US3645102A

US3645102A - Telescoping lining and support structure and method for lining tunnels and shafts

Info

Publication number: US3645102A
Application number: US101875A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicholas Chlumecky
Original assignee: Commercial Shearing Inc
Current assignee: Commercial Shearing Inc; Commercial Shearing and Stamping Co
Priority date: 1970-12-28
Filing date: 1970-12-28
Publication date: 1972-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-28
Also published as: BE766064A; DE2120178B2; NL7105475A; AU2812171A; DE2120178C3; AT321977B; DE2120178A1; JPS5620438B1; FR2126661A5; CA947520A; GB1354741A; CH546312A

Abstract

A novel telescoping lining and support structure and method for lining tunnels and shafts is provided in which a plurality of first chordal segments are drawn into a tunnel or shaft hole in a reduced diameter state of compression, expanded diametrically one after another in place in said tunnel or shaft and keyed in the expanded state by a second smaller chordal segment which completes an annular ring segment with the first chordal segment in place.

Description

llnited States Patent Chlumeclty Fell1 .29,1972

[54] TELESQOPIING LINJING AND @IIPPORT STRUOMJRE AND METHOU FOR MINING TUNNELS AND SHAFTS ['72] Inventor: Nicholas Chlumeclry, Poland, Ohio [73] Assignee: Commercial Shearing & Stamping Com- [22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 101,375

[52] US. Cl. ..61/42, 61/45 R [51] Int. Cl .Elllg 5/02 [58] Field of Search ..61/84, 85, 42, 43, 45; 299/11, 299/31, 33

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,137,442 4/1915 Abbott ..61/45 R 1,372,856 3/1921 Winterbottom. ..61/42 1,751,147 3/1930 Hackley ..61/45 R 3,206,824 9/1965 Cerutti ..61/42 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3/1955 France ..6l/45 R 1,163,356 4/1958 France ..61/84 1,278,994 11/1961 France ..6l/84 10,193 11/1932 Australia.. ..61/45 R Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney-'Buell, Blenko & Ziesenheim [57] ABSTRACT A novel telescoping lining and support structure and method for lining tunnels and shafts is provided in which a plurality of first chordal segments are drawn into a tunnel or shaft hole in a reduced diameter state of compression, expanded diametrically one after another in place in said tunnel or shaft and keyed in the expanded state by a second smaller chordal segment which completes an annular ring segment with the first chordal segment in place.

4 Claims, 18 Drnwlng Figures PATENTEDFEBZS I972 3, 645, 102

sum 1 OF 3 INVENTOR 5; Nicholas Chlumecky Pmmearaazema 3,645; 102

SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR Nicholas Chlumecky TELESCOIING LIININ'G AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR LINING TUNNELS AND SHAFTS This invention relates to a telescoping lining and support structure and method for lining tunnels and shafts and particularly to a much improved method of supporting and lining tunnels and shafts which are made by mining and tunneling methods.

Underground tunnels and shafts, such as vehicular tunnels, underwater tubes, sewer and pollutant control tunnels, subways and similar structures must be provided with a supporting lining. The quicker the tunnel can be lined and completed for the support of surrounding earth and exclusion of water, the better. One method of accomplishing this uses concrete pipe which is jacked with heavy pressure into the earth by means of substantial hydraulic jacks which must abut against a very strong base or wall which is usually located in a shaft because such jacking would be difficult if the pipe has to be pushed from a structure on a flat surface. As the pipe is pushed ahead, earth is excavated at the front end of the tunnel ahead of the pipe which is then moved ahead. Besides the difficulty of requiring heavy jacking equipment, the pipe which is being jacked ahead must be lubricated on the outside usually by drilling holes from the surface and by injecting a mixture of water and bentonite. Drilling of the injection holes is costly because it must be done at relatively close intervals and because it interferes often with utilities and right of way on surface in congested city locations. Another disadvantage of the present method of pipe jacking is that it requires specially favorable conditions in relation to the earth through which the pipe is to be jacked. If the tunnel has to be driven through earth which contains many boulders or rock, or if the earth settles forcefully on the jacked pipe, due to labor delays or other factors such as insufficient bentonite lubrication, any further tunneling by pipe jacking becomes impossible and tunneling can then only proceed by methods other than pipe jacking. Another problem is that at times due to the heavy jacking load, pipe components break up and require their removal with costly repair. While pipe jacking is successful in suitable locations in earth, it is limited in range since the jacking thrust can move but a limited lineal footage of pipe. When load or drag, despite lubrication of the outside wall of the pipe, increases to a point where the pipe may be damaged by the pressure applied, the jacking must be discontinued. Furthermore, most accurate aligning of the jacked pipe must be observed and maintained because misalignment will cause complete seizure and stoppage of the pipe being jacked making any further tunnel advance impossible with this method. Another problem is the handling of power cables, ventilation ducts and other utilities which have to be carried forward to the working face of the tunnel. The pipe elements which are jacked into the earth have to be placed against the last element which was pushed in. In order to join the next pipe element, all above utility lines and often also the track for cars which haul out the excavated earth have to be disconnected and after placing the pipe element all these utilities have to be reconnected before the tunnel advance can be resumed. In summary, the present art of pipe jacking in tunneling is subject to many hazards, laborious efforts, high costs and considerable limitations.

