GB2394968A

GB2394968A - Elements for constructing underground chambers

Info

Publication number: GB2394968A
Application number: GB0225861A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dominic Philip Bone; Richard Philip Bone
Original assignee: RDT CHAMBER SOLUTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: RDT CHAMBER SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-06
Filing date: 2002-11-06
Publication date: 2004-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-06
Also published as: GB0225861D0; GB2394968B8; GB2394968B

Abstract

An element 22 for constructing an underground chamber comprises an elongate body with an abutment face 35 at an end thereof for abutting face 35 of a similar element, the abutment face 35 including means for resisting relative sliding movement of the two abutting faces; as shown, such means may be a rib 36a, 36b, and a groove 38a,38b, on each face. As shown, the faces may be bolted together; the elongate elements may have upper and lower walls 24,22 joined by side wall 28 and ribs 30, leaving a hollow portion for the receipt of mortar or backfill. Elongate ribs 44 may cooperate with complementary recesses 46 to facilitate stacking of the members.

Description

Underground Chambers The invention relates to underground chambers and to

chamber elements for use in constructing underground chambers.

Underground chambers are used to house installations such as various diameter pipes, fittings and accessories, conduits, ducting, all types of cabling, meter/junction boxes, valves and associated fixtures and fittings. Such chambers are typically constructed from engineering bricks. Engineering bricks are not particularly strong and, because the mortar is mixed by hand and the bricks are laid manually, the construction is time-consuming and expensive and the quality of the installation can be inconsistent. It is also known to use preformed concrete sections for underground chambers but these are unwieldy and difficult to handle, as well as being relatively brittle.

According to the invention there is provided a chamber element for use in constructing an underground chamber, the element comprising an elongate body having an abutment face at an end thereof, for abutting against a face of an adjacent chamber element to make up the chamber or a part of the chamber, the abutment face including means for resisting sliding movement relative to the adjacent abutting face.

The means for resisting movement preferably includes a projection and/or an indentation for engaging a complementary indentation and/or projection on the face of the adjacent chamber element. Preferably the face includes a projection and an indentation, for engaging a complementary indentation and projection on the adjacent face.

The projection may be in the form of an elongate rib, which may be generally triangular in section, with the indentation being of complementary shape. Preferably the abutment face is generally planar, apart from the

projection/indentation. The abutment face may be angled at about 45 to the length of the chamber element. Preferably when two chamber elements are placed with their respective abutment faces adjacent to and in contact with one another, the chamber elements lie at 90 to one another.

Preferably the chamber element is generally hollow, having one open elongate side. Preferably the open side is located on a side of the chamber element which will form an external side of the resulting chamber. Preferably the chamber element comprises a top wall and a parallel base wall, joined by a side wall. Preferably the side wall is substantially perpendicular to the top wall and the base wall. The top wall, base wall and side wall may each be generally planar. The abutment face is preferably perpendicular to the top wall and the base wall and may be angled, preferably at 135 , to the side wall.

Preferably the chamber element includes a plurality of ribs which extend between the top and bottom walls, preferably perpendicular to the top and bottom walls and to the side wall. The ribs may span substantially an entire width of the top and bottom walls.

Preferably the chamber element is shaped such that four abutting chamber elements may form four or more sides of a generally rectangular chamber layer.

Preferably the chamber element is shaped such that a plurality of chamber layers may be stacked one on top of another.

The top wall of the chamber element may include means for resisting sliding movement of the bottom wall of a chamber element above.

The top wall may include one or more projections, indentations or cut-

away portions. The base wall may include one or more indentations, cutaway portions or projections. Preferably the top wall includes an elongate projection provided near an outer edge of the top wall, remote from the side wall.

Preferably the base wall includes a complementary cut-away portion.

Preferably the chamber element comprises a fibre reinforced composite material, preferably consisting primarily of a thermosetting resin, a glass fibre reinforcement and a filler. The material may include between 15 and 50% glass fibre, with fibre lengths being between 12 mm and 50 mm. The material may include between 15 and 30 weight percent of thermosetting polyester resin, between 15 and 50 weight percent filler and 3 and 10 weight percent of other materials. Preferably the material of the chamber element has a tensile strength of between 65 and 80 Mpa and a tensile modulus of between 8.5 and 12.5 Gpa.

