EP0429505B1 - Seal for civil engineering works and process for manufacturing it - Google Patents

Abstract

A seal for civil engineering works or the like comprises a firm structural lower layer (3, 4), such as a concrete layer (3) with a fine layer (4), to which a sealing layer of plate-like elements (1) made of corrosion-resistant sheet metal, such as special sheet steel, is applied and bonded (5). The joints (10, 11, 14) of adjacent elements (1) are designed as expansion joints and welded (2, 6) together along their length. Tubular test ducts (40) are arranged in the expansion joints (19, 20). After the seal is assembled, an inert gas is introduced into the test ducts (40), and the seal and welded joints (10, 11, 14) are scanned. The escape of inert gas indicates the presence of a leak.

Description

The invention relates to a seal for civil engineering structures such as industrial pools, tubs, industrial floors or the like with a sealing layer of plate-shaped elements made of corrosion-resistant metals, which is glued to the entire surface of a solid structural sub-layer such as concrete with a fine layer, whereby along their abutting, possibly angled edge strips, the sides are continuously sealed Connected longitudinal joints and transverse joints are formed with expansion areas and cavities and, if necessary, tubular test lines for monitoring leaks along the longitudinal joints and transverse joints are provided in the cavities in the expansion area of the longitudinal joints and transverse joints, which are provided with external connections. The invention also relates to a method for producing such seals using plate-shaped elements made of corrosion-resistant metals.

A seal of the generic type is known from DE-OS 36 08 950. Here, studded stainless steel foils profiled on one side are glued to the entire surface of a concrete structure to be sealed using adhesive. The joints are in the form of overlap seams or V-shaped upstanding seams and are glued.

The cavities that arise during the impact formation become over Pipes or hoses or electrical lines connected to a central monitoring system for detecting leaks, so that the occurrence of leakage liquids in cavities can be indicated.

A concrete container is known from DE-U 8423651, which is lined with a thin, independently non-stable steel liner. The steel liner is movable on the container wall by means of intermediate elements, e.g. along anchor rails, held so that steel liners and containers can be moved independently of one another to compensate for thermal expansions. The steel liner is welded together from individual parts on the intermediate elements, which are movably guided on the container.

A double-walled container is known from DE-A 2329525, in which a lining, in particular an elastic lining, is inserted into the container to form an intermediate space. The gap is monitored for leaking fluid that is displayed by means of an inserted hose that has holes in the side of the sole, which is displayed. The tightness of the seam connections is not checked.

Seals on buildings are intended to prevent water and liquids from penetrating and to provide corrosion protection. Also the uncontrolled drainage of harmful liquids from industrial pools such as oil sumps, tank sumps, cooling water pools, fire extinguishing ponds, wet operations, shielding of tanks, equipment and chemical plants Industry, sewage treatment plants, landfills should be prevented by means of seals.

The invention has for its object to provide a corrosion-resistant seal for civil engineering, which withstands the highest demands on chemical aggressiveness and allows draining of liquids into a collecting device, which is not only walkable but may also be designed to be used by transport vehicles. Furthermore, the seal should also be able to be checked for the tightness of the connections produced at the joints of the elements of the sealing layer immediately after completion and at any later point in time without damaging the seal.

This object is achieved with a generic seal, which is designed according to the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the seal can be found in the characterizing features of claims 2 to 7.

The sealing layer is preferably formed from plate-shaped elements made of stainless steel sheets or other suitable metals or metallic alloys which are optionally formed with lateral edge strips angled upwards and / or downwards and which are glued over the entire surface of the substructure by means of a reactive resin adhesive. Cold-binding reactive resin adhesives that permanently bond different materials together, for example based on polyisocyanate reactive resins, are suitable. These are applied in amounts of approx. 100-500g / m² depending on the quality of the substrate to the substructure or fine layer. The fully bonded elements can then no longer warp under thermal stress. Such a sealing layer is able to absorb thermal expansions in the case of temperature fluctuations of up to 100 ° C. and more without being subject to warping or stress cracks. The The use of stainless steel sheets, for example according to DIN standard quality V4a or V2, ensures long-term chemical resistance and corrosion resistance. The use of stainless steel sheets with a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm is sufficient to achieve the desired resistance and strength of the seal.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing layer is built up from elements which, for the formation of V-shaped expansion folds projecting upwards above the element plane, have angled upward at the longitudinal joints on two mutually parallel sides and edge strips slightly inclined outwards from the vertical, and for the formation of expansion joints on the transverse joints on one or both sides of the elements running transversely thereto, an edge strip is angled downwards.

