[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 wails 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.
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.
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.
[0002] The impact of the injecting on the overlaying structure injection may be continuously
monitored and interrupted when satisfactory compensations have been achieved.
[0003] 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.
[0004] The overlaying structure may be a surface building over ground. Alternatively, the
overlaying structure may be a tunnel, a football field, or a road.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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, and 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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 drilling 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. 1B-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. 1B 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. 1B. 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 120 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.
ITEM LIST
[0077]
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
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).
1. Verfahren zum Abtragen eines unterirdischen Raums (15) in der Erde (14) unterhalb
einer überlagerten Struktur (10), wobei das Verfahren umfasst:
Bereitstellen eines Kompensationsliquids (26),
Bereitstellen einer Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22) zum Zuführen des Kompensationsliquids
(26), wobei jedes der Kompensationsröhre (22) eine Anzahl Auslässe umfasst, um es
dem Kompensationsliquid (26) zu erlauben, von dem Kompensationsrohr (22) in das umgebende
Medium zu fließen,
Positionieren der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22) in der Erde (14) unterhalb
der Struktur (10),
Abtragen des unterirdischen Raums (15) in der Erde (14) unterhalb der Mehrheit von
Kompensationsröhren (22),
Überwachen der überlagerten Struktur (10) zum Erfassen von Änderungen in der Struktur
(10) wegen des Abtragens des unterirdischen Raums (15), und wenn eine Änderung in
der Struktur (10) erfasst ist:
Einspritzen des Kompensationsliquids (26) in die Erde (14) durch ein oder mehrere
aus der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22).
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die überlagerte Struktur (10) ein Oberflächengebäude (10) über dem Boden (12) ist,
und das Verfahren ferner umfasst:
Abtragen eines Lochs (28) in dem Boden (12) neben dem Oberflächengebäude,
wobei das Positionieren der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22) umfasst:
Einführen der Kompensationsröhre (22) von dem Loch (28) in dem Boden (12) in die Erde
(14),
Bilden einer wasserundurchlässigen Wand (30) auf der Seite des Lochs (28), die dem
Oberflächengebäude (10) zugekehrt ist, um zu verhindern, dass das Loch (28) Grundwasser
und/oder Bodenpartikeln von der Erde (14) unter dem Oberflächengebäude (10) abführt,
wobei die wasserundurchlässige Wand (30) eine Betonwand (30) ist.
3. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Positionierung der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22) in der Erde (14) für
jedes Kompensationsrohr (22) aus der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22) umfasst:
Bereitstellen eines ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) und eines ersten Bohrkopfs (120),
der an dem ersten hohlen Bohrrohr (118) befestigt ist, wobei das erste hohle Bohrrohr
(118) und der erste Bohrkopf (120) dazu eingerichtet sind, in die Erde (14) mit dem ersten Bohrkopf
(120) zuerst gebohrt zu werden,
Bohren des ersten Bohrkopfs (120) und des ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) in die Erde
(14) unterhalb der Struktur (10),
Einführen des Kompensationsrohrs (22) aus der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22)
in das hohle Bohrrohr (118), und
Zurückziehen des ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) und gleichzeitig Ausstoßen eines Trägermaterials
(154) um das Kompensationsrohr (22) an dem Einfuhr- oder vorderen Ende des ersten
hohlen Bohrrohrs (118), um einen Einsturz der Erde (14) zu verhindern.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Bohren des ersten Bohrkopfs (120) und des ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) in die
Erde (14) umfasst:
Steuern der Richtung des ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) und/oder des ersten Bohrkopfs
(120) zum Positionieren des ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) entlang einer geraden Linie.
5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Positionierung der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22) ferner umfasst:
Trennen des ersten Bohrkopfs (120) von dem ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) vor dem Zurückziehen
des ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118) zum Bilden eines ersten Leitungsausgangs einer ersten
Rohrleitung (140) an dem Einfuhr- oder vorderen Ende des ersten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118),
und
wobei das Ausstoßen des Trägermaterials (154) um das Kompensationsrohr (122) umfasst:
Zuführen des Trägermaterials (154) durch die erste Rohrleitung (140) und Ausstoßen
des Trägermaterials (154) durch den ersten Leitungsausgang.
