Pipe segment protection device for shield construction
The protective device, consisting of support bases, precast segments, and protective pads, solves the problem of damage to segments during transportation and storage in shield tunneling, enabling safe transportation and stable storage of segments in narrow spaces, and improving the overall load-bearing capacity and service life of the tunnel.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHAANXI RAILWAY INST
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
During tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction, tunnel segments are easily damaged during transportation and storage due to limited underground space, collisions, and compression. This can affect the tunnel's load-bearing capacity and waterproofing, increase maintenance costs, and even impact construction safety and the tunnel's service life.
The protective device consists of support bases, precast segments, protective pads, positioning columns, and end caps. Through structures such as slots, positioning grooves, and dampers, it improves the stability and protection of the segments and reduces the impact of collisions and vibrations.
It improves the safety of transporting and storing tunnel segments in narrow spaces, reduces structural damage, enhances tunnel stability and service life, and lowers maintenance costs.
Smart Images

Figure CN224432550U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of shield tunneling technology, specifically to a segment protection device for shield tunneling. Background Technology
[0002] Tunnel segments used in shield tunneling are prefabricated arc-shaped or irregularly shaped components according to design specifications. They are assembled on-site to form the permanent lining structure of the tunnel. The core function of tunnel segments is to withstand the pressure of the surrounding strata, groundwater pressure, and loads during construction, while ensuring the stability, sealing, and durability of the tunnel. Tunnel segments are a core component of the shield tunnel structure.
[0003] In shield tunneling, the limitations of underground space present numerous challenges to the transportation, storage, hoisting, and installation of tunnel segments, potentially causing damage. The narrow spaces in underground tunnels or working faces often mean that segment transport channels are limited to single-track passage. During transport, turns and passing can easily cause segments to scrape and collide with tunnel walls and construction equipment. This is especially true in soft soil formations, where tunnel subsidence can cause the transport frame to tilt, exacerbating segment compression and deformation. During the storage phase of shield tunneling segments, space constraints often necessitate multi-layer stacking. If the support is unstable or the stress is uneven, lower-layer segments are prone to cracking due to compression, and corners are particularly susceptible to damage. All of these factors can lead to structural damage to the segments. Once damaged, segments not only weaken the overall load-bearing capacity of the tunnel but may also cause waterproofing failure, increasing later maintenance costs and even affecting construction safety and the tunnel's lifespan. Utility Model Content
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is that the existing tunnel segments used in shield tunneling are subject to damage during transportation and storage due to limited underground space and the susceptibility to collisions and squeezing. In addition, uneven stress or impact during hoisting and installation can cause cracks, thus affecting the safety of tunnel segment transportation and storage.
[0005] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: a tunnel segment protection device for shield tunneling includes a support base and precast tunnel segments. The top of the support base is provided with a slot for the precast tunnel segments to be snapped in. The surface of the support base near the precast tunnel segments is fixedly connected with a first protective pad to support the precast tunnel segments. The bottom of the support base is fixedly connected with a number of positioning posts. The surface of the support base is provided with a number of positioning grooves for the positioning posts to be inserted. Both ends of the precast tunnel segments are fitted with end caps.
[0006] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: by cooperating with the support base, precast tube segments and the first protective pad, the arc of the slot is adapted to the precast tube segments. The first protective pad is used to buffer and reduce shock while increasing frictional resistance, thereby improving the stability of the support base supporting the precast tube segments. By cooperating with the positioning groove and positioning column, it is convenient to stack the support base and the precast tube segments, thereby improving the stability of the vertical stacking of the precast tube segments and increasing the space utilization rate. The end caps are put on both ends of the precast tube segments to prevent collision, thereby improving the safety of transporting and storing the tube segments in narrow spaces.
[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.
[0008] Furthermore, dampers are fixedly connected to the bottom of several positioning posts, and buffer springs are wound around the outer surface of the dampers.
[0009] Furthermore, the dampers are respectively inserted into the middle of the positioning groove, and the external dimensions of the dampers are adapted to the internal dimensions of the positioning groove.
[0010] Furthermore, each end cap has a slot in the middle, and the two ends of the precast tube segment are respectively inserted into the middle of the slot. The inner side wall of the slot is fixedly connected with a lifting ring.
[0011] Furthermore, a second protective pad is fixedly connected to the top of each end cap, and the second protective pad and the end cap are fixedly connected to form an integral structure.
[0012] Furthermore, the bottom of the support base has several second slots, all of which penetrate the support base.