These elements can be laid in wide drainage channels on the surface to be sealed, whereby they are laid in a desired drainage direction with a slight slope, 1 to 2%, which is formed in the fine layer. In this way, expansion areas are obtained at the longitudinal joints of the elements in the form of an expansion fold, which are formed as a V-fold when the elements are placed against one another by the slightly outwardly inclined edged edge strips. The edge strips are here inclined approximately 2 to 10 °, in particular 2 to 5 °, outwards from the vertical.

The expansion areas at the transverse joints of the elements of the sealing layer are designed as expansion joints. According to the invention it is proposed that a continuous approximately U-shaped profile strip made of corrosion-resistant metal is arranged underneath the elements in the substructure in the area of the transverse joints, into which the downwardly angled edge strips of adjoining elements protrude with sufficient free space for expansion movements.

The formation of welded butt joints protruding in one direction above the element plane as a V-shaped expansion fold has the advantage of being safe to manufacture and having good thermal compensation. By laying the cross joints in the element level, liquids can run off in one direction parallel to the high expansion areas and joints with a corresponding gradient. Sealing layers designed in this way can also be walked on. However, it is not possible to drive across the upright bumps. In order to make the seal navigable at least in certain areas, it is proposed in a further embodiment of the invention to design, in addition to the transverse joints, also longitudinal joints of adjoining elements in selected areas such that the longitudinal joints of the elements are arranged and passable in the element plane and the associated expansion region is below the element plane is formed by means of a hat-shaped profile bar made of corrosion-resistant metal with a central web on the elements and covering the longitudinal joint. The welded longitudinal joint can be designed as a V weld. The hat-shaped profile strip is then embedded between the substructure and the fine layer, flush with its upper edge, and fastened and glued to the substructure. Suitable elements are designed in such a way that they have edge strips angled downward on two opposite sides to form transverse joints, while the other two sides which are parallel to one another are chamfered only for accommodating the welding bead.

For the creation of the sealing layer, according to the configuration of the building, in addition to plate-shaped elements, connecting elements, such as angle profiles or the like, made of corrosion-resistant metals can also be used, the basic inventive configurations of the joints with expansion areas being used accordingly.

To check the tightness of the sealing layer again and again To be able to, it is provided according to the invention that perforated test lines, for example with perforations in the form of holes or slots, are arranged in the expansion regions formed by upward or downward angled edge strips of the elements. With the help of an inert gas introduced into the test lines and sensing the seal from the outside and welded shocks, any leaks can be determined by detecting the escaping gas. The space available in the expansion areas is used for the installation of a test device that does not impede the sealing. The test leads are preferably laid in individual sections so that they can be tested section by section. By using an inert gas, no harmful effects are exerted on the elements during the test, so that no corrosion or stress cracks occur afterwards. The perforation of the test lines ensures an even distribution of the introduced gas, so that it can run along the line at appropriate intervals. The test lines are preferably installed directly during the manufacture of the seal and, after the seal has been completed, are filled with an inert gas, such as noble gas, in order to carry out the first test test. Escaping gas, which can be detected with a leak detector at the exit points and can be displayed optically and / or acoustically, indicates leaks at welds or stress cracks or other leaks in the seal.

The test lines are advantageously formed from corrosion-resistant metal tubes with an outside diameter of less than 4 mm, in particular equal to or less than 3 mm and an inner diameter of less than 2 mm, in particular equal to or less than 1 mm. However, it is also possible to design the test leads from high temperature-resistant plastics that are not affected by the welding of the joints of the elements. The perforation of the test leads preferably consists of very small holes, which are worked into the tube walls by means of a laser beam, for example.

In order to be able to fill the test lines with gas in sections for the purpose of testing, it is provided that the test lines of the individual expansion areas laid in individual sections are each provided with an external connection, such as a pipe socket, in sections. If the building permits, the external connections should preferably be arranged on ascending walls. It is thus possible to specifically check only certain, particularly endangered or conspicuous areas during checks, since the test lines of a larger seal do not form an interconnected system, but individual sections that can be checked for themselves.

