Method of connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a constructional element such as a tunnel lining, part of which is shown in the drawing, comprising adjacent segments which have facing surfaces between which there is a joint which is physically deformable under load. The joint comprises a toroidal body or tube of substantially circular cross section received in complementary or semi-circular facing recesses in the surfaces respectively, and comprises a flexible material such as polypropylene and which means in the form of a nozzle for gaining access to the interior of the body. The body is initially filled with a fluid, which could be a liquid or gas, through the nozzle, which can then be maintained in the body by closing the nozzle as by a valve. When round in which the tunnel is set has settled, the joint is "locked up" by passing a flowable settable material such as a cementitious mortar material from a grout pump into the body, which thereby displaces the fluid which passes out of the body through an outlet which may be part of the nozzle, may be a separate nozzle, or may be the bleed valve.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.