According to the invention there is further provided a chamber element for use in constructing an underground chamber, the chamber element including an elongate body having elongate top and bottom walls and an elongate side wall joining the top and bottom walls, the body being open opposite the side wall, such that when the chamber element is installed as part of an underground chamber, material may fill the space between the top and bottom walls.

Preferably the elongate body includes an abutment face at an end of the body, for abutting against a face of an adjacent chamber element, to make up a chamber or a part of a chamber.

The means for resisting movement preferably includes a projection and/or an indentation for engaging a complementary indentation and/or projection on the face of the adjacent chamber element. Preferably the face includes a projection and an indentation, for engaging a complementary

indentation and projection on the adjacent face.

The projection may be in the form of an elongate rib, which may be generally triangular in section, with the indentation being of complementary shape. Preferably the abutment face is generally planar, apart from the projection/indentation. The abutment face may be angled at about 45 to the length of the chamber element. Preferably when two chamber elements are placed with their respective abutment faces adjacent to and in contact with one another, the chamber elements lie at 90 to one another.

Preferably the chamber element is generally hollow, having one open elongate side. Preferably the open side is located on a side of the chamber element which will form an external side of the resulting chamber. Preferably the chamber element comprises a top wall and a parallel base wall, joined by a side wall. Preferably the side wall is substantially perpendicular to the top wall and the base wall. The top wall, base wall and side wall may each be generally planar. The abutment face is preferably perpendicular to the top wall and the base wall and may be angled, preferably at 13 5 , to the side wall.

Preferably the chamber element is shaped such that four abutting chamber elements may form four sides of a generally rectangular chamber layer.

The top wall of the chamber element may include means for resisting sliding movement of a bottom wall of a chamber element above.

The top wall may include one or more projections, indentations or cut-

away portions. The base wall may include one or more indentations, cutaway portions or projections. Preferably the top wall includes an elongate projection provided near an outer edge of the top/base wall, remote from the side wall.

Preferably the base wall includes a complementary cut-away portion.

According to the invention there is further provided a kit of parts for use in constructing an underground chamber, the kit including a plurality of chamber elements according to any of the preceding definitions.

The kit may further include a plurality of junction elements for joining adjacent chamber elements end-to-end, such that the chamber elements are aligned. The junction elements may be generally wedge shaped, including two abutment faces angled at 90 to one another, each abutment face being adapted to abut an abutment face of a chamber element.

r. Preferably the abutment faces of the junction elements are each provided with means for resisting sliding movement relative to an adjacing abutting face.

According to the invention there is further provided an underground chamber comprising a plurality of chamber elements according to any of the preceding definitions, the chamber elements being assembled with their abutment faces adjacent to and abutting one another.

The underground chamber may comprise a plurality of chamber layers one on top of another, each chamber layer comprising at least four chamber elements in abutment with one another and arranged to form a rectangle.

The top walls of the chamber elements in one layer are preferably in abutment with base walls of the chamber elements in the layer above.

An embodiment of the invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a composite chamber according to the invention, with a manhole arrangement in place; Fig. 2 is a side view of composite chamber of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a chamber layer according to the invention, made up of four chamber elements; Fig. 4 is a top view of the chamber layer of Fig. 3; Figs. 5A and 5B are bottom and side views respectively of a chamber element according to the invention, Fig. 5B being a view in the direction of the arrow B in Fig. 5A; Figs. 5C and 5D are views on the arrows C and D in Figs. 5A and 5B

r, respectively. Fig. 6A is a detail of two abutting corners of chamber elements according to the invention and Fig. 6B is a similar detail which shows the abutting corners of Fig. 6A attached together; Figs. 7A and 7B are an exploded side view and a side view respectively of three chamber layers one on top of another; Figs. 8A to 8C are views of two chamber elements connected in alignment, using junction elements; Figs. 9A to OF illustrate the use of connector elements to form non-

standard size underground chambers according to the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated in section an underground chamber 10 for installation underground to house utilities such as gas and water meters, gas and water valves, stopcocks etc. Referring also to Fig. 2, which is a side elevation of the underground chamber 10, the chamber 10 comprises a number of chamber elements which together define a hollow arrangement within which the underground utilities may be housed. A manhole assembly 12, including a frame 14 and a cover 16 defines the top of the underground chamber. The base of the chamber may be defined by a generally planar base member, which is not illustrated. The finished pavement level is level with the uppermost edge of the frame 14.

