FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to seal for a retaining wall. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a seal for a retaining wall such as a sheet pile wall or a piling wall.

[0002] Further, the present invention relates to a method of sealing a retaining wall.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an use of a seal in connection with a retaining wall.

[0004] Additionally, the present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a seal and at least two segments of a retaining wall.

BACKGROUND [0005] Sheet pile walls are widely used at construction sites all over the world. Sheet pile walls are retaining walls constructed to retain earth, water or any other filling material. The sheet pile walls are, for example, used for waterfront structures or for shoring walls of trenches and other excavation. The sheet pile walls comprise a plurality of sheet piles driven into the ground. The sheet piles are typically made out of steel and consist of a so called web with integrated interlocks at two ends or edges of each sheet pile. Different sheet pile types are known of which one is the so called Larssen-type. Segments with indented profiles interlock to form a wall with alternating indents and outdents. Each segment of the sheet pile wall is flipped 180° in relation to the preceding segment.

[0006] When the sheet piles have been driven into ground, the soil in front of the sheet piles may be dredged. In this situation, water or another liquid can flow through the sheet pile wall at the locations of the interlocks. Therefore, the segments of the sheet pile wall are often welded at the positions of the interlocks in order to seal the wall. [0007] Other retaining walls are, for example, piling walls. Piling walls comprise a plurality of piles driven into the ground. The piles are typically made out of steel and comprise two locking elements of a locking mechanism at opposite sides of the piles. For example, a first locking element comprising a tongue and a second locking element comprising a groove may be arranged at opposite sides of each pile. Thus, a plurality of piles can be connected to each other forming a piling wall. The above mentioned problem of water or another liquid flowing through the wall at the positions of the interlocks can also arise in connection with piling walls. Therefore, also the piles are often welded at the positions of the interlocks in order to seal the wall. [0008] In view of the foregoing, it would be beneficial to provide a seal for a retaining wall, in particular for a sheet pile wall or a piling wall, in order to reduce or avoid welding of adjacent segments along the interlocks for sealing the wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seal for a retaining wall, the seal comprising a sealing element coupled to a profile, at least a first support element and a second support element, wherein each support element is configured to be attached to a segment of the retaining wall, at least a first pressure member and a second pressure member, wherein the first pressure member is configured to press the profile and the sealing element away from the first support element against an interlock of the retaining wall, and wherein the second pressure member is configured to press the profile and the sealing element away from the second support element against the interlock of the retaining wall.

[0011] Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

• a cross-section of the profile is circular, in the form of a semicircle, in the form of a part of a circle, elliptical, in the form of a part of an ellipse, L-shaped, T-shaped, V- shaped, U-shaped, triangular, rectangular, or polygonal • the sealing element is made of rubber, polyurethane, aluminium, nylon, or hemp

• the profile is configured to press the sealing element against an interlock of a sheet pile wall or a piling wall

• a cross-section of the sealing element is circular, in the form of a semicircle, in the form of a part of a circle, elliptical, in the form of a part of an ellipse, L-shaped, V- shaped, U-shaped, triangular, rectangular, polygonal or otherwise shaped

• the first pressure member and the second pressure member each comprise a wedge, a screw, a bolt or a spring

• the seal element is fixedly attached to the profile

• the seal element is directly or indirectly connected to the profile

• the profile comprises at least one coupling section at an end of the profile for coupling the profile to another profile

• each support element is configured to be welded to a segment of the retaining wall or configured to be attached to the segment of the retaining wall using screws, bolts or rivets

• the first pressure member is connected to the first support element by a chain or string

• the second pressure member is connected to the second support element by a chain or string

• the profile is made of metal

• the profile is made of steel, aluminium, plastic or a fiber-reinforced material

• at least one of the first support element and the second support element is made of metal

• at least one of the first support element and the second support element is made of steel, aluminium, plastic or a fiber-reinforced material

• at least one of the first pressure element and the second pressure element is made of metal

• at least one of the first pressure element and the second pressure element is made of steel, aluminium, plastic or a fiber-reinforced material

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of sealing a retaining wall, the method comprising attaching at least a first support element and a second support element to a segment of the retaining wall, positioning a sealing element coupled to a profile along an interlock of the retaining wall, pressing the profile and the sealing element away from the first support element against the interlock of the retaining wall by a first pressure member, and pressing the profile and the sealing element away from the second support element against the interlock of the retaining wall by a second pressure member.

