Rib for supporting and consolidating an excavation and method for installing a structure to support and consolidate an excavation

Abstract

A rib for supporting and consolidating an excavation comprises at least a first structural element ( 5 A) and at least one connection element ( 10 ) for connecting the said structural element ( 5 A) of the said rib to a corresponding connection element ( 10′ ) of an adjacent rib ( 1′ ), the said connection element ( 10 ) being capable of engaging through translatory motion with the said corresponding connection element ( 10′ ) of the adjacent rib.

1 . A rib for supporting and consolidating an excavation, comprising at least a first structural element and at least one connection element for connecting the said structural element of the said rib to a corresponding connection element of an adjacent rib, wherein the said connection element is capable of engaging and connecting through translatory motion with the said corresponding connection element of the adjacent rib so as to make the connection of the said ribs. 
     
     
         2 . The rib according to  claim 1 , wherein the said connection element has an elongated form, in particular essentially cylindrical, extending in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of development of the rib. 
     
     
         3 . The rib according to  claim 1 , wherein the said connection element comprises at least a first insertion portion and at least a second locking portion, the said first insertion portion being insertable by translatory motion into the locking portion of a corresponding connection element of an adjacent rib. 
     
     
         4 . The rib according to  claim 3 , wherein the said first insertion portion is associated with a projection capable of moving between a first sliding position and a second locking position. 
     
     
         5 . The rib according to  claim 3 , wherein the said first insertion portion comprises at least at least one essentially cylindrical section, the said first insertion portion being preferably arranged at a first end of the said connection element. 
     
     
         6 . The rib according to  claim 4 , wherein the said first insertion portion comprises an insertion end and an intermediate portion, the said intermediate portion having a tubular section capable of forming with the said insertion end a housing throat for the said projection, the said projection being preferably in the form of a ring. 
     
     
         7 . The rib according to  claim 3 , wherein the said second locking portion comprises an essentially tubular section, preferably associated with a funnel-shaped portion. 
     
     
         8 . The rib according to  claim 3 , wherein the said second locking portion comprises a recess capable of receiving the projection associated with the first insertion portion of a corresponding connection element connection of an adjacent rib. 
     
     
         9 . The rib according to  claim 1 , wherein the said connection element is capable of moving in a translatory motion with respect to the relative structural element of the said rib, in particular from a first position in which the locking end is arranged in the proximity of the structural element to a second position in which the locking end is arranged at a predetermined distance from the structural element. 
     
     
         10 . The rib according to  claim 9 , wherein it comprises means for arresting the relative translatory motion of the connection element with respect to the said structural element. 
     
     
         11 . The rib according to  claim 1 , wherein the said structural element comprises a tubular body provided with an internal cavity, the said connection element being arranged at least partially inside the relative structural element of the said rib. 
     
     
         12 . The rib according to  claim 1 , wherein the said structural element of the said rib is associated with a supporting element, the said supporting element comprising means for adjusting the extension of the said supporting element, the said adjustment means comprising preferably a first portion of the said supporting element that slides with respect to a second portion of the said supporting element. 
     
     
         13 . A method for installing a structure to support and reinforce an excavation comprising at least a first rib and at least a second rib according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises the following phases:
 installing the said first rib inside the excavation;   transporting the said second rib inside the excavation to a position adjacent to the said first rib;   moving the connection element of the said second rib in a translatory motion towards the connection element of the said first rib so as to make the connection between the said connection elements.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , including insertion of a first insertion portion of the connection element of the said second rib into a corresponding locking portion of the corresponding connection element of the said first rib in order to make the connection between the said connection elements. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , including translatory motion of the structural element of the said second rib with respect to the relative connection element in order to position the said second rib at a predetermined distance with respect to the said first rib.