GB2448179A

GB2448179A - Tunnel lining mounting system

Info

Publication number: GB2448179A
Application number: GB0706683A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Morgan
Original assignee: DESIGN RATIONALE Ltd
Current assignee: DESIGN RATIONALE Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-05
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2008-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-05
Also published as: GB0706683D0; GB2448179B

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for lining the wall of an underground tunnel platform. The tunnel comprises a tubbing 1 with radially inwardly projecting flanges 3a-d. The system comprises a plurality of post means 6 curved to the curvature of the tubbing 1 and adapted to overlie the tubbing 1. The post means 6 are fastened to the flanges 3a-d of the tubbing 1 such that the post means project beyond flanges 3a-d. A wall lining may be mounted to an inner face of the post means 6, and is thereby spaced away from the tubbing 1 and away from any underlying existing wall surface or in-fill. The post means 6 are preferably held in place by clamps 4a-f of the hook-bolt adaptor type. A later embodiment relates to a method for installing a platform wall, and or a cable management system 8 or other ceiling mounted system in place, in a tunnel of an underground railway system.

Description

* * 2448179 Tunnel LininQ Mountina System

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to tunnel lining mounting systems such as are suitable for use in underground rail network tunnels and most especially in the pedestrianised/platform areas of such tunnelling.

Background to the Invention

The London Underground rail network is currently undergoing a massive refurbishment in which the infrastructure, fixtures and fittings of many of the stations are being modernised and/or wholly replaced. As part of the improvements, a substantial amount of work has gone into improving the platform concourses and the linings to the walls around the platforms. In a related development, the Applicants of the present invention have come up with new wall lining systems including a unique cable management system for carrying the cables above the platform. This cable management system comprises modular cabinetry for the wiring and which may also include lighting. The modular cabinetry is generally bolted directly to the tubbing framework that lines the tunnels.

With certain installations particular problems have been encountered with the nature and quality of the walling on the platforms. Specifically, in some Underground stations, there is an inlay or overlay of the tubbing that is of asbestos or related materials that are harmful if inhaled and which are difficult to handle and remove.

There is thus a need for a system that enables a platform wall to be swiftly and safely refurbished without the major delays and costs associated with asbestos removal.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for lining the wall of an Underground tunnel platform, the tunnel having a tubbing with radially inwardly projecting flanges, the system comprising a plurality of curved post means that are curved substantially to the curvature of the tubbing and which are adapted to overlie the tubbing and project beyond and be fastened to the radially inwardly projecting flanges of the tubbing. The platform wall lining may be mounted directly to the radially inner face of the curved post means and thereby spaced away from the tubbing and away from any underlying existing wall surface! in-fill such as, for example, existing asbestos or other in-fill.

Particularly preferably the curved post means are held in place by use of clamps. A particularly preferred clamping means comprises a bolt type clamping means of the type known as hook-bolt adaptors and exemplified by Lindapter' steelwork fixings. Preferably a plurality of hook-bolt adaptors are provided that are bolted or otherwise fastened to the flanges of the tubbing and fastened to secondary steel, or other metal, transverse members. The transverse members are suitably of I-beam or channel section type and thereby readily clamp bolted by the hook-bolt adaptors.

These transverse members are suitably mounted with at least one transverse member fastened to a flange of the tubbing on one side of the curved post and another fastened to a flange on the other side of the curved post such that the curved post is clamped between the transverse member on the one side and the transverse member on the other side. Suitably the curved post is otherwise substantially free standing.

Particularly preferably the upper end of the curved post has mounted thereto, in use, a cable management system cabinet, casing or other structure.

By use of such a curved post supported spacing arrangement to mount the platform wall and/or cable management system or other ceiling mounted system in place the installers avoid the need for removal of the asbestos that would otherwise be extremely disruptive and cause a major hold-up in the installation process.

