Mine shaft liner plate system and method

A liner plate structure for use in lining shafts or tunnels, the liner plate structure comprising:

• a primary plate portion having a height and length, the length larger than the height;
• at least one flange disposed at a side edge of the primary plate portion, a seal element extending along an exterior surface of the flange, the seal element of the flange is disposed within a recess of the exterior surface of the flange, where the seal element protrudes slightly above the exterior surface of the flange, wherein a sub-recess is located to one side of the recess, the sub-recess has a depth that is less than a depth of the recess and a bottom surface that is offset below the exterior surface of the flange, and the sub-recess has one side edge in communication with the recess;
• wherein the flange, the primary plate portion, the recess and sub-recess are curved in a lengthwise direction;
• wherein the sub-recess is located to a radially inner side of the recess;
• wherein at least two spaced apart sub-recess extensions are located in the exterior surface of the flange and extend from a radially inward facing edge of the exterior surface and along the exterior surface to the sub-recess.

A liner plate structure for use in lining shafts or tunnels, the liner plate structure comprising:

• a primary plate portion;
• at least one flange disposed at a side edge of the primary plate portion, a seal element extending along an exterior surface of the flange, the seal element of the flange is disposed within a recess of the exterior surface of the flange, where the seal element protrudes slightly above the exterior surface of the flange, wherein a sub-recess is located to one side of the recess, the sub-recess has a depth that is less than a depth of the recess and a bottom surface that is offset below the exterior surface of the flange, and the sub-recess has one side edge in communication with the recess;
• the primary plate portion has a height and length, the length larger than the height, the primary plate portion is curved in the lengthwise direction;
• first, second, third and fourth flanges circumscribe the primary plate portion, each flange has a first portion extending outwardly beyond an outer side face of the primary plate portion and a second portion extending inwardly beyond an inner side face of the primary plate portion;
• wherein the flanges are welded to the primary plate portion, the first portion of each flange is substantially smaller than the second portion.

A method of assembling a liner system for lining a shaft or tunnel, the method comprising:

• joining together first and second liner plate structures, each liner plate structure having a primary plate portion and at least one flange disposed at a side edge of the primary plate portion, the flange having a recess extending along its exterior surface and holding a seal element that protrudes above the recess, the seal element formed by a polyurethane and/or polyurea material that is bonded to at least one surface of the recess;
• prior to the joining step, applying a chemical weld activator coating to at least one of (i) the seal element of the first liner plate structure and/or (ii) the seal element of the second liner plate structure;
• and
• during the joining step, pressing the seal element of the first liner plate structure into contact with the seal element of the second liner plate structure such that the seal elements become chemically welded to each other.