Formwork for use in the construction of arched structures and method of constructing arched structures

Abstract

A formwork for constructing an arched structure comprises a first end panel and a second end panel. A plurality of longitudinal members extends between the first end panel and the second end panel. The longitudinal members are arranged in an arched formation and the longitudinal members slope between the first end panel and the second end panel. The formwork may have rollers disposed along lengths of the longitudinal members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A formwork for constructing an arched structure, the formwork comprising:
 a first end;   a second end; and   a plurality of longitudinal members extending between the first end of the formwork and the second end of the formwork, wherein the longitudinal members are arranged in an arched formation and the longitudinal members slope between the first end of the formwork and the second end of the formwork.   
     
     
         2 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 1  further including rollers mounted along the longitudinal members. 
     
     
         3 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 1  further including a longitudinal base member extending between the first end of the formwork and the second end of the formwork, wherein the longitudinal base member is releasably connected to the second end of the formwork and a slope of at least one of the longitudinal members is adjusted by repositioning the longitudinal base member relative to the second end of the formwork. 
     
     
         4 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 1  further including an actuator or vibrator for imparting movement to at least one of the longitudinal members. 
     
     
         5 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 1  further including a plurality of radially extending struts at the first end of the formwork, wherein each of the longitudinal members is coupled to a corresponding one of the radially extending struts. 
     
     
         6 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 5  further including an actuator coupling at least one of the longitudinal members to said corresponding one of the radially extending struts, wherein the actuator moves the said at least one longitudinal member relative to the said corresponding one of the radially extending struts. 
     
     
         7 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first end of the formwork includes a panel having an arcuate peripheral edge. 
     
     
         8 . A formwork for constructing an arched structure, the formwork comprising:
 a first end;   a second end; and   an arched surface extending between the first end of the formwork and the second end of the formwork, wherein the arched surface slopes between the first end of the formwork and the second end of the formwork.   
     
     
         9 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 8  further including a longitudinal base member extending between the first end of the formwork and the second end of the formwork, wherein the longitudinal base member is releasably connected to the second end of the formwork and a slope of the arched surface is adjusted by repositioning the longitudinal base member relative to the second end of the formwork. 
     
     
         10 . The formwork as claimed in  claim 8  further including an actuator or vibrator for imparting movement to the arched surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method of constructing an arched structure comprising:
 providing a formwork having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal member extending between the first end of the formwork and the second end of the formwork, wherein the longitudinal member slopes downwardly from the first end of the formwork to the second end of the formwork;   using the formwork to support placing a plurality of interlocking voussoirs and keystones during the constructing of a portion of the arched structure; and   pulling the formwork out of the portion of the arched structure after the interlocking voussoirs and keystones are placed, wherein the formwork is pulled out of the portion of the arched structure by the first end of the formwork to cause the voussoirs to move inward and the keystones to move downward and thereby causing the voussoirs and the keystones to interlock.   
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further including providing the formwork with an actuator or vibrator. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  further including imparting movement to the longitudinal member to cause offset voussoirs to be set. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further including extending tension straps along an extrados of the arched structure to prevent outward movement of the voussoirs. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further including extending tension straps along an intrados of the arched structure to prevent inward movement of the voussoirs. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further including providing the arched structure with a lining. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further including providing an extrados of the arched structure with an epoxy lining.