[0013] Furthermore, the side walls of the support base are provided with several first slots, all of which penetrate the support base for the forklift forks to be inserted.
[0014] Furthermore, anti-slip grooves are provided on the surfaces of both the first protective pad and the lifting ring.
[0015] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solutions are as follows: by combining the damper and the buffer spring, the buffer spring is used to buffer and absorb energy through elastic deformation, and the damper dissipates energy through friction or fluid resistance to suppress the secondary vibration caused by the spring rebound, thereby avoiding damage to the segments due to continuous oscillation and improving the stability of the segment support; by setting a second protective pad, which is directly connected to the hoisting equipment, the stability of the precast segment hoisting is improved. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention. Figure 1 ;
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention. Figure 2 ;
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the end cap structure of this utility model;
[0021] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:
[0022] 1. Support base; 2. Precast segment; 3. Slot; 4. End cap; 5. Positioning slot; 6. Positioning post; 7. First protective pad; 8. Damper; 9. Buffer spring; 10. First slot; 11. Second slot; 12. Slot; 13. Second protective pad; 14. Lifting ring. Detailed Implementation
[0023] The principles and features of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.
[0024] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this application. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise precisely specified.
[0025] like Figure 1-5As shown, the tunnel segment protection device for shield tunneling includes a support base 1 and precast tunnel segments 2. The support base 1 is made of metal and is used for support and limiting. Each support base 1 has a slot 3 at its top for the precast tunnel segments 2 to be engaged. The curvature of the slot 3 matches the external curvature of the precast tunnel segments 2, thereby improving the stability of the support base 1 in supporting the precast tunnel segments 2. The metal support base 1 itself has high strength, providing a stable load-bearing foundation for the precast tunnel segments 2. It can be reused for a long time, reducing equipment replacement costs. A first protective pad 7 is fixedly connected to the surface of the support base 1 near the precast tunnel segments 2 to support the precast tunnel segments 2. The first protective pad 7 is made of silicone rubber and has elasticity to prevent direct collision damage between the precast tunnel segments 2 and the support base 1. Anti-slip grooves are formed on the surface of the first protective pad 7 to increase frictional resistance and reduce the risk of the precast tunnel segments 2 sliding on the support base 1. The first protective pad 7 has a certain degree of elasticity to buffer and dampen vibration, further improving the stability of the precast tunnel segments 2 and the support base 1. The bottom end of the support base 1 is connected via... Several positioning posts 6 are welded and fixed. End caps 4 are fitted at both ends of the precast tube segment 2. The end caps 4 are made of metal to prevent chipping or breakage of the tube segments. The end caps 4 can be used to ensure the integrity of the tube segments and reduce later repair work. Several positioning grooves 5 are opened on the surface of the support base 1 for the positioning posts 6 to be inserted. The external dimensions of the positioning posts 6 are adapted to the internal dimensions of the positioning grooves 5, thereby improving the vertical stacking stability of the support base 1. Through the cooperation of the support base 1, the precast tube segment 2 and the first protective pad 7, the slot 3 increases the support area at the bottom of the precast tube segment 2. The first protective pad 7 is used to buffer and reduce shock and increase frictional resistance, thereby improving the stability of the support base 1 in supporting the precast tube segment 2. Through the cooperation of the positioning grooves 5 and the positioning posts 6, it is convenient to stack the support base 1 and the precast tube segment 2, thereby improving the vertical stacking stability of the precast tube segment 2 and improving space utilization. The end caps 4 are fitted at both ends of the precast tube segment 2 to prevent collision, thereby improving the safety of the tube segments in narrow spaces for transportation and storage.
[0026] like Figure 1-4 As shown, dampers 8 are fixedly connected to the bottom of several positioning posts 6. Buffer springs 9 are wound around the outer surface of each damper 8. The buffer springs 9 absorb impact energy through elastic deformation. For example, the force generated by ground vibration during support can be offset by the spring's extension and contraction, reducing the instantaneous force on the tunnel segment. The dampers 8 dissipate energy through friction or fluid resistance. The dampers 8 suppress the secondary vibration caused by the rebound of the buffer springs 9, preventing damage to the tunnel segment due to continuous oscillation. The dampers 8 are respectively inserted into the middle of the positioning slots 5. The external dimensions of the dampers 8 are adapted to the internal dimensions of the positioning slots 5, improving the efficiency of the installation and positioning of the dampers 8 and buffer springs 9. The dampers 8 and buffer springs 9 work together to effectively buffer collisions and impacts during transportation and installation, preventing damage to the tunnel segment due to continuous oscillation, improving the stability of the tunnel segment support, and protecting the integrity of the tunnel segment structure.
