Method for the Installation of Slab Tracks in Twin Tube Tunnels

• US 20100320279A1
• Filed: 06/15/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCC Construccion SA (Fomento de Construcciones Y Contratas SA)
• Original Assignee: FCC Construccion SA (Fomento de Construcciones Y Contratas SA)
• Inventors: MIGUELEZ TAPIA, Francisco Javier
• Granted Patent: US 9,157,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 238/2
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 1/002 Ballastless track, e.g. concrete slab trackway, or with asphalt layers
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 2/003 Arrangement of tracks on bridges or in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 29/005 Making of concrete parts of the track in situ

Abstract

A method is described for the installation of slab tracks in tunnels, in particular tracks on a slab of concrete, with the optimised design and execution characteristics, and substantially increased performance compared to the normal known methods. The method includes a succession of phases executed in order, with the help of an auxiliary track, Consisting of the design of the construction section, the construction of the railway yards, assembly of the auxiliary track from the evacuation platform, execution of the foundation base, assembly of the track in slabs, transitions from slab track—ballast track, and placement of long bars and welding.

Claims

1. Method for the installation of slab tracks in twin tube tunnels aimed at carrying out an installation of a single track on slabs in each one of the tubes of a twin tube tunnel, comprising a series of working stages carried out in sequential order in each one of the tunnel tubes, and which comprises:

(a) determination of the construction section;

(b) construction of the railway yards;

(c) assembly of auxiliary track in the maintenance lane;

(d) stocking of the sleepers on the evacuation platform;

(e) construction of the foundation base;

(f) assembly of the slab track;

(g) transitions of slab track—

ballast; and

(h) provision of long bars and welding.

2. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein the section of the construction is designed in such a way that it has two platforms that set the side borders of the foundation base, with a reduced maximum width, but which is enough to allow the use of mini-trains, capable of moving on auxiliary tracks, adapted to the production needs during the development of each one of the differing process phases.

3. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein the carrying out of the railway yard stage is implemented on an area that is sufficient to include a variable number of tracks, this number of tracks being enough to allow all of the material loading and unloading operations to be carried out, likewise a control station and workshop.

4. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein the carrying out of the assembly of the auxiliary track is carried out from the maintenance lane, simultaneously with the construction of the railway yards, for which drilling is carried out in the maintenance lanes intended for the placement of pins in the positions in which the fixing retention bolts of the auxiliary track will be applied later, with the provision of sidings in one or more points set at pre-determined distances from each other.

5. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein the stockpiling operation of sleepers on the evacuation platform is carried out prior to the operation of the pouring the concrete of the foundation base, with the help of a sleeper mini-train for the transporting of the concrete, and by means of a mini-backload type machine that is used for carrying the stock and the distribution of the sleepers in batches.

6. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein the operation for the execution of the foundation base is carried out by means of the stated concrete mini-train, with which the pouring of the concrete is carried out to be spread with vibrating levels and vibrators so as to achieve a uniform and exact level that complies with the tolerances established by the standards that are applicable.

7. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein said assembly operation of the track on concrete slabs is carried out by means of a succession of sub-stages comprising:

Distribution of sleepers on the foundation base, reinforcing of the track and first levelling, second levelling, concreting and advancement of the bar assembly or rail laying.

8. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 7, wherein the sub-stage for the distribution of the sleepers on the foundation base comprises the equidistant distribution of the sleepers along the length of the tunnel maintaining a predetermined separation, with the help a support axis obtained from marker points placed on the platform, and in which the distribution of the sleepers is carried out with the use of a back loader type of machine.

9. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 7, wherein the sub-stage for the assembly of the track and levelling comprises of the placement of the rail on the sleepers positioned on the foundation base, by means of a mini-train, and the subsequent operations for the placement and squaring of the sleepers, fastening of the rails and the tightening of the sleepers, after which the placement of the levelling members and the adjustment of the track by sections in regard to the marker points, with the use of hydraulic aligners-levellers.

10. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 7, wherein the second levelling operation implements an adjustment and verification phase of the track handed over by the assembly team, and it is carried out by means of topographical equipment that includes a robot tachymeter together with a measuring trolley carrying a computer that analyses the geometry of the track in real time.

11. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 7, wherein the operation for the concreting of the track in slabs includes an operation for the protection of the rail and the fixings, an operation for the pouring of the concrete by pipe or by means of distribution and vibration, and an operation for trowelling and cleaning of the sleepers and fixings.

12. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 7, wherein the operation for the advancement of the assembly bar or laying of rails is carried out after the concrete of the previous sub-stage has gone off, and to do this the unhitching of the auxiliary track is proceeded with after removing the levelling pins, said track being loaded on the mini-train for transportation to a new phase of sleeper distribution, for the start of a new cycle.

13. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein the slab track-ballast transition phase includes the construction of a small trough slab of a pre-determined length that confines the ballast with a depth under the sleeper of a pre-established value, placing before the laying of the through slab in the area which has received the concrete, sleepers with double fastening for the location of the fastening members.

14. Method for the installation of slab tracks according to claim 1, wherein the placement of the long bars and welding is carried out with the help of mini-train used to transport the bars of a predetermined length from which they are unloaded either by side unloading or equally by means of conventional unloading with the train operating backwards, depending on the mini-train used, and where the welding is then carried out by means of electric welding or with other types of suitable welding.