The present invention provides a novel and significant improvement over the presently used method which was described above. In addition the invention provides a tunnel lining which can be telescoped through the installed lining without the need for heavy jacking members which require a strong abutment. The tunnel lining of the present invention does not require costly drilling methods for the injection of lubricating matter to the outside of the tunnel lining. Furthermore this invention provides a telescoping tunnel lining which does not depend on specially favorable earth formations through which the tunnel is mined and which is not affected by work stoppages or other delays which cause seizure of a moving lining. The present tunnel lining can be telescoped towards the tunnel face without exerting excessive and damaging pressures on lining components as they are moved ahead. Moreover the present invention provides a lining which does not require a large shaft from which the tunnel can be started. The lining of the present invention can be moved into the tunnel without a need to disconnect and reconnect utility lines, ventilation pipes and track.

The present invention provides a method of lining a tunnel in which a plurality of first chordal segments are drawn into a tunnel in the compressed state, expanded one after another in place and keyed by a smaller second chordal segment to form an annular segment in place. Preferably the segments are provided with grout holes through which grout is pumped to fill the void behind the segments. The segments are moved into place by drawing with a cable, by means of hydraulic cylinders or by other equivalent means. The segments may be made of any strong elastic material such as steel, reinforced plastic, reinforced concrete of the like material. The first chordal segments preferably include an angle greater than 230".

In the foregoing general description I have set out certain objects, advantages and purposes of my invention. Other advantages and purposes of this invention will be described hereafter and will become apparent to those who are skilled in the art of tunneling when considering the following description with accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a tunnel embodying my method for telescoping a lining into a tunnel;

FIG. 2 shows the cross section of the tunnel on the line II- II showing the manner in which the lining is telescoped and where the lining upon expansion and completion consists of three pieces per ring;

FIG. 3 shows an elevational view of the tunnel track with support frame for carrying utility lines;

FIG. 4 is an end elevationalview of a telescoping lining member of FIG. 1 in compressed condition for insertion in a tunnel; taken on line IV -IV of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of telescoping lining where the track is contained by the telescoping lining and where each ring consists of two pieces;

FIG. 6 shows a fragmentary cross section of a third embodiment of lining according to my invention;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of trapezoidal-shaped bottom segments of tunnel lining with square joints used in the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a fragmentary cross section of trapezoidalshaped bottom segments upon assembly with joints which have a tongue and groove configuration;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the trapezoidal-shaped bottom segments of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows a cross section of a spline joint which could be used instead of other joint configurations of this invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross section of another type of joint assembly of this invention;

FIG. 12 depicts a cross section of a joint with asymmetrical keeper and seal of this invention;

FIG. 13 shows a cross section of a tongue and groove joint of this invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross section of a joint with an H-section as a stabilizer to keep edges in line;

FIG. 15 shows an assembly with square edge with bolt and washer assembly to keep edges of joints in exact alignment;

FIG. 16 shows tongue-and-groove joint with holes for temporary use to draw longitudinal or vertical joints together;

FIG. 17 is another embodiment of my invention shown in end elevation; and

FIG. 18 is still another embodiment of my invention in end elevation.

