Underground Soil Excavation

Abstract

 In a method of excavating an underground space in the soil below an overlaying structure, the method comprises providing a compensation liquid, providing a plurality of compensation tubes for conveying said compensation liquid, each of said compensation tubes comprising a number of outlets for allowing said compensation liquid to pass from said compensation tube into the surrounding medium. The method further comprises positioning said plurality of compensation tubes in said soil below said structure, excavating said underground space in said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes and monitoring the overlaying structure for detecting changes in the structure due to said excavating of said underground space. Provided a change in the structure is detected, then said compensation liquid is injected into said soil through one or more of said plurality of compensation tubes into said soil.

Description

[0001] When a tunnel is built in soil, the soil and ground water level above the tunnel may shift. If there is a structure above the tunnel, such as a surface building, the shifting soil or ground water level may cause the overlaying structure also to settle and shift, thus causing damage to the structure. In particular, this is a problem when the soil contains large amounts of sand and the surface building is an older building having walls resting on the ground and not on a concrete slab spreading out the weight of the building. The same problem may be encountered when a tunnel is excavated under other structures, such as another tunnel, a road, the foundation of a bridge, and a football field. It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent damages to an overlaying structure when an underground space is excavated.

[0002] Related prior art is found in US 3 528 252 A disclosing an arrangement for freezing earth in a specific formation; in EP 0 774 566 A1 disclosing a method for securing the excavation of a tunnel by drilling and injecting a supporting material into the ground prior to the excavation; EP 1 632 749 A1 disclosing a method for determining shifts in the soil when excavating, and in WO 01/34941 A1 disclosing a self-contained sub-surface drilling machine.

[0003] The above object is according to a first aspect of the present invention met by a method of excavating an underground space in the soil below an overlaying structure, the method comprising: providing a compensation liquid, providing a plurality of compensation tubes for conveying the compensation liquid, each of the compensation tubes comprising a number of outlets for allowing the compensation liquid to pass from the compensation tube into the surrounding medium, positioning the plurality of compensation tubes in the soil below the structure, excavating the underground space in the soil below the plurality of compensation tubes, monitoring the overlaying structure for detecting changes in the structure due to the excavating of the underground space, and if any change in the structure is detected: injecting the compensation liquid into the soil through one or more of the plurality of compensation tubes into the soil. The injection of the compensation liquid is for reducing or compensating for the detected change in the structure.

[0004] The impact of the injecting on the overlaying structure injection may be continuously monitored and interrupted when satisfactory compensations have been achieved.

[0005] Soil is here understood as encompassing a soil that to a significant extent is composed of sand or other eroded materials. The soil may be loosely packed with larger pore spaces or tightly packed with smaller pore spaces. The pore space may contain ground water. There may be stones or other small rock formations in the soil.

[0006] The overlaying structure may be a surface building over ground. Alternatively, the overlaying structure may be a tunnel, a football field, or a road.

[0007] The method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise: excavating a hole in the ground beside the surface building, and the positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes may comprise: inserting the compensation tubes from the hole in the ground into the soil. The method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise: forming a water-impregnable wall at the side of the hole facing the surface building for preventing the hole from draining ground water and/or soil particles from the soil under the surface building. The draining may cause the overlaying structure to change. Consequently, the impregnable wall prevents changes in the overlaying structure. The water-impregnable wall may be a concrete wall. The positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes may comprise: inserting the compensation tubes through the water-impregnable wall into the soil.

[0008] The positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes in the soil may for each compensation tube of the plurality of compensation tubes comprise: providing a first hollow drilling pipe and a first drilling head attached to the first hollow drilling pipe, the first hollow drilling pipe and a first drilling head may be adapted for being drilled into the soil with the first drilling head first, drilling the first drilling head and the first hollow drilling pipe into the soil below the structure, inserting the compensation tube of the plurality of compensation tubes into the hollow drilling pipe, und retracting the first hollow drilling pipe and simultaneously expelling a support material around the compensation tube at the insertion or forward end of the first hollow drilling pipe for preventing a collapsing of said soil. The drilling minimizes the removal of soil from below the overlaying, thus having a minor or insignificant impact on the overlaying structure. Further, the retraction of the hollow drilling pipe allows for an easier flow of compensation liquid into the soil. The first drilling head may be attached at the insertion or forward end of the first hollow drilling pipe.

[0009] The drilling of the first drilling head and the first hollow drilling pipe into the soil may comprise: controlling the direction of the first hollow drilling pipe and/or the first drilling head for positioning the first hollow drilling pipe along a straight line. The drilling head may comprise: a position indicator defining a visible pattern, and the controlling of the direction of the first hollow drilling pipe and/or the first drilling head may comprise: observing the pattern through the first hollow drilling pipe for detecting an offset of the first hollow drilling pipe and/or the first drilling head from the straight line, and if any offset is detected: steering the first drilling head for reducing the offset. The pattern may be an asymmetric pattern and if any offset is detected the controlling of the direction of the first hollow drilling pipe and/or the first drilling head may comprise: observing the asymmetric pattern through the first hollow drilling pipe for determining the angular orientation of the first drilling head, and steering the first drilling based in the angular orientation. The drilling along straight lines minimizes the volume of soil removed from under the overlaying building, thus lessening a possible impact on the structure. The asymmetric pattern may be defined by a plurality of electrical light sources. Each of the plurality of light sources may be a light-emitting diode and powered by an electrical battery positioned in the first drilling head. This has the advantage that the controlling of the direction will be cheap, and the first drilling head can be left at the end of the drilling. This is an advantage since e retraction of the drilling head could cause more material to be removed from under the overlaying building.

[0010] Said positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes in the soil may further comprise: providing a first drilling fluid or first drilling mud for aiding the drilling of the first drilling head and the first hollow drilling pipe into the soil, and the drilling of the first drilling head and the first hollow drilling pipe into the soil may further comprise: expelling the first drilling fluid or first drilling mud at the drilling head. The first drilling fluid may be a stabilizer strengthening the surrounding, thus reducing the amount of soil removed. The first drilling fluid or first drilling mud may be water-based mud, oil-based mud, and/or synthetic-based mud. The first drilling fluid may be water and the first drilling mud may be water-suspended bentonite. The first hollow drilling pipe may comprise a first pipe conduit for conveying the first drilling fluid or first drilling mud to the first drilling head.

[0011] The positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes may further comprise: detaching the first drilling head from the first hollow drilling pipe prior to the retracting of the first hollow drilling pipe for forming a first conduit outlet of the first pipe conduit at the forward end of the first hollow drilling pipe, and said expelling of the support material around the compensation tube may comprise: conveying the support material through the first pipe conduit and expelling the support material through the first conduit outlet. The detaching of the drilling head means that the first drilling head can be left at the end of the drilled hole. This is an advantage, since a retraction could cause the drilled hole to collapse or remove more soil from under the overlaying structure. The support material prevents the drilled hole from collapsing, which could cause the soil to settle.

[0012] The first drilling head may comprise a first steering blade for digging the soil and for steering the first drilling head in an off-axis direction upon a forward thrust of the first drilling head, the first steering blade may have a first tip at its forward end, and the first drilling head may further comprise a first head conduit connected to the first pipe conduit and comprising an outlet at the first tip for conveying the first drilling fluid or first drilling mud from the first pipe conduit and for expelling the first drilling fluid or first drilling mud at the tip. This has the effect that the drilling more precisely defines the drilled hole, thus reducing the amount of material removed. The first head conduit may comprise a first non-return valve for preventing a backflow in the first head conduit. This prevents ground water from leaking out through the pipe conduit, which could cause the overlaying structure to settle or shift. The first hollow drilling pipe may comprise a first outer wall portion and first inner wall portion for forming the first pipe conduit between them.

[0013] The first drilling head may comprise a first plurality of teeth and the first hollow drilling pipe may comprise a second plurality of teeth meshing and cooperating with the first plurality of teeth for transferring a rotation of the first hollow drilling pipe to the first drilling head and for allowing them to be detached by pulling the first hollow drilling pipe from the first drilling head, and the positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes may further comprise: cutting the first inner wall portion for detaching the first hollow drilling pipe from the first drilling head prior to the retracting of the first hollow drilling pipe. The detaching of the first hollow drilling pipe from the first drilling head may form a first conduit outlet of the first pipe conduit at the forward end of the first hollow drilling pipe, and the expelling of the support material around the compensation tube may comprise: conveying the support material through the first pipe conduit for expelling the support material through the first conduit outlet. The support material may be deformable and/or permeable to water.

[0014] The excavating of the underground space in the soil below the plurality of compensation tubes may comprise: defining an excavation volume of the soil, providing a plurality of freezing tubes, each of the plurality of freezing tubes may be adapted for conveying a cooling medium along its length and for transferring heat between its surroundings and the cooling medium, positioning the plurality of freezing tubes in the soil below the plurality of compensation tubes and outside the excavation volume, providing a cooling medium for being conveyed through the plurality of freezing tubes and having a temperature that is lower than the freezing temperature of the soil, conveying the cooling medium through the plurality of freezing tubes for freezing at least a portion of the soil surrounding the excavation volume, and removing the soil of the excavation volume. The frozen soil prevents ground water from leaking out into the excavated volume, which could cause the overlaying soil and structure to settle. The positioning of the plurality of freezing tubes in the soil may comprise: positioning the plurality of freezing tubes in a pattern surrounding the excavation volume. This has the advantage that the soil can be frozen around the excavation volume, thus effectively preventing any ground water from leaking out through the excavation volume. The conveying of the cooling medium through the plurality of freezing tubes may further be adapted for freezing the soil to form a shell of frozen soil around the excavation volume. The conveying of the cooling medium through the plurality of freezing tubes may be adapted for freezing the soil of the excavation volume.

[0015] The injecting of the compensation liquid may have a synergetic effect with the freezing of the soil, in particular if the excavation is above the ground water level and the compensation liquid is water that seeps down to the freezing tubes, which would improve the structural strength of the frozen soil. The excavation volume may be elongated and the positioning of the plurality of freezing tubes in the soil may comprise: orienting each of the plurality of freezing tubes in the direction of maximum extension of the elongated excavation volume. For example, a tunnel may be built in the excavation volume.