The underground chamber 10 is made up of a number of generally rectangular chamber layers 20 which are assembled one on top of another to form the chamber. A single one of the layers is illustrated in perspective view in Fig. 3 and in plan in Fig. 4.

Each chamber layer 20 comprises four chamber elements 22, which together form the generally rectangular chamber layer.

r; Figs 5A to ED illustrate an individual chamber element 22. Each chamber element 22 is elongate, typically having a length of between 0.5m and 1.5m. The chamber element 22 is made of SMC (sheet moulded compound) which is a mixture of a thermosetting resin, a glass fibre reinforcement and a filler which is shaped into the chamber element by hot press compression moulding. Further details of the composition of the element are provided hereinafter. The chamber element 22 takes the form of a three-sided box in section, having parallel top and bottom walls 24 and 26 joined by a side wall 28 perpendicular to the top and bottom walls. A number of generally planar ribs 30 extend between the top and bottom walls 24 and 26, perpendicular thereto and also perpendicular to the side wall 28. The chamber element 22 is open at its side 32, opposite the side wall 28.

Each end of the chamber element 22 is defined by an abutment wall 34 which defines an external abutment face 35 and which extends between the top and bottom walls 24, 26, perpendicular thereto. The abutment wall 34 is generally planar and is angled at 135 to the side wall 28 (see particularly Figs. 5A and 5C).

Referring also to Figs. 6A and 6B, the abutment wall 34 includes an elongate projection 36 and an elongate indentation 38, both of which are generally triangular in section and which extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the top and bottom walls 24, 26. A projection 36a of one chamber element 22a may slot into and engage a complementary indentation 38b of an adjacent chamber element 22b. Likewise, a projection 36b of the chamber element 22b may slot into and engage the indentation 38a of an chamber element 22a. The triangular section projections/indentations allow an interference fit between the two abutment faces. (The triangular section also allows for ease of extraction from the manufacturing mould.) Four chamber elements 22 may be arranged as shown in Fig. 3, with their

abutment walls 34 positioned such that their respective abutment faces 35 are in close contact with one another, with the projections 36 and indentations 38 engaging one another. The engagement of the projections and indentations resists relative sliding movement of the adjacent abutment faces 35.

Each abutment wall 34 is also provided with an orifice 40 extending therethrough. A nut and bolt arrangement 42 may be used to secure the chamber elements 22 together, with their abutment faces 35 in contact. (See in particular Fig. 6b and Fig. 3.) The top wall 24 of each chamber element 22 includes an elongate projection 44 extending along an outer edge of the wall, remote from the side wall 28. The bottom wall 26 of each chamber element 24 includes a cut-out portion 46, clearly visible in Fig. 3, the cut-out portion 46 being of complementary shape to the projection 44. A plurality of chamber layers 20, each consisting of four chamber elements 22 connected together at their corners, may be stacked one on top another with the projections 44 and cut-out portions 46 interlocking to stabilise the arrangement. Fig. 7a is an exploded view of three chamber layers 20 one above the other and Fig. 7b shows the three chamber layers 20 in place, as they would be to make up an underground chamber. The projections 44 on the top walls 24 of one chamber layer 20 engage the cut-away portions 46 of the bottom walls 26 of the chamber layer above. It is sometimes desirable to form underground chambers of different sizes to those illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. For example, it may be desired to form a chamber of double width. Referring to Figs. 8A to 8C, a junction element 48 may be provided for connecting two chamber elements 22 together such that they are in alignment. The junction element 48 is generally wedge shaped, including two abutment walls 50 at 90 to one another. Each abutment wall includes a projection 36 and an indentation 38 of the same shape as those provided on the abutment walls 34 of the chamber elements 22. The abutment walls 50 of the junction elements 48 further include orifices 40 passing

therethrough. The junction elements 48 may thus be used to connect two chamber elements 22 together as shown in Figs. 8A to 8C, the abutment walls 50 of the junction element 48 abutting against abutment walls 34 of the chamber elements 22. Nut and bolt arrangements 42 may be used to hold the junction element 48 and chamber elements 22 together.