[0013] Various embodiments of the second aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

• at least one of the first support element and the second support element is welded to the segment of the retaining wall or attached to the segment of the retaining wall using screws, bolts or rivets

• the first support element and the second support element are attached to the segment of the retaining wall at a distance of more than 0.5 m to each other

• the first support element and the second support element are attached to the segment of the retaining wall parallel or substantially parallel to each other

• the sealing element is positioned such that a gap of the interlock is at least partially covered by the sealing element

• the profile is pressed away from the first support element against the interlock of the retaining wall by inserting a wedge between the first support element and the profile

• the profile is pressed away from the second support element against the interlock of the retaining wall by inserting a wedge between the second support element and the profile

• the profile is pressed away from the first support element against the interlock of the retaining wall by a screw

• the profile is pressed away from the second support element against the interlock of the retaining wall by a screw

• the method further comprising coupling a coupling section at an end of the profile to a coupling section at an end of another profile [0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a seal in accordance with any of claims 1-17 in connection with a retaining wall. According to one embodiment, the retaining wall is a sheet pile wall or a piling wall. [0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement comprising at least a first segment of a retaining wall and a second segment of the retaining wall, wherein the first segment and the second segment are coupled to each other via an interlock, at least a first support element and a second support element, wherein each support element is attached to one of the first segment and the second segment, a sealing element coupled to a profile, at least a first pressure member and a second pressure member, wherein the profile and the sealing element are pressed against the interlock by the first pressure member and the second pressure member.

[0016] Various embodiments of the fourth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

• the retaining wall is a sheet pile wall or a piling wall

• a cross-section of the profile is circular, in the form of a semicircle, in the form of a part of a circle, elliptical, in the form of a part of an ellipse, L-shaped, T-shaped, U- shaped, V-shaped, triangular, rectangular, or polygonal

• the sealing element is made of rubber, polyurethane, aluminium, nylon, or hemp

• a cross-section of the sealing element is circular, in the form of a semicircle, in the form of a part of a circle, elliptical, in the form of a part of an ellipse, L-shaped, V- shaped, U-shaped, triangular, rectangular, polygonal or otherwise shaped

• the first pressure member and the second pressure member each comprise a wedge, a screw, a bolt or a spring

• the seal element is fixedly attached to the profile

• the seal element is directly or indirectly connected to the profile

• the profile comprises at least one coupling section at an end of the profile for coupling the profile to another profile

• each support element is welded to a segment of the retaining wall or attached to the segment of the retaining wall using screws, bolts or rivets

[0017] Considerable advantages are obtained by means of certain embodiments of the present invention. A seal for a retaining wall, a method of sealing a retaining wall, a use of a seal in connection with a retaining wall, and an arrangement comprising a seal and at least two segments of a retaining wall are provided. [0018] Two or more than two support members have to be fixedly attached to a segment of the retaining wall. Subsequently, the profile with the sealing element has to be positioned along the interlock. Then the profile, and thus also the sealing element, can be pressed against the interlock by pressure members. The seal can be quickly and easily installed. No welding along the interlock is required anymore in order to seal the interlock.

[0019] Seals of any length can be provided by choosing a profile having a sufficient length and/or by coupling a plurality of profiles and sealing elements with each other. Additionally, parts of the seal can be used again at another location, if required.

