Excavation apparatus and method

摘要

Method and apparatus for facilitating the excavation of an underground region are disclosed. In one aspect the invention involves a support structure (100) for a retaining wall (110) where the retaining wall forms an outer boundary for the underground region (210) to be excavated. The support structure extends inwardly from the retaining wall and over the underground region to be excavated. The support structure further includes an aperture (130) to allow access to said underground region, wherein the aperture is adapted to resist compressive loads exerted by the retaining wall on the support structure thereby supporting the retaining wall during excavation of the underground region.