of the plates runs positively behind the associated clamping piece so that, for the assembly of the liner arc or the liner ring and, in many cases, also after its bracing against the previously cut out inside of the bore of the mine and even without the assembly of the clamping screws, complete rigidity and stability of the connection is assured. If necessary, in addition at least one clamping screw can be mounted in each connection, so that the bending stiffness of the connection can be increased as desired.

Basically any web bed section is suitable and therefore, for example, an I-Profile, a broad flanged profile and a railway rail.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention in each end zone of each liner segment, the associated plate, the associated clamping piece and the web of the liner segment each have at least one mutually aligned opening for receiving a plate screw for securing the plate and the clamping piece to the liner segment. In this way the same plate screw serves for the fixing of the plate and of the clamping piece to the associated liner segment. This is a very simple, quickly assemblable and cost-effective fixing method.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention each clamping piece is constructed as a shaped piece arranged at least partly in a section chamber defined by the web and the flanges of the liner segment. In this way the clamping piece is brought, in a protected manner, within the external contour of the liner segment. Advantageously, the clamping piece can be made as drop forging.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention each clamping piece has an inclined face which defines with the web of the associated liner segment a wedge space which enlarges as it extends towards the liner segment end face, and wherein, in the assembled arrangement, the free end of each plate is received in an associated said space and the base of each plate is pressed flat against the webs of the adjacent liner segments. In this way a positive, very secure and bendingfree connection is obtained which makes use of the whole of the plate base as a contact face on the liner segments.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention said inclined face is provided on an extension of the associated clamping piece which extends circumferentially of the associated segment. This extension can, in accordance with the invention, be inclined radially outwardly as it extends towards its free end so that the assembly of the liner segment is made easier.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention each plate has a stiffening flange extending around a radially inner flange of the liner segment to which it is attached before final assembly. In this way the rigidity of the plate and of the whole connection is improved.

A particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing process is obtained if, in accordance with the invention, the stiffening flange is shaped to conform to the radially inner leg of the associated plate.

The invention will now be further explained with respect to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an annular tunnel liner in schematic representation; Figure 2 shows a connection arrangement in accordance with the invention of two liner segments of the tunnel liner according to Fig.

1, in enlarged representation; Figure 3 is a sectional view on line Ill-Ill in Fig. 2; Figure 4 shows the individual parts of the connection arrangement according to Figs. 2 and 3 in exploded representation and Figure 5 shows the individual parts of the connection arrangement of Figs. 2 to 4 during the assembly in perspective representation.

As shown in Fig. 1, an annular tunnel liner 1 has liner segments 2 to 5 and roof liner segments 6 and 7, each having a webbed section. The liner segments 6 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4, 4 and 5 and 5 and 7 are respectively connected by a connection arrangement 8 embodying the invention which is, however, illustrated only between the liner segments 6 and 2 in Fig. 1 for simplification of the presentation. These connection arrangements 8 can be utilised for any suitable arcuate or annular shaped tunnel liner.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the construction of the connection arrangement 8. Therein, all the screws are omitted for clarity but are shown as particulars in Fig. 4.

The liner segment 2 includes a web 9 as well as a radially inner flange 10 and a radially outer flange 11. The liner segment 6 has, in a corresponding way, a web 12, an inner flange 1 3 and an outer flange 14. A plate 1 5 is provided with elongated holes 16, 1 7 and 1 8 with which circular holes 1 9 and 20 in the web 9 and a circular hole 21 in the web 1 2 are aligned. The plate 1 5 bridges over an abutment point 22 between the liner segments 2 and 6.

On the other side of the webs 9, 1 2 there lies a further plate 23 which is provided with elongated holes 24, 25 and 26 of which the holes 24, 25 are aligned with the circular holes 20, 21 and the hole 26 is aligned with a further circular hole 27 in the web 1 2.

On the side of the web 9 remote from the plate 1 5 there is a clamping piece 28 having an axially outwardly elongated and axially inwardly circular hole 29 aligned with the hole 1 9. The clamping piece 28 is wholly arranged within a section chamber 30 of the liner segment 2 defined by the web 9 and the flanges 10 and 11. The clamping piece 28 has an inclined wedging face 31 cooperating with a free end of the plate 23 extending over the abutment point 22, which face defines a wedge space 32 between the clamping piece 28 and the web 9 and opening outwardly towards the abutment point 22. The wedging face 31 is arranged on a circumferential extension of the clamping piece 28 which, as seen in Fig. 2 is inclined towards its free end and towards an outer side of the liner segment 2.

On the side of the web 1 2 remote from the plate 23 there is arranged a clamping piece 34 in a section chamber 35 of the liner segment 6 and, corresponding to the clamping piece 28, provided with a hole 36 aligned with the hole 27 as well as a lateral extension 37 with a wedging face 38 cooperating with a free end of the plate 1 5. A wedge space 39 is defined between the wedging face 38 and the web 12.

The plate 1 5 (see also Fig. 4) has a substantially flat plate base 40 lying against the webs 9 and 12 as well as an inner leg 41 and an outer leg 42 which extend outwardly from the plate base 40. In Fig. 2, to the right of the abutment point 22, the legs 41, 42 approach each other. A stiffening flange 43 is formed on the inner leg 41 in the region of the liner segment 2 and partly, in addition, in the region of the liner segment 6 and positively encloses the inner flanges 10, 1 3 of the liner segments 2, 6.

In a corresponding manner the plate 23 has a plate base 44, an inner leg 45, an outer leg 46 and a stiffening flange 47. The ends of the legs 45, 46 adjacent to the clamping piece 28 approach each other. Furthermore, the stiffening flange 47 extends on either side of the abutment point 22. The plate base 44 lies quite flat against the webs 9, 1 2.

