CA2231894C

CA2231894C - Method and means of sealing joints

Info

Publication number: CA2231894C
Application number: CA 2231894
Authority: CA
Inventors: Rene P. Schmid
Original assignee: Agrar Chemie AG
Current assignee: Agrar Chemie AG
Priority date: 1997-03-21
Filing date: 1998-03-12
Publication date: 2005-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-12
Also published as: JP3801346B2; EP0866190A2; EP0866190A3; JPH10306876A; CA2231894A1; DE19711897A1; DE19711897B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for sealing joints, in particular soundproofing joints, a joint sealing tube being inserted or pushed into the joint and the tube subsequently being subjected to an internal pressure, so that the tube is pressed with its walls against the walls bounding the joint and, as a result, the joint is closed in a sealed manner.

Description

Method and means of sealing joints The invention relates to a method for sealing joints according to the preamble of claim 1 and to means for carrying out the method.
It is known for the sealing of movement, element or soundproofing joints to introduce or lay into the joint compressible rubbe r; or plastics in the form of flexible joint strips.
In this case, the flexible j oint strip is pressed into the joint in such a way that it is at the same time compressed and consequently exerts a pressure on the walls of the joint. The installation of such so-called compression elements can be performed mechanically, but is usually performed manually, since the installation has ~~o be carried out very carefully.
The manual installation of these compression elements or compression joint strips requires considerable expenditure of time, with the associated costs. In addit=ion to these disadvantages, it is not possible with such joint strips to seal reliably joints which have differences in the widths of the joint over their length. Even small differences in the width of the joint. make a different dimensioning of the joint strip nece:~sary. In addition, it is disadvantageous that a widening of the joint, for example due to expansion or shrinkage of the structural elements, is tolerated only minimally by such joint strips without losses in the sealing effect. Such flexible compression joint strips are capable of sealing differences in pressure of up to 1 bar.
:35 The object of the invention is to provide a method of sealing joints which rnakes it possible to fit the joint strips or joint sealing tubes simply and quickly and to provide joint strips for carrying out the method which are insensitive to varying widths of the joint and make possible improved sealing, in particular in the case of high. pressures acting on the seal.
The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a means having the features of claim 12.
Advantageous designs and developments are defined in subclaims.
The method according to the invention provides for designing a sealing means in such a way that it can be pushed into an existing joint essentially without being compressed and, once the means has been laid, it is subjected to a pressure from inside, for example pneumatically, hydraulically or similarly, preferably through a valve, so that it is pressed against the walls of the joint.
Means according to the invention are, for example, roun~~ of flattened tubes which are laid into the joint and subsequently subjected to pressure pneumatically, hydr~~ulically or similarly and consequently attempt to assume a circular cross section and, as a result, exert a pressure with their walls on the joint, which pressure is dependent: on the internal pressure of the tube.. As a result, t:he tube body, which serves as a seal:~ng body, is compressed, so that even in the event of subsequent expansion of the joint the sealed effect is ensured also by expansion of the tube body. In addition, joint strips according to the invention which have an essentially rectangular cross section with a slit made deep into them are provided, the slit being made parallel to the walls of the joint. Into this slit there is laid, for example, a tube which can be subjE:cted to pressure and consequently presses the joint: strip against the walls bounding the joint and compresses it in this region. In the case of an advantageous further embodiment, into the slit of such a joint strip there is laid inwardly a porous injection tube with which, once the first tube has been subjected to pressure, injection fluid is introduced into the then outwardly sealed joint.
In t:he case of such a design of j oint strips it is of advantage that the joint strips can be introduced simply and quickly .into existing joints, for example soundproofing joints of row houses, a required pressure is subsequently applied and the soundproofing joints are consequently reliably sealed. In addition, it is of advantage that, by virtue of the uniform internal pressure and the compression of the walls of the joint strip which is brought about, joint strips according to the invention can compensate for tolerances in the widt)z of the joint. As a result, reliable sealing is ensured even in the case of varying widths of the joint, In addition, it is of advantage that, in the evens= of subsequent widenings of the width of the joins=, a subsequent injection into the pressure tube can take place, for example pneumatically or hydraulically.
The invention is described by way of example below with reference to a drawing, in which:
:25 Fig. 2 shows a cross section through a joint sealing tube according to the-invention;
Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a joint sealing tube according to the invention, the joint ;30 sealing tube being designed such that it is flattened at. the sides;
Fig. 3 shows a joint sealing strip according to the invention with inserted joint sealing tube ~5 according to Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 shows a joint sealing tube in a joint before being subjected to pressure;