[0016] The positioning of the plurality of freezing tubes in the soil below the structure may for each freezing tube of the plurality of freezing tubes comprise: providing a second hollow drilling pipe and a second drilling head attached to the second hollow drilling pipe, the second hollow drilling pipe and the second drilling head may be adapted for being drilled into the soil with the second drilling head first, the second drilling pipe may be adapted for allowing a heat transport between the outside and the inside of the second hollow drilling pipe, drilling the second drilling head and the second hollow drilling pipe into the soil below the plurality of compensation tubes, inserting the freezing tube of the plurality of freezing tubes into the hollow drilling pipe, providing a bridging medium for transferring heat, injecting the bridging medium between the freezing tube and the second hollow drilling pipe for establishing a heat conduction between the outside of the second hollow drilling pipe and the freezing tube. The drilling minimizes the removal of soil from below the overlaying, thus having a minor or insignificant impact on the overlaying structure, as compared to forming a duct by digging and placing the freezing tube in the duct.

[0017] The bridging medium may transfer heat through convection and/or conduction subsequent to the injecting of the bridging medium between the freezing tube and the second hollow drilling pipe.

[0018] The excavation volume may be elongated and the drilling of the second drilling head and the drilling of the second drilling head and the second hollow drilling pipe into the soil may comprise: controlling the direction of the second hollow drilling pipe and/or the second drilling head for positioning the second hollow drilling alongside the elongated excavation volume. For example, a tunnel may subsequently be built in the excavation volume. The elongated excavation volume may follow a curve and the second hollow drilling pipe may follow the same curve. This has the effect that no additional second hollow drilling pipes need to be inserted into the ground to freeze the soil around the complete length of the elongated excavation space, which would have resulted in the removal of additional soil.

[0019] The method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise: providing a gyro for determining an angular orientation, and positioning the gyro inside the second hollow drilling pipe at the second drilling head, and said controlling of the direction of the second hollow drilling pipe may comprise: determining a specific angular orientation of the drilling head with the gyro, and steering the first drilling head based on the specific angular orientation. Said drilling of the second drilling head and the second hollow drilling pipe into the soil may comprise: retracting the gyro from the second hollow drilling pipe.

[0020] The positioning of the plurality of freezing tubes in the soil below the structure may further comprise: providing a second drilling fluid or second drilling mud for aiding the drilling of the second drilling head and the second hollow drilling pipe into the soil, and said drilling of the second drilling head and the second hollow drilling pipe into the soil may further comprise: expelling the second drilling fluid or second drilling mud at the drilling head. The second drilling fluid may be a stabilizer strengthening the surroundings, thus reducing the amount of soil removed. The second drilling fluid or second drilling mud may be water-based mud, oil-based mud, and/or synthetic-based mud. The second hollow drilling pipe may comprise a second pipe conduit for conveying the second drilling fluid or second drilling mud to the second drilling head. The second drilling fluid may be water and the second drilling mud may be water-suspended bentonite.

[0021] The second drilling head may comprise a second steering blade for digging the soil and for steering the second drilling head in an off-axis direction upon a forward thrust of the second drilling head, the second steering blade may have a second tip at its forward end, and the second drilling head may further comprise a second head conduit connected to the second pipe conduit and an outlet at the second tip for conveying the second drilling fluid or second drilling mud from the second pipe conduit and for expelling the second drilling fluid or second drilling mud at the second tip. This has the effect that the drilling more precisely defines the drilled hole, thus reducing the amount of material removed. The second head conduit may comprise a second non-return valve for preventing a backflow in the second head conduit. This prevents ground water from leaking out through the pipe conduit, which could cause the overlaying structure to settle or shift. The second hollow drilling pipe may be single-walled. This has the effect that the thermal conductivity to the soil is increased.

[0022] The monitoring of the overlaying structure may comprise: detecting movements and/or shifts of the overlaying structure. The monitoring of the overlaying structure may comprise: detecting changes in the internal loads and/or the distribution of the internal loads of the overlaying structure. The detecting of the changes in the internal loads and/or the distribution of the internal loads may involve one or more strain gauges anchored to the overlaying structure.

[0023] Each of the plurality of compensation tubes may comprise a plurality of outlets distributed along its length. The plurality of outlets may be divided into groups located at regular intervals along the length. The plurality of groups may be spaced apart by between 20-40 cm, and/or by approximately 30 cm. The outlets of each group of outlets may be distributed circumferentially around the compensation tube they are located on. Each of the plurality of outlets may be provided with a non-return valve for preventing a backflow of a liquid into the compensation tube.

[0024] The positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes may further comprise: sealing the first hollow drilling pipe to the water-impregnable wall for preventing the ground water and/or soil particles from being expelled from the soil between the first hollow drilling pipe and the water-impregnable wall. This has the effect that ground water and/or soil particles are prevented from leaking out between the first hollow drilling pipe and the water-impregnable wall.

[0025] The forming of the water-impregnable wall may, for each of the plurality of compensation tubes, comprise: providing a first drill having a first diameter, drilling a first hole through the concrete wall with the first drill, measuring the width of the concrete wall through the first hole, providing a first circular cutter having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, cutting a second hole in the concrete wall at or centred on the first hole and having a length that is less than the width of the concrete wall, the second hole having an opening and an opposite bottom, sealing the opening of the second hole with a first lock for allowing a sealable access to the second hole, providing a second circular cutter having a third diameter that is greater than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter, introducing the second circular cutter into the second hole through the first lock, cutting a third hole in the bottom of the second hole having a length that is greater than the difference between the length of the second hole and the width of the concrete wall, retracting the second circular cutter, and closing the first lock for preventing ground water and/or soil particles from escaping through the concrete wall. The forming of the water-impregnable wall may for each of the plurality of compensation tubes comprise, prior to introducing the second circular cutter into the third hole: providing a cutter axle attached to the second circular cutter for driving the second circular cutter, and sealing the cutter axle to the first lock for preventing or reducing a leakage reducing a leakage of said ground water and/or soil particles between them. The positioning of the plurality of compensation tubes may further comprise: sealing the first drilling pipe to the first lock for preventing or reducing a leakage between them, opening the first lock, and introducing the first drilling head through the first lock into the third hole. This has the effect that the amount of ground water and/or soil particles that leak out through the water-impregnable wall is kept low when the compensation tubes are inserted.

[0026] Said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes may further comprise: inserting said second hollow drilling pipe through said water-impregnable wall into said soil, and sealing said second hollow drilling pipe to said water-impregnable wall for preventing said ground water and/or soil particles from being expelled from said soil between said second hollow drilling pipe and said water-impregnable wall. This has the effect that ground water and/or soil particles are prevented from leaking out between the second hollow drilling pipe and the water-impregnable wall.

[0027] The forming of the water-impregnable wall may for each of the plurality of freezing tubes comprise: providing a fourth drill having a fourth diameter, drilling a fourth hole through the concrete wall with the fourth drill, measuring the width of the concrete wall through the fourth hole, providing a third circular cutter having a fifth diameter that is greater than the fourth diameter, cutting a fifth hole in the concrete wall at or centred on the fourth hole and having a length that is less than the width of the concrete wall, the fifth hole having an opening and an opposite bottom, sealing the opening of the fifth hole with a second lock for allowing a sealable access to the fifth hole, providing a fourth circular cutter having a sixth diameter that is greater than the fourth diameter and smaller than the fifth diameter, introducing the fourth circular cutter into the fifth hole through the second lock, cutting a sixth hole in the bottom of the fifth hole having a length that is greater than the difference between the length of the fifth hole and the width of the concrete wall, retracting the fourth circular cutter, and closing the second lock for preventing ground water and/or soil particles from escaping through the concrete wall. The forming of the water-impregnable wall may for each of the plurality of freezing tubes comprise, prior to introducing the fourth circular cutter into the fifth hole: providing a cutter axle attached to the fourth circular cutter for driving the fourth circular cutter, and sealing the cutter axle to the second lock for preventing or reducing a leakage of said ground water and/or soil particles between them. The positioning of the plurality of freezing tubes may further comprise: sealing the second drilling pipe to the second lock for preventing or reducing a leakage between them, opening the second lock, and introducing the second drilling head through the second lock into the sixth hole. This has the effect that the amount of ground water and/or soil particles that leak out through the water-impregnable wall is kept low when the compensation tubes are inserted.

[0028] The above object is according to a second aspect of the present invention met by a system for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the system comprising: a compensation liquid, a plurality of compensation tubes for conveying said compensation liquid, each of said compensation tubes comprising a number of outlets for allowing said compensation liquid to pass from said compensation tube into the surrounding medium, means for positioning said plurality of compensation tubes in said soil below said structure, means for excavating said underground space in said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes, means for monitoring the overlaying structure for detecting changes in the structure due to said excavating of said underground space, and if a change in the structure is detected: means for injecting said compensation liquid into said soil through one or more of said plurality of compensation tubes into said soil.

[0029] The system according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise any of the features and/or any means for performing any of the method steps according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0030] The above object is according to a third aspect of the present invention met by a method for positioning a compensation tube in a soil below a structure, said method comprising: providing said compensation tube, providing a first hollow drilling pipe and a first drilling head attached to said first hollow drilling pipe, said first hollow drilling pipe and a first drilling head being adapted for being drilled into said soil with said first drilling head first, drilling said first drilling head and said first hollow drilling pipe into said soil below said structure, inserting said compensation tube of said plurality of compensation tubes into said hollow drilling pipe, and retracting said first hollow drilling pipe and simultaneously expelling a support material around said compensation tube at the insertion or forward end of said first hollow drilling pipe for preventing a collapsing of said soil. The first drilling head may be attached at the insertion or forward end of the first hollow drilling pipe.