In accordance with Fig. 4, the plate 1 5 and the clamping piece 28 are fixedly screwed to the liner segment 2 by means of a plate screw 48 passing through the holes 29, 1 9 and 16, a spring ring 49 and a nut 50, either previously in the factory or on the mine site.

Correspondingly, the plate 23 and the clamping piece 34 are fixedly screwed to the liner segment 6 by means of a plate screw 51 passing through the holes 26, 27 and 36, a spring ring 52 and a nut 53. The liner segments 2, 3, 4 and 5 are respectively equipped at both ends in this way, while the roof liner segments 6 and 7 are respectively only equipped in accordance with Fig. 4 at their lower ends as shown in Fig. 1. The annular tunnel liner 1 according to Fig. 1 is assembled in a known but not illustrated liner apparatus.Therein, the liner segments 2 to 7 prepared as previously described are laid one after another from above onto a liner auxiliary ring of the liner apparatus and, as shown in Fig. 5, pushes into each other in such a way that the free ends of the plates 1 5, 23 extending respectively over the abutment point 22, pass into positive engagement with the associated clamping pieces 34 and 28 and are pressed hard, by way of the plate bases 40, 44, against the webs 9, 1 2 by means of the wedging faces 38 and 31.At the same time the inner flange 1 3 of the liner segment 6 slides into the intervening space between the inner leg 41 and the stiffening flange 43 of the plate 1 5 while the inner flange 10 of the liner segment 2 slides into the intermediate space between the inner leg 45 and the stiffening flange 47 of the plate 23. In this way a further stiffening of this plug-type connection is obtained which is nevertheless not essential to the creation of a satisfactory connection.

Thus, the stiffening flange 43 need stretch only from the left end of Fig. 4 up to the abutment point 22 and, in a corresponding manner, the stiffening flange 47 of the plate 23 need extend only from the right in Fig. 4 up to the abutment point 22. Also, in this latter construction of the stiffening flanges 43, 47 a stiffening of the plates and indirectly of the connection arrangement 8 is obtained.

In each case, preferably, the plates 1 5, 23 and clamping pieces 28, 34 utilised on the tunnel liner 1 are respectively identically exchangeable whereby a substantial simplification of the manufacture, assembly and storage results.

In the previously described manner all liner segments 2 to 7 can be plugged into each other one after the other. In the region of each connection arrangement 8 there results, so to speak, a "link" that provides a limited pivoting of the liner segments 2 to 7 relative to each other in the main plane of the annular tunnel liner 1. Accordingly, the free ends of the roof liner segments 6, 7 can be lifted so high that, in accordance with Fig. 1, a bracing device 55 including a piston and cylinder unit 54 can be mounted between the roof liner segments 6, 7. Thereafter, the piston and cylinder unit is expanded by a pressure medium and presses the liner segments 2 to 7, perhaps with the interposition of lagging mats, with a selectable load against the previously excavated mine shaft.In this expanded state a compensating plate 56 can be fixed in a known manner between the free ends of the roof liner segments 6, 7. Subsequently the bracing device 55 can be removed.

In the case that the hitherto merely plugfitted connection arrangement 8 between the liner segments 2 to 7 should not have the necessary stiffness in the particular situation, each connection arrangement 8 can now, in accordance with Fig. 4, be additionally stiffened by a clamping screw 57, with spring ring 58 and nut 59, passed through the holes 24, 20 and 1 7 and/or a clamping screw 60 with spring washer 61 and nut 62 passed through the holes 25, 21 and 18.

A further advantage of the previously described connection arrangement 8 is to be found in that the annular liner can be constructed in the liner apparatus either in a clockwise sense or, alternatively, in an anticlockwise sense.

Claims (11)

1. A connection arrangement for two adjacent liner segments of an arcuate or annular tunnel liner in which the segments each have a webbed section and their ends abut against each other and wherein after assembly of the arrangement, the adjacent liner segment end zones are inter-connected by and lie between two plates each having essentially a U-shaped cross-section, and wherein before assembly of the arrangement the respective end zone of each liner segment carries on one radial face thereof one of the plates and, on the opposite radial face thereof, a clamping piece and, after assembly of the arrangement the free end of the plate on one liner segment is pressed against the web of the other liner segment by the clamping piece on the other liner segment, each liner segment having at least one opening located between its clamping piece and its end face and aligned with respective openings in the plates in the assembled arrangement.

2. A connection arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the legs of each U-crosssectioned plate are inclined towards each other at their free ends adjacent their associated clamping piece.

3. A connection arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in each end zone of each liner segment, the associated plate, the associated clamping piece and the web of the liner segment each have at least one mutually aligned opening for receiving a plate screw for securing the plate and the clamping piece to the liner segment.

4. A connection arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein each clamping piece is constructed as a shaped piece arranged at least partly in a section chamber defined by the web and the flanges of the liner segment.

5. A connection arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein each clamping piece has an inclined face which defines with the web of the associated liner segment a wedge space which enlarges as it extends towards the liner segment end face, and wherein, in the assembled arrangement, the free end of each plate is received in an associated said space and the base of each plate is pressed flat against the webs of the adjacent liner segments.

6. A connection arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said inclined face is provided on an extension of the associated clamping piece which extends circumferentially of the associated segment.

7. A connection arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the extension is inclined radially outwardly as it extends towards its free end.

8. A connection arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein each plate has a stiffening flange extending about a radially inner flange at least of the liner segment to which it is attached before assembly of the arrangement.

9. A connection according to claim 8, wherein the stiffening flange is shaped to conform to the radially inner leg of the associ ated plate.

10. A connection arrangement for two adjacent liner segments of an arcuate or tunnel liner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A tunnel liner embodying a connection arrangement as defined in a preceding claim