Fig. 5 shows a joint sealing tube according to Fig.
4 once it has been subjected to pressure;
Fig. 6 shows a cross section through a joint sealing strip according to the invention;
Fig. 7 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of a joint sealing strip according to the invention;
Fig. 8 shows a joint sealing strip according to the invention with inserted compression tube and inserted injection tube;
Fig. 9 shows a joint sealing strip according to the invention with inserted compression tube of a flattened design, after compression in a j oint;
Fig. 10 shows a sealing strip according to the invention with inserted, cross-sectionally round compression tube in a joint after compression;
Fig. 11 shows a joint sealing strip according to the invention with inserted compression tube and inserted injection tube in a joint;
Fig. 12 shows a joint sealing strip according to the :30 invention with inserted compression tube and inserted injection tube, the injection tube having a form which is flattened at the sides;
Fig. 13 shows a vertical section through a wall with a joint s~~alin.g strip according to the invention;

Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of a joint sealing strip according to the invention with a contoured surface;
Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of a joint sealing strip with a compression tube and an injection tube and with a contour surface.
A joint sealing tube 1 according to the invention has, for example, a cross>-sectionally annular tube body 2 with a tube inner surface 3 and a tube outer surface 4.
A tube cavity 5 is bounded by the tube inner surface 3.
The tube body 2 consists, for example, of a flexible plasi=ic, for example a rubber, and is preferably of a thick-walled design. The dimensions of the tube wall and the plastic are chosen in this case such that the flex~_bly compliant tube 1 is a pressure-resistant pressure tube and preferably does not expand, but only chanc3es its cross-sectional shape, under internal pressure, assuming a circular cross section under high pressure.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment (Fig.
2), i:he tube 1 is designed such that in cross section it i;s flattened at the sides. Such a tube is pushed into a joint 6 (Fig. 4), which exists, for example, between two sections of masonry 7 and is bounded by the walls 8 of the masonry. A joint sealing tube 1 of annular cross section is in this case preferably :30 compressed at the sides, so that it is held of its own accord between the walls 8 of the joint. In the case of joint sealing tubes 1 flattened at the sides, a friction contact between wall and tube is preferably likewise achieved. As a result, the tube is held in its position. Thus, for example, a tube 1 with a width of 25 mn~ is inserted into a 20 mm wide joint, whereby it is held of its own accord in the joint but nevertheless can be easily pushed in.

Once such a joint sealing tube 1 has been introduced into a joint 6, it: is subjected to pressure, for example pneumatically or hydraulically (Fig. 5). As a result, the wall thickness becomes less due to the compression of the tube body 2. However, the circumference of the joint sealing tube 1 preferably does not significantly change in this case. There is preferably arranged at the ends of the tube 1 a valve device (not shown) fo.r filling the same.
A further possibility of subjecting such a joint sealing tube to pressure and of achieving compression of the tube body 4 is to inject into the tube cavity 2 reaction plastics which react with one another and after the reaction produce, for example, a flexible, for example rubber-like, composition. A further possibility of subjecting the tube to pressure and of compressing the tube body 4 in the region in which it bear; against the walls 8 of the joint is to fill the tube cavity 5 with acrylic resin, polyurethane or similar foams. The reaction plastics are introduced into the tube under pressure and/or react with an increase in volume, so that an internal pressure is built up in the tube 1. It is preferred for the tube :?5 body to be subjected to pressure by an acrylic gel, which retains its viscosity over a long period of time and c:an be recompressed at any time. Further suitable pressure media are oils or fluids which are stable over long periods of time.
The applied internal pressure is of the order of magnitude of 100 bar and may be up to 260 bar.
A further possibility according to the invention of 3.5 sealing a joint 6 is to place a joint sealing tube 1 according to the invention into a j oint strip 10 ( Fig.
6). Such a joint strip according to the invention has an approximately rectangular cross section, with two, preferably wide, side faces 11, oriented parallel to each other, and two end faces 12, oriented perpendicular to the side faces 11 and preferably made narrower than the latter. In one of the end faces 12 there is made in the region of the transverse center a deep groove I3 or a slit 13, running parallel to the side walls 11, so that as a result the joint strip 10 is given a U-shaped cross section. The joint sealing tube 1 is laid into this slit 13.
As a result, a joint: sealing tube 1 according to the inve::~tion can also be adapted to wider joints 6.
This groove or this slit 13 extends, for example, over three quarters or four fifths of the width of the side face, 11.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment of a joint. strip 10 (Fig. 7j, from one end face 12 a slit 14 is rf~spectively made into the joint strip 10 alongside the side faces 11 and running parallel to the side faces 11. The slits .L4 and the slit 13 are preferably made in the same end face 12. The slits 14 extend, for example, over 4/5 of the width of the side faces 11 toward the opposite end face 12. Narrow tongues 15 are formed by the slits 14 in the region of the side faces 11. 7.f a cut is made parallel to the side face 11 and perpendicular to the end face 12 in the region of a base 16 of the slit 14, these tongues 15 can optionally be individually or bath cut off from the joint strip.
This makes it possible before laying of a joint 6 to match the j oint strip to the width of the j oint 6 . In principle, it is possible also to make a plurality of slits 14, oriented parallel to one another, into the joint strip 10 alongside the side faces 11, so that a lamination is produced in the edge regions of the joint strip 10 . With such a lamination, the j oint strips can be adapted even better_ to different widths of joint by removing individual laminae.