[0031] The method according to the third aspect of the present invention may further comprise any of the features and/or any of the steps according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0032] The above object is according to a fourth aspect of the present invention met by a method positioning a freezing tube in a soil below a structure, said method comprising: providing said freezing tube, providing a second hollow drilling pipe and a second drilling head attached to said second hollow drilling pipe, said second hollow drilling pipe and said second drilling head being adapted for being drilled into said soil with said second drilling head first, said second drilling pipe being adapted for allowing a heat transport between the outside and the inside of said second hollow drilling pipe, drilling said second drilling head and said second hollow drilling pipe into said soil below said structure, inserting said freezing tube of said plurality of freezing tubes into said hollow drilling pipe, providing a bridging medium for transferring heat, and injecting said bridging medium between said freezing tube and said second hollow drilling pipe for establishing a heat conduction between the outside of said second hollow drilling pipe and said freezing tube.

[0033] The method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention may further comprise any of the features and/or any of the steps according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0034] The above object is according to a fifth aspect of the present invention met by a drilling head according to the first drilling head of the first aspect of the present invention. The above object is according to a sixth aspect of the present invention met by a drilling head according to the second drilling head of the first aspect of the present invention. The above object is according to a seventh aspect of the present invention met by a drilling pipe according to the first drilling pipe of the first aspect of the present invention. The above object is according to an eighth aspect of the present invention met by a drilling pipe according to the second driving pipe of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0035] The above object is according to a ninth aspect of the present invention met by a drilling system for drilling in soil, the drilling system comprising: a hollow drilling having a forward end and a backward end, and a drilling head attached to the hollow drilling pipe at its forward end and comprising a plurality of light sources positioned in a pattern for emitting light through the hollow drilling pipe from its forward end to its backward end. Each of the plurality of light sources may be a light-emitting diode and the drilling head may further comprise an electrical battery_for powering the plurality of light-sources. The pattern may be an asymmetric pattern with respect to the central axis of the hollow drilling pipe.

[0036] The above object is according to a tenth aspect of the present invention met by a drilling system for drilling in soil, the drilling system comprising: a hollow drilling pipe and a drilling head attached to the hollow drilling pipe, the hollow drilling pipe and the drilling head being adapted for being drilled into soil with the drilling head first, a gyro positioned inside the hollow drilling pipe at the drilling head for determining the angular orientation and/or position of the drilling head, and a lock comprising a first locking part attached to the gyro and a second locking part attached to the drilling head, the first locking part and the second locking part being adapted for releasably locking the gyro to the drilling head.

[0037] The lock may be a bayonet lock. The bayonet lock may be adapted for unlocking by pushing said gyro towards said drilling head and twisting it relative to said drilling head. The first locking part may be the male bayonet portion and the second locking part may be the female bayonet portion of the bayonet lock. The first locking part may comprise a base portion attached to the gyro, a shaft attached to the base portion and aligned with the central axis of the hollow drilling pipe, and a pin attached to and protruding radially from the shaft, and the second locking part comprising a receptor body defining a pin slot for mutually cooperating with the pin in a locking of the bayonet lock.

[0038] The second locking part may comprise a receptor base and the first locking part may comprise a retaining spring for engaging the receptor base and pushing the pin into the pin slot in the locking of the bayonet lock. The retaining spring may be a coil spring attached to the base portion and centred on the shaft. This means that the shaft is partly positioned inside the coil spring. The first locking part may comprise a spacer for limiting the compression of the retaining spring. The spacer may be a cylinder attached to the base portion and partly surrounding the coil spring. The receptor base may be attached to the drilling head and supporting the receptor body. The receptor body may be positioned on the opposite side of the receptor base from the gyro, and the receptor body may define a receptor aperture for allowing the shaft and the pin to pass through the receptor base for engaging the receptor body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] A number of embodiments of the different aspects of the present invention are described in conjunction with:

FIG. 1A schematically illustrating a surface building affected by settings of the soil due to the excavation of a tunnel,

FIG. 1 B-D schematically illustrating the prevention of the setting of the soil according to the present invention,

FIGS. 2A-H illustrating the installing a lock through a concrete wall for a drilling head and a drilling pipe according to the present invention,

FIGS. 3A-I illustrating the insertion of a compensation tube into the soil according to the present invention,

FIGS. 4A-H illustrating the insertion of a freezing tube into the soil according to the present invention,

FIGS. 5A-E illustrating a drilling head and a portion of a hollow drilling tube according to the present invention,

FIGS. 6A-C illustrating another drilling head and attached to a portion of a hollow drilling tube according to the present invention, and

FIGS. 7A-C illustrating details of the drilling head described in relation to FIGS. 6A-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1A illustrates a structure 10 in the form of a surface building positioned on the ground 12. The ground is composed of soil 14. An underground space 15 is excavated in the soil 14 below the building 10. A tunnel 16 is built in the underground space 15. The construction of the tunnel 16 including the excavation of the soil causes the soil 14 to settle, which is indicated by arrows in FIG.1A. The settling of the soil causes the ground below the building 10 to shift, thereby causing the load distribution of the overlaying structure 10 to change. This may cause damage to the building 10.

[0041] FIG. 1 B illustrates the prevention of the setting of the soil 14. A strain gauge 24 is attached to the building 10 such that changes in the load distribution can be detected. Compensation tubes 22 and freezing tubes 18 are inserted into the soil below the building 10. The compensation tubes 22 are distributed below the building 10. The freezing tubes 18 are positioned such that they surround a volume of the soil and oriented such that they trace approximately similar parallel-transported paths. If a change in the load distribution of the building 10 is detected by the strain gauge when the freezing tubes 18 are inserted, which may be caused by ground water leaking out along the freezing tubes, then a compensation liquid 26 is injected into the soil 14 through one or more of the compensation tubes 22 for reducing or counteracting the change in the load distribution.

[0042] A cooling medium is conveyed through the freezing tubes 18 causing the soil 14 to freeze 20 around the freezing tubes 18, as is illustrated in FIG. 1C. The cooling medium is conveyed sufficiently long for the volume between the freezing tubes to form a cylinder 20 of frozen soil with an unfrozen core 21. If a change in the load distribution of the building 10 is detected by the strain gauge 24, which may be caused by the freezing of the soil 14, then a compensation liquid 26 is injected into the soil 14 through one or more of the compensation tubes 22 for reducing or counteracting the change in the load distribution.

[0043] An elongated underground space 15 is formed by excavating a volume of the unfrozen core 21 between the freezing tubes, which is shown in FIG. 1C. The underground space 15 has self-supporting walls stabilized by the frozen soil 20, which prevents the underground space from collapsing and the ground water from leaking out through the underground space 15. If a change in the load distribution of the building 10 is detected by the strain gauge 24 due to the excavation of the underground space 15, then a compensation liquid 26 is injected into the soil 14 through one or more of the compensation tubes 22 for reducing or counteracting the change in the load distribution caused by the excavation. A tunnel 16 is formed by casting concrete walls that support the walls of the underground space 15, as is shown in FIG. 1D. The conveying of the cooling medium in the freezing tubes is interrupted so that the frozen soil 20 thaws and the tunnel 16 alone bears the load of the soil 14. If a change in the load distribution of the building 10 is detected by the strain gauge 24, which may be caused by the thawing of the frozen soil 20, then a compensation liquid 26 is injected into the soil 14 through one or more of the compensation tubes 22 for reducing or counteracting the change in the load distribution.

[0044] The underground space 15 and the tunnel 16 are depicted in FIGS. 1C-D as having a cylindrical geometry. In other embodiments of the present invention, the underground space 15 and the tunnel 16 may have different geometries, such as a pair of fused overlapping and parallel cylinders with circular cross-sections, or a cylinder having a rectangular cross-section. The freezing tubes 18 are arranged so that they form a shell of frozen soil around the underground space 15, but the positioning of the freezing tubes 18 is not limited to the cylindrical geometry shown in FIGS. 1B-D.

[0045] In FIGS. 2A-H the installing of a drilling lock 106 through a concrete wall 30 for a drilling head and a drilling pipe is illustrated. An open hole 28 is dug out beside the overlaying structure 10 discussed in relation to FIGS. 1A-D. A concrete wall 30 is formed at the side of the open hole 28 facing the overlaying structure supporting the soil 14 and preventing ground water in the soil 14 from leaking out through the hole 28. A concrete drill 32 is used for drilling a narrow through-going hole 34, e.g. 20 mm in diameter, that is open at both the outer wall surface 29 and the inner wall surface 31 of the concrete wall 30, as is shown in FIG. 2A. The length of the through-going hole 34 is measured for determining the thickness of the wall 30 at the through-going hole 34. A stabilizer 36, for example a prepolymer that reacts with water and spontaneously generates a water impregnable polyurethane foam, such as the sealant Køster KB-PUR® IN I, is injected into the soil 14 through the through-going hole 34. The stabilizer 36 covers an area 37 of the inner wall surface 31 and fills the through-going hole 34, thus stabilizing the soil 14 and preventing ground water of the soil 14 from leaking out through the through-going hole 34.

[0046] A first circular hole cutter 38 is drilled into the concrete wall 30 to a depth that is less than the thickness of the concrete wall 30. The circular hole cutter is bent sideways for breaking off the concrete plug 39 inside the circular hole cutter 38 and then pulled backwards, thus creating a support hole 40 in the concrete wall 30 having a cylindrical wall 44 and a closed bottom 42, as is shown in FIG. 2C. The length of the support hole 40 is measured.

[0047] A support portion 46 of the drilling lock 106 is provided having a hollow cylinder body 47 open at both ends and a flange 48 with bolt holes around one of its openings. The cylinder body 47 is inserted into the support hole 40 with the flange 48 accessible from the outside, as is shown in FIG. 2D. An O-ring 56 on the outside of the cylinder body 47 provides a sealing to the cylindrical wall 44 of the support hole 40. A circumferential support flange 58 on the outside of the cylinder body 47 holds the o-ring 56 in place when it is inserted into the support hole 40. A bushing 52 and a wedge 54 are positioned between the cylinder body 47 and the cylindrical wall 44 at the opening of the support hole 40 for fixing the support portion 46 relative to the concrete wall 30. The space outside the cylinder body 47 and between the o-ring 56 and the opening of the support hole 40 is filled with a sealant, e.g. a hardening foam.

