Method of site casting tunnels, culverts, pressure pipes with minimum forming
OwnerDelp W. Johnsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is disclosed for the construction of structures for tunnels, culverts, and pressure pipes of any size and shape, straight or curved, constant or variable cross section. The method requires very little formwork, with all work done on site. The method discloses the casting of a lower half of the structure as a continuous element, and the method of utilizing this half as a form in which modular lengths of the upper half of the structure are cast, lifted, inverted, and lowered to form the complete structure. Various methods are disclosed for joining the modules comprising the upper half of the structure to provide various degrees of structural continuity and fluid tightness.
Claims34
Methods of constructing a hollow structure in situ, comprising the steps of first casting a material to form a lower portion of the structure, said portion comprising a bottom and walls extending upward from said bottom, and;
- utilizing this first portion of the structure as a mold, casting therein a material to form a second portion, said second portion comprising a second bottom and walls extending upward from said second bottom;
- and lifting said second portion of the structure from said first portion;
- and inverting said second portion, and;
- lowering said second portion onto said first portion, position lower edges of walls of said second portion in position to support second portion of structure over said first portion of structure.
According to claim 9, with the additional steps of providing conduit for post tensioned steel in said module and the added step of installing and post tensioned steel in said conduit in erected position.
A method of constructing a hollow structure utilizing an existing open-top structure as a mold, said existing structure comprising a bottom and at least two outwardly sloping side walls, casting therein a material to form a new portion of said structure, said new portion comprising a bottom and side walls extending upward and against said side walls of said existing structure;
- and lifting said new portion of the structure from said existing portion, and inverting said new portion, and lowering said new portion onto said existing portion, and supporting lower edges of side walls of said new portion on side walls of said existing structure.
A method of constructing a hollow structure comprising the steps of first forming a material to comprise a lower portion of the structure, said portion comprising a bottom and at least two walls extending upward and outward from said bottom, and distance between upper ends of said side walls is greater than distance between said side walls at the intersection of said side walls and said bottom;
- and utilizing this lower portion of the structure as a mold, forming therein a material to form a second portion, said second portion comprising a bottom and walls extending upward from said bottom, and said walls formed against side walls of said lower portion:
- And lifting said second portion from said lower portion, and inverting said second portion, and lowering said second portion onto said lower portion, positioning lower edges of walls of second portion in position to support second portion over lower portion of said structure, and securing said second portion to said lower portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.