6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Abtragen des unterirdischen Raums (15) in der Erde unterhalb der Mehrheit von
Kompensationsröhren (22) umfasst:
Definieren eines Abtragungsvolumens der Erde (14),
Bereitstellen einer Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18), wobei jedes aus der Mehrheit
von Gefrierröhren (18) dazu eingerichtet ist, ein Kühlmedium entlang seiner Länge
zu fördern und Wärme zwischen seiner Umgebung und dem Kühlmedium zu übertragen,
Positionieren der Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18) in der Erde (14) unterhalb der Mehrheit
von Kompensationsröhren (22) und außerhalb des Abtragungsvolumens,
Bereitstellen eines Kühlmediums zum Fördern durch die Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18)
und mit einer Temperatur, die niedriger als die Gefriertemperatur der Erde (14) ist,
Zuführen des Kühlmediums durch die Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18) zum Gefrieren von
wenigstens einem Teil der Erde (14), die das Abtragungsvolumen umgibt, und
Entfernen der Erde (14) des Abtragungsvolumens.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Positionierung der Mehrzahl von Gefrierröhren (18) in der Erde (14) umfasst:
Positionieren der Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18) in einem Muster, welches das Abtragungsvolumen
umgibt, und
wobei das Zuführen des Kühlmediums durch die Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18) ferner
dazu eingerichtet ist, die Erde (14) zu gefrieren, um eine Schale von gefrorener Erde
(20) um das Abtragungsvolumen zu bilden, und/oder die Erde (14) des Abtragungsvolumens
zu gefrieren.
8. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 7, dass die Positionierung der Mehrzahl von
Gefrierröhren (18) in der Erde (14) unterhalb der Struktur (10) für jedes Gefrierrohr
(18) aus der Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18) umfasst:
Bereitstellen eines zweiten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118') und eines zweiten Bohrkopfs (120'),
der an dem zweiten hohlen Bohrrohr (118') befestigt ist, wobei das zweite hohle Bohrrohr
(118') und der zweite Bohrkopf (120') dazu eingerichtet sind, in die Erde (14) mit
dem zweiten Bohrkopf (120') zuerst gebohrt zu werden, wobei das zweite Bohrrohr (118')
dazu eingerichtet ist, einen Wärmetransport zwischen der Außenseite und der Innenseite
des zweiten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118') zu erlauben,
Bohren des zweiten Bohrkopfs (120') und des zweiten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118') in die
Erde (14) unterhalb der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren (22),
Einführen des Gefrierrohrs (18) aus der Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren (18) in das hohle
Bohrrohr (118'),
Bereitstellen eines Überbrückungsmediums (186) zum Übertragen von Wärme,
Einspritzen des Überbrückungsmediums (186) zwischen dem Gefrierrohr (18) und dem zweiten
hohlen Bohrrohr (118') zum Herstellen einer Wärmeleitung zwischen der Außenseite des
zweiten Bohrrohrs (118') und dem Gefrierrohr (18).
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Abtragungsvolumen langgestreckt ist, und das Bohren des zweiten Bohrkopfs (120')
und des zweiten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118') in die Erde umfasst:
Steuern der Richtung des zweiten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118') und/oder des zweiten Bohrkopfs
(120') zum Positionieren des zweiten hohlen Bohrrohrs (118') längs des langgestreckten
Abtragungsvolumens.
10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 36,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Überwachen der überlagerten Struktur (10) umfasst:
Erfassen von Bewegungen und/oder Verschiebungen der überlagerten Struktur (10), und/oder
Erfassen von Änderungen in den inneren Lasten und/oder der Verteilung der inneren
Lasten der überlagerten Struktur (10).
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2 oder einem von Anspruch 2 abhängigen Anspruch,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Bilden der wasserundurchlässigen Wand (30) für jedes aus der Mehrheit von Kompensationsröhren
(22) umfasst:
Bereitstellen eines ersten Bohrers (32) mit einem ersten Durchmesser,
Bohren eines ersten Lochs (134) durch die Betonwand (30) mit dem ersten Bohrer (32),
Messen der Breite der Betonwand (30) durch das erste Loch (34),
Bereitstellen eines ersten Kreismessers (38) mit einem zweiten Durchmesser, der größer
als der erste Durchmesser ist,
Schneiden eines zweiten Lochs (40) in der Betonwand (30) an oder auf dem ersten Loch
(34) zentriert und mit einer Länge, die weniger als die Breite der Betonwand (30)