[0048] A support portion 46 of the drilling lock is provided having a gate valve 72 and a forward flange 64 with bolt holes 66 and a backward flange 68 with bolt holes 70. An insertion portion 74 is provided having a hollow body 84 with two opposite open ends and a forward flange 76 at one of the open ends and a backward flange at the other open end. The insertion portion also has a lower outlet and/or inlet 86 and an upper outlet and/or inlet 90 on the hollow body 84 for allowing a flow of a fluid into and out of the hollow body 84. The lower outlet and/or inlet 86 and the upper outlet and/or inlet 90 are provided with a lower valve 88 and an upper valve 92 for controlling the flow of a fluid into and out of the hollow body 84.

[0049] Only two outlets are depicted in FIGS. 2F-G. However, the insertion portion 74 may have additional outlets and/or inlets. One outlet of the insertion portion 74 may be used for expelling drilling liquid. Preferably, this outlet and/or inlet is a lower outlet and/or inlet 86. A number of outlets and/or inlets may be used to put water into the insertion portion 74. Preferably these outlets and/or inlets is an upper outlet and/or inlet 90. A manometer may be coupled to an outlet and/or inlet for determining the pressure inside the insertion portion. Preferably this outlet and/or inlet is an upper outlet and/or inlet 90. The manometer may be used to monitor the pressure to prevent a rising of the overlaying structure.

[0050] As is shown in FIG. 2F, the forward flange 64 of the valve portion 62 is secured to the flange 48 of the support portion 46 via bolts in the bolt holes 50, 64 of the respective flanges, thus sealing the valve portion 62 to the support portion 46. The forward flange 76 of the insertion portion 74 is secured to the backward flange 68 of the valve portion 62 via bolts in bolt holes 70, 78 of the respective flanges, thus sealing the insertion portion 74 to the valve portion 62. A back portion 94 is provided having bolt holes 96 by which it is secured by bolts to the backward flange 80 of the insertion portion 74 via the bolt holes 82 thereof, thus forming the complete drilling lock 106 as is shown in FIG. 2F.

[0051] A second circular hole cutter 102 is provided having a drilling depth that is greater than the difference between the length of the support hole 40 and the thickness of the wall. The diameter of the second circular hole cutter 102 is smaller than the diameter of the first circular hole cutter 38. The second circular hole cutter 102 is attached to and centred on a cutter axle 104. The second circular cutter is positioned in the insertion portion 74 before the back portion 94 is attached to the insertion portion 74. The cutter axle 104 is led out through the back portion 94 via an aperture 98. The aperture 98 is provided with a sealing ring 100 that engages the cutter axle 4 and allows the axle to rotate and at the same time prevents a liquid from escaping the insertion portion 74 via the aperture 98.

[0052] The second circular hole cutter 102 is driven forward through the open gate valve 62 and drilled into the bottom 42 of the support hole 40 until it breaches the inner wall surface 31 of the concrete wall 30. The second circular hole cutter 102 is retracted into the insertion portion 74, thus removing a plug 108 from the concrete wall 30 and generating a break-through hole 110 that is open to both the support hole 40 and the soil 14 with the stabilizer 36 and having a cylindrical wall 112. The gate valve 72 is closed, thus preventing ground water in the soil from leaking into the insertion portion. Thus, the back portion 94 can be removed together with the second circular hole cutter 102 and the cutter axle 104.

[0053] The back portion 94 is replaced with a drilling back portion 114 having a pipe aperture 115 fitted with pipe sealing ring 116, which is show in FIG. 3A. A drilling head 120 is positioned in the insertion portion 74. The drilling head 120 is coupled to a drilling pipe 118, which extends backward out through the pipe aperture 115. The pipe sealing ring 116 prevents a liquid from leaking out from the insertion portion 74 through the pipe aperture 115 when the drilling pipe 118 is rotated. The gate valve 72 is opened and the drilling pipe 118 is pushed forward through the concrete wall under a rotational motion such that the steering blade 122 of the drilling head 120 engages the soil 14, as is shown in FIG. 3B. In the orientation shown, the steering blade 122 will engage the soil 14 and push the drilling head 120 upward upon a forward thrust of the drilling pipe 118. A drilling fluid 128 in the form of water-suspended bentonite is expelled at the forward tip 130 of the steering blade 122. The drilling lock 106 is filled with the drilling fluid 128. A hose 124 is coupled to the lower outlet 86 of the insertion portion 74 and having a hose outlet 125 positioned above the drilling lock 106. The pressure of the drilling fluid 128 is regulated by raising and lowering the hose outlet 125. The drilling fluid 128 is emptied into a container 126 from the hose 124.

[0054] The drilling pipe 118 is double-walled and has an inner wall 132 and an outer wall 134 forming a pipe conduit 140 between. The drilling fluid 128 is led to the drilling head 120 through the pipe conduit 140. The drilling head 120 comprises a non-return valve 136 through which the drilling fluid 128 is led via a tip conduit 138 to the forward tip 130 of the steering blade 122. The drilling fluid 128 is expelled from the drilling head 120 at the forward tip 130. The drilling fluid 128 seeps out into the surrounding soil 14 and also flows back between the drilling pipe 118 and the drilling hole 142. The flow of the drilling fluid 128 is indicated by arrows in FIG. 3C.

[0055] A number of light-emitting diodes 144 and a battery 146 powering the light-emitting diodes 144 are positioned in the drilling head 120. The light-emitting diodes rotate with the drilling pipe 118 and the drilling head 120. The drilling pipe 118 is hollow and the light-emitting diodes 144 are observed through the hollow drilling pipe 118 with a theodolite camera 148 for determining if the drilling head 120 deviates from a straight line. The light-emitting diodes 144 are positioned in an asymmetric pattern so that the angular orientation of the drilling head 120 can be determined with the theodolite camera 148. If deviation from a straight line is detected, then the angular orientation of the drilling head 120 is determined. Then the drilling head 120 is oriented such that the steering blade 122 will push the drilling head 120 upon a forward thrust of the drilling pipe 118 in a direction reducing the deviation. For example, with the angular orientation shown in FIG. 3C, the steering blade 122 pushes the drilling head 120 upward.

[0056] The outer wall 134 is releasably connected to the drilling head 120, while the inner wall 132 is rigidly connected to the drilling head 120. When the drilling is complete, e.g. as in FIG. 3D, when the forward tip 130 of the steering blade 122 reaches a second concrete wall 150, a cutter 152 is introduced into the hollow drilling pipe 118 and cuts the inner wall 132 completely through to release the drilling pipe 118 from the drilling head 120. Subsequently, the cutter 152 is retracted through the hollow drilling pipe 118.

[0057] A compensation tube 22 is introduced into and along the complete length of the hollow drilling pipe 118, as is shown in FIG. 3E. Subsequently, an end fitting 246 is attached at the end of the compensation tube 22. The end fitting 246 comprises an end pipe 248 and a connector 250 interconnecting the end pipe 248 and the compensation tube 22. The connector 250 is screwed onto the compensation tube 22. The connector 250 has an o-ring 252 with a square profile that cooperates with the inner wall 132 of the drilling pipe 118 for preventing leakage between the compensation tube 22 and the inner wall 132. The released drilling pipe 118 is pulled backward while the compensation tube 22 is held in place. Simultaneously a support material 154 is injected through the pipe conduit 140 between the inner wall 132 and the outer wall 134 so that the drilling hole 142 is filled with and supported by the support material 154, as is shown in FIG. 3F. The support material 154 is prevented from leaking out between the compensation tube 22 and the inner wall 132 by the o-ring 252.

[0058] The support material is both permeable to a liquid and has a loose structure such that its shape can be changed. For example, the support material 154 may be a hydraulically-setting premixed mortar with hydraulic binders tailored to the clay components present in the soil, such as Dämmer® from HeidelbergCement. Water is added to the mortar to give a free-flowing suspension.

[0059] After the drilling pipe 118 has been fully removed, the support portion 46 is fitted with a packing disc 260 that is held in place by a locking disc 254. The packing disc 260 is positioned between the support portion flange 48 and the locking disc 254. The locking disc 254 has bolt holes 256 arranged so that it can be secured by nuts and bolts 258 to the bolt holes 50 of the support portion flange 48. The packing disc 260 has an aperture 262 through which the compensation tube 22 passes. The packing disc 260 is made of hard rubber and its aperture 262 provides a close fit to the compensation tube 22 so that a compensation liquid 156 is prevented from leaking out from the support portion 46. The locking disc 254 has an aperture 261 centred on and being larger than the aperture 262 of the packing disc 260 so that the latter aperture 262 can be accessed from the outside of the support portion 48.

[0060] If a change in the load distribution of an overlaying building, as described in relation to FIGS. 1A-D, then a compensation liquid 156 is injected through the compensation tube 22 into the soil 14, as is indicated by arrows in FIGS. 3H-I. For example, the compensation liquid may be water.

[0061] The compensation tube 22 has outlets 158 distributed along the compensation tube 22 through which the compensation liquid 156 is expelled. The outlets 158 are divided into groups distributed at regular intervals along the compensation tube 22. For example, the groups may be spaced approximately 30 cm apart. In each group, the outlets 158 are distributed around the circumference of compensation tube 22, thus allowing the compensation liquid 156 to be injected in several different radial directions into the support material 154 and the soil 14.The outlets 158 of each group are positioned between a first annular support flange 160 and a second annular support flange 162. A rubber ring 164 is positioned around the compensation tube 22 and between the first annular support flange 160 and the second annular support flange 162. The rubber ring presses against the compensation tube 22 and covers the outlets 158, thus effectively providing a non-return valve for each outlet 158.

[0062] In FIGS. 4A-F the insertion of a freezing tube 18 into the soil 14 is illustrated. Similar features in FIGS. 3A-G and FIGS. 4A-G have been given the same index and been primed. The same processes as described in relation to FIGS. 2A-H, but at lower level as is indicated in FIG. 1 B. The same drilling as described in relation to FIGS. 3A-C is performed, with the difference that another drilling pipe 118' and another drilling head 120' are used, and that a gyro 172 positioned at the drilling head 170 is used for determining the position and orientation of the drilling head 120'. The gyro 172 has a control and power cable connection 174 leading back through the drilling pipe 188. The hollow drilling pipe 118' is single-walled and manufactured of steel for allowing an efficient heat transfer between its interior and the surroundings, and in particular so that heat can be transferred from the soil 14 to the inside of the hollow drilling pipe 118', thus allowing a freezing of the soil 14. The steering of the drilling head 120' is carried out as described in relation to FIG. 3C, but on the basis of readings from the gyro 172 instead of from the theodolite camera 148. The gyro 172 has the ability to detect changes in position and orientation of the drilling head 120'._Thus, the drilling head 120' can drill along a curved path when controlled by the gyro.

