Patent GB-1524549-A (GB)
Title: Method of and apparatus for handling and erecting builtup steel section supporting frames in large section underground roadways or tunnels
IPC: E21D11/40
Filed: 1975-12-02
Abstract: 1524549 Tunnels etc; positioning arches BOCHUMER EISENHUTTE HEINTZMANN & CO 2 Dec 1975 [23 Dec 1974] 49553/75 Headings E1E and E1F A large section underground roadway or tunnel driven by drilling and blasting, particularly a sloping roadway or tunnel, is provided with a lining consisting of supporting arches and lagging (e.g. of mesh) utilising a working cradle 5 which can move along guide rails 7 fixed to the supporting arches already in position in the tunnel and which can be moved towards and away from the face 2 by a winch 8 carried by a winching cradle 6 (which can move along and be locked to the rails 7), the crown 56 and upper side sections 48 of two consecutive arches being preassembled with the lagging (not shown) on the working cradle 5 at a retracted location clear of the effects of blasting, the cradle 5 then being advanced to erect the preassembled components together with the lower side sections 58 and floor sections 59, if provided. As described the working cradle 5 has two tiers 12, 21 which are used for working platforms for the drilling and shotfiring work, a jib crane 27 which can be skewed about its vertical axis, a lifting beam 32 pivoted to the cradle at 31 and which can be raised by ram 33 and acts as a track for an assembly table 38, and a pair of flap-type pallets 39 which act as assembly jigs for the upper side sections 48 In operation, with the working cradle 5 in its retracted position away from the face 2 and while rubble is being removed by conveyor 54, the crown sections 56 of two arches are preassembled on the assembly table 38 which is on the floor 53 behind the cradle 5, the crown sections 56 being bolted together and provided with lagging. The assembly table 38 carrying the preassembled crown sections 56 is then lifted onto the track on the lifting beam 32 by crane 27 and is moved by hand to the front end of the beam 32 adjacent the roof 30. At the same time the lower side sections 58 are placed on the lower tier 21, the floor sections 59 are slung below the cradle 5 and the upper side sections 48 are preassembled, one after the other, on the pallets 39. The pallets 39 have pockets for the ends of the arch members and U-shaped holders for the middles of the arch members, the arches and lagging being assembled on the pallets 39 while they are horizontal. The pallets 39 can then be swung upwardly about hinges 43 by hoists 43 and cables 42, the top end of the sections 48 then being joined to the crown sections 56 by connectors 61 cradle 5 is then advanced to its position adjacent the face and the beam 32 is raised to move the crown sections 56 into contact providing limited flexibility. The working with the roof 30 and to lift the ends of the sections 48 from the pockets in the pallets 39. The side sections 48 can then be swung outwardly into contact with the side walls 45, 46. The floor sections 39 and lower side sections 58 are then placed in position and joined to the upper side sections 48 to complete the arch. Concrete may be sprayed over the supports to complete the tunnel lining.