| C l a i m s 1. A water tight membrane (10) designed for protecting a building construction, a surface or an room against the entry of fluids where the membrane (10) is designed to lie on a surface or against or on the above mentioned building constructions, surfaces, floors, ceilings, linings or walls which define the said opening, comprising a watertight sheet or foil formed body which is configured to lead water away from the membrane (10) over its surface and where the membrane (10) is on at least one side equipped with outward facing studs and/or fins. (12,13), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the said sheet or foil formed membrane (10) along at least one side is being formed with at least one jointing connection (11) preferably extending the whole length of the membrane (10) where at least one jointing connection (11 ) is intended to function together with at least one jointing connection (11) on an adjacent sheet or foil formed membrane (10) thereby assuring a locking of the two adjacent membranes (10, 10') to each other to form preferably a watertight and draining joint. 2. Watertight membrane (10) according to claim 1 , where the said sheet or foil formed body is shaped with such jointing connections (11) also along the body's other edge. 3. Watertight membrane (10) according to claims 1 and 2, where that part of the membrane's (10) edge(s) which are formed with the said indentation are not formed with studs and/or fins (12). 4. Watertight membrane (10) according to claims 1 -3, where the said lengthwise jointing element face the opposite direction to the outward facing studs and/or fins. 5. Watertight membrane (10) according to claims 1 -4, where the said jointing connection(s) (11 ) have a cross section so configured that jointing connections' opening is formed as a lengthwise locking throat with a smaller opening than the jointing connection's inner room. 6. Watertight membrane (10) according to claims 1-5, where the said opening(s) have an oval or circular section. 7. Watertight membrane (10) according to claims 1 -6, where the said opening(s) has/have an almost flat bottom. 8. Watertight membrane (10) according to claims 1 -7, where, in connection with the said joint is arranged a gasket (14) or a glue joint at least along part of the membrane's length, the said gasket possibly can be fastened to one or the other adjacent jointing element (11). 9. Watertight membrane (10) according to clams 1 -8, where the membrane (10) is equipped with a number of ribs (11) arranged in a regular distance from each other along the membranes (10) length, parallel to the indentations (11 ) along the edges and where the membrane (10) is equipped with a net fastened to the opposite side of the membrane surface designed to lead away water. 10. Method for producing a watertight membrane (10) according to claims 1 -9, where the said jointing connection (11) is formed by a ring shaped protrusion facing outwards on a rotating cylinder which forms the sheet or foil formed element. 11. Method according to claim 10, where in connection with the said ring shaped protrusion, arrangements are made to provide a vacuum in the groove in the membrane (10) which is formed by the protruding ring so that a groove is formed with an opening which is narrower than the opening inside. 12. Method for joining a sheet or foil formed element to a corresponding adjacent element of the type described in claims 1 -9, where the groove along one side is placed in the groove of an already installed sheet or foil formed element. 13. Method according to claim 12, where the protrusion in the one element is pressed into the groove in the already installed sheet or foil formed element so that it is pressed past the openings narrow throat and thus locks the two elements in place with the help of the edges forming the lengthwise throat. 14. Use of a membrane according to claims 1 -9, where the membrane (10) is used as shuttering or form work for gunite/sprayed concrete in a tunnel or cave, where the gunite pressed into said grooves (11 ) will function as a rib or stiffener of the thereby produced element. |
The Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a watertight membrane of the type intended to be used for protecting a building construction or space against the penetration of water or of a type intended to drain water from a surface, for example a sports arena, a tunnel lining or wall or the roof of a building.
More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a watertight membrane comprising a watertight plate or foil formed body configured to lead away water along its surface where preferably the membrane on at least one side is equipped with outwards protruding studs and/or fins.
The invention also relates to a method of producing a membrane according to the invention and a method of providing a larger surface by joining two or more membrane sheets.
Background for the Invention
Use of watertight sheets equipped with studs to cover surfaces so that water and damp are hindered from penetrating a building construction such as roofs and the like is already known. It has also previously been suggested to use watertight plates as membranes in the construction of sports arenas such as football fields and the like. In such applications long lengths of such membranes are laid alongside each other in an overlapping pattern.