[0063] The drilling pipe 118' has a pipe conduit 140' through which the drilling fluid 128' is conveyed to the drilling head 120, as is shown in FIG. 4C. The forward end of the pipe conduit 140' is attached o the backward end of the gyro 172. The pipe conduit 140' is doubled walled with an inner wall for containing the drilling fluid 128 and the cable connection 174 and an outer wall for controlling the movement of the gyro 172 inside the hollow drilling pipe 118'. Radial spacers 176 are attached at regular intervals to the outside of the pipe conduit 140' for positioning it in a central position inside the hollow drilling pipe 118'. Each spacer 176 has three wheels 177 symmetrically positioned around the pipe conduit 140' for engaging the inner wall 132 of the hollow drilling pipe 118' so that the gyro 172 easily can be retracted through the hollow drilling pipe 118'.

[0064] The pipe conduit 140' has a sealing flange 208 for preventing the a backflow of drilling fluid 128' between the outside pipe conduit 140' and the inner wall 132 of the drilling pipe 118'. The drilling fluid 128' is lead to the front of the drilling head 120' in channels 210 between the gyro 172 and the inner wall 132 of the drilling tube 118' and the drilling head 120'. The gyro 172 has a first locking part 212 in the form of a male bayonet portion and a second locking part 214 in the form of a female bayonet portion that mutually cooperate for locking the gyro 172 to the drilling head 120'. The first locking part 212 is locked to the second locking part 214 when drilling.

[0065] The drilling head 120' is rigidly attached to the drilling pipe 118'. When the drilling is complete, e.g. as in FIG. 4D when the forward tip 130' of the steering blade 122 reaches a second concrete wall 150, the first locking part 212 is released from the second locking 214, thereby releasing the gyro 172, which is subsequently retracted through the hollow drilling pipe 118', as is shown in FIG. 4D.

[0066] A freezing tube 18 is introduced into and along the complete length of the hollow drilling pipe 118', as is shown in FIG. 4E. Freezing tube spacers 224 are attached to the freezing tube 18 at regular intervals for positioning the freezing tube in the_centre of the drilling pipe 118'. The freezing tube 18 comprises an outer shell 178 containing a number of circulating tubes 180 that can convey a cooling liquid to the tip 182 of the freezing tube 18 and back again. An injection tube 184 is releasably attached to the freezing tube 18 at its tip 182 such that it is inserted together with the freezing tube 118'. The injection tube 184 is open at the tip 182 of the freezing tube 18.

[0067] The insertion portion 74 and the gate valve 72 are removed. A sealing flange 216 is attached of the support portion flange 48 for preventing ground water from leaking out between the hollow drilling pipe 118' and the cylinder body 47 of the support portion 46. The hollow drilling pipe 118' is cut to a suitable length such that it ends outside the support portion 46. A sealing sleeve 218 is attached at the end of the hollow drilling pipe 118', as is shown in FIG. 4F. The sealing sleeve 218 has a freezing tube aperture 220 through which the freezing tube 18 exits the hollow drilling pipe 118'. Similarly, the sealing sleeve 218 has an injection tube aperture 222 through which the injection tube 184 exits the hollow drilling pipe 118'.

[0068] The injection tube 184 is released from the freezing tube 118' and pulled out back through the hollow drilling pipe 118' via the injection tube aperture 222. Simultaneously, a bridging medium is injected into the hollow drilling pipe 118' such that it fills the space between the freezing tube 18 and the hollow drilling pipe 118', as is shown in FIGS. 4G-H. The sealing sleeve 218 prevents the bridging medium 186 from leaking out from the hollow drilling pipe 118'. The bridging medium 186 establishes a thermal bridge between the freezing pipe 18 and the drilling pipe 118', such that the soil 14 surrounding the drilling pipe 118' may freeze when a cooling liquid is circulated in the circulation tubes 180. For example, the bridging medium 186 4 may be a hydraulically-setting premixed mortar, such as Dämmer® from HeidelbergCement. Water is added to the mortar to make it pumpable.

[0069] FIGS. 5A-E show the drilling head 120 and forward part of the drilling pipe 118 described in relation to FIGS. 3A-G. In FIG. 5A a perspective view of a position indicator 188 defining a visible pattern of light-emitting diodes 190 is shown. A through-cut of the drilling head 120 and forward part of the drilling pipe 118 is shown in FIG. 5B. The position indicator 188 is positioned in and fixated to the drilling head 120 such that the light-emitting diodes are visible from the outside via the hollow drilling pipe 118. The position indicator 188 comprises a housing 194 protecting a battery 192 powering the light-emitting diodes 190. The housing 194 is rigidly attached to the drilling head 120.

[0070] A separation space 196 is defined between the drilling pipe 118 and the drilling head 120. The cutter described in relation to FIG. 3D cuts the inner wall 132 free from the drilling head 120 at the separation space 196. The separation makes the complete separation of the drilling head easier to detect. The outer wall 134 defines a number of forward pointing teeth 202 having a square profile at its forward end. The drilling head defines a number of backward pointing teeth 204 interlocking and cooperating with the forward pointing teeth 202, such that a rotational motion of the drilling pipe 118 can be transferred to the drilling head 120 and the drilling head 120 can be released from the outer wall, thus allowing for the separation described in relation to FIG. 3F.

[0071] The pipe conduit 140 ends in the separation space 196 and a head conduit 198 interconnects the separation space 196 with a forward chamber 206. A non-return valve 136 is coupled with a tip conduit 138 having an outlet at the tip 130 of the steering blade 122. Thus, a drilling fluid can be conveyed from the pipe conduit 140 to the tip 130 of the steering blade, as is described in relation to FIG. 3C.

[0072] A front view of the drilling head 123 is shown in FIG. 5C, and two opposite side views of the drilling pipe 118 and the drilling head 120 are shown in FIGS. 5D-E.

[0073] FIGS. 6A-E show the drilling head 120' and forward part of the drilling pipe 118' described in relation to FIGS. 4A-G. A side view and perspective view are illustrated in FIG. 6A and 6C, respectively, showing the drilling pipe 118', the drilling head 120', the steering blade 122', and the tip 130' of the steering blade 122'. A through-cut is illustrated in FIG. 6B showing the drilling pipe 118', the drilling head 120', the steering blade 122', the tip 130' of the steering blade 122', the gyro 172, the pipe conduit 140', the tip conduit 138', the non-return valve 136', the first locking part 212, and the second locking part 214.

[0074] FIGS. 7A-C illustrate details of the drilling head 120' described in relation to FIGS. 6A-C. A perspective view of the first locking part 212 is shown in FIG. 7A. The first locking part 212 comprises a central shaft 228 with a pair of pins 226 protruding from the sides of the shaft 228. The pair of pins 226 are positioned on opposite sides of the shaft 228. The shaft is attached to a base plate 234 or base portion, which in turn is attached to the gyro, e.g. by bolts going through the base plate 234 into the housing of the gyro. The first locking part 212 also comprises retaining spring 230 in the form of a coil spring centred on the central shaft 228 secured to the base plate 234 such that it can be compressed towards the base plate 234. A spacer 232 in the form of a cylinder centred on the shaft 228 and covering most of the coil spring 230 is attached to the base plate 234 such that the compression of the coil spring 230 is limited.

[0075] A side view of the first locking part 212 and interior of the drilling head 120' with a second locking part 214 is shown in FIGS. 7B-C. The drilling head 120' is hollow such that it can receive the first locking part 212. The second locking part 214 comprises a receptor base 240 attached to the inside of the drilling head 120'. The receptor base 240 has a receptor aperture 244 through which the pins 226 and the central shaft 228 can be inserted. A pair of receptor bodies 242 are positioned on either side of the receptor aperture 244, each having a pin slot 236 for cooperating with one of the pins 226 of the first locking part 212. The gyro 172 is pushed forward such that the pins 266 pass through the receptor aperture 244 until the spacer 232 engages the receptor base 240 and prevents any further forward motion relative to the drilling head 120'. The coil spring 230 engages the receptor base 240 before the spacer 232. The first locking part 212 is rotated subsequent to being inserted through the receptor aperture 244 such that each of the pins 226 falls into a slot 236. In this position, the coil spring 230 engages the receptor body 242 such that the pins 226 are forced into the slots 236. This way, the first locking part 212 and the second locking part 214 define a male connector and a female connector, respectively, of a bayonet lock. The receptor aperture 244 allows for a drilling fluid to pass through the receptor base 240 when the first locking part 212 is locked to the second locking part 214.

[0076] The first locking part 212 is released by pushing it forward until the spacer 232 meets the receptor base 240 such that the pins 226 disengage the slots 236. Subsequently, the first locking part 212 is rotated such that the pins 226 disengages the receptor bodies 242, and the first locking part 212 is pulled backwards from the second locking part 214 such that the central shaft 228 and the pins 226 exit through the receptor aperture 244.

[0077] Points characterizing the invention:

1 Method of excavating an underground space in the soil below an overlaying structure, the method comprising:

providing a compensation liquid,

providing a plurality of compensation tubes for conveying said compensation liquid, each of said compensation tubes comprising a number of outlets for allowing said compensation liquid to pass from said compensation tube into the surrounding medium,

positioning said plurality of compensation tubes in said soil below said structure,

excavating said underground space in said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes,

monitoring the overlaying structure for detecting changes in the structure due to said excavating of said underground space, and if a change in the structure is detected:

injecting said compensation liquid into said soil through one or more of said plurality of compensation tubes into said soil.

2 The method according to point 1, characterized by said overlaying structure being a surface building over ground.

3 The method according to point 2, characterized by further comprising:

excavating a hole in the ground beside said surface building, and said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes comprising:

inserting said compensation tubes from said hole in the ground into said soil.

