Sealing structure of abandoned underground chamber
By using a multi-layered sealing structure and a combination of wire mesh cages and graded crushed stone layers, the problem of incomplete sealing and complex construction in the existing technology for sealing abandoned underground chambers is solved, achieving a low-cost and efficient sealing effect that is suitable for complex geological environments.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA WATER RESOURCES BEIFANG INVESTIGATION DESIGN & RES CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies are difficult to form an effective sealing barrier when sealing abandoned underground chambers, especially in complex geological environments. They cannot prevent groundwater infiltration and gas diffusion in the long term, and grouting technology is costly and complex to construct.
It adopts a multi-layer sealing structure, including an outer wire mesh cage and a multi-graded crushed stone layer. Through the nesting of the wire mesh cage and the combination of graded crushed stone, a multi-layer sealing design from drainage to compaction is formed, and common crushed stone materials are used to achieve low-cost and high-efficiency sealing.
While ensuring sealing and stability, it achieves low-cost and efficient sealing, reduces construction complexity and cost, provides a long-term sealing environment, and prevents groundwater infiltration and gas diffusion.
Smart Images

Figure CN224174146U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sealing technology for abandoned underground chambers, and in particular to a sealing structure for abandoned underground chambers. Background Technology
[0002] With the widespread development and application of modern underground engineering, numerous underground chambers play a vital role in resource extraction, transportation construction, and energy storage. However, when some chambers are abandoned due to reaching the end of their service life, changes in project planning, or loss of economic value, improper handling can lead to a series of serious environmental and safety problems.
[0003] Currently, the sealing of abandoned underground chambers mainly employs simple filling materials or grouting techniques. Simple filling materials typically involve directly filling with soil and rock. While this method is simple to operate and low-cost, it struggles to form an effective sealing barrier under complex geological and hydrological conditions, failing to prevent groundwater infiltration and gas diffusion in the long term. Grouting, while improving sealing performance to some extent, suffers from high costs and complex construction processes. Furthermore, its effectiveness is difficult to guarantee under certain geological conditions, such as highly porous and permeable strata. Therefore, developing a low-cost, high-efficiency sealing technology for abandoned underground chambers in complex environments is urgently needed. This is crucial for ensuring ecological safety, maintaining soil and rock stability, and preventing potential safety hazards. Utility Model Content
[0004] In order to effectively solve the problems in the background art mentioned above, this utility model proposes a sealing structure for abandoned underground chambers.
[0005] The specific technical solution is as follows:
[0006] A sealing structure for an abandoned underground chamber, comprising:
[0007] The outer wire cage is in direct contact with the inner wall of the chamber;
[0008] A coarse-graded crushed stone layer is filled inside the outer wire mesh cage;
[0009] The intermediate wire mesh cage is laid close to the coarse-graded crushed stone layer and is divided into upper and lower layers and fixed by wire binding.
[0010] A medium-grade crushed stone layer is used to fill the interior of the intermediate wire mesh cage;
[0011] The inner wire mesh cage is laid close to the intermediate grade crushed stone layer and is divided into upper and lower layers and fixed by wire binding.
[0012] A fine-graded crushed stone layer is used to fill the interior of the inner wire mesh cage;
[0013] The outer wire cage, the middle wire cage, and the inner wire cage are nested in sequence, and the particle size of the coarse-graded crushed stone layer, the medium-graded crushed stone layer, and the fine-graded crushed stone layer decreases from the outside to the inside.
[0014] Preferably, the upper and lower layers of the intermediate wire mesh cage and the inner wire mesh cage are tied together at intervals, and the tying interval is smaller than the particle size of the inner and outer layers of graded crushed stone.
[0015] Preferably, clay may be mixed into the fine-graded crushed stone layer.
[0016] Preferably, the mesh size of the outer wire mesh cage, the middle wire mesh cage, and the inner wire mesh cage is smaller than the minimum particle size of the inner layer graded crushed stone and the minimum particle size of the outer layer graded crushed stone, respectively.
[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This structure adopts a multi-layered sealing design, consisting of coarse-graded crushed stone, medium-graded crushed stone, fine-graded crushed stone, and wire mesh cages working together. The coarse-graded crushed stone, positioned close to the tunnel wall, can quickly drain groundwater, reducing the impact of water pressure on the sealing structure. The medium-graded crushed stone possesses moderate density, permeability, and compressive strength, further blocking water flow and withstanding certain pressure. The fine-graded crushed stone is used for dense filling, enhancing the water-tightening effect. This multi-layered combination, from drainage and water-tightening to dense filling, effectively prevents groundwater infiltration and gas diffusion, providing a long-term stable sealing environment for abandoned chambers. Compared to existing sealing technologies that rely on simple filling materials or grouting, this invention's multi-layered sealing structure utilizes common crushed stone materials, resulting in lower costs. Simultaneously, the construction steps are relatively clear and easy to operate, reducing complex construction processes and high construction costs. While ensuring sealing and stability, it achieves low-cost, high-efficiency sealing, improving economic benefits. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0019] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways, rotated 90 degrees, or in other orientations, and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.
[0020] The specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Figure 1 As shown, this utility model proposes a sealing structure for abandoned underground caverns, which adopts a multi-layer sealing design. The structure includes: an outer wire mesh cage 1 that directly contacts the cavern wall; inside the outer wire mesh cage 1 are, in sequence, a coarse-graded crushed stone layer 2, an intermediate wire mesh cage 3, a medium-graded crushed stone layer 4, an inner wire mesh cage 5, and a fine-graded crushed stone layer 6.