In such applications it is sometimes necessary to make watertight joints so that water is not allowed to penetrate the membrane at a joint. Watertight joints of this type are often made by welding, for example by heating the membrane with hot air or an open flame. Welding of membranes is often problematical particularly for membranes built up of thin sheets made for example of polyolefines such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Such welding must in addition be carried out manually and the quality of the weld and its tightness can vary significantly, for example due to uneven supporting surface. Thin sheets are thus difficult to weld and requires specialists to perform the operation. Gluing of the two adjacent surfaces has also been suggested, using for example butyl type glue. Unless the temperature conditions are ideal, the surfaces to be joined are clean and dry and the underlying surface are flat and/or that the surfaces are pressed together to ensure good adhesion, joints made in this way tend not to be watertight along their entire length. To ensure that such joints are watertight it has been proved necessary to use mechanical means such as screws in addition to the glue.
It is also known to use watertight membranes to assure that water does not run into the body of a tunnel, but is led along the side of the membrane facing the rock surface. Such membranes are also used as shuttering or underlay for the application of gunite/shotcrete or sprayed concrete.
There is therefore a need for an improved jointing technique which does not require specialist application, which is quick and effective, which is independent of weather conditions and which does not necessarily require a plane or flat working surface in order to achieve a watertight result along the whole length of the joint.
In addition there is a need for a solution which can provide a good bonding for shotcrete or gunite and contribute to an increase in the stability and strength of the membrane when used in this application.
Summary of the invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a building or foundation membrane which is prevented from moving out of position once it has been laid.
Another object of the invention is to provide a connection between two adjacent, interconnected membrane plates which at the same time functions as a sideways barrier which hinders drained and collected water from running in a direction other than that one decided beforehand.
A further object of the invention is to provide a solution which is simple to lay and which at the same time makes it possible to satisfy quality requirements as far as locking and draining effects are concerned. Yet another object of the present invention consists of providing a solution with locking tongues in connection with the already mentioned joint. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method making it possible to produce such a membrane in an inexpensive and simple fashion where it is possible to produce a joint with a narrow opening and an area within of a greater cross section so that the opening can function as a locking edge. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for establishing a locking and tight joint between at least two adjacently place membranes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking and watertight joint between at least two adjacent membranes.
Yet a further object is to provide a membrane with a jointing connection which gives good drainage, a good bonding for shotcrete or gunite which is applied when used in tunnels and rock caves and which also contributes to the structural stiffness and strength during and after application.
The objects of the present invention are achieved with a membrane and a procedure more closely defined in the independent claims whilst the different embodiments of the invention are also defined in the dependent claims.
According to the invention the watertight membrane, preferably in the form of a sheet or foil formed body is, at least on one side formed with at least one jointing connection preferably extending along the body's whole length and where at least one jointing connection is intended to function together with at least one correspon- ding jointing connection on an adjacent plate or foil formed body thereby securing a firm connection between the two adjacent bodies in order preferably to form a watertight and draining joint.
According to one embodiment the sheet or foil formed body can be produced with a similar jointing connection along its other edge. Furthermore the sheet or foil formed body can be designed with such connections or grooves evenly distributed along the length of the foil with, for example, a distance between of 100 - 500 mm or more.
The edge of the membrane which is formed with the locking shape can be shaped without studs and/or fins. Said lengthwise jointing elements can if desirable face in the opposite direction of the previously mention studs and/or fins. Alternatively these can point in the same direction as the studs, or if several jointing connections are used along one side, then at least one of these may point in the opposite direction to at least one of the other jointing connections.
These jointing connections can have a cross section which is configured so that the jointing connection's opening(s) is/are shaped as lengthwise running throat(s) with smaller opening(s) than the jointing connection's opening within. The opening(s) can have an oval or a circular cross section. If desirable the opening(s) can be formed with an almost flat bottom.
The described jointing connection is formed by placing a ring-shaped protrusion on a rotating cylinder and which is designed to give a sheet or formable foil the desired shape. In connection with this outwards protruding protrusion on the described cylinder an arrangement can be made to form a vacuum in the groove produced by the protrusion so that the groove has an entrance smaller than the inside opening.