[0020] Differently shaped profiles and differently shaped sealing elements can be further used depending on the form of the interlock in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Further, the sealed retaining wall can be disassembled easily. The sealed retaining wall can be even disassembled without having to remove the seal. Removing the seal can be further easily performed by a person. Contrary to breaking a weld, the seal can be removed by a person having no specific skills. Subsequent to only removing the pressure members, the sealing element and the profile can be removed from the interlock. At least some parts of the seal can be re-used at another construction site.

[0022] The seals in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention are capable of being manufactured in industrial scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] For a more complete understanding of particular embodiments of the present invention and their advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: [0024] FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a seal for a sheet pile wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0025] FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a seal for a piling wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, [0026] FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic top view of a seal for a sheet pile wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0027] FIGURE 4 illustrates a schematic top view of another seal for a sheet pile wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, [0028] FIGURE 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another seal for a piling wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0029] FIGURE 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a further seal for a piling wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,

[0030] FIGURE 7 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a yet further seal for a sheet pile wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, and

[0031] FIGURE 8 illustrates a schematic top view of an even further seal for a sheet pile wall in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS [0032] In this document, the words“sealing element coupled to a profile” do not necessarily only mean that the sealing element is connected to the profile, directly connected to the profile, mechanically connected to the profile, fixedly attached to the profile, connected to the profile by adhesive, connected to the profile by screws, bolts or rivets, or otherwise connected or attached to the profile. Instead, the sealing element can also be indirectly connected to the profile via at least one further part between the sealing element and the profile. The sealing element and the separate profile may also be only positioned adjacent to each other. In other words, the sealing element may be positioned along the interlock and subsequently the profile may be pressed or pushed against the sealing element, thus forming a form-fitting“coupling”. [0033] In this document, the term“pressure member” means an element by means of which a pressure- force can be exerted on a part of a surface of a profile. The element may be, for example, a wedge, a screw, a bolt or a spring. The force on the surface of the profile is typically directed away from a support member connected to a segment of a retaining wall. The pressure member is typically in direct mechanical contact with the support member and the profile.

[0034] In FIGURE 1 a schematic perspective view of a seal 1 for a sheet pile wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. A Larssen-type sheet pile wall 5 is shown. Segments 8 of the retaining wall 5 interlock to form a wall with alternating indents and outdents. Each segment is flipped 180° in relation to the preceding segment.

[0035] The seal 1 comprises a sealing element 2 coupled to a profile 3. The sealing element 2 is typically made from rubber. Other example materials are polyurethane, aluminium, nylon, or hemp. The sealing element 2 is positioned along an interlock 4 between two adjacent segments 8 of the retaining wall 5. Other words for the interlock 4 are e.g. lock, locking mechanism, interconnection, etc.

[0036] Further, the seal 1 comprises a plurality of support elements 6, 7. The seal 1 comprises at least a first support element 6 and a second support element 7. Of course, the seal 1 may also comprise more than two support elements, for example 3, 4, 5 or 6 support elements. The number of support elements is typically depending on the length of the segments 8 and/or the required seal length. The support elements 6, 7 are typically attached to a single segment 8 of the retaining wall 5 at a distance of more than 0.5 m to each other, for instance. However, other distances between the support elements are also possible. The support elements 6, 7 are typically arranged parallel to each other. Each support element 6, 7 is configured to be attached to a segment 8 of the retaining wall 5. Normally, the support elements 6, 7 are welded to the segment 8. The support elements 6, 7 may further be otherwise attached to the segment 8, for example by screws, bolts or rivets. The materials of the support elements 6, 7 and the segment 8 are preferably identical. For example, the support elements and the segment 8 may be made of steel, aluminium or of plastic material, especially of thermoplastic material. In other cases, the materials of the support elements 6, 7 and the segment are not identical. For example, the segment 8 may be made of steel and the support elements 6, 7 may be made of fiber-reinforced material.

