| 摘要 |
<p>The invention relates to a constructional element such as a tunnel lining 1, part of which is shown in the drawing, comprising adjacent segments 2 and 3 which have facing surfaces 4 and 5 between which there is a joint 6 which is physically deformable under load. The joint comprises a toroidal body or tube 7 of substantially circular cross section received in complementary or semi-circular facing recesses (8, 9) in the surfaces 4 and 5 respectively, and comprises a flexible material such as polypropylene and which has means in the form of a nozzle 10 for gaining access to the interior of the body 7. The body 7 is initially filled with a fluid, which could be a liquid or gas, through the nozzle 10, which can then be maintained in the body 7 by closing the nozzle 10 as by a valve. When ground in which the tunnel is set has settled, the joint 6 is "locked up" by passing a flowable settable material such as a cementitious mortar material 11 from a grout pump into the body, which thereby displaces the fluid which passes out of the body 7 through an outlet which may be part of the nozzle 10, may be a separate nozzle, or may be the bleed valve. <IMAGE></p> |
