Wall Element System and Method and Apparatus for Constructing Shoring Walls

Abstract

A caisson or casing 107 for installing a sheet 102/103 into a ground or underwater location, the caisson 107 having a shaped wall 107.1 , which is open for a predetermined length and is adapted to receive and connect to an excavation means 3 within the confines of the caisson or casing 107 . In at least one embodiment, the system includes a drilling assembly 3 for insertion of a caisson or casing 1 , the drilling assembly 3 having one or more expanding drill bits 4 which are adapted to be driven by a drilling or rotation motive device 5 , the expanding drill bits 4 being adapted to be arranged with respect to the caisson or casing 1 in use, so as form a hole or bore which substantially conforms to, or substantially overlaps with, the shape of the caisson or casing 1.

1 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system for a ground or underwater location, the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system having a shaped wall which is open for a predetermined length, which is adapted to receive and connect to an excavation means within the confines of the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system. 
     
     
         2 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shaped wall has its free sides each having a clutch, and a connecting section which closes the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system. 
     
     
         3 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the connection section has a wall portion with a mating clutch to join with the clutches at the wall sides of the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system. 
     
     
         4 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the connection section is formed from one or more wall portions having clutches on it or them or can also include at least one element clutch or join formation which is adapted to engage another retaining wall element or formwork element previously inserted in the ground or underwater location. 
     
     
         5 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the connection section is a sheet pile, panel, open section retaining wall element or formwork element or is formed and/or shaped as a sheet pile, panel, open section retaining wall element or formwork element so as to function as a sheet pile, panel, open section retaining wall element or formwork element, which is adapted, in use, to be separable from the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system. 
     
     
         6 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the connection section has at least one clutch, which is adapted to connect to at least one clutch of the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system. 
     
     
         7 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the connection section has at least one element join formation or clutch which is adapted to engage a previously inserted retaining wall element or element of a formwork system or clutch thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one element mating join formation or clutch on the connection section, by being adapted to engage an retaining wall element or element of a formwork system or clutch on one of these previously inserted in the ground or underwater location, is adapted to act as a guide to guide the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system, and an excavation means combined therewith, as excavation occurs. 
     
     
         9 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said at least one element mating join formation or clutch on the connection section is at least two such element mating join formations or clutches. 
     
     
         10 . A retaining wall element or element of a formwork system for use in controlling land erosion in contact with water which wall element or element of a formwork system comprises:
 self-supporting polymeric construction, each having a vertical longitudinal interior channel disposed therein enclosed by at least three sides;   each of said elements having a pair of opposed faces to which are connected one or more fastening means;   each of said elements connected by mating engagement of the at least one fastening means on one first element with at least one fastening means on said at least one second element, said fastening means being an engageable clutch or J-shaped hook;   characterized in that at least one of said elements includes in or on at least one of a front wall and/or rear wall, an elongated fastening means allowing said at least one element to connect to the ends of a wall or walls of a casing or caisson and/or a drilling element, which will be used to drill and/or keep clear a volume in which said element or elements will be installed in an underwater location.   
     
     
         11 . A wall element as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said fastening means on said front and/or said rear wall is an externally arranged engageable clutch or J-shaped hook. 
     
     
         12 . A wall element as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said fastening means on said front and/or said rear wall is an internally arranged engageable clutch or groove able to receive a J-shaped hook. 
     
     
         13 . A wall element as claimed in  claim 12  which further comprises at least one end cap having a fastening means to attach to said element. 
     
     
         14 . A wall element as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said element is constructed by its wall formation shape and/or thickness to function as a structural wall when it is in a hollow condition. 
     
     
         15 . A wall element as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said wall element is initially hollow and when joined and assembled with like or similar elements, is then used as an in-situ formwork and subsequently filled with concrete, cement or grout, or filled with gravel to form a finished structural wall construction. 
     
     
         16 . An excavation means for use with an open section retaining wall element or element of a formwork system installed via a caisson or casing so as to excavate in front of the leading edge of a retaining wall element or element of a formwork system, said excavation means having a body to mount at least one excavation tool so that the at least one excavation tool is spaced from a wall of the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system, or if multiple tools are present they are spaced from each other so that the outside diameter of the at least one excavation of the tools are spaced from each other, said excavation means also including at least one reaming portion which is formed from a section or length of cable. 
     
     
         17 . An excavation means as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said excavation means includes a flushing passage which discharges in a direction at approximately 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the excavation means. 
     
     
         18 . An excavation means as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said excavation means includes a flushing fluid system or drilling fluid system which operates to pump drilling fluid from said excavation means or a portion there of, at a pressure of the order of 50 psi to 500 psi. 
     
     
         19 . An excavation means as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said excavation means includes a shaped body or shaped guides which locate said excavation means to excavate relative to or along a pre-determined axis, which axis is located at an off-centre location relative to the footprint of retaining wall element or element of a formwork system. 
     
     
         20 . An excavation means as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said off-centre location provides the extremities of a locus or rotation envelope or excavation which clears the clutches of a previously installed retaining wall element or element of a formwork system, and which locus or rotation envelope or excavation extends past the forward or opposite side clutches of the retaining wall element or element of a formwork system being installed. 
     
     
         21 . An excavation means as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said excavation means includes a segmented construction allowing the assembly to be increased or decreased in length to suit different lengths of said caisson or casing or open section retaining wall element or element of a formwork system being installed. 
     
     
         22 . An excavation means as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said excavation means is one of: a jet grouting tool; a drilling tool; a reaming tool; a drilling and reaming tool.