ist, wobei das zweite Loch (34) eine Öffnung und einen gegenüberliegenden Boden (42)
aufweist,
Abdichten der Öffnung des zweiten Lochs (34) mit einem ersten Schloss (106), um einen
abdichtbaren Zugang zu dem zweiten Loch (40) zu erlauben,
Bereitstellen eines zweiten Kreismessers (102) mit einem dritten Durchmesser, der
größer als der erste Durchmesser ist und kleiner als der zweite Durchmesser ist,
Einführen des zweiten Kreismessers (102) in das zweite Loch (40) durch das erste Schloss
(106) und Schneiden eines dritten Lochs (110) mit dem zweiten Kreismesser (102) in
dem Boden (42) des zweiten Lochs (40), das eine Länge aufweist, die größer als der
Unterschied zwischen der Länge des zweiten Lochs und der Breite der Betonwand ist,
Zurückziehen des zweiten Kreismessers (102), und
Schließen des ersten Lochs (106), um zu verhindern, dass Grundwasser und/oder Bodenpartikeln
durch die Betonwand (30) entweichen.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2 oder einem der vorhergehenden von sowohl Anspruch 2 als
auch Anspruch 6 abhängigen Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Bilden der wasserundurchlässigen Wand (30) für jedes aus der Mehrheit von Gefrierröhren
(18) umfasst:
Bereitstellen eines vierten Bohrers (32) mit einem vierten Durchmesser,
Bohren eines vierten Lochs (34) durch die Betonwand (30) mit dem vierten Bohrer,
Messen der Breite der Betonwand durch das vierte Loch (34),
Bereitstellen eines dritten Kreismessers (38) mit einem fünften Durchmesser, der grösser
als der vierte Durchmesser ist,
Schneiden eines fünften Lochs (40) in der Betonwand (30) an oder auf dem vierten Loch
(34) zentriert und mit einer Länge, die weniger als die Breite der Betonwand (30)
ist, wobei das fünfte Loch (40) eine Öffnung und einen gegenüberliegenden Boden (42)
aufweist,
Abdichten der Öffnung des fünften Lochs (40) mit einem zweiten Schloss (106), um einen
abdichtbaren Zugang zu dem fünften Loch (40) zu erlauben,
Bereitstellen eines vierten Kreismessers (102) mit einem sechsten Durchmesser, der
größer als der vierte Durchmesser ist und kleiner als der fünfte Durchmesser ist,
Einführen des vierten Kreismessers (102) in das fünfte Loch (40) durch den zweiten
Schloss (106) und Schneiden eines sechsten Lochs (110) mit dem vierten Kreismesser
(102) in dem Boden des fünften Lochs (40), das eine Länge aufweist, die größer als
der Unterschied zwischen der Länge des fünften Lochs und der Breite der Betonwand
ist (30),
Zurückziehen des vierten Kreismessers (102), und
Schließen des zweiten Lochs (106), um zu verhindern, dass Grundwasser und/oder Bodenpartikeln
durch die Betonwand (30) entweichen.
1. Procédé d'axcavation d'un espace souterrain (15) dans le sol (14) en dessous d'une
structure superposée (10),
caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend:
la fourniture d'un liquide de compensation (26),
la fourniture d'une pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22) pour transporter ledit
liquide de compensation (26), chacun desdits tuyaux de compensation (22) comprenant
un nombre de sorties pour permettre audit liquide de compensation (26) de passer dudit
tuyaux de compensation (22) dans le milieu environnant,
le positionnement de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22) dans ledit sol
(14) en dessous de ladite structure (10),
l'excavation dudit espace souterrain (15) dans ledit sol (14) en dessous de ladite
pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22),
la surveillance de ladite structure superposée (10) pour détecter des changements
dans la structure (10) à cause de ladite excavation dudit espace souterrain (15),
et si un changement dans la structure (10) est détecté:
l'injection dudit liquide de compensation (26) dans ledit sol (14) à travers au moins
une de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22).
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé en ce que ladite structure superposée (10) est un élément de surface (10) au-dessus du sol
(12) et ledit procédé comprenant en outre:
l'excavation d'un trou (28) dans le sol (12) à côté de l'élément de surface, ledit
positionnement de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22) comprenant:
l'insertion desdits tuyaux de compensation (22) à partir dudit trou (28) dans le terrain
(12) dans ledit sol (14),
la formation d'une paroi imperméable(??) à l'eau (30) au côté dudit trou (28) faisant
face audit élément de surface (10) pour prévenir ledit trou (28) de drainer l'eau
souterraine et/ou des particules du sol dudit sol (14) sous ledit élément de surface
(10), ladite paroi imperméable à l'eau (30) étant une paroi en béton (30).
3. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2,
caractérisé par ledit positionnnement de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22) dans ledit
sol (14) pour chaque tuyau de compensation (22) de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation
(22) comprenant:
la fourniture d'un premier tuyau de forage creux (118) et une première tête de forage
(120) fixée audit premier tuyau de forage creux (118), ledit premier tuyau de forage
creux (118) et ladite première tête de forage (120) étant adaptés pour être forés dans ledit sol (14) avec
ladite première tête de forage (120) en avant,
le forage de ladite première tête de forage (120) et ledit premier tuyau de forage
creux (118) dans ledit sol (14) en dessous de ladite structure (10),
l'insertion dudit tuyau de compensation (22) de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation
(22) dans ledit tuyau de forage creux (118), et
la rétractation dudit premier tuyau de forage creux (118) et simultanément expulser
un matériau de support (154) autour dudit tuyau de compensation (22) à l'extrémité
d'insertion ou d'avant dudit premier tuyau de forage creux (118) pour empecher un
effondrement dudit sol (14).
4. Procédé selon la revendication 3,
caractérisé par ledit forage de ladite première tête de forage (120) et ledit premier tuyau de forage
creux (118) dans ledit sol (14) comprenant:
le contrôle de la direction dudit premier tuyau de forage creux (118) et/ou ladite
première tête de forage (120) pour positionner ledit premier tuyau de forage creux
(118) le long d'une ligne droite.
5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 4,
caractérisé par ledit positionnement de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22) comprenant
en outre:
le détachement de ladite première tête de forage (120) dudit premier tuyau de forage
creux (118) préalablement à ladite rétractation dudit premier tuyau de forage creux
(118) pour former une première sortie de conduit d'un premier conduit de tuyau (140)
à l'extrémité de l'insertion ou de l'avant dudit premier tuyau de forage creux (118),
et
ledit expulsion dudit matériau de support (154) autour dudit tuyau de compensation
(122) comprenant:
la transportation dudit matériau de support (154) à travers ledit premier conduit
de tuyau (14) et l'expulsion dudit matériau de support (154) par ladite première sortie
de conduit.
6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5,
caractérisé par ladite excavation dudit espace souterrain (15) dans ledit sol (14) en dessous de
ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22) comprenant:
la définition d'un volume d'excavation dudit sol (14),
la fourniture d'une pluralité de tuyaux de congélation (18), chacune de ladite pluralité
de tuyaux de congélation (18) étant adaptée pour transporter un moyen de refroidissement
le long de sa longueur et pour transférer de la chaleur entre son environnement et
ledit moyen de refroidissement,
le positionnement de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de congélation (18) dans ledit sol
(14) entre ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation (22) et à l'extérieur dudit
volume d'excavation,
la fourniture d'un moyen de refroidissement à être transporter à travers ladite pluralité
de tuyaux de congélation (18) et ayant une température qui est inférieure à la température
de congélation dudit sol (14),
la transportation ledit moyen de refroidissement à travers ladite pluralité de tuyaux
de congélation (18) pour congéler au moins une partie dudit sol (14) autour dudit
volume d'excavation, et
l'enlèvement dudit sol (14) dudit volume d'excavation.
7. Procédé selon la revendication 6,
caractérisé par le positionnement de ladite pluralité desdits tuyaux de congélation (18) dans ledit
sol (14) comprenant:
le positionnement de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de congélation (18) dans un motif
autour dudit volume d'excavation, et
ladite transportation dudit moyen de refroidissement à travers ladite pluralité de
tuyaux de congélation (18) étant en outre adaptée pour congeler ledit sol (14) afin
de former une enveloppe de sol congelé (20) autour dudit volume d'excavation, et/ou
pour congeler ledit sol (14) dudit volume d'excavation.
8. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 7,
caractérisé par ledit positionnement de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de congélation (18) dans ledit
sol (14) en dessous de ladite structure (10) pour chaque tuyau de congélation (18)
de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de congélation (18) comprenant:
la fourniture d'un deuxième tube de forage creux (118') et une deuxième tête de forage
(120') fixée audit deuxième tube de forage creux (118'), ledit deuxième tube de forage
creux (118') et ladite deuxième tête de forage (120') étant adaptés pour être percés
dans ledit sol (14) avec ladite deuxième tête de forage (120') en avant, ledit deuxième
tube de forage creux (118') étant adapté pour permettre un transport de chaleur entre
l'extérieur et l'intérieur dudit deuxième tube de forage creux (118'),
le forage de ladite deuxième tête de forage (120') et ledit deuxième tube de forage
creux (118') dans ledit sol (14) en dessous de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de compensation
(22),
l'insertion dudit tuyau de congélation (18) de ladite pluralité de tuyaux de congélation
(18) dans ledit tube de forage creux (118'),
la fourniture d'un moyen de pontage (186) pour transférer de la chaleur,
l'injection dudit moyen de pontage (186) entre ledit tuyau de congélation (18) et
ledit deuxième tube de forage creux (118') pour établir une condution de chaleur entre
l'extérieur dudit deuxième tube de forage creux (118') et ledit tuyau de congélation
(18).
