Modular assembly for draining water from a joint or crack

Abstract

Drainage tile for water inflow from a joint or crack positioned on a structure, comprising a longitudinal channel (7) extending between first and second ends (2a, 2b) of the drainage tile (2) and intended to be positioned opposite the joint or crack, two fixing fins (8, 9) arranged on either side of the longitudinal channel (7) for positioning and fixing the drainage tile (2) on the structure, and a visual inspection zone for the condition of the joint or crack made of transparent material encompassing all or part of the longitudinal channel (7). Figure for abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Modular assembly for draining water from a joint or crack

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to water infiltration into a joint or into a crack, in particular a joint or crack present in a tunnel or other underground space and relates, in particular, to the drainage of water inflows from a joint or such a crack.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a modular drainage assembly for a joint or crack, such as a joint or crack present in a tunnel or underground space.

[0003] The construction of a railway or road tunnel, or other underground space, requires the assembly of a plurality of curved segments, for example made of prefabricated concrete or cast concrete, reinforced or not.

[0004] A joint separates each pair of adjacent curved segments.

[0005] Some cracks may also appear over time.

[0006] These joints and cracks are subject to water infiltration, such as rainwater, water from groundwater, or even from leaking sewers, so the installation of a waterproofing system is required.

[0007] Conventionally, a sealing device can be applied to the extrados, that is to say on the external side of the structure, covering the entire surface of the concrete and the joints.

[0008] In the majority of cases, when water infiltration occurs, it penetrates the concrete lining, as well as a possible defect in the sealing device if present, causing water leaks into the tunnel enclosure, at the joints or the crack. This results in damage to the material and equipment, such as electrical and electronic devices, rails, ventilation, etc., and involves inconvenience for users.

[0009] It is therefore necessary to collect and channel the water running along the vaults and piers of tunnels or other underground spaces and divert it away from sensitive and used equipment.

[0010] Some existing drainage solutions, such as flexible bridging systems, require gluing. Their application requires a setting time.

[0011] Other drainage devices consisting of profiles are embedded in the concrete.

[0012] Given the presence of various residues such as limestone in the water, the drainage devices can become blocked and dirty. An operation maintenance must be carried out so that the drainage device performs its function again and eliminates water leaks.

[0013] It is not possible to assess their fouling rate without dismantling them, and dismantling them is laborious.

[0014] In the case of built-in devices, their dismantling also involves breaking the concrete structure.

[0015] The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks and to propose a drainage solution making it possible to divert water leaks coming from a joint or a crack positioned on a structure, in particular a tunnel or other underground space, facilitating the inspection of the state of the joint or crack and easily applicable and removable.

[0016] There is therefore proposed a drainage tile for water inflow from a joint or crack positioned on a structure, comprising a longitudinal channel extending between first and second ends of the drainage tile and intended to be positioned opposite the joint or crack, two fixing fins arranged on either side of the longitudinal channel for positioning and fixing the drainage tile on the structure, and a zone for visual inspection of the state of the joint or crack made of transparent material encompassing all or part of the longitudinal channel.

[0017] Preferably, the longitudinal channel and the fixing fins form a single-piece structure formed by the transparent material.

[0018] Advantageously, the drainage tile may comprise a material having fire resistance properties.

[0019] Preferably, the drainage tile has a reaction to fire of class Ml according to the NF EN 13-501-1 standard for classification and resistance to fire.

[0020] Advantageously, the drainage tile may comprise a material having corrosion resistance properties.

[0021] Advantageously, the drainage tile may comprise a material having electrical insulation properties.

[0022] Preferably, the transparent material is made of plastic.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the transparent material may be polycarbonate.

[0024] Advantageously, the longitudinal channel may comprise a section of increasing width and / or depth between the first and second ends of the drainage tile.

[0025] In one embodiment, the drainage tile may comprise a generally parallelepiped shape including two corners on the first end and two corners on the second end, the drainage tile comprising a corner cutout of the two corners of the first end.

[0026] The invention also relates to a modular assembly for the drainage of inlets water from a joint or crack positioned on a structure, including:

[0027] an assembly of a plurality of drainage tiles as described above, the drainage tiles being positioned one after the other and assembled by partial overlap between two adjacent drainage tiles, the assembly of the longitudinal channels of the plurality of drainage tiles forming a water runoff path, and

[0028] means for removable attachment of the fixing fins to the structure.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first end of each drainage tile may at least partially overlap the second end of an adjacent drainage tile, each drainage tile being positioned above the next drainage tile.

[0030] Other aims, advantages and characteristics will emerge from the description which follows, given purely for illustrative purposes and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] illustrates a modular assembly for the drainage of water inflows from a joint or of a crack according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0032] [Fig.2] illustrates a drainage tile of a modular assembly for the drainage of water coming from a joint or a crack according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Furthermore, the expression “at least one” used in the present description is equivalent to the expression “one or more”.

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates a modular assembly 1 for the drainage of water inflows from a joint or a crack, the joint or crack being positioned on a structure.