Referring to FIG. I, I have shown a general arrangement of the telescoping tunnel lining installation showing an arcuate segment 10 being lowered by crane 111 into vertical shaft 12 in front of horizontal shaft 13. Segment It) is joined to other segments 10 already inserted within assembled lining 14 by drawing together temporarily lower ends IS with cable or chain 16 as shown by FIG. 4 showing cross section of segment being lowered into shaft 12. Once segment is inserted within tunnel lining 14 temporary cable 16 is removed. Clamp 17 is then fastened to the trailing edge of segment 10. Clamps 17 are attached to cables 18 which run over sheave 19 which is mounted on shield 20. Cables 18 run out inside tunnel lining 14 to sheaves 21 and double drum winch 22. As the installation of tunnel lining 14 proceeds, segments 10 are pulled ahead within shield and expanded and assembled with

second segments

23 and 24 which complete the bottom of tunnel lining 14. Power lines 25 are carried by frames 26. Frames 26 are bolted to track 27. In shaft 12, powerlines 25 run under track 27 so that they will not interfere with the lowering and insertion of segment 10 within tunnel lining 14. Frames 26 can then be used also to carry ventilation pipe 28 to the working face 29 of the tunnel.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the telescoping lining arrangement of FIG. 1 and particularly the manner in which the various elements of the invention are related to each other. It shows how segment 10 which may consist of strong elastic material such as steel, reinforced plastic or reinforced concrete is located and held confined within upper expanded lining segment 10 and

bottom lining segments

23 and 24. It shows also how frame 26 which carries powerlines 25 as well as piping 30 and ventilation line 28 is fastened to track 27. Segments are furnished with grout holes 31 to fill the void between limits of tunnel excavation 32 with grout 33. Telescoping segments 10 are pulled into tunnel by clamp 17 which is attached to winch cables 18 that run over sheave 19 which is attached to tunnel shield.

In FIG. 5 I have illustrated a method of telescoping segments 101 with maximum circumference into completed tunnel lining 101 such that only one key segment 102 is required upon expansion of segment 100 to the diameter of tunnel lining 161. For this method, track 103 has to rest on segment 100. This method of telescoping is suitable for relatively small diameter tunnels where the weight of muck car 104 is not excessive.

In the embodiment of FIG. '7 I show a plan view of parallelogram-shaped segment 110 and trapezoidal-shaped segment 111 suitably shaped for installation of trapezoidal segment 112 so that as the segments 110 and 111 are slid longitudinally, they will require a minimum of space ahead of completed portions of the lining. FIG. 6 shows how the assembled segments are arranged as related to a fragmentary view of the lining cross section.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9 I show a plan view of the parallelogram segments 121 and two trapezoidal segments 122 with tongueand-groove shaped joint 123 to assure proper alignment of segments through their joints. FIG. 8 shows a fragmentary cross section of telescoping segment in relation to assembled lining 124.

FIG. 10 to FIG. 16 describe variousjoints which could be suitable for use with the telescoping lining 130. FIG. 10 is a spline joint with spline 131 inserted in grooves 132. For sealing groove 132 could be filled with sealant material 133 which forms a bond between spline 131 and lining 130.

FIG. 15 shows squarejoints 151 held in alignment during as sembly by means of temporary bolts 152 and washers 153.

FIG. 16 shows a fragmentary plan view of a tongue-andgroove joint before it is drawn together. As a means of drawing thejoint together, holes 161 are drilled through lining 162. Dowels (not shown) are then inserted temporarily in hole 161 to draw thejoint together with a clamp (not shown).

FIGS. 10 to 16 show also locations of sealing or bonding material 164 which may consist of epoxy or other suitable compounds.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show other embodiments in which a segment 200 is passed through the lined tunnel and expanded and fastened to an overlapping bottom member 201 by bolts 202 or alternatively by bottom segments 203 and splice plate 204.

In the foregoing specification I have set out certain preferred embodiments of my invention however, it will be understood that this invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. A method of lining a tunnel and the like comprising the steps of:

a. tunneling a shaft into the earth,

b. carrying a plurality of first chordal segments into said tunnel shaft as tunneling progresses, said first segments being reduced in diameter by compression, expanding said segments diametrically one after another in place in said shaft,

c. inserting a second chordal segment between the ends of said expanded first chordal segment to form an annular segment, and

d. continuing to insert compressed first segments through said completed rings and expanding the same in place one after another to complete a lining.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first chordal segments are provided with spaced openings and grout is pumped therethrough to fill any voids between the completed annular segments and the tunnel shaft.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first chordal segments are carried into place by pulling with a cable and winch.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first chordal segments are carried into place by hydraulic jacks.

Claims

1. A method of lining a tunnel and the like comprising the steps of: a. tunneling a shaft into the earth, b. carrying a plurality of first chordal segments into said tunnel shaft as tunneling progresses, said first segments being reduced in diameter by compression, expanding said segments diametrically one after another in place in said shaft, c. inserting a second chordal segment between the ends of said expanded first chordal segment to form an annular segment, and d. continuing to insert compressed first segments through said completed rings and expanding the same in place one after another to complete a lining.