US 4,789,267 AGranted

Method of and apparatus for concrete tunnel lining

AssigneeHochtief Aktiengesellschaft Vorm. Gebr. Helfmann

InventorsSiegmund Babendererde, Bernd Hillemeier, Otto Braach

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Abstract

An apparatus for making a tunnel lining from concrete in a single operation with a tunnel excavator comprises a tunnel lining form consisting of a plurality of tunnel lining form segments and a form front adjacent the tunnel excavator and a tunnel lining circular space between the form and the ground. The concrete is selected so that it remains workable for more than two hours at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. but sets to a nonworkable state after 10 to 30 minutes upon heating to a temperature in the range of substantially 40.degree. C. to substantially 70.degree. C. The concrete is heated in a pipe section proximal to the compartment into which it is introduced by direct introduction of electrical energy into the pipe section.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of forming a tunnel, comprising the steps of:

advancing a tunneling machine through a subterranean structure to excavate material and form a tunnel wall behind the advance of said tunneling machine;
behind the advance of said tunneling machine, spacedly juxtaposing with said wall a tunnel-form ring to define with said wall an annular compartment which is formed progressively with the advance of the machine;
pumping into said compartment a concrete having a composition selected such that it remains workable for more than two hours at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. but sets to a nonworkable state after 10 to 30 minutes upon heating to a temperature in a range of substantially 40.degree. C. to substantially 70.degree. C.;
heating the concrete pumped into said compartment at a location proximal to that at which the concrete enters said compartment by the direct introduction of electrical energy into the pumped flow of concrete to a temperature in said range of substantially 40.degree. C. to substantially 70.degree. C.;
and
permitting the heated concrete to set in said compartment so as to form a concrete tunnel lining which advances with the advance of said machine.

3 more elements

An apparatus for forming a tunnel comprising:

a tunneling machine for advancing a tunnel through a subterranean structure to excavate material and form a tunnel wall behind the advance of said tunneling machine;
at least one tunnel-form ring disposed behind the advance of said tunneling machine to define with said wall an annular compartment which is formed progressively with the advance of said machine;
means including a pipe opening into said compartment for pumping into said compartment concrete having a composition such that it remains workable for more than two hours at a temperature of 20.degree. C. but sets to a nonworkable state after 10 to 30 minutes upon heating to a temperature in a range of substantially 40.degree. C. to substantially 70.degree. C.;
and
means including a pipe section of said pipe proximal to said compartment for directly introducing electrical energy into the pumped flow of concrete traversing said pipe to heat said concrete to a temperature in said range of substantially 40.degree. C. to substantially 70.degree. C. whereby said concrete is permitted to set in said compartment so as to form a concrete tunnel lining which advances with the advance of said machine.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/017,189Filed 19 Feb 1987 · continuation in part
Priority: DE 350896613 Mar 1985
Granted: 6 Dec 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H05B 3/60
Ohmic-resistance heating: heating arrangements wherein the heating current flows through granular powdered or fluid material, e.g. for salt-bath…
E04G 21/06
Conveying or working-up concrete or similar masses able to be heaped or cast: solidifying concrete, e.g. by application of vacuum before hardening
E21D 11/10
Lining with building materials: with concrete cast in situ; Shuttering also lost shutterings, e.g. made of blocks, of metal plates or other…
E21D 11/105
With concrete cast in situ; Shuttering also lost shutterings, e.g. made of blocks, of metal plates or other equipment adapted therefor: transport…