_ g _ A joint strip 10 is introduced into a joint 6 in such a way that the closed end face 12 faces outward and the end face 12 provided with the slit 13 faces inward. If high internal pressures are to be sealed in a joint, this may, however, also take place conversely. The side faces 11 bear against the walls 8 bounding the joint 6.
Once the joint strip 10 has been introduced into the j oini= 6 in this waxy, the j oint sealing tube 1 is subjected to pressure pneumatically, hydraulically or by pressed-in reaction plastics, under which pressure it expands and presses the joint strip against the wall: 8 (Figs. 9, 10) .
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment (Figs.
11, 7_2), an injection tube 19 is introduced in addition to t:ze joint sealing tube 1 into the slit 13 of the joint: strip 10, toward the interior of the joint 6. The injection tube 19 may be designed, for example, with an annular cross section (Fig. 11) or else with an annular .20 cross section which .is flattened cross-sectionally at the sides (Fig. 12). Such an injection tube 19 consists, for example, of a porous foam, or comprises a perforated tube or a conventional injection tube, through which an injection agent can pass from the interior of the tube 20 to the outside. A tube strip 10 of such a design is initially laid into the joint, the j oint being extended, for example, into the floor slab 21 (Fig. 13) in the case of a joint 6 which exists between two masonry structures 7, in order to improve the sealing effect in the region of the floor.
The joint sealing tube 1 is subsequently subjected to pressure in the way described, whereby the joint strip 10 is pressed with its side walls 11 against the walls 8 of the masonry structure 7 bounding the joint 6. Once a desired pressure has been built up in this way, injection agent is forced into the inner space 20 of the injection tube 19.. The injection agent then passes through the inj ection tube into the slit 13 and out of _ g _ the slit 13 into the inner region of the joint 6. In thi~~ way, a joint 6 can be completely filled with injection agent, if this is desired.
In t:he case of a further advantageous embodiment of a joint strip 10, the side faces 11 are of a contoured design, in order to ensure improved holding in the case of uneven or crumbling masonry. The surface may, for example, be of a serrated design (Figs. 14, 15), the serration 23 being designed in such a way that shallow tooth flanks 24 face the interior of the joint and steep tooth flanks 25 face the exterior of the joint.
In the case of pressure directed onto the joint strip from the interior of the joint, a clasping, locking effect is achieved as. a result of this, but the pushing in of the joint strip is not hindered.
In the case of the method according to the invention, the sealing effect. may also be retained only temporarily, if this is desired. It is suitable for this purpose to build up the compression pressure by pneumatic or hydraulic means. In order to lower the presaure again, all that is necessary is to open a valvf~ (not shown) arranged on the joint sealing tube 1.
For permanent sealing, tube filling with acrylic gel or reaction plastics, silicone rubbers or foams, in partucular polyurethane foam, is particularly advantageous.
In t:ze case of the method according to the invention, using joint sealing tubes, it is of advantage that they can be introduced into a j oint particularly simply and quic~:ly and a sealed joint is achieved quickly, reliably and inexpensively by subsequent filling (pneumatically, hydraulically, by reaction plastics).
The fact that the tube material is compressed in the region where it bears against the walls of the joint also means that it is possible to compensate for subsequent widening of the joint just by expansion of the tube material and/or of the joint strip.
A relatively thick-walled joint sealing tube 1 or a joint strip with a joint sealing tube 1 arranged therein is preferably subjected to pressure by curing reaction plastics, so that the walls between the reaction plastic and the walls 8 of the joint are compressed in a flexibly compliant manner and if there is widening of the joint 6 this can be compensated by an Expansion of the tube body 2 or of the joint strip 10.
In t:he case of the method according to the invention for sealing joints uaing joint sealing strips 10 it is of advantage that, by virtue of the internal pressure built up in the joint sealing tube 1, the walls 11 of the joint strip 10 b.=ar with the same pressure against the walls 8 at all points of the joint. In addition, it is of advantage that, in the case of a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure medium in the joint sealing tube 1, if there is subsequent widening of the joint the wall pressure on the walls 8 can be brought back to a desired value by adding pressure medium.
If t:~e joint sealing tube 1 is filled with plastics, in particular reaction plastics, a high pressure can be main=ained over a long period, which dispenses with the need for subsequent compression.
In t:he case of a joint strip 10 according to the invention with joint sealing tube 1 and injection tube 19, it is of advantage that a joint 6 can not only be sealed but can also be filled with injection fluid after sealing. It is additionally advantageous in the case of such joint strips 10 that the joint 5 can be reliably sealed even in the case of increased internal pres:~ures. For this purpose, all that is necessary is that the pressure in the compression tube is higher than the pressure which acts on the joint strip 10 from the interior of the joint 6.
Use of the joint sealing tubes and joint sealing strips according to the invention is not restricted to masonry joints, it is also possible with these elements to seal., for example, pipe sleeves of pipeline connections.
Furthermore, the joint sealing tube according to the invention can be used very advantageously in tank construction, for sealing precompressing pipes or in tunnel construction for sealing tubbings.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sealing a joint having walls bounding the joint, the apparatus comprising a joint strip, to which an internal pressure is applied, the joint strip comprising a slit extending parallel to the longitudinal extent and the joint strip comprising a pressure element which exerts a pressure, wherein the pressure element consists of a joint sealing tube, which can be filled with a medium exerting a pressure, and wherein the joint strip consists of a material which can be compressed and which can expand after compression for compensating for subsequent widening of the joint.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joint sealing tube is a compression tube.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the joint sealing tube consists of a material which can be compressed and which can expand after compression.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube is subjected to an internal pressure hydraulically by a fluid or a gel.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube is subjected to an internal pressure pneumatically.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tube is filled with a reaction plastic and is subjected to pressure by the reaction plastic.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reaction plastic is a foam.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the foam is a polyurethane foam.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, in addition to the joint sealing tube, an injection tube is arranged in the slit of the joint strip in the interior of the joint.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein an injection medium is arranged in the injection tube and in the slit in a pressed manner.

11. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tube is pressure-resistant and burst-proof up to 150 bar.

12. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the joint sealing tube consists of a material which does not expand under pressure.

13. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the joint sealing tube is subjected to a pressure from inside, the pressure being between 100 bar and 280 bar.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the joint sealing tube has a cross-sectionally annular tube body with a tube inner surface and a tube outer surface, the tube inner surface bounding a cavity and the tube body being formed from a flexible plastic.

15. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the plastic is a rubber.

16. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 and 13 to 15, wherein the joint sealing tube is flexibly compliant and pressure-resistant and expands under internal pressure.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the joint strip has an approximately rectangular cross section, with two wide side faces, oriented parallel to each other, and two end faces, oriented perpendicular to the side faces and narrower than the latter, there being made in one of the end faces, in the region of the transverse center, the slit, running parallel to the side faces and to the longitudinal extent of the joint strip, the joint sealing tube being mounted such that it is pushed into the slit.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the slit extends over 3/4 or of the width of the side faces.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein from one end face there is arranged a second slit made in the joint strip alongside the side faces and running parallel to the side faces, the second slit and the slit being made in the same end face.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the slits extend over 4/5 of the width of the side faces toward the opposite end face, whereby narrow tongues are formed by the slits and the side faces.

21. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the side faces of the joint strip are of a contoured design.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the side faces (11) are provided with a serration (23).

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the serration comprises shallow tooth flanks facing the interior of the joint and steep tooth flanks facing the exterior of the joint.