4 The method according to point 3, characterized by further comprising: forming a water-impregnable wall at the side of said hole facing said surface building for preventing said hole from draining ground water and/or soil particles from said soil under said surface building.

5 The method according to point 4, characterized by said water-impregnable wall being a concrete wall.

6 The method according to any of the points 4 to 5, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes comprising:

inserting said compensation tubes through said water-impregnable wall into said soil.

7 The method according to any of the points 1 to 6, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes in said soil for each compensation tube of said plurality of compensation tubes comprising:

providing a first hollow drilling pipe and a first drilling head attached to said first hollow drilling pipe, said first hollow drilling pipe and said first drilling head being adapted for being drilled into said soil with said first drilling head first,

drilling said first drilling head and said first hollow drilling pipe into said soil below said structure,

inserting said compensation tube of said plurality of compensation tubes into said hollow drilling pipe, and

retracting said first hollow drilling pipe and simultaneously expelling a support material around said compensation tube at the insertion or forward end of said first hollow drilling pipe for preventing a collapsing of said soil.

8 The method according to point 7, characterized by said drilling of said first drilling head and said first hollow drilling pipe into said soil comprising:

controlling the direction of said first hollow drilling pipe and/or said first drilling head for positioning said first hollow drilling pipe along a straight line.

9 The method according to point 1, characterized by said drilling head comprising:

a position indicator defining a visible pattern, and said controlling the direction of said first hollow drilling pipe and/or said first drilling head comprising:

observing said pattern through said first hollow drilling pipe for detecting an offset of said first hollow drilling pipe and/or said first drilling head from said straight line, and if any offset is detected:

steering said first drilling head for reducing said offset.

10 The method according to point 9, characterized by said pattern being an asymmetric pattern with respect to the central axis of said hollow drilling pipe and if said offset is detected, said controlling of the direction of said first hollow drilling pipe and/or said first drilling head comprising:

observing said asymmetric pattern through said first hollow drilling pipe for determining the angular orientation of said first drilling head, and steering said first drilling based in said angular orientation.

11 The method according to point 10, characterized by said asymmetric pattern being defined by a plurality of electrical light sources.

12 The method according to point 11, characterized by each of said plurality of light sources being a light-emitting diode and powered by an electrical battery positioned in said first drilling head.

13 The method according to any of the points 7 to 13, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes in said soil further comprising:

providing a first drilling fluid or first drilling mud for aiding said drilling of said first drilling head and said first hollow drilling pipe into said soil, and said drilling of said first drilling head and said first hollow drilling pipe into said soil further comprising:

expelling said first drilling fluid or first drilling mud at said drilling head.

14. The method according to point 13, characterized by said first drilling fluid or first drilling mud being water-based mud, oil-based mud, and/or synthetic-based mud.

15 The method according to any of the points 13 to 14, characterized by said first hollow drilling pipe comprising a first pipe conduit for conveying said first drilling fluid or first drilling mud to said first drilling head.

16 The method according to any of the points 7 to 15, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes further comprising:

detaching said first drilling head from said first hollow drilling pipe prior to said retraction of said first hollow drilling pipe for forming a first conduit outlet of said first pipe conduit at the forward end of said first hollow drilling pipe, and
said expelling of said support material around said compensation tube comprising:
conveying said support material through said first pipe conduit and expelling said support material through said first conduit outlet.

17 The method according to any of the points 15 to 16, characterized by said first drilling head comprising a first steering blade for digging said soil and for steering said first drilling head in an off-axis direction upon a forward thrust of said first drilling head, said first steering blade having a first tip at its forward and, and said first drilling head further comprising a first head conduit connected to said first pipe conduit and comprising an outlet at said first tip for conveying said first drilling fluid or first drilling mud from said first pipe conduit and for expelling said first drilling fluid or first drilling mud at said first tip.

18 The method according to point 17, characterized by said first head conduit comprising a first non-return valve for preventing a backflow in said first head conduit.

19 The method according to any of the points 15 to 18, characterized by said first hollow drilling pipe comprising a first outer wall portion and first inner wall portion for forming said first pipe conduit between them.

20 The method according to point 19, characterized by said first drilling head comprising a first plurality of teeth and said first hollow drilling pipe comprising a second plurality of teeth meshing and cooperating with said first plurality of teeth for transferring a rotation of said first hollow drilling pipe to said first drilling head and for allowing them to be detached by pulling said first hollow drilling pipe from said first drilling head, and said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes further comprising:

cutting said first inner wall portion for detaching said first hollow drilling pipe from said first drilling head prior to said retraction of said first hollow drilling pipe.

21 The method according to point 20, characterized by said detaching of said first hollow drilling pipe from said first drilling head forming a first conduit outlet of said first pipe conduit at the forward end of said first hollow drilling pipe, and said expelling of said support material around said compensation tube comprising:

conveying said support material through said first pipe conduit for expelling said support material through said first conduit outlet.

22. The method according to any of the points 1 to 21, characterized by said excavating of said underground space in said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes comprising:

defining an excavation volume of said soil,

providing a plurality of freezing tubes, each of said plurality of freezing tubes being adapted for conveying a cooling medium along its length and for transferring heat between its surroundings and said cooling medium,

positioning said plurality of freezing tubes in said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes and outside said excavation volume,

providing a cooling medium for being conveyed through said plurality of freezing tubes and having a temperature that is lower than the freezing temperature of said soil,

conveying said cooling medium through said plurality of freezing tubes for freezing at least a portion of said soil surrounding said excavation volume, and

removing said soil of said excavation volume.

23 The method according to point 22, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes in said soil comprising:

positioning said plurality of freezing tubes in a pattern surrounding said excavation volume.

24 The method according to point 23, characterized by said conveying of said cooling medium through said plurality of freezing tubes further being adapted for freezing said soil to form a shell of frozen soil around said excavation volume, and/or for freezing said soil of said excavation volume.

25 The method according to any of the points 22 to 24, characterized by said excavation volume being elongated and said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes in said soil comprising:

orienting each of said plurality of freezing tubes in the direction of maximum extension of said elongated excavation volume.

26 The method according to any of the points 22 to 25, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes in said soil below said structure for each freezing tube of said plurality of freezing tubes comprising:

providing a second hollow drilling pipe and a second drilling head attached to said second hollow drilling pipe, said second hollow drilling pipe and said second drilling head being adapted for being drilled into said soil with said second drilling head first, said second drilling pipe being adapted for allowing a heat transport between the outside and the inside of said second hollow drilling pipe,

drilling said second drilling head and said second hollow drilling pipe into said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes,

inserting said freezing tube of said plurality of freezing tubes into said hollow drilling pipe,

providing a bridging medium for transferring heat,

injecting said bridging medium between said freezing tube and said second hollow drilling pipe for establishing a heat conduction between the outside of said second hollow drilling pipe and said freezing tube.

27 The method according to point 26, characterized by said bridging medium transferring heat through convection and/or conduction subsequent to said injecting of said bridging medium between said freezing tube and said second hollow drilling pipe.

28 The method according to any of the points 26 to 27, characterized by said excavation volume being elongated and said drilling of said second drilling head and said second hollow drilling pipe into said soil comprising:

controlling the direction of said second hollow drilling pipe and/or said second drilling head for positioning said second hollow drilling pipe alongside said elongated excavation volume.

29 The method according to point 28, characterized by further comprising:

providing a gyro for determining an angular orientation, and

positioning said gyro inside said second hollow drilling pipe at said second drilling head, and said controlling of the direction of said second hollow drilling pipe comprising:

determining a specific angular orientation of said drilling head with said gyro, and

steering said first drilling head based on said specific angular orientation, and said drilling of said second drilling head and said second hollow drilling pipe into said soil comprising:

retracting said gyro from said second hollow drilling pipe.

30 The method according to any of the points 26 to 29, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes in said soil below said structure further comprising:

providing a second drilling fluid or second drilling mud for aiding said drilling of said second drilling head and said second hollow drilling pipe into said soil, and said drilling of said second drilling head and said second hollow drilling pipe into said soil further comprising: expelling said second drilling fluid or second drilling mud at said drilling head.

31 The method according to point 31, characterized by said second drilling fluid or second drilling mud being water-based mud, oil-based mud, and/or synthetic-based mud.

33 The method according to any of the points 1.31 to 1.32, characterized by said second hollow drilling pipe comprising a second pipe conduit for conveying said second drilling fluid or second drilling mud to said second drilling head.

34 The method according to points 32, characterized by said second drilling head comprising a second steering blade for digging said soil and for steering said second drilling head in an off-axis direction upon a forward thrust of said second drilling head, said second steering blade having a second tip at its forward end, and said second drilling head further comprising a second head conduit connected to said second pipe conduit and comprising an outlet at said second tip for conveying said second drilling fluid or second drilling mud from said second pipe conduit and for expelling said second drilling fluid or second drilling mud at said second tip.

35 The method according to point 34, characterized by said second head conduit comprising a second non-return valve for preventing a backflow in said second head conduit.

36 The method according to any of the points 32 to 35, characterized by said second hollow drilling pipe being single-walled.

37 The method according to any of the points 1 to 36, characterized by said monitoring of said overlaying structure comprising:

detecting movements and/or shifts of said overlaying structure.

38 The method according to any of the points 1 to 37, characterized by said monitoring of said overlaying structure comprising:

detecting changes in the internal loads and/or the distribution of the internal loads of said overlaying structure.

39 The method according to point 38, characterized by said detecting of said changes in the internal loads and/or the distribution of the internal loads involving one or more strain gauges anchored to said overlaying structure.

40 The method according to any of the points 1 to 39, characterized by each of said plurality of compensation tubes comprising a plurality of outlets distributed along its length.

41 The method according to point 40, characterized by said plurality of outlets being divided into groups located at regular intervals along said length.

42 The method according to point 41, characterized by said plurality of groups being spaced apart by between 20-40 cm, and/or by approximately 30 cm.

43 The method according to point 42, characterized by said outlets of each group of outlets being distributed circumferentially around the compensation tube they are located on.

44 The method according to any of the points 1.40 to 1.43, characterized by each of said plurality of outlets being provided with a non-return valve for preventing a backflow of a liquid into said compensation tube.

