Automated method and processing train for lining tunnels

A method for constructing a lining of a tunnel with a solidifiable fluid material by a processing train configured to run along the tunnel so as to lay the solidifiable fluid material on a wall of the tunnel and allow the solidifiable fluid material to solidify for construction of the lining of the tunnel, the processing train comprising:

• a sliding form with a lateral shape of a desired lining on the wall of the tunnel;
• an advancement system suitable for advancement of the sliding form stepwise along the tunnel;
• a closing edge adapted to close, radially with respect to the tunnel, a space between a front edge of the sliding form and the wall of the tunnel;
• and
• spouts for dispensing the solidifiable fluid material around a radially external front segment of the sliding form,
• wherein the processing train is divided into a rear part and a front part interconnected with each other, the sliding form being in the rear part and the front part being adapted to prepare the wall of a section of the tunnel for lining with the solidifiable fluid material,
• wherein the rear part and the front part are interconnected so that the rear and front parts are movable towards and away from each other on command in a stepwise advancing direction of the sliding form to realize at least partially the advancement system,
• wherein behind the sliding form there is a rear locking section for locking a sliding movement along the tunnel, the rear locking section comprising associated elements which perform locking against the wall of the tunnel and which are movable on command between an operative position projecting radially towards the wall of the tunnel and a retracted rest position, and
• wherein in the front part or in front of the front part there is a front locking section for locking the sliding movement along the tunnel, the front locking section comprising associated elements which perform locking against the wall of the tunnel and which are movable on command between an operative position projecting radially towards the wall of the tunnel and a retracted rest position,
• the processing train being advanced stepwise along an axis of the tunnel, the method comprising:
• a) using the sliding form with the lateral shape of the desired lining on the wall of the tunnel and extending over the section of the tunnel, so as to define an interspace between the radially external front segment of the sliding form and the wall of the tunnel, the interspace being closed at the front by the closing edge which extends radially with respect to the axis of the tunnel between the sliding form and the wall of the tunnel;
• b) introducing the solidifiable fluid material into said interspace;
• c) waiting for a given solidification time;
• d) advancing the sliding form by one step inside the tunnel so as to form a new interspace situated between the radially external front segment of the sliding form and the wall of the tunnel and bordering at the rear with the solidifiable fluid material introduced into a preceding interspace;
• and
• e) repeating steps b) to d) to create successive lining sections of the tunnel.