Formwork apparatus
OwnerMichiel Smutsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The formwork assembly (10) is used to cast tubular or part-tubular structures, one particular application being in the lining of mine ore passes with a concrete lining (54). The assembly includes an internal framework (12, 14, 32; 100, 102, 104) and external, flexible formwork (34, 130) supported by the framework. The framework can be adjusted between a casting condition (FIG. 1) in which it supports the formwork (34, 130) at the inner periphery of the structure which is to be cast and an inwardly collapsed condition in which it supports the formwork (34, 130) at a position spaced inwardly from such inner periphery. In the case of a mine ore pass lining, the assembly is moved upwardly in increments after each casting operation.
Claims12
A formwork assembly for use in casting a tubular or part-tubular structure, the formwork assembly comprising a flexible formwork membrane and an internal framework which includes a plurality of parallel support structures supporting the flexible formwork membrane, the internal framework being adjustable between an extended configuration in which the support members support the membrane in a tubular or part-tubular configuration at a casting position corresponding to the inner periphery of the structure which is to be cast and an inwardly collapsed configuration in which the support members are moved inwardly towards one another so that the membrane is supported at a position spaced inwardly from the casting position and so that the membrane assumes a folded configuration between the support members.
A method of casting a tubular or part-tubular structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an internal framework which includes a plurality of spaced apart, parallel support members, the internal framework being adjustable between an extended configuration and an inwardly collapsed configuration;
- b) supporting a flexible tubular or part-tubular formwork membrane on the support members;
- c) adjusting the internal framework to its extended configuration so as to locate the membrane at a casting position corresponding to the inner periphery of the structure which is to be cast;
- d) placing settable material behind the membrane and allowing such material to set;
- e) adjusting the internal framework to its inwardly collapsed configuration so as to move the support members inwardly towards one another and thereby to cause the membrane to move inwardly away from the casting position and assume a folded configuration between the support members;
- f) moving the framework and membrane axially to a new position;
- and
- g) repeating steps c) to f) to cast a desired length of the structure.
A method of lining a mine ore pass with a cast concrete lining, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a framework inside the ore pass, the framework including a plurality of spaced apart, parallel support members and being adjustable between an extended configuration and an inwardly collapsed configuration;
- b) supporting a flexible tubular or part-tubular formwork membrane on the support members;
- c) adjusting the framework to its extended configuration so as to locate the membrane at a casting position located inwardly of the wall of the ore pass and corresponding to the inner periphery of the lining which is to be cast;
- d) placing settable material behind the membrane and allowing such material to set to form a portion of the length of the lining;
- e) adjusting the framework to its inwardly collapsed configuration so as to more the support members inwardly towards one another and thereby to cause the membrane to move inwardly away from the casting position and assume a folded configuration between the support members;
- f) moving the framework and membrane axially to a new position in the ore pass;
- and
- g) repeating steps c) to f) to cast a desired length of the lining.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.