Sometimes it is necessary to form chambers which are not the size of a finite number of standard sized chamber elements. To allow for this, connector elements 52 are provided (see Figs. 9A to NOD). To fit the connector elements, a standard chamber element 22 is cut along the lines 54 in Fig. lOA and the connector element 52 inserted between the two cut ends, to extend the chamber element 22 by a finite amount. The connector element is attached to the chamber elements 22 by nut and bolt arrangements 42. Figs. lOC and lOD show the extended chamber element.

The chamber elements 22, junction elements 48 and connector elements 52 are all preferably made from SMC (sheet moulded compound) which consists primarily of a thermosetting resin, glass fibre reinforcements and filler.

Additional ingredients may also include low profile additives to modify any potential component distortion or shrinkage, cure initiators, thickeners, process additives and mould release agents to enhance processing/moulding of the material together with pigment stabilisers to affect appearance and weatherability. A typical composition for the material is as follows: Raw Material % Weight % Volume Thermosetting Polyester resin 15-30 30-45 Glass Fibre 15-50 10-40 Filler 15-50 10-40 All other 3-10 5-15 The properties of the material are preferably as follows:

l t, SMC Material Formulation 25% GF Mechanical Properties Tensile Strength 65-80 Mpa Tensile Modulus 8.5-12.5 Gpa Tensile Failure Strain 1. 30% Flexural Strength 155-200 Mpa Flex Modulus 8.5-14 Mpa Compressive Strength 183 Mpa Compressive Modulus 11.7 Gpa Poisons Ration 0.25 Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 14-18 x 10E-6/K SG 1.85-2.00

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is thus provided an underground chamber which has many advantages over the prior art. The male/female jointing between the abutment faces of adjacent chamber elements stops slippage therebetween. Once the underground chamber is embedded in mortar, the male/female jointing between the projections and indentations on the abutment faces retains the chamber elements in place even in the absence of any nuts and bolts. Because the chamber elements are hollow, they become back-filled with mortar or other filler material when they are in place. There are therefore no voids and the chamber has great strength. The male/female connections at the corners and between the adjacent layers of elements keep the chamber elements precisely in vertical alignment with one another. This results in efficient load transfer down between the various elements. Ribs may be provided at positions of high load resulting in a very strong chamber. The modularity of the chamber elements, junction elements and connectors also results in a very flexible system. The elements are all easy to handle, being light, tough and non-brittle and are also non-corrosive.

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. The shapes of the various components may be altered depending upon the precise application. The positioning of the ribs may be altered and the precise shapes of the

male/female connectors may all be changed.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to

those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

is CLAIMS

1. A chamber element for use in constructing an underground chamber, the element comprising an elongate body having an abutment face at an end thereof, for abutting against a face of an adjacent chamber element to make up 5 the chamber or a part of the chamber, the abutment face including means for resisting sliding movement relative to the adjacent abutting face.

2. A chamber element according to claim 1, wherein the means for resisting movement includes a projection and/or an indentation for engaging a complementary indentation and/or projection on the face of the adjacent 10 chamber element.

3. A chamber element according to claim 2, wherein the face includes a projection and an indentation, for engaging a complementary indentation and À À À projection on the adjacent face.

À. a Àe

4. A chamber element according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the projection À Àe 15 is in the form of an elongate rib, with the indentation being of complementary Àe- - shape. Àe . À Àe ..:

5. A chamber element according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the À Àe abutment face is generally planar, apart from the projection/indentation.

6. A chamber element according to any preceding claim, wherein the 20 abutment face is angled at about 45 to the length of the chamber element such that when two chamber elements are placed with their respective abutment faces adjacent to and in contact with one another, the chamber elements lie at 90 to one another.

7. A chamber element according to any preceding claim, wherein the 25 chamber element is generally hollow, having one open elongate side.

8. A chamber element according to claim 7, wherein the open side is located on a side of the chamber element which will form an external side of the resulting chamber.

9. A chamber element according to any preceding claim, wherein the 5 chamber element comprises a top wall and a parallel base wall, joined by a side wall, the side wall being substantially perpendicular to the top wall and the base wall. 10. A chamber element according to claim 9, wherein the abutment face is perpendicular to the top wall and the base wall and is angled to the side wall.

10

11. A chamber element according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the chamber element includes a plurality of ribs which extend between the top and bottom walls. À À À À. À.

12. A chamber element according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the Ale. chamber element is shaped such that four abutting chamber elements may form À.- 15 four or more sides of a generally rectangular chamber layer.