9. Procédé selon la revendication 8,
caractérisé en ce que ledit volume d'excavation est allongé et
en ce que ledit forage de ladite deuxième tête de forage (120') et ledit deuxième tube de forage
creux (118') dans ledit sol comprenant:
le contrôle de la direction dudit deuxième tube de forage creux (118') et/ou ladite
deuxième tête de forage (120') pour positionner ledit deuxième tube de forage creux
(118') le long dudit volume d'excavation allongé.
10. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9,
caractérisé en ce que ladite surveillance de ladite structure superposée (10) comprend:
la détection de mouvements et/ou déplacements de ladite structure superposée (10),
et/ou
la détection de changements des charges internes et/ou de la distribution de charges
interns de ladite structure superposée (10).
11. Procédé selon la revendication 2 ou n'importe quelle revendication dépendant de la
revendication 2,
caractérisé par ladite création de ladite paroi imperméable à l'eau (30) pour chacune de ladite pluralité
de tuyaux de compensation (22) comprenant:
la fourniture d'une première perceuse (32) ayant un premier diamètre,
le forage d'un premier trou (134) à travers la paroi en béton (30) avec ladite première
perceuse (32),
le mesurage de la largeur de ladite paroi en béton (30) à travers ledit premier trou
(34),
la fourniture d'une fraise circulaire (38) ayant un deuxième diamètre qui est supérieur
audit premier diamètre,
la coupe d'un deuxième trou (40) dans ladite paroi en béton (30) soit auprès dudit
premier trou (34), soit centré sur celui-ci, et ayant une longueur qui est inférieure
à la largeur de ladite paroi en béton (30), ledit deuxième trou (34) ayant une ouverture
et en fond opposé (42),
le scellement de ladite ouverture dudit deuxième trou (34) avec un premier écluse
(106) afin de permettre un accès d'étanchéité audit deuxième trou (40),
la fourniture d'une deuxième fraise circulaire (102) ayant un troisième diamètre qui
est supérieur audit premier diamètre et inférieur audit deuxième diamètre,
l'introduction de ladite deuxième fraise circulaire (102) dans ledit deuxième trou
(40) à travers ledit premier écluse (106) et le coupage d'un troisème trou (110) avec
ladite deuxième fraise circulaire (102) dans ledit fond (42) dudit deuxième trou (40)
ayant une longueur qui est supérieure à la différence entre la longueur dudit deuxième
trou et la largeur de ladite paroi en béton,
la retraction de ladite deuxième fraise circulaire (102), et
la fermeture dudit premier écluse (106) pour empêcher que l'eau souterraine et/ou
des particules du sol s'échappe(nt) par ladite paroi en béton (30).
12. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications dépendant de la revendication 2
comme la revendication 6,
caractérisé par ladite création de ladite paroi imperméable à l'eau (30) pour chacune de ladite pluralité
de tuyaux de congélation (18) comprenant:
la fourniture d'une quatrième perceuse (32) ayant un quatrième diamètre,
le forage d'un quatrième trou (34) à travers ladite paroi en béton (30) avec ledit
quatrième perceuse,
le mesurage de la largeur de ladite paroi en béton à travers ledit quatrième trou
(34),
la fourniture d'une troisième fraise circulaire (38) ayant un cinquième diamètre qui
est supérieur audit quatrième diamètre,
le coupage d'un cinquième trou (40) dans ladite paroi en béton (30), soit auprès dudit
quatrième trou (34), soit centré sur celui-ci, et ayant une longueur qui est inférieure
à la largeur de ladite paroi en béton (30), ledit cinquième trou (40) ayant une ouverture
et un fond opposé (42),
le scellement de ladite ouverture dudit cinquième trou (40) avec un deuxième écluse
(106) afin de permettre en accès d'étanchéité audit cinquième trou (40),
la fourniture d'une quatrième fraise circulaire (102) ayant un sixième diamètre qui
est supérieur audit quatrième diamètre et inférieur audit cinquième diamètre,
l'introduction de ladite quatrième fraise circulaire (102) dans ledit cinquième trou
(40) à travers ledit deuxième écluse (106) et le coupage d'un sixième trou (110) avec
ladite quatrième fraise circulaire (102) dans ledit fond dudit cinquième trou (40)
ayant une longueur qui est supérieure à la différence entre la longueur du cinquième
trou et la largeur de ladite paroi en béton (30),
la retraction de ladite quatrième fraise circulaire (102), et
la fermeture dudit deuxième écluse (106) pour empêcher que l'eau souterraine et/ou
des particules du sol s'echappente à travers ladite paroi en béton (30).