When laying a body for jointing with an already positioned membrane element for jointing the protrusion on the membrane element to be laid is placed is positioned in the groove of the already positioned element and pressed down into said opening of the previously laid plate or foil formed element, so that the adjacently placed element is firmly locked by means of the edges forming said elongate throat. . By applying a net to the side of the membrane which will face a tunnel or cavern opening and by placing the membrane so that the joint grooves which, according to this solution, are at a distance from each other of for example 100 - 500 mm in the tunnels axial direction and facing the rock behind, the membrane will, on the application of shotcrete or gunite achieve an extra stiffness since the shotcrete or gunite will pass through the net and fill the grooves. In this way a rib and radial strengthening round the tunnel wall is formed transverse of the tunnel's lengthwise direction. Said ribs described will also increase the membrane's stiffness prior to the application of gunite. In such an application of the membrane sheet the convex side of the rib is intended to face outwards the surrounding rock. Furthermore, the studs can also advantageously face the same way so that the studs together with the net fastened to the surface facing inwards towards the tunnel opening help to anchor the shotcrete or gunite when applied. The net may for example be made of a material from one in the group of polyolefines, glass fiber, cured plastic net or the like. Short description of the drawings
Different embodiments of the present invention will be described more closely below with reference to the enclosed drawings where: Figure 1 shows a view of a part of a waterproof membrane sheet according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a vertical section through the first embodiment of a joint between two adjacent sheets according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a joint between two adjacent sheets according to the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a vertical section through the joint between two adjacent sheets according to Figure 3.
Figures 5 - 18 show different variations of locking joints and/or drainage channels along the edge of a sheet according to the invention, where Figures 5a - 18a show a view of the side edge of the different sheets whilst Figures 5b-18b show a vertical section through the sheets shown in Figures 5a-18a as seen along the line A-A indicated in the last mentioned Figures;
Figure 19 shows schematically a vertical section through a tunnel provided with a membrane and a layer of gunite or shotcrete; Figure 20 shows a portion of a length of a membrane according to the invention;
Figure 21 shows in enlarged scale and to an extent exaggerated an embodiment of a membrane with layer of gunite or shotcrete, the membrane being seen along the line B-B in Figure 20; and Figure 22 shows a section through the membrane shown in Figure 20, seen along the line A-A. .
Detailed Description of the Invention
In the description of the drawings the same numbers are used for the same constructional details in the various drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 show a side edge of a membrane sheet 10 equipped with a jointing connection 11 which extends along the edge of the sheet 10. As shown in Figure 2 the jointing connection 11 is in the form of a downward facing concave indentation which on the opposite side of the sheet has a downward facing convex shape. Figures 1 and 2 show, in addition, an adjacent membrane sheet 10' joined to membrane sheet 10 so that jointing connection 11 of membrane sheet 10' is placed in the jointing connection 11 of membrane sheet 10. As indicated in Figures 1 and 2 membrane sheet 10,10' is formed with a large number of downward facing studs 12 preferably lying in line both in the lengthwise and transverse direction of sheet 10,10'. Membrane sheet 10, 10' is also equipped with low, linear ribs or folding marks 13 arranged in a pattern of crosses between studs 12 and which stretch between adjacent studs 12. As further indicated in Figures 1 and 2 the area of the membrane sheet equipped with the jointing connection is flat in that this area is without studs 12 and/or ribs or indentations 13. A solution of this type makes it easier to place a membrane sheet 10 in the correct position in relation to an adjacent sheet 10' since it is only the downward facing convex jointing connection 12 on the membrane sheet 10 which has to be centered correctly in relation to the already positioned membrane sheet 10'.
Figures 5a and 5b describe a solution where the joint connection 11 according to the invention points upwards and has an almost circular cross section. The connection is in addition formed with an opening which is narrower at the top than below.
Figures 6a and 6b show a solution where the connection 11 points downwards on the opposite side of the studs 12. In such a case the jointing connection will function as a drainage channel.
Figures 7a and 7b show a variation where the membrane sheet 10 is equipped with two parallel jointing connections with a section in the form of a semicircle, where the jointing connections point downwards so that they can function as drainage channels. Figures 8a and 8b show a similar solution where the jointing connection 11 points upwards. With such an upward pointing solution water which possibly can come sideways will meet the upward pointing joint connection 11 and thereafter be lead away along this jointing connection. Figures 9a and 9b show a solution where the membrane sheet 10 is formed with a jointing connection like those shown in Figures 7 and 8, but where the inner lengthwise jointing element 11 , lying closest to the studs 12, is formed downwards in the opposite direction to the studs 12, whilst the outer jointing element 11 rises upwards in the same direction as the studs 12.