[0037] Additionally, the seal 1 comprises at least a first pressure member 9 and a second pressure member 10. The number of pressure members depends on the number of support elements. The first pressure member 9 is configured to press the profile 3 away from the first support element 6 against the interlock 4 of the retaining wall 5. The second pressure member 10 is configured to press the profile 3 away from the second support element 7 against the interlock 4 of the retaining wall 5. In other words, the pressure members 9, 10 press the profile 3 and thus also the sealing element 2 against the interlock 4. A pressure member may be a wedge or a screw, for instance. However, as contamination of a screw with mud or other material can easily happen at the construction site, wedges have been found surprisingly useful. In particular, wedges can quickly and easily be inserted into the space between the profile 3 and a respective support element 6, 7. In contrast to screws, contamination of a wedge with mud or any other material does not have any serious effect on the capability of inserting the wedge between the profile 3 and a respective support element 6, 7. Further, sufficient pressure on the interlock 4 can be easily created by e.g. using a hammer in order to correctly position the wedge between the profile 3 and a respective support element 6, 7, thus pressing the sealing element 2 against the interlock 4.

[0038] In the shown embodiment, the profile 3 comprises coupling sections 11 at the ends of the profile 3. Thus, the profile 3 can be coupled to another profile in order to seal an interlock 4 having a high length. Coupling sections 11 may be generally provided at one end or at both ends of the profile 3. Typically, two profiles 3 are connected to each other using at least one screw or at least one bolt.

[0039] In FIGURE 2 a schematic perspective view of a seal 1 for a piling wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. Two piles driven into the ground are shown. Additionally, an interlocking 4 is shown between the segments 8. The interlocking 4 is formed by a first locking element comprising a tongue and a second locking element comprising a groove. The seal 1 is further formed as described above in connection with FIGURE 1.

[0040] In FIGURE 3 a schematic top view of a seal 1 for a sheet pile wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. It can be seen that on both sides of the interlock 4 a gap 12 or space is formed. Therefore, water or any other liquid can flow from one side of the sheet pile wall 5 to the other side of the sheet pile wall 5 through the interlock 4.

[0041] At least one of the gaps 12 can be sealed by means of certain embodiments of the present invention. An U-shaped sealing element 2 is coupled to a L-shaped profile 3 and pressed against the interlock 4 such that the gap 12 is covered by the sealing element 2, thus preventing water or any other liquid from flowing through the interlock 4 from one side of the sheet pile wall 5 to the other side of the sheet pile wall 5. The interlock 4 can be sealed by sufficiently pressing the sealing element 2 against the interlock 4 along the gap 12. The pressure is created by pressing the profile 3 away from support elements 6, 7, which have been welded to one single segment 8 of the sheet pile wall 5, against the interlock 4 of the retaining wall 5 by pressure members.

[0042] In the shown embodiment, the profile 3 comprises a coupling section 11 at an end of the profile 3. The coupling section 11 is provided for coupling the profile 3 to another profile. The coupling section 11 may be formed from a plate welded to the profile 3, for instance. Typically, the coupling section 11 comprises at least one boring for coupling the coupling section 11 to a coupling section of another profile. Coupling can be, for example, carried out by using screws or bolts. In other cases, coupling can take place by welding a coupling section of a first profile to a coupling section of a second profile, for instance.

[0043] Typically, the sheet pile segments 8 of the sheet pile wall 5 are made of steel. Also the support elements 6, 7 are typically made of steel in such a case. Thus, welding of the support elements 6, 7 to one single segment 8 is easily possible. The profile 3 and the pressure members may be of another material or the same material as the segments 8 and the support elements 6, 7. The sealing element 2 is typically made of rubber.

[0044] In FIGURE 4 a schematic top view of another seal 1 for a sheet pile wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In the shown example, the seal is located on the opposite side of the sheet pile wall 5 than shown in FIGURE 3. Therefore, the support members 6, 7 are fixedly attached to the other segment 8. An L-shaped sealing element 2 is pressed by an L-shaped profile 3 against the interlock 4.

