GB2069569A - Sealing joints between tunnel linng segments - Google Patents

Abstract

Seals for tunnel lining segments 1 consist of gaskets 2 of resilient material between the end faces of the segments 1 and a resilient cord 4 of circular or other cross section located in a correspondingly shaped groove in the side faces of the segments 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvement in the sealing of joints in segmental lining units This invention relates to an improved method and devices for the sealing of joints between the cylindrical units of tunnel linings of the kind in which the cylindrical units assembled from individual segments are arranged end to end.

Tunnel linings are normally formed as a plurality of cylindrical units built into the tunnel as the excavation proceeds, each cylinder comprising a plurality of segments arranged end to end.

The invention comprises a method for the sealing of joints between segments form the cylindrical linings of tunnels comprising forming each segment with a groove in the side faces thereof, applying resilient cords in the grooves to form seals between the sides of the segments in adjacent cylinders and applying washers of resilient material between the ends of each segment in each cylinder.

The invention also includes a seal for the joints between the cylindrical units and segments of tunnel linings comprising a washer or gasket of resilient material between the adjacent ends of the segments to form a seal between the ends of adjacent segments in a cylinder unit, and grooves in the side faces of the segments and resilient cords in the grooves to provide seals between the segments in adjacent cylinder units.

This invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of two assembled cylinder units.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a segment.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seal for the ends of the segments.

A tunnel lining is formed of a plurality of cylindrical units A each unit being built up of a plurality of segments 1. A seal washer or gasket 2 of resilient material is provided between the ends of each segment 1. The sides of the segments forming each cylinder unit are formed with a circumferential groove 3 to accommodate a cord 4 normally of natural rubber or neoprene or other similar compressible material of circular, rectangular or other shape in cross-section to provide a seal between the segments in adjacent cylinder units A of the lining.

The ends of the adjacent segments in each cylinder unit are sealed by rubber or neoprene washers or gaskets 2 or washers or gaskets of similar material which are grooved at their ends to accommodate the cords 4. The washers or gaskets 2 may be bonded to the cords 4 at any position where the said washers or gaskets adjoin the said cords.

A making up member 5 may be provided to allow for the segments 1 to be built up into the cylinder unit in the tunnel.

Sealing the tunnel against ingress (or loss) of water is achieved by the compression of the sealing washers or gaskets 2 between the end faces of the adjacent segments 1 in each unit and the cords 4 provide the seals between the side faces of the segments in adjacent cylinder units. Damage to the seals between segments in adjacent cylinder units is avoided by the provision of the grooves 3 in the side faces of the segments which locate the cords 4 and allow compression without the seal being destroyed by pressure.

Assembly of the seals is carried out by placing the segments 1 in position with the washers or gaskets 2 between the ends of each segment 1 of the cylinder unit A and inserting a cord 4 into each groove 3 to form the seal between the segments in adjacent cylinder units.

The side of the segments may be provided with more than one groove 3 each accommodating a cord 4 where the subterranean water pressure is high, but a single groove and cord have been found to be satisfactory with most pressures found in civil engineering projects.

When the tunnel is being drilled in compact earth the cylinder units may be inserted without the employment of a shield but in a sandy soil a shield may be used and withdrawn after each unit is assembled to prevent the fall of soil until each segment is in place.

1. A method for the sealing of joints between segments forming the cylindrical linings of tunnels comprising forming each segment with a groove in the side faces thereof, applying resilient cords in the grooves to form seals between the sides of the segments in adjacent cylinders and applying washers or gaskets or resilient material between the ends of each segment in each cylinder.

2. Seals for carrying out the method of Claim 1, comprising a washer or gasket or resilient material between the adjacent ends of the segments to form a seal between the ends of adjacent segments in a cylinder unit and grooves in the side faces of the segments and resilient cords in the grooves to provide seals between the segments in adjacent cylinder units.

3. Seals for the joints between segments of a tunnel lining in which the cords are circular, rectangular or other shape in crosssection to enter correspondingly shaped grooves.