45 The method according to any of the points 4 to 44 and to point 7 or any points depending on point 7 characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes further comprising:

sealing said first hollow drilling pipe to said water-impregnable wall for preventing said ground water and/or soil particles from being expelled from said soil between said first hollow drilling pipe and said water-impregnable wall.

46 The method according to point 5 or any point depending on point 5, characterized by said forming of said water-impregnable wall for each of said plurality of compensation tubes comprising:

providing a first drill having a first diameter,

drilling a first hole through said concrete wall with said first drill, measuring the width of said concrete wall through said first hole,

providing a first circular cutter having a second diameter that is greater than said first diameter, and cutting with said second circular cutter a second hole in said concrete wall at or centred on said first hole and having a length that is less than the width of said concrete wall, said second hole having an opening and an opposite bottom,

sealing said opening of said second hole with a first lock for allowing a sealable access to said second hole,

providing a second circular cutter having a third diameter that is greater than said first diameter and smaller than said second diameter,

introducing said second circular cutter into said second hole through said first lock,

cutting a third hole in said bottom of said second hole having a length that is greater than the difference between the length of the second hole and the width of said concrete wall,

retracting said second circular cutter, and

closing said first lock for preventing ground water and/or soil particles from escaping through said concrete wall.

47 The method according to point 46, characterized by said forming of said water-impregnable wall for each of said plurality of compensation tubes comprising prior to introducing said second circular cutter into said third hole:

providing a cutter axle attached to said second circular cutter for driving said second circular cutter, and

sealing said cutter axle to said first lock for preventing or reducing a leakage of said ground water and/or soil particles between them.

48 The method according to any of the points 46 to 47 and to point 7 or any point depending on point 7, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes further comprising:

sealing said first drilling pipe to said first lock for preventing or reducing a leakage of said ground water and/or soil particles between them,

opening said first lock, and

introducing said first drilling head through said first lock into said third hole.

49 The method according to any of the points 4 to 48 and to point 26 or any points depending on point 26, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes further comprising:

inserting said second hollow drilling pipe through said water-impregnable wall into said soil, and

sealing said second hollow drilling pipe to said water-impregnable wall for preventing said ground water and/or soil particles from being expelled from said soil between said second hollow drilling pipe and said water-impregnable wall.

50 The method according to point 5 or any point depending on point 5 and any of the points 22 to 49, characterized by said forming of said water-impregnable wall for each of said plurality of freezing tubes comprising:

providing a fourth drill having a fourth diameter,

drilling a fourth hole through said concrete wall with said fourth drill,

measuring the width of said concrete wall through said fourth hole,

providing a third circular cutter having a fifth diameter that is greater than said fourth diameter, and cutting with said fourth circular cutter a fifth hole in said concrete wall at or centred on said fourth hole and having a length that is less than the width of said concrete wall, said fifth hole having an opening and an opposite bottom,

sealing said opening of said fifth hole with a second lock for allowing a sealable access to said fifth hole,

providing a fourth circular cutter having a sixth diameter that is greater than said fourth diameter and smaller than said fifth diameter,

introducing said fourth circular cutter into said fifth hole through said second lock,

cutting a sixth hole in said bottom of said fifth hole having a length that is greater than the difference between the length of the fifth hole and the width of said concrete wall,

retracting said fourth circular cutter, and

closing said second lock for preventing ground water and/or soil particles from escaping through said concrete wall.

51 The method according to point 50, characterized by said forming of said water-impregnable wall for each of said plurality of freezing tubes comprising prior to introducing said fourth circular cutter into said fifth hole:

providing a cutter axle attached to said fourth circular cutter for driving said fourth circular cutter, and

sealing said cutter axle to said second lock for preventing or reducing a leakage of said ground water and/or soil particles between them.

52 The method according to any of the points 50 to 51, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes further comprising:

sealing said second drilling pipe to said second lock for preventing or reducing a leakage of said ground water and/or soil particles between them,

opening said second lock, and

introducing said second drilling head through said second lock into said sixth hole.

53 A drilling system, said drilling system being adapted for implementing the method according to any of the points 1 to 52, the system comprising:

a compensation liquid,

a plurality of compensation tubes for conveying said compensation liquid, each of said compensation tubes comprising a number of outlets for allowing said compensation liquid to pass from said compensation tube into the surrounding medium,

means for positioning said plurality of compensation tubes in said soil below said structure,

means for excavating said underground space in said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes,

means for monitoring the overlaying structure for detecting changes in the structure due to said excavating of said underground space, and if a change in the structure is detected:

means for injecting said compensation liquid into said soil through one or more of said plurality of compensation tubes into said soil.

54 The system according to point 53, characterized by further comprising any of the features and/or any of the means for performing any of the method steps according to any of the points 1 to 52.

55 A method for positioning a compensation tube in a soil below a structure, said method comprising:

providing said compensation tube,

providing a first hollow drilling pipe and a first drilling head attached to said first hollow drilling pipe, said first hollow drilling pipe and a first drilling head being adapted for being drilled into said soil with said first drilling head first,

drilling said first drilling head and said first hollow drilling pipe into said soil below said structure,

inserting said compensation tube of said plurality of compensation tubes into said hollow drilling pipe, and

retracting said first hollow drilling pipe and simultaneously expelling a support material around said compensation tube at the insertion or forward end of said first hollow drilling pipe for preventing a collapsing of said soil.

56 The method according to point 55, further comprising any of the features and/or any of the steps according to any of points 7 to 21.

57 A method positioning a freezing tube in a soil below a structure, said method comprising:

providing said freezing tube,

providing a second hollow drilling pipe and a second drilling head attached to said second hollow drilling pipe, said second hollow drilling pipe and said second drilling head being adapted for being drilled into said soil with said second drilling head first, said second drilling pipe being adapted for allowing a heat transport between the outside and the inside of said second hollow drilling pipe,

drilling said second drilling head and said second hollow drilling pipe into said soil below said structure,

inserting said freezing tube of said plurality of freezing tubes into said hollow drilling pipe,

providing a bridging medium for transferring heat, and

injecting said bridging medium between said freezing tube and said second hollow drilling pipe for establishing a heat conduction between the outside of said second hollow drilling pipe and said freezing tube.

58 The method according to point 57, further comprising any of the features and/or any of the steps according to any of points 26 to 36.

59 A drilling system for drilling in soil, said drilling system comprising:

a hollow drilling pipe having a forward end and a backward end, and

a drilling head attached to said hollow drilling pipe at its forward end_and comprising a plurality of light sources positioned in a pattern for emitting light through said hollow drilling pipe from its forward end to its backward end.

60 The drilling system according to point 59 characterized by each of said plurality of light sources being a light-emitting diode and said drilling head further comprising an electrical battery for powering said plurality of light-sources.

61 The drilling system according to any of the points 59 to 60 characterized by said pattern being an asymmetric pattern with respect to the central axis of said hollow drilling pipe.

62 A drilling system for drilling in soil, said drilling system comprising:

a hollow drilling pipe and a drilling head attached to said hollow drilling pipe, said hollow drilling pipe and said drilling head being adapted for being drilled into soil with said drilling head first,

a gyro positioned inside said hollow drilling pipe at said drilling head for determining the angular orientation and/or position of said drilling head, and

a lock comprising a first locking part attached to said gyro and a second locking part attached to said drilling head, said first locking part and said second locking part being adapted for cooperating and releasably locking said gyro to said drilling head.

63 The drilling system according to point 62 characterized by said lock defining a bayonet lock.

64 The drilling system according to point 63 characterized by said first locking part being the male bayonet portion and said second locking part being the female bayonet portion of said bayonet lock.

65 The drilling system according to point 64 characterized by said first locking part comprising a base portion attached to said gyro, a shaft attached to said base portion and aligned with the central axis of the hollow drilling pipe, and a pin_attached to and protruding radially from the shaft, and said second locking part comprising a receptor body defining a pin slot for mutually cooperating with said pin in a locking of said bayonet lock.

66 The drilling system according to point 65 characterized by said second locking part comprising a receptor base and said first locking part comprising a retaining spring for engaging said receptor base and pushing said pin into said pin slot in said locking of said bayonet lock.

67 The drilling system according to point 66 characterized by said retaining spring being a coil spring attached to said base portion and centred on said shaft.

68 The drilling system according to any of the points 66 to 67 characterized by said first locking part comprising a spacer for limiting the compression of said retaining spring.

69 The drilling system according to point 67 and point 68 characterized by said spacer being a cylinder attached to said base portion and partly surrounding said coil spring.

70 The drilling system according to any of the points 66 to 69 characterized by said receptor base being attached to said drilling head and supporting said receptor body.

71 The drilling system according to point 70 characterized by said receptor body being positioned on the opposite side of said receptor base from said gyro, and said receptor body defining a receptor aperture for allowing said shaft and said pin to pass through said receptor base for engaging said receptor body.