Furthermore, as opposed to any basic secondary lining system, the method and system of the present invention provides for very simple installation with minimal intervention with the existing wall structure and provides maximum strength and support for the cable management system or other ceiling mounted system and ensuring that this may be spaced at substantially the same spacing from the underlying tubbing as the new platform wall liner.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for installing a platform wall and/or a cable management system or other ceiling mounted system in place to a tunnel of an underground railway system at or adjacent the platform or other pedestrianised area and which comprises providing a system as of the first aspect of the invention and placing the curved posts up against the existing wall of the platform or other pedestrianised area and clamping it in place between members that are fastened to flanges of the tubbing of the tunnel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-Figure 1 illustrates the platform side of an underground railway tunnel showing the tubbing of the tunnel arching over the platform and with Lindapter -type steetwork fixings mounted to the flanges of the tubbing; Figure 2 illustrates a second stage of the mounting of the method of the present invention in which transverse secondary steel members are fastened to the Lindapter fixings and used to clamp a curved steel post there between; Figure 3 illustrates a further stage of the mounting process in which a platform wall liner is mounted in place overlying the lower part of the curved post and hence overlying the tubbing (and existing platform wall surface -not shown): and Figure 4 illustrates the final stage of the procedure in which a cable management system or other ceiling mounted assembly is mounted atop an. upper part of the post above the platform wall liner.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Beginning with Figure 1 the tubbing I of the underground tunnel can be clearly seen arching over the platform 2. The tubbing is of substantially conventional type being assembled into an annular configuration and with radially inwardly projecting flanges at regular intervals between each tubbing portion along the length of the tunnel, there being a series of flanges 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d arching upwardly over the platform with the tubbing I as shown in the illustration. The spaces between the flanges 3a, 3d will generally be in-filled with mortar, plaster or other material having insulating and lining properties. In some cases the in-fill is of asbestos and it is this that most particularly needs to be addressed by the system of the present invention.

As can be further seen in Figure 1, an array of six 250 kg rated Lindapters , being steelwork fixings that are purpose made maHeable iron hook-bolt adaptors, are bolted or otherwise fastened on to two adjacent ones of the vertical flanges 3c, 3d.

On one flange 3d three of the Lindapters 4a, 4b, 4c are fastened and on the adjacent flange 3c the three further Lindapters 4d, 4e and 4f are fastened at positions corresponding to the first three Lindapters , whereby the Lindapters are in opposing pairs.

In Figure 2, the Lindapters 4a, 4f are each capped with a short length of secondary steel 1-beam 5a-5f that may be held in place to the Lindapter by the Lindapters clamping bolt facilities. The short I-beam sections 5a-5f serve as clamping elements that clamp a curved secondary steel post 6 between them.

The curved post 6 may suitably be formed as a box section post of secondary steel or other suitable material and its purpose is to serve as a mounting surface for the platform wall liner panels 7 and also for the cable management system 8 or other ceiling mounted lining/componentry 8 that lines the upper part of the tunnel above the platform 2. The curved post 6 shares the curvature of the tubbing I and provides a strong support, the radially inner surface of which is evenly spaced away from the existing platform wall surface.

The method and system of the present invention thus provides for very simple installation with minimal intervention with the existing wall structure and provides maximum strength and support for the cable management system or other wall! ceiling mounted structures.

Claims

Claims 1. A system for lining the wall of an Underground tunnel

platform, the tunnel having a tubbing with radially inwardly projecting flanges, the system comprising a plurality of curved post means that are curved substantially to the curvature of the tubbing and which are adapted to overlie the tubbing and project beyond and be fastened to the radially inwardly projecting flanges of the tubbing.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the platform wall lining is mounted, in use, directly to the radially inner face of the curved post means and thereby spaced away from the tubbing and away from any underlying existing wall surface/in-fill.
3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the curved post means are held in place by use of clamps.
4. A system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the clamps comprise bolt type * clamping means of the type known as hook-bolt adaptors.
5. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a plurality of hook-bolt adaptors are provided that are bolted or otherwise fastened to the flanges of the tubbing and fastened to secondary steel, or other metal, transverse members.
6. A system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the transverse members are of 1-beam or channel section type and thereby readily clamp bolted by the hook-bolt adaptors.
7. A system as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein the transverse members are mounted with at least one transverse member fastened to a flange of the tubbing on one side of the curved post and another fastened to a flange on the other side of the curved post such that the curved post is clamped between the transverse member on the one side and the transverse member on the other side.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper end of the curved post has mounted thereto, in use, a cable management system cabinet, casing or other structure.
9. A method for installing a platform wall and/or a cable management system or other ceiling mounted system in place to a tunnel of an underground railway system at or adjacent the platform or other pedestrianised area and which comprises providing a system as claimed in any preceding claim and placing the curved posts up against the existing wall of the platform or other pedestrianised area and cfamping it in place between members that are fastened to flanges of the tubbing of the tunnel.