In order to also be able to test the drivable longitudinal joints of the elements, which are laid in the element plane and in which the expansion area is formed in the sealing layer by means of the hat-shaped profile strip, for gas tightness, the hat-shaped profile strip has two parallel longitudinal grooves formed on the central web that serve as test leads. The area in between can also be checked for leaks if, according to a further proposal of the invention, the channel formed between the two longitudinal grooves on the inside of the hat-shaped profile strip is closed to a further channel by means of a glued-on sealing tape and can thus be used as a test line.

The method according to the invention for producing seals for engineering buildings using plate-shaped elements made of corrosion-resistant metal can be found in patent claim 8.

Advantageous refinements of the method can be found in the features of claims 9 to 12 and are explained in more detail in the description of the drawing.

In this case, elements with edge strips angled downwards on two opposite sides are used to form expansion joints on the transverse joints, and grooves are milled into the fine layer and, if appropriate, underlayer in the grooves, corresponding to the length of the elements, into the grooves an approximately U -shaped profile strip made of corrosion-resistant metal is inserted, into which the edge strips of the elements, which are angled downwards, are inserted with sufficient space for expansion movements and then the joints are welded in the element plane.

For the formation of longitudinal joints protruding above the element level, elements with edge strips protruding on two opposite sides are used, which are applied to the substructure parallel to the direction of drainage, and the upper edges of the edge strips are pressed together to form an almost gapless joint and then spaced apart under the action of a protective gas spot welded and then the joints along the upper edges welded tightly under the influence of a protective gas.

For passable elements, the longitudinal joints are laid in the element level and elements without trained edge strips are inserted parallel to the direction of the drain and a hat-shaped profile strip is attached and fastened to the substructure parallel to the direction of the width, and then the fine layer is flush with the top of the substructure finally applied to the profile strip and then the elements are glued to the entire surface of the fine layer and the central web of the profile strip, the longitudinal joint of the adjoining elements being arranged and welded centrally on the profile strip.

To test the sealing layer for leaks at any time, tubular perforated test lines are inserted into the expansion areas and, after the sealing layer has been completed, the test lines are filled with gas, in particular noble gas, and the sealing layer is scanned along the welded joints for gas escaping from leaks.

When longitudinal joints are formed in the element plane with a hat-shaped profile strip, the leak test is carried out by using a hat-shaped profile strip with two parallel longitudinal grooves formed on the central web, the longitudinal grooves being closed to form continuous channels after the sealing layer and the elements have been applied and these channels serve as test lines, into which gas, in particular noble gas, is introduced after the sealing has been completed, and the sealing along the welded joints is scanned from the outside for gas escaping from leaks.

In addition, a continuous sealing tape connecting the two longitudinal grooves can be glued to the inside of the hat-shaped profile strip, thereby forming a further channel which can be used as a test line for leaks by introducing gas.

All elements of the seal according to the invention are continuously welded to form a continuous sealing layer at the joints under the influence of protective gas. Carrying out all welding processes on the elements while maintaining a protective gas cloud prevents the occurrence of crevice corrosion on the elements, such as stainless steel sheets. Here, the formation of the longitudinal joints as a V-fold proves to be advantageous, since the protective gas collects in the V-fold of the edge strips and remains during welding.

Likewise, the protective gas blown into the U-shaped profile strips of the expansion areas of the transverse joints or the longitudinal grooves of the hat-shaped profile strip can remain with one another during the welding of the joints of the elements, so that the underside of the elements is also protected against crevice corrosion which occurs as a result of the welding. It is also possible to insert the test lines into the expansion areas before welding the joints of the elements and then to carry out the welding of the joints under protective gas, protective gas being simultaneously introduced into the test lines. By introducing the protective gas into the test lines during the welding of the joints, it cannot spread as quickly and it is ensured that it remains in the expansion areas and gaps along the joints of the elements to be connected during the welding.