Figures 10a and 10b show an alternative design of the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 10a and 10b the jointing connection comprises two elements where the element lying closest to the studs 12 is formed upwards in the same direction as the studs whilst the outer element is formed in the opposite direction to the studs 12. As in the solution shown in Figures 3 and 4 the neck of the element is narrowed so that a locking effect is achieved when the connection element 11 on the membrane sheet 10 is entered the connection element 11 on the adjacent membrane sheet 10. Figures 11 a and 11b show a similar solution where the jointing connection 11 has only one jointing element which points upwards in the same direction as studs 12.
Figures 12a and 12b show a design where the jointing connection 11 is formed with a locking throat in connection with the opening and where the internal surfaces of the jointing connection 11 consist of a number of more or less flat surfaces. In the solution shown an angle is formed in each side wall of the jointing connection 11. In this variant the jointing connection is formed downwards in the opposite direction to the studs 12. Figures 13a and 13b, 14a and 14b show variants where the opening of the jointing connection 11 decreases in cross section towards the bottom of the opening. Figures 13a and 13b describe a solution with just one jointing element whilst Figures 14a and 14b describe two jointing elements where the element lying closer to the stud 12 faces in the opposite direction to the studs whilst the outer element is formed in the same direction as the studs 12.
Figures 15 and 16 show another variant of the jointing connection 11 where Figure 15b shows a version with two jointing elements 11 where the jointing element 11 lying nearest the studs 12 faces in the opposite direction of the studs and additionally has a locking throat in principle as previously described. The other jointing element has a rounded shape without a locking throat. Figure 16b shows a solution where the jointing element 11 points in the same direction as the studs, said direction being opposite of the direction of the studs 12. According to this variant, the outer locking element is in addition provided with a locking throat.
Figures 17a and 17b describe an embodiment through a joint of the type as shown in Figures 11a and 11 b with the difference that the jointing element 11 is provided with a gasket 14, preferably of a compressible, sealing material. The gasket or seal is in the form of a continuous string, extending along the entire length of the membrane and is for example fastened to the bottom of the female or the top of the male part of the adjacent jointing element 11 The gasket or seal can be applied during the extrusion process of the membrane 10 or applied in a following process. The joining elements 14 may, if desirable, be gas tight, Membranes of this type can be used as liners for gas tanks under pressure or as gas proof barriers used to ensure that gasses from the ground such as radon, methane etc. cannot enter a building construction.
Figures 18a and 18b show a variation of the joint 11 according to the present invention where this is in the form of a J-shaped fold complementary to a similar shaped fold 11 on the adjacent membrane 10. The folds 11 are so configured that an upward sloping section 15 is established which hinders water from running sideways over the joint whilst the downward sloping section 16 on the adjacent membrane allows water to run sideways down into the jointing J-shaped channel. When laying or assembling a membrane 10 shaped according to the present invention the underlying surface is first given a fall in the desired direction, thereafter the membrane is laid. Next the adjacent membrane is laid so that the jointing element or channel is connected to the complementary element 11 in the already laid length of membrane. Thereafter the whole joint is pressed together so that a tight and locked joint is formed along the length of membrane 10. The process is repeated until the whole of the area in question is covered.
If the membrane is of the type with a jointing edge along one side only the length is turned through 180° and thereafter jointed. |
According to another design of the invention instead of the gasket 14 or in addition to this, a glue line can be introduced for gluing of the joint.
Membrane sheets of this type are preferably formed by extrusion followed by rotational forming of the jointing connections and eventual studs 14, ribs or continuous indentations 13, the membrane being formed as a continuous sheet which is finally rolled into large rolls.
Even if the membrane 10, 10' referred to above is formed with studs 12 and/or ribs and/or indentations 13 it can be flat or formed with other types of profiles. Further it should be added that the membrane sheet 10, 10' preferably but not necessarily is formed with corresponding jointing connections and/or drainage channels 11 also along the opposite edge of the membrane sheet 10. Additionally it should be noted that even if some of the jointing connections and/or drainage channels are shown with a circular cross section the cross section can also be oval or polygonal.