[0035] In the example illustrated, the modular assembly 1 is intended to be applied to the intrados of a lining of a tunnel or an underground space in order to drain water leaks coming from a joint or a crack.

[0036] The modular assembly 1 comprises an assembly of a plurality of drainage tiles 2 positioned one after the other.

[0037] The drainage tiles 2 are assembled by partial overlap, so that each drainage tile is partially covered by an adjacent drainage tile.

[0038] In the illustrated example, each drainage tile 2, a detailed view of which is shown in [Fig.2], comprises a generally rectangular shape comprising a first end 2a and a second end 2b opposite the first end 2a.

[0039] Of course, it may be provided that the drainage tile 2 comprises a general parallelepiped shape different from a rectangle, or a shape different from a parallelepiped.

[0040] Each drainage tile 2 may have two corners 3 and 4 on the first end 2a and two corners 5 and 6 on the second end 2b.

[0041] Each drainage tile 2 comprises a longitudinal channel 7 extending from the first end 2a to the second end 2b of the drainage tile 2.

[0042] The longitudinal channel 7 is intended to be positioned opposite a joint or a crack subject to water infiltration.

[0043] The longitudinal channel 7 opens onto the first end 2a and the second end 2b of the drainage tile 2, and is open along the length of the drainage tile 2 so as to be able to be positioned opposite the joint or the crack and form a gutter to collect the water which escapes therefrom.

[0044] In addition, the drainage tile 2 comprises two fixing fins 8 and 9 arranged on either side of the longitudinal channel 7 for positioning and fixing the drainage tile 2 on the structure.

[0045] Furthermore, the drainage tile 2 comprises a visual inspection zone of the condition of the joint or crack encompassing all or part of the longitudinal channel.

[0046] The visual inspection area of ​​the condition of the joint or crack is made of transparent material so that a visual inspection of the joint or crack can be carried out through the drainage tile 2, without disassembly.

[0047] By transparent material is meant a material having a light transmission coefficient greater than or equal to 75%.

[0048] Preferably, the thickness of the visual inspection zone is between 1 mm and 1 cm, more preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0049] The visual inspection area of ​​the condition allows to evaluate the infiltration rate of the joint or crack, or to diagnose future pathologies.

[0050] The transparency of the visual inspection zone of the condition of the joint or crack makes it possible to detect fouling or scaling of the longitudinal channel 7 of the drainage tile 2 and to determine a potential need for maintenance. The visual inspection zone makes it possible to consider the need for cleaning, for example by hydro-cleaning, of the drainage tiles 2 of the modular assembly 1 and to verify its effectiveness. It also makes it possible to consider replacing a drainage tile 2.

[0051] Preferably, the drainage tile 2 comprises a material having fire resistance properties.

[0052] Preferably, the drainage tile 2 comprises a material having a reaction to fire of class Ml according to the NF EN 13-501-1 standard for classification and resistance to fire. This allows the modular assembly 1 to meet the requirements and regulations provided for in terms of safety for underground structures.

[0053] Preferably, the drainage tile 2 comprises a material having corrosion resistance properties so that the modular assembly 1 can withstand salts or other corrosive conditions in the surrounding environment of the underground structure.

[0054] Preferably, the drainage tile 2 comprises a material having electrical insulation properties in order to avoid the creation of electric arcs.

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment, the transparent material of the visual inspection zone of the state of the joint or crack may be made of plastic.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plastic material of the visual inspection zone of the state of the joint or the crack can be chosen from polycarbonate or polyvinyl chloride.

[0057] Preferably, the polyvinyl chloride is a polyvinyl chloride modified to be flame retardant, with a reaction to fire M1, for example by a mass flame retardant process.

[0058] Advantageously, the longitudinal channel 7 and the fixing fins 8 and 9 form a single-piece structure formed by the transparent material of the visual inspection zone of the state of the joint or crack. This makes it easier to manufacture the drainage tile 2 while forming a visual inspection zone. In addition, the transparency of the entire longitudinal channel 7 facilitates visual inspection of the state of the joint or crack.

[0059] The one-piece structure can be made of plastic, which facilitates the manufacture of the drainage tile 2 and reduces its cost. In addition, a drainage tile 2 made of plastic has mechanical strength and corrosion resistance properties that are particularly advantageous for application in an underground space. A drainage tile 2 made of plastic also has electrical insulation properties that are particularly advantageous for preventing the formation of electric arcs.

[0060] According to one example, the drainage tile 2 may be made of polycarbonate, which is particularly advantageous for its transparency, as well as its mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and reaction to fire Ml properties compatible with application in an underground space. In addition, the polycarbonate may be slightly deformed to adapt to the convex surface of a tunnel or other underground space.

[0061] The application of the modular assembly 1 is carried out by laying a plurality of drainage tiles 2 opposite a joint or a crack in a structure, one after the other. The number of drainage tiles 2 can be adapted according to the length of the joint or crack.

