Patent ID: 8231306
Filing Date: 2012-07-31
Classification: E21D

Abstract:
1. A method for determining propulsion force that is effective in a predetermined pipe element of a pipeline in a process for laying a pipeline into the ground by laying successive pipe elements including a most rearward pipe element at one end and a controllable header piece at the other end and advancing the pipe elements in a predetermined direction by means of a pressing device resting on an abutment, wherein the most rearward pipe element is pressed by the pressing device to advance it and the entire pipeline stepwise, pressing the most rearward element in the predetermined direction until a next pipe element can be inserted, then retracting the pressing device and inserting a new pipe element as the most rearward pipe element and driving it in the predetermined direction with said pressing device, repeating the above sequence until a last pipe element is advanced, comprising the steps of: a) aligning a plurality of pipe elements including said predetermined pipe element end-to-end to form a pipeline, wherein the most rearward pipe element is located to receive a pressing force applied to it by a pressing device resting on an abutment for pushing the entire pipeline in the advance direction by a length of at least one pipe element, b) measuring a fluid pressure in an expansion element in the form of a hollow profile provided in a joint between said predetermined pipe element and a further pipe element, said hollow profile being filled with a pressure-resistant fluid, c) measuring a deformation of said joint by at least three local expansion measurements, d) calculating geometric data of an expansion plane of said joint from said at least three local measurements, and e) determining size and eccentricity of the propulsion force for advance of the entire pipeline in relation to a neutral axis or to an advance direction from said measuring of the fluid pressure and from the geometric data of the expansion plane.