ITEM LIST

[0078] 

10

stru ctu re

12

ground

14

soil

15

underground space

16

tunnel

18

freezing tube

20

frozen soil

21

unfrozen core

22

compensation tube

24

strain gauge

26

compensation liquid

28

open hole

29

outer wall surface

30

concrete wall

31

inner wall surface

32

concrete drill

34

through-going narrow hole

36

stabilizer

37

area

38

first circular hole cutter

39

concrete plug

40

support hole

42

bottom

44

cylindrical wall

46

support portion

47

cylinder body

48

support portion flange

50

bolt hole

52

bushing

54

wedge

56

o-ring

58

support flange

60

sealant

62

valve portion

64

forward valve portion flange

66

bolt hole

68

backward valve portion flange

70

bolt hole

72

gate valve

74

insertion portion

76

forward insertion portion flange

78

bolt hole

80

backward insertion portion flange

82

bolt hole

84

hollow body

86

lower outlet and/or inlet

88

lower valve

90

upper outlet and/or inlet

92

upper valve

94

back portion

96

bolt holes

98

aperture

100

sealing ring

102

second circular hole cutter

104

cutter axle

106

drilling lock

108

plug

110

break-through hole

112

cylindrical wall

114

drilling back portion

115

pipe aperture

116

pipe sealing ring

118

drilling pipe

118'

drilling pipe

120

drilling head

120'

drilling head

122

steering blade

122'

steering blade

124

hose

125

hose outlet

126

container

128

drilling fluid

130

forward tip

130'

forwardtip

132

inner wall

134

outer wall

136

non-return valve

138

tip conduit

138'

tip conduit

140

pipe conduit

140'

pipe conduit

142

drilling hole

144

light-emitting diodes

146

battery

148

theodolite camera

150

second concrete wall

152

cutter

154

support material

156

compensation liquid

158

outlets

160

first support flange

162

second support flange

164

rubber ring

166

non-return valve

172

gyro

174

control and power cable

176

spacer

177

spacer wheel

178

outer shell

180

circulation tubes

182

tip

184

injection tube

186

bridging medium

188

position indicator

190

light-emitting diodes

192

battery

194

indicator housing

196

separation space

198

head conduit

200

head chamber

202

forward pointing teeth

204

backward pointing teeth

206

forward chamber

208

sealing flange

210

channels

212

first locking part

214

second locking part

216

sealing flange

218

sealing sleeve

220

freezing tube apperture

222

injection tube apperture

224

freezing tube spacers

226

pin

228

central shaft

230

retaining spring coil

232

spacer

234

base flange

236

pin slot

240

receptor base

242

receptor body

244

receptor aperture

246

end fitting

248

end pipe

250

connector

252

o-ring

254

locking disc

256

bolt hole

258

nut and bolt

260

packing disc

261

locking disc aperture

262

packing disc aperture

Claims

1. Method of excavating an underground space (15) in the soil (14) below an overlaying structure (10), characterized by the method comprising:

providing a compensation liquid (26),

providing a plurality of compensation tubes (22) for conveying said compensation liquid (26), each of said compensation tubes (22) comprising a number of outlets for allowing said compensation liquid (26) to pass from said compensation tube (22) into the surrounding medium,

positioning said plurality of compensation tubes (22) in said soil (14) below said structure (10),

excavating said underground space (15) in said soil (14) below said plurality of compensation tubes (22),

monitoring the overlaying structure (10) for detecting changes in the structure (10) due to said excavating of said underground space (15), and if a change in the structure (10) is detected:

injecting said compensation liquid (26) into said soil (14) through one or more of said plurality of compensation tubes (22).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by said overlaying structure (10) being a surface building (10) over ground (12) and said method further comprising:

excavating a hole (28) in the ground (12) beside said surface building,
said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes (22) comprising:

inserting said compensation tubes (22) from said hole (28) in the ground (12) into said soil (14),
forming a water-impregnable wall (30) at the side of said hole (28)facing said surface building (10) for preventing said hole (28) from draining ground water and/or soil particles from said soil (14) under said surface building (10), said water-impregnable wall (30) being a concrete wall (30).

3. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 2, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes (22) in said soil (14) for each compensation tube (22) of said plurality of compensation tubes (22) comprising:

providing a first hollow drilling pipe (118) and a first drilling head (120) attached to said first hollow drilling pipe (118), said first hollow drilling pipe (118) and said first drilling head (120) being adapted for being drilled into said soil (14) with said first drilling head (120) first,

drilling said first drilling head (120) and said first hollow drilling pipe (118) into said soil (14) below said structure (10),

inserting said compensation tube (22) of said plurality of compensation tubes (22) into said hollow drilling pipe (118), and

retracting said first hollow drilling pipe (118) and simultaneously expelling a support material (154) around said compensation tube (22) at the insertion or forward end of said first hollow drilling pipe (118) for preventing a collapsing of said soil (14).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized by said drilling of said first drilling head (120) and said first hollow drilling pipe (118) into said soil (14) comprising:

controlling the direction of said first hollow drilling pipe (118) and/or said first drilling head (120) for positioning said first hollow drilling pipe (118) along a straight line .

5. The method according to any of the claims 3 to 4, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of compensation tubes (22) further comprising:

detaching said first drilling head (120) from said first hollow drilling pipe (118) prior to said retraction of said first hollow drilling pipe (118) for forming a first conduit outlet of a first pipe conduit (140) at the insertion or forward end of said first hollow drilling pipe (118), and
said expelling of said support material (154) around said compensation tube (122) comprising:
conveying said support material (154) through said first pipe conduit (140) and expelling said support material (154) through said first conduit outlet.

6. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized by said excavating of said underground space (15) in said soil below said plurality of compensation tubes (22) comprising:

defining an excavation volume of said soil (14),

providing a plurality of freezing tubes (18), each of said plurality of freezing tubes (18) being adapted for conveying a cooling medium along its length and for transferring heat between its surroundings and said cooling medium,

positioning said plurality of freezing tubes (18) in said soil (14) below said plurality of compensation tubes (22) and outside said excavation volume,

providing a cooling medium for being conveyed through said plurality of freezing tubes (18) and having a temperature that is lower than the freezing temperature of said soil (14),

conveying said cooling medium through said plurality of freezing tubes (18) for freezing at least a portion of said soil (14) surrounding said excavation volume, and

removing said soil (14) of said excavation volume.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes (18) in said soil (14) comprising:

positioning said plurality of freezing tubes (18) in a pattern surrounding said excavation volume, and
said conveying of said cooling medium through said plurality of freezing tubes (18) further being adapted for freezing said soil (14) to form a shell of frozen soil (20) around said excavation volume, and/or for freezing said soil (14) of said excavation volume.

8. The method according to any of the claims 6 to 7, characterized by said positioning of said plurality of freezing tubes (18) in said soil (14) below said structure (10) for each freezing tube (18) of said plurality of freezing tubes (18) comprising:

providing a second hollow drilling pipe (118') and a second drilling head (120') attached to said second hollow drilling pipe (118'), said second hollow drilling pipe (118') and said second drilling head (120') being adapted for being drilled into said soil (14) with said second drilling head (120') first, said second drilling pipe (118') being adapted for allowing a heat transport between the outside and the inside of said second hollow drilling pipe (118'),

drilling said second drilling head (120') and said second hollow drilling pipe (118') into said soil (14) below said plurality of compensation tubes (22),

inserting said freezing tube (18) of said plurality of freezing tubes (18) into said hollow drilling pipe (118'),

providing a bridging medium (186) for transferring heat,

injecting said bridging medium (186) between said freezing tube (18) and said second hollow drilling pipe (118') for establishing a heat conduction between the outside of said second hollow drilling pipe (118') and said freezing tube (18).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized by said excavation volume being elongated and said drilling of said second drilling head (120') and said second hollow drilling pipe (118') into said soil comprising:

controlling the direction of said second hollow drilling pipe (118') and/or said second drilling head (120') for positioning said second hollow drilling pipe (118')alongside said elongated excavation volume.

10. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized by said monitoring of said overlaying structure (10) comprising:

detecting movements and/or shifts of said overlaying structure (10), and/or

detecting changes in the internal loads and/or the distribution of the internal loads of said overlaying structure (10).

11. The method according to claim 2 or any claim depending on claim 2, characterized by said forming of said water-impregnable wall (30) for each of said plurality of compensation tubes (22) comprising:

providing a first drill (32) having a first diameter,

drilling a first hole (134) through said concrete wall (30) with said first drill (32),

measuring the width of said concrete wall (30) through said first hole (34),

providing a first circular cutter (38) having a second diameter that is greater than said first diameter,

cutting a second hole (40) in said concrete wall (30) at or centred on said first hole (34) and having a length that is less than the width of said concrete wall (30), said second hole (34) having an opening and an opposite bottom (42),

sealing said opening of said second hole (34) with a first lock (106) for allowing a sealable access to said second hole (40),

providing a second circular cutter (102) having a third diameter that is greater than said first diameter and smaller than said second diameter,

introducing said second circular cutter (102) into said second hole (40) through said first lock (106) and cutting with said second circular cutter (102) a third hole (110) in said bottom (42) of said second hole (40) having a length that is greater than the difference between the length of the second hole and the width of said concrete wall,

retracting said second circular cutter (102), and

closing said first lock (106) for preventing ground water and/or soil particles from escaping through said concrete wall (30).

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims depending on both claim 2 and claim 6, characterized by said forming of said water-impregnable wall (30) for each of said plurality of freezing tubes (18) comprising:

providing a fourth drill (32) having a fourth diameter,

drilling a fourth hole (34) through said concrete wall (30) with said fourth drill,

measuring the width of said concrete wall through said fourth hole (34),

providing a third circular cutter (38) having a fifth diameter that is greater than said fourth diameter,

cutting a fifth hole (40) in said concrete wall (30) at or centred on said fourth hole (34) and having a length that is less than the width of said concrete wall (30), said fifth hole (40) having an opening and an opposite bottom (42),

sealing said opening of said fifth hole (40) with a second lock (106) for allowing a sealable access to said fifth hole (40),

providing a fourth circular cutter (102) having a sixth diameter that is greater than said fourth diameter and smaller than said fifth diameter,

introducing said fourth circular cutter (102) into said fifth hole (40) through said second lock (106) and cutting with said fourth circular cutter (102) a sixth hole (110) in said bottom of said fifth hole (40) having a length that is greater than the difference between the length of the fifth hole and the width of said concrete wall (30),

retracting said fourth circular cutter, (102) and

closing said second lock (106) for preventing ground water and/or soil particles from escaping through said concrete wall (30).

13. A drilling system for implementing the method according to any of the claims 1 to 12, characterised by the system comprising:

a compensation liquid (26),

a plurality of compensation tubes (22) for conveying said compensation liquid (26), each of said compensation tubes (22) comprising a number of outlets for allowing said compensation liquid (26) to pass from said compensation tube (22) into the surrounding medium,

means for positioning said plurality of compensation tubes (22) in said soil (14) below said structure (10),

means for excavating said underground space (15) in said soil (14) below said plurality of compensation tubes (22),

means for monitoring (24) the overlaying structure (10) for detecting changes in the structure (10) due to said excavating of said underground space (15), and if a change in the structure (10) is detected:

means for injecting said compensation liquid 826) into said soil (14) through one or more of said plurality of compensation tubes (22) into said soil.

Drawing