[0062] In the assembled position, the drainage tiles form the modular assembly 1. Partial covering

[0063] In the illustrated example, the first end 2a of each drainage tile 2 covers the second end 2b of an adjacent drainage tile 2. Each drainage tile is advantageously positioned above the next adjacent drainage tile 2.

[0064] In order to allow partial overlap between adjacent drainage tiles 2, the longitudinal channel 7 may comprise a section of increasing width between the first and second ends 2a and 2b of the drainage tile 2.

[0065] According to an alternative, the longitudinal channel 7 may have a depth-increasing section between the first and second ends 2a and 2b of the drainage tile 2.

[0066] According to another alternative, the longitudinal channel 7 may have a width- and depth-increasing section between the first and second ends 2a and 2b of the drainage tile 2.

[0067] In the example illustrated in [Fig.2], the drainage tile 2 is a one-piece structure and the longitudinal channel 7 has a U-shaped section whose ends open out into fixing fins 8 and 9.

[0068] The modular assembly 1 further comprises means for removable attachment of the attachment fins 8 and 9 to the structure so as to attach each drainage tile 2 on either side of the joint or crack. The removable attachment means make it possible to dismantle a drainage tile, several drainage tiles 2, or even the entire modular assembly 1, in order to be able to carry out a maintenance step quickly and simply.

[0069] Advantageously, means for removable attachment of the attachment fins 8 and 9 to the structure comprise mechanical attachment means, such as for example screws or nails propelled by gas or powder.

[0070] Such mechanical fixing means resist the suction caused by the passage of a train in a tunnel.

[0071] Advantageously, each drainage tile 2 can comprise a set of orifices for receiving removable fixing means.

[0072] In the example illustrated, each fixing fin 8, 9 has two fixing holes 10, 11 and 12, 13.

[0073] The modular assembly 1 can be applied quickly to the work and in a single phase, without the need for setting time. It is therefore compatible with applications that are very constrained in terms of time and organization.

[0074] When the drainage tiles 2 are assembled and fixed to the structure, the plurality of longitudinal channels 7 positioned one after the other forms a water runoff path, channeling and diverting water leaks from the joint or crack.

[0075] In the illustrated example, two corners 5 and 6 of the second end 2b are right angles, and two corners 3 and 4 of the first end 2a each comprise an angle cutout.

[0076] According to one example, the two corners 3 and 4 of the first end 2a comprise a 45° angle cutout.

[0077] Cutting the angles of the corners 3 and 4 of the first end 2a allows disassembly of each drainage tile 2 by sliding, without affecting and damaging the adjacent drainage tiles 2.

[0078] Once the modular assembly 1 is applied, the visual inspection area of ​​the condition of the joint or crack allows for rapid inspection of the joint or crack without disassembly.

[0079] A drainage tile 2 of the modular assembly 1 can be easily dismantled to introduce a hydro-cleaning nozzle into the runoff path formed by the assembly of the longitudinal channels 7 so as to clean it in the event of fouling.

Claims

Claims

1. Drainage tile for water inflow from a joint or crack positioned on a structure, comprising a longitudinal channel (7) extending between first and second ends (2a, 2b) of the drainage tile (2) and intended to be positioned opposite the joint or crack, two fixing fins (8, 9) arranged on either side of the longitudinal channel (7) for positioning and fixing the drainage tile (2) on the structure, and a zone for visual inspection of the state of the joint or crack made of transparent material encompassing all or part of the longitudinal channel (7).

2. A tile according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal channel (7) and the fixing fins (8, 9) form a single-piece structure formed by the transparent material.

3. Tile according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a material having fire resistance properties, preferably having a reaction to fire of class Ml according to the NF EN 13-501-1 standard for classification and resistance to fire.

4. A tile according to any preceding claim, comprising a material having corrosion resistant properties.

5. A tile according to any preceding claim, wherein the transparent material is plastic.

6. A tile according to any preceding claim, wherein the transparent material is polycarbonate.

7. A tile according to any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal channel (7) has a section of increasing width and / or depth between the first and second ends (2a, 2b) of the drainage tile (2).

8. A tile according to any preceding claim, comprising a generally parallelepiped shape including two corners (3, 4) on the first end (2a) and two corners (5, 6) on the second end (2b), the drainage tile (2) comprising a corner cutout of the two corners (3, 4) of the first end (2b).

9. Modular assembly for draining water inflows from a joint or crack positioned on a structure, comprising: an assembly of a plurality of drainage tiles (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, the drainage tiles (2) being positioned one after the other and assembled by partial overlap between two adjacent drainage tiles (2), the assembly of the longitudinal channels (7) of the plurality of drainage tiles (2) forming a water runoff path, and means for removable fixing of the fixing fins (8, 9) on the structure.

10. A modular assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first end (2a) of each drainage tile (2) at least partially overlaps the second end (2b) of an adjacent drainage tile (2), each drainage tile (2) being positioned above the next drainage tile (2).

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