Further it should be added that the jointing connection can consist of any combination of the described variants and more jointing elements can be employed than those shown.
It should also be added that the above mentioned gasket 14 and/or glue line can be used in connection with any one of the above mentioned embodiments. The glue line can for example be formed by a butyl band or string of butyl. It should be noted, however, that also other types of glues suitable for glues able to glue materials within the group of polyolefines may be used.
Even if the embodiments shown have one or two ribs along each edge similar ribs can also be evenly divided between the membranes two edges for example at a distance in the region of 100 - 500 mm apart. Such a solution makes an adjustment of the membrane possible depending upon the dimensions of the construction to be covered.
When a membrane according to the invention is used as a membrane in a tunnel that is to say as a shield so that water coming from the rock is drained away along the membrane and not allowed to enter the tunnel or opening then a membrane equipped with channels or indentations which are convex against the rock surface are used. Such channels stretch over the whole circumference of the membrane and can with advantage be formed every 200 - 500 mm in the lengthwise direction of the membrane which is to say in the tunnels axial direction. Furthermore, a net is applied to such membranes by welding, gluing or by other means to the side of the membrane intended to face inwards towards the tunnel opening. The object of this net is to give improved bonding and adhesion of shotcrete or gunite which will be sprayed onto the membranes inwards facing surface, in the other words the surface facing towards the tunnel opening. When the shotcrete or gunite is applied some will pass through the net and enter the concave jointing channels. In this way ribs are formed in a radial direction round the membrane every 100 - 500 mm in the tunnels lengthwise direction thus giving extra stiffness to the whole lining.
Figure 19 shows schematically a vertical section through a tunnel 20 in a rock 22. The rock wall of the tunnel 20 is covered by a joinable membrane 10 according to the invention and a layer 21 of shotcrete or gunite, shot on to the membrane 10, the membrane thus forming formwork for the layer 21 of shotcrete or gunite. The membrane 10 is fixed to the rock 22 by means of a number of fixing bolts 23 arranged equally spaced along the periphery and longitudinal direction of the tunnel 20.
Figure 20 shows a variant of the membrane 10 according to the invention, provided with a number of studs12. The studs 12 according to this embodiment has a square shape. Further, the membrane 10 is provided with ribs or folding edges 13 and a number of parallel joining connections 11. The joining connections 11 may preferably be arranged evenly along the width of the membrane and configured in such way that when the membrane is mounted and attached to the rock wall 22, the joining connections follows the arc of the tunnel, i.e. that the joining connections follows the periphery of the arc. Due to such orientation of the ducts 11 forming the joining connection, each ducts 11 , together with the shotcrete, will form a reinforcing and rigidifying, peripherally arranged rib arranged along the entire length of the tunnel 20. By placing of the ductsi 1 as such short intervals, an improved flexibility with respect to joining and overlapping is obtained. The membrane 10 may preferably on the side intended to face towards the cavity of the tunnel 20 be provided with a fabric or a cloth 24 configured to function as a bonding means for concrete on the membrane 10, hence, thereby securing an improve bonding of the shotcrete on to the membrane. 10. Figure 20 shows a part of a length of a membrane 10 according to the invention, where a configuration of studs 12, joining connections 11 and folding edges 13 are shown, while Figure 21 shows in enlarge scale, and partly exaggerated, an embodiment of a membrane mounted on the walls of a tunnel in the transition zone between the wall and the roof, and with shotcrete attached. The membrane shown in Figure 21 is seen along the line B-B in Figure 20. Since the membrane 10 is arranged in such way that the ducts 11 extend along the periphery of the tunnel 20, then corresponding, reinforcing and rigidifying ribs are produced when shotcrete is shot on to the membrane 10 and penetrates through the cloth 24 and into the space behind formed by the ducts 11. The studs 12 will in addition to the net or the cloth 24 contribute to an improved bonding of the concrete. Figure 21 shows such completed sprayed wall, indicating that concrete has been pressed into the space behind the cloth 24, i.e. into the space defined by the studs 12 and the void of the ducts 11.
Figure 22 shows a section through the membrane 10 shown in Figure 20, seen along the line A-A.
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