4. A method for the sealing of joints between segments forming the cylindrical linings of tunnels substantially as herein before described.

5. A seal for the joints between the cylindrical units and segments of tunnel linings substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvement in the sealing of joints in segmental lining units This invention relates to an improved method and devices for the sealing of joints between the cylindrical units of tunnel linings of the kind in which the cylindrical units assembled from individual segments are arranged end to end. Tunnel linings are normally formed as a plurality of cylindrical units built into the tunnel as the excavation proceeds, each cylinder comprising a plurality of segments arranged end to end. The invention comprises a method for the sealing of joints between segments form the cylindrical linings of tunnels comprising forming each segment with a groove in the side faces thereof, applying resilient cords in the grooves to form seals between the sides of the segments in adjacent cylinders and applying washers of resilient material between the ends of each segment in each cylinder. The invention also includes a seal for the joints between the cylindrical units and segments of tunnel linings comprising a washer or gasket of resilient material between the adjacent ends of the segments to form a seal between the ends of adjacent segments in a cylinder unit, and grooves in the side faces of the segments and resilient cords in the grooves to provide seals between the segments in adjacent cylinder units. This invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of two assembled cylinder units. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a segment. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seal for the ends of the segments. A tunnel lining is formed of a plurality of cylindrical units A each unit being built up of a plurality of segments 1. A seal washer or gasket 2 of resilient material is provided between the ends of each segment 1. The sides of the segments forming each cylinder unit are formed with a circumferential groove 3 to accommodate a cord 4 normally of natural rubber or neoprene or other similar compressible material of circular, rectangular or other shape in cross-section to provide a seal between the segments in adjacent cylinder units A of the lining. The ends of the adjacent segments in each cylinder unit are sealed by rubber or neoprene washers or gaskets 2 or washers or gaskets of similar material which are grooved at their ends to accommodate the cords 4. The washers or gaskets 2 may be bonded to the cords 4 at any position where the said washers or gaskets adjoin the said cords. A making up member 5 may be provided to allow for the segments 1 to be built up into the cylinder unit in the tunnel. Sealing the tunnel against ingress (or loss) of water is achieved by the compression of the sealing washers or gaskets 2 between the end faces of the adjacent segments 1 in each unit and the cords 4 provide the seals between the side faces of the segments in adjacent cylinder units. Damage to the seals between segments in adjacent cylinder units is avoided by the provision of the grooves 3 in the side faces of the segments which locate the cords 4 and allow compression without the seal being destroyed by pressure. Assembly of the seals is carried out by placing the segments 1 in position with the washers or gaskets 2 between the ends of each segment 1 of the cylinder unit A and inserting a cord 4 into each groove 3 to form the seal between the segments in adjacent cylinder units. The side of the segments may be provided with more than one groove 3 each accommodating a cord 4 where the subterranean water pressure is high, but a single groove and cord have been found to be satisfactory with most pressures found in civil engineering projects. When the tunnel is being drilled in compact earth the cylinder units may be inserted without the employment of a shield but in a sandy soil a shield may be used and withdrawn after each unit is assembled to prevent the fall of soil until each segment is in place. CLAIMS

1. A method for the sealing of joints between segments forming the cylindrical linings of tunnels comprising forming each segment with a groove in the side faces thereof, applying resilient cords in the grooves to form seals between the sides of the segments in adjacent cylinders and applying washers or gaskets or resilient material between the ends of each segment in each cylinder.

2. Seals for carrying out the method of Claim 1, comprising a washer or gasket or resilient material between the adjacent ends of the segments to form a seal between the ends of adjacent segments in a cylinder unit and grooves in the side faces of the segments and resilient cords in the grooves to provide seals between the segments in adjacent cylinder units.

3. Seals for the joints between segments of a tunnel lining in which the cords are circular, rectangular or other shape in crosssection to enter correspondingly shaped grooves.

4. A method for the sealing of joints between segments forming the cylindrical linings of tunnels substantially as herein before described.

5. A seal for the joints between the cylindrical units and segments of tunnel linings substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.