[0045] Of course, the sealing element 2 and the profile 3 may also have other cross- sections than shown in FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4. The cross-section of the sealing element 2 may be, for example, triangular, rectangular, polygonal, or in the form of a semicircle. The cross-section of the profile 3 may be T-shaped, triangular, rectangular, or polygonal, for instance. The combination of the sealing element 2 and the profile 3 are formed in such a way that a gap 12 or space formed by the interlock 4 can be covered or closed by the sealing element 2 and at the same time a sufficient pressure can be exerted on the sealing element 2 by the profile 3 via the pressure members in order to provide a watertight interlock 4. Of course, the seal 1 may also be configured to prevent other liquids than water from flowing from one side of the sheet pile wall 5 through the interlock 4 to the other side of the sheet pile wall 5. In other words, the sealing element is impermeable to liquids according to certain embodiments.

[0046] In FIGURE 5 a schematic perspective view of another seal 1 for a piling wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. Contrary to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, the profile 3 and the sealing element 2 are pressed against the interlock 4 by pressure members 9, 10 in the form of threaded screws. The screws extend through the support members 6, 7 and the pressure can be controlled by turning the screws. Pressure is increased by turning the screws into one direction and pressure is decreased by turning the screws into the other direction. Both the profile 3 and the sealing element 2 are U-shaped in the shown embodiment.

[0047] In FIGURE 6 a schematic perspective view of a further seal 1 for a piling wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The U-shaped sealing element 2 is coupled to an L-shaped profile 3. The profile 3 and the sealing element 2 are pressed against the interlock 4 by pressure members 9 in the form of wedges. One wedge is arranged between each support member 6 and the profile 3 and the pressure can be controlled by moving the wedges. Pressure is increased by moving the wedges into one direction, typically downwards, and pressure is decreased by moving the wedges into the other direction, typically upwards. The wedges may be inserted into the space between the support members 6 and the profile 3, for example, using a hammer. Use of the wedges as pressure members 9 is beneficial, because the wedges can easily be inserted into the space between the support members 6 and the profile 3, even in case of contamination of the wedges, for example with mud. The wedges 9 may be further at least temporarily connected to the support members 6 via strings or chains, for instance.

[0048] In FIGURE 7 a schematic perspective view of a yet further seal 1 for a sheet pile wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The sealing element 2 can be positioned along the interlock 4 during excavating. The sealing element 2 may be, for example, provided in rolled-up form. Starting from the top of the interlock 4, the sealing element 2 can be positioned along the interlock during the excavation process. When the excavation process is finished, the sealing element 2 can be cut at a desired length. Thus, a single sealing element 2 can be installed over the entire length of the interlock 4. Of course, also several sealing elements 2 can be used instead of a single sealing element 2. One profile 3 or more than one profile may be further used for pressing the sealing element 2 against the interlock 4. The shown pressure members 9, 10 in the form of wedges may have a stopper at one end in order to avoid applying overpressure

[0049] In FIGURE 8 a schematic top view of an even further seal 1 for a sheet pile wall 5 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In the shown embodiment, a U-shaped sealing element 2 is coupled to a T-shaped profile 3. A T-shaped profile 3 is beneficial, because the force can be evenly applied on one surface of the profile 3, for example using a wedge. Thus, no moment which would result in a rotation of the profile is created. The U-shaped sealing element 2, which is arranged along one central axis of the profile 3, is therefore pressed against the interlock 4 in a very stable form.

[0050] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0051] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0052] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and examples of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0053] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0054] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. [0055] The verbs“to comprise” and“to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0056] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in sealing of retaining walls. REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 seal

2 sealing element

3 profile

4 interlock

5 retaining wall

6 first support element

7 second support element

8 segment

9 first pressure member

10 second pressure member

11 coupling section

12 gap

13 ground