[0021] The coarse-graded crushed stone layer 2, located near the tunnel wall, provides good drainage; the medium-graded crushed stone layer 4, situated in the middle, possesses moderate density while also offering permeability and compressive strength; the innermost fine-graded crushed stone layer 6 is used for dense filling, enhancing its waterproofing effect. The intermediate wire mesh cage 3 and the inner wire mesh cage 5 are both divided into upper and lower layers, bound together with wire to secure the various grades of crushed stone.
[0022] The construction method is as follows:
[0023] S1: Structural Design. Based on the results of geological exploration and hydrogeological tests, and considering factors such as the actual size, shape, and usage history of the abandoned underground chamber, the gradation ratio and thickness of the crushed stone are precisely designed. For example, if the groundwater around the chamber is abundant and the water pressure is high, the thickness of the coarse-graded crushed stone layer is appropriately increased to enhance drainage capacity; if the rock and soil mass has poor stability, the gradation ratio of the medium-graded crushed stone layer is adjusted to improve its compressive strength.
[0024] S2: Wire cage laying and graded crushed stone filling
[0025] S21: Laying the outer wire mesh cage 1 and filling with the coarse-graded crushed stone layer 2: Select the outer wire mesh cage 1 with a mesh size of less than 40mm, cut and splice it according to the shape of the inner wall of the chamber, ensuring that the outer wire mesh cage 1 fits tightly against the inner wall of the chamber. Start laying from the bottom of the chamber and gradually extend upwards, taking care to fix the outer wire mesh cage 1 during the laying process to prevent its displacement. Evenly fill the bottom and sides of the outer wire mesh cage 1 with a coarse-graded crushed stone layer 2 with a particle size of 100~300mm. Use a vibrating device to lightly vibrate during filling to make the coarse-graded crushed stone layer 2 evenly distributed and have a certain density, forming a good drainage layer.
[0026] S22: Lay the lower layer of intermediate wire mesh cage 3 with a mesh size of less than 20mm and fill it with a medium-grade crushed stone layer 4 with a particle size of 40~100mm: Lay the lower layer of intermediate wire mesh cage 3 closely next to the coarse-grade crushed stone layer 2. The intermediate wire mesh cage 3 is divided into upper and lower layers, and the lower layer is laid first. Fill the bottom and sides of the lower intermediate wire mesh cage 3 with a medium-grade crushed stone layer 4 with a particle size of 40~100mm. During the filling process, light vibration is also carried out to ensure that the density of the medium-grade crushed stone layer 4 is uniform, so that it has appropriate density, permeability and compressive strength.
[0027] S23: Lay the lower inner layer of wire mesh cage 5 and fill it with a fine-graded crushed stone layer 6 with a particle size of 20~40mm: Lay the lower inner layer of wire mesh cage 5 tightly against the medium-graded crushed stone layer 4, and fill the interior of the lower inner layer of wire mesh cage 5 with a fine-graded crushed stone layer 6 (or clay) to the designed height, ensuring that the fine-graded crushed stone layer 6 is fully compacted to enhance the water-proofing effect. The mesh size of the wire mesh cage 5 is smaller than the minimum particle size of the fine-graded crushed stone layer 6.
[0028] S24: Complete the superstructure construction: Fill the upper part of the chamber with a fine-graded crushed stone layer 6. After reaching a certain height, lay the upper inner wire mesh cage 5 on the outside of the fine-graded crushed stone layer 6. Securely bind the upper and lower inner wire mesh cages 5 with wire to form a whole. Next, fill the outside of the upper inner wire mesh cage 5 with a medium-graded crushed stone layer 4. After filling, lay the upper intermediate wire mesh cage 3 and bind the upper and lower intermediate wire mesh cages 3 with wire. Finally, fill the outside of the upper intermediate wire mesh cage 3 and the inside of the outer wire mesh cage 1 with a coarse-graded crushed stone layer 2 to complete the filling construction of the entire sealed structure. During the filling of each grade of crushed stone, use measuring tools to check the laying thickness at any time to ensure that the laying thickness of each grade of crushed stone is uniform and the error is controlled within the allowable range.
[0029] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A sealing structure for an abandoned underground chamber, characterized in that, include: The outer wire cage (1) is in direct contact with the inner wall of the chamber; A coarse-graded crushed stone layer (2) is filled inside the outer wire mesh cage (1); The middle wire cage (3) is laid close to the coarse graded crushed stone layer (2) and is divided into upper and lower layers and fixed by wire binding. A medium-grade crushed stone layer (4) is filled inside the intermediate wire mesh cage (3); The inner wire cage (5) is laid close to the intermediate grade crushed stone layer (4) and is divided into upper and lower layers and fixed by wire binding. A fine-graded crushed stone layer (6) is filled inside the inner wire mesh cage (5); The outer wire cage (1), the middle wire cage (3), and the inner wire cage (5) are nested in sequence, and the particle size of the coarse-graded crushed stone layer (2), the medium-graded crushed stone layer (4), and the fine-graded crushed stone layer (6) decreases from the outside to the inside.
2. The sealing structure for abandoned underground chambers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper and lower layers of the intermediate wire mesh cage (3) and the inner wire mesh cage (5) are tied together at intervals, with the tying interval being smaller than the particle size of the inner and outer layers of graded crushed stone.
3. The sealing structure for abandoned underground chambers according to claim 1, characterized in that: Clay may be mixed in the fine-graded crushed stone layer (6).
4. The sealing structure for abandoned underground chambers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mesh sizes of the outer wire mesh cage (1), the middle wire mesh cage (3), and the inner wire mesh cage (5) are smaller than the minimum particle size of the inner layer graded crushed stone and the minimum particle size of the outer layer graded crushed stone, respectively.