À À À

13. A chamber element according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the À.. chamber element is shaped such that a plurality of chamber layers may be stacked one on top of another.

14. A chamber element according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the top 20 wall of the chamber element includes means for resisting sliding movement of the bottom wall of a chamber element above.

15. A chamber element according to any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the top wall includes one or more projections, indentations or cut-away portions and the base wall includes one or more indentations, cut-away portions or projections.

1(

16. A chamber element according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber element comprises a fibre reinforced composite material, consisting primarily of a thermosetting resin, a glass fibre reinforcement and a filler.

17. A chamber element for use in constructing an underground chamber, the 5 chamber element including an elongate body having elongate top and bottom walls and an elongate side wall joining the top and bottom walls, the body being open opposite the side wall, such that when the chamber element is installed as part of an underground chamber, material may fill the space between the top and bottom walls.

10

18. A chamber element according to claim 17, wherein the elongate body includes an abutment face at an end of the body, for abutting against a face of an adjacent chamber element, to make up a chamber or a part of a chamber.

Àe À À À .

19. A chamber element according to claim 18, wherein the abutment face À - includes means for resisting sliding movement relative to the adjacent abutting . 15 face.

À -- I: À 20. A chamber element according to claim 19, wherein the means for resisting Àe À..: movement includes a projection and/or an indentation for engaging a - À..: complementary indentation and/or projection on the face of the adjacent chamber element.

20

21. A chamber element according to claim 20, wherein the projection is in the form of an elongate rib, with the indentation being of complementary shape.

22. A chamber element according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the abutment face is generally planar, apart from the projection/indentation.

23. A chamber element according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the 25 abutment face is angled at about 45 to the length of the chamber element, such that when two chamber elements are placed with their respective abutment faces

adjacent to and in contact with one another, the chamber elements lie at 90 to one another.

24. A chamber element according to any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the chamber element is generally hollow, having one open elongate side, the open 5 side being located on a side of the chamber element which will form an external side of the resulting chamber.

25. A chamber element according to claim 24, wherein the chamber element comprises a top wall and a parallel base wall, joined by a side wall.

26. A chamber element according to claim 25, wherein the abutment face is 10 perpendicular to the top wall and the base wall and is angled to the side wall.

27. A chamber element according to claim 26, wherein the chamber element Àe e. À includes a plurality of ribs which extend between the top and bottom walls.

À. À Àe-.

28. A chamber element according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the À chamber element is shaped such that a plurality of chamber layers may be I. 15 stacked one on top of another.

À. À À À. .:

29. A chamber element according to claim 28, wherein the top wall of the À À. chamber element includes means for resisting sliding movement of a bottom wall of a chamber element above.

30. A chamber element according to any of claims 25 to 29 wherein the top 20 wall includes one or more projections, indentations or cut-away portions and the base wall includes one or more indentations, cut-away portions or projections.

31. A chamber element according to any of claims 17 to 30, wherein the chamber element comprises a fibre reinforced composite material, consisting primarily of a thermosetting resin, a glass fibre reinforcement and a filler.

1Y

32. A kit of parts for use in constructing an underground chamber, the kit including a plurality of chamber elements according to any of the preceding claims.

33. A kit according to claim 32, wherein the kit further includes a plurality of 5 junction elements for joining adjacent chamber elements end-to-end, such that the chamber elements are aligned.

34. A kit according to claim 33, wherein the junction elements are generally wedge shaped, including two abutment faces angled at 90 to one another, each abutment face being adapted to abut an abutment face of a chamber element.

10

35. A kit according to claim 34, wherein the abutment faces of the junction elements are each provided with means for resisting sliding movement relative to an adjacing abutting face.

. À

36. An underground chamber comprising a plurality of chamber elements . according to any of the preceding definitions, the chamber elements being .. 15 assembled with their abutment faces adjacent to and abutting one another.

Àe-. À À À..

37. An underground chamber according to claim 35, wherein the underground chamber comprises a plurality of chamber layers one on top of another, each chamber layer comprising at least four chamber elements in abutment with one another and arranged to form a rectangle.

20

38. An underground chamber according to claim 36, wherein the top walls of the chamber elements in one layer are in abutment with base walls of the chamber elements in the layer above.

39. An underground chamber substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25

40. A kit of parts substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

41. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

À À À e I. e À ate À-e e À--a I- À À.e ÀÀ- À. À À ÀÀ.