Underground Constructions

Tunnelling

Cut & Cover Tunnel
Submerged Tunnel
Bored Tunnel

Constructions

Underground Constructions
Sewage Systems
Bypass Systems

Design

Conceptual Design
Basic Design
Detailed Design

Underground Civil Constructions

erground constructions can be of various types of structures, with different dimensions, configurations and applications. Often mainly static structures, used for transportation, storage, parking or for engineering purposes like energy facilities. The design of underground construction at junctions or merged parts in most cases requires engineered flexible solutions to protect the integrity and functioning of the structure. Underground constructions are prone to small movements, temperature related expansion and contraction, soil mechanics and (soil) settlements over the lifetime of the construction.

Reliable engineered sealing technology and water tightness are here of great importance, in most underground constructions each leaking drop is a drop too much. The sealing system and its functionality are decisive for the functioning of underground structures. 

In comparison to ground levvel, underground constructions may also have the presence of soil in combination with water. Surrounding vibrations due to traffic around the stucture can cause the soil to be compacted and gradually over time exerting higher pressures on the structure and on the sealing mechanism. Therefore our sealing advice of underground construction consists of a 3 layered sealing mechanism:

3 layered mechanism

  1.  Preventing soil ingress in the sealing joint
  2. Primary sealing engineered to cope with the hydrostatic pressures, movements, expansion and possible settlements
  3. Redundancy sealing engineered similar as the primary sealing, but functioning in case the primary sealing becomes due to any reason disfunctional

Underground Structures

There are different types underground structures each having a different purpose, configuration, geometry, load distributions and thereby requiring different sealing techniques.

Tunneled Transportation

A tunnel can be a cut and cover construction, a bored tunnel construction, or a submerged tunnel construction. These tunnel constructions requires a sealing solution at consecutive elements, junctions or merged parts. Each type of these tunnel constructions requires a completely different sealing approach and sealing technique. Redundancy in each case is of grate importance. A combination of compression and membrane type of sealings are required to ensure watertightness

Energy Facilities

Hydroelectric Power Plants, sewage systems or bypass systems are in there essence a reversed tunnel construction. This delivers a reversed sealing system compared to the dry tunnels constructions. Since there is no human trafficking, a single or two layered sealing system is sufficient. An engineered membrane type of sealing system is required to ensure watertightness over the lifetime of the tunneled system.

Garages

Due to the short in space, we often see more underground garages and basements. These garages have lots of to be sealing concrete joints, the joint sealing must be flexible to cope with movements and (pore) pressures. A membrane type of casting sealing system is here required to ensure watertightness and a safe and hidden sealing system. 

Storage

Underground warehouses, cold storage and reservoirs, are in their essence a combination of a tunneled system and a garage system. Therefore a combination of sealing techniques are required to ensure watertightness, a casting and external membrane type of sealing system is required to ensure watertightness.

We do have the knowledge and experience of the sealing solution of underground constructions and can assist you in your sealing challenges.

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