[0027] like Figure 1-5As shown, each end cap 4 has a slot 12 in the middle. The two ends of the precast tube segment 2 are respectively inserted into the middle of the slot 12. Each inner side wall of the slot 12 is fixedly connected to a lifting ring 14. Each lifting ring 14 has an anti-slip groove on its surface to increase friction resistance, thereby improving the stability of the end cap 4 on both ends of the precast tube segment 2. Each end cap 4 has a second protective pad 13 fixedly connected to its top. The second protective pad 13 and the end cap 4 are fixedly connected to form an integral structure. The second protective pad 13 is used to connect the lifting equipment. The lifting equipment is a mechanical device used for lifting and moving heavy objects. It realizes the lifting, moving and precise placement of heavy objects through power drive. Common types include cranes and hoists. The lifting equipment is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.
[0028] like Figure 2-3 As shown, the bottom end of the support base 1 is provided with several second slots 11, all of which penetrate the support base 1, thereby reducing the weight of the support base 1, saving costs, and improving the ease of handling the support base 1. The side walls of the support base 1 are provided with several first slots 10, all of which penetrate the support base 1 for the forklift forks to be inserted. A forklift is an industrial vehicle used for loading, unloading, handling, and stacking goods. It consists of a power unit, a driving system, a lifting mechanism, etc., and is equipped with forks at the front end as the main working component. Forklifts are existing technology and will not be described in detail here.
[0029] Working principle: When using this shield tunneling segment protection device, the operator first moves the device to the designated position so that the four dampers 8 are supported on the ground in sequence. Then, the precast segment 2 is snapped into the inside of the slot 3. The slot 3 increases the support area at the bottom of the precast segment 2. The first protective pad 7 is used to buffer and reduce shock while increasing frictional resistance, thereby improving the stability of the support base 1 supporting the precast segment 2. Then, the end caps 4 are put on both ends of the precast segment 2 to prevent the ends of the precast segment 2 from rotating during transportation and storage. Then, the four dampers 8 are inserted into the middle of the four positioning slots 5 in sequence, thereby improving the convenience of vertical stacking of the support base 1, thereby improving the stability of vertical stacking of the precast segment 2 and improving space utilization. The end caps 4 are put on both ends of the precast segment 2 to prevent collision, thereby improving the safety of transporting and storing the segments in narrow spaces.
[0030] Secondly, the damper 8 and the buffer spring 9 work together to suppress the secondary vibration caused by the rebound of the buffer spring 9, prevent the segments from being damaged by continuous oscillation, improve the stability of the segment support, and protect the integrity of the segment structure.
[0031] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A segment protection device for use in tunnel construction, characterised in that: It includes a support base (1) and a precast tube segment (2). The top of the support base (1) is provided with a slot (3) for the precast tube segment (2) to be snapped in. The surface of the support base (1) near the precast tube segment (2) is fixedly connected with a first protective pad (7) to support the precast tube segment (2). The bottom of the support base (1) is fixedly connected with several positioning posts (6). The surface of the support base (1) is provided with several positioning grooves (5) for the positioning posts (6) to be inserted. The two ends of the precast tube segment (2) are fitted with end caps (4). The bottom ends of several positioning posts (6) are fixedly connected with dampers (8). The outer surface of the dampers (8) is wrapped with buffer springs (9).
2. The segment protection device for tunnel construction according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dampers (8) are respectively inserted into the middle of the positioning groove (5), and the external dimensions of the dampers (8) are adapted to the internal dimensions of the positioning groove (5).
3. The segment protection device for tunnel construction according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each end cap (4) has a slot (12) in the middle. The two ends of the precast tube segment (2) are respectively inserted into the middle of the slot (12). The inner side wall of the slot (12) is fixedly connected with a lifting ring (14).
4. The segment protection device for shield tunneling according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top of the end cap (4) is fixedly connected to the second protective pad (13), and the second protective pad (13) and the end cap (4) are fixedly connected to form an integral structure.
5. The segment protection device for shield tunneling according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom end of the support base (1) is provided with several second slots (11), and the second slots (11) all penetrate the support base (1).
6. The segment protection device for shield tunneling according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sidewalls of the support base (1) are provided with several first slots (10), and the first slots (10) all penetrate the support base (1) for the forklift fork carriage to be inserted.
7. The segment protection device for shield tunneling according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surfaces of the first protective pad (7) and the hanging ring (14) are both provided with anti-slip grooves.