Other

Jianguo Fan

Dongyuan Wang

Jixiang Li

Ying Han

Long Shi

The present invention of damping segmental ring structure for subway tunnels built in grim environments of deformable ground can mitigate the stress-concentration of the tunnel lining structures. The deformable ground can be caused by differential settlement or high-intensity earthquakes. Embodiments of the invention have self-adjustment features and forms for deformation and rotation, which comprise one adapter in the middle, two transitional grooved segmental structures, and an internal steel tube. All three forms comprised 3 or 4 pieces with the same features so they can be easily installed, transported and erected on sites and bolts are used to bolt them together to form an integrity structure with damping characteristics. The damper placed in the middle comprises two loading plates that form the shell of the damper, the internal core of the damper which includes interbedded installed rubber pads and steel plates within the loading plates and spring systems that compress the internal core. The springs are locked to the loading plates using locking clamps and the loading plates are bolted to the transitional grooved segmental ring structures, and the transitional grooved segmental ring structures are bolted themselves in the circumferential direction to form a ring structure and bolted with the regular segmental ring structures in the longitudinal direction. The internal steel tube is concentric with the damper but has a smaller diameter so it can support the damper by fastening the counter-reaction bolts installed in the bent-up flanges of each piece. Waterproof anti-slippery rubber pads are placed in all interfaces between the damper, and the transitional segmental ring structure, the regular segmental ring structure and the internal steel tube. The invention of the damping segmental ring structure has self-adjustment capabilities for deformation and rotation whereas the stiffness remains sufficient to resist soil and groundwater pressure. The invented damping segmental ring structure can be manufactured in factories that manufacture the regular segmental ring structure and can be shipped to and installed on-site using the same equipment that installs the regular segmental ring structure. The internal steel tube provides double-safety for the stiffness of the damper and the supports can be adjusted during tunnel operations.

Growing community of inventors

Tianjin, China

Jianguo Fan