TUNNEL GASKET

The gaskets placed between lining segments in many TBM-bored tunnels are a vital component in ensuring a long and useful life for the tunnel by protecting the lining and the tunnel interior from ingress of groundwater, and other material, under pressure. 

Recent developments in the design and materials of gaskets  have enabled the efficiency of installation and the lining itself to be improved. Chief among these developments are anchored or cast-in gaskets, the use of hydrophilic material to swell on contact with moisture, and designs to resist higher pressures.

Most sealing gaskets for tunnel lining segments are made from extruded EPDM rubber. A section through the gasket will show a cell structure of apertures that allows, by design, the gasket to be compressed in a known way as the segments are installed and pushed together during installation of a lining ring. Generally the larger the gasket structure, the greater the groundwater pressures that can be handled, but much depends on the quality of manufacture and materials.

Polybit Industries offers a complete and comprehensive range of tunnel gasket systems, for different types of TBM bored tunnels.

Contact our specification or design team if assistance is required in choosing the correct type of tunnel gasket for your tunnels.

Products Offered

• EPDM rubber based tunnel segment gaskets
• EPDM / HYDROPHILIC composite tunnel segment gaskets
• Hydrophilic rubber gaskets
• Adhesive for EPDM and Hydrophilic gaskets
• Foam strips for tunnel segment extrados
• Tunnelling segment accessories