Patent ID: 6328501
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: E21D

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a tunnel or shaft lining or pipeline segments, wherein each segment comprises a concrete body having an extrados surface, an intrados surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides, the ends and sides providing edge portions, the segments being adapted to be connected to further similar segments with edge portions adjacent edge portions of adjacent segments, the method including,providing a reinforcing material including integral edge parts and overlapping flanges, the reinforcing material further including embedded fibres each extending in a same direction as the reinforcing material edge parts;enveloping, as the concrete body is cast, the ends or sides of at least a pair of segments in the reinforcing material with the integral edge parts and overlapping flanges and with the embedded fibres all extending in the direction of the edge portion to be reinforced, the edge parts of the reinforcing material being adjacent one of the ends and sides of the concrete body, the overlapping flanges being adjacent the intrados and extrados surfaces, the intrados and extrados surfaces being substantially uncovered by the overlapping flanges; andonce the concrete body has cured, connecting the segments together with one of each of their enveloped ends or sides adjacent, and sealing between the enveloped ends or sides.