Figur 1

die perspektivische Ansicht eines plattenförmigen Elementes

Figur 2

Teilaufsicht auf eine Abdichtungsschicht aus miteinander verschweißten Elementen

Figur 3

Querschnitt AA gemäß Figur 2 für einen Querstoß

Figur 4

perspektivischer Ausschnitt der Abdichtung mit Längsstößen der Elemente im Aufbau

Figur 5

schematischer Querschnitt durch eine Wanne mit Abdichtung und Sammelrinne

Figur 6

schematischer Querschnitt durch eine Prüfleitung

Figur 7

Querschnitt durch eine Prüfleitung in der Abdichtung mit Außenanschluß

Figur 8

schematische Ansicht mit Aufbau einer Abdichtung mit Längsstößen und Wandanschluß mit Prüfleitungen

Figur 9

perspektivische Ansicht eines weiteren Elementes

Figur 10, 11

perspektivische Ansichten von verschiedenen hutförmigen Profilleisten

Figur 12

Querschnitt durch einen in der Elementebene ausgebildeten Längsstoß von Elementen einer Abdichtung.

Further details are exemplified in the drawing. Show it

Figure 1

the perspective view of a plate-shaped element

Figure 2

Partial supervision of a sealing layer made of welded elements

Figure 3

Cross section AA according to Figure 2 for a cross joint

Figure 4

Perspective section of the seal with longitudinal joints of the elements in the structure

Figure 5

schematic cross section through a tub with seal and collecting channel

Figure 6

schematic cross section through a test line

Figure 7

Cross section through a test line in the seal with external connection

Figure 8

schematic view with the construction of a seal with longitudinal joints and wall connection with test leads

Figure 9

perspective view of another element

Figure 10, 11

perspective views of various hat-shaped profile strips

Figure 12

Cross section through a longitudinal joint of elements of a seal formed in the element plane.

A plate-shaped element 1 for the sealing layer made of corrosion-resistant metal sheets, such as stainless steel, possibly copper or the like, for large surfaces which are arranged at a slight incline in a drain direction for draining off liquids to be collected, is shown schematically in FIG. The element 1 is rectangular with a handy length 1 of about 1 to 2 m, a width b1 of about 50 to 100 cm and a thickness of 0.8 to 1.2 mm. The element 1 is channel-shaped, the edge strips 10 and 11 being angled obliquely upwards along the longitudinal sides parallel to one another. The angle α is about 85 to 88 °. The edge strips 14 of the element 1 are bent downwards at right angles on the two transverse sides. These plate-shaped elements 1 are joined to form a closed sealing surface, see FIG. 2, and are tightly welded to one another along their abutting sides, forming expansion regions. This creates continuous welded longitudinal joints 6 and continuous welded transverse joints 2. The transverse joints 2 lie in the element plane, i.e. in the area of the bearing surface 12, while the longitudinal joints 6 protrude above the element plane.

FIG. 4 shows the joining of the plate elements 1 to form the longitudinal joints on the edged edge strips 10, 11 can be seen. On the substructure 3, for example a concrete layer, a smooth fine layer 4, for example a screed, is applied on the upper side. The fine layer can be slightly inclined in a desired drainage direction with a gradient of 1 to 2%. A cold-binding reactive resin adhesive 5 is applied to the entire surface of the fine layer 4, for example based on polyisocyanate reactive resins, which sets by contact pressure and does not require a long service life. The elements 1 are placed on the adhesive layer 5 and butted almost without a gap on the butt joint 15 with the edged edge strips 11, 10. Elements 1 can be weighed down for better gluing to the substrate. The adjacent edge strips of two elements form a V-shaped expansion fold 20, the size of which is determined by the height h of the edge strips 10, 11 and the angle α, see FIG. 1. The distance a should be such that thermal expansions of the elements can be compensated for. At a height h of the edge strips of approximately 20 to 50 mm, the distance a at the foot of the expansion fold 20 should be approximately 3 to 5 mm. The seal to be produced from the elements 1 according to FIG. 4 is equipped with a permanent test device which enables the seal to be checked for leaks again and again over the years, both directly after manufacture and in use. For this purpose, test lines 40 in the form of perforated tubes made of corrosion-resistant metals are inserted into the expansion folds 20 before assembly. The test lines 40 have perforations in the form of small holes 41, through which the test gas introduced into the test lines 40 can enter the expansion areas and, in the event of leaks in the sealing layer, escape from the welded elements 1 upwards. Leakage points can then be found by scanning the top of the sealing layer with a leak detector. The test lines 40 are only supplied with a test gas for the purpose of testing. In order to obtain tightly welded longitudinal joints 6, edge strips 10, 11 are first spot-welded to one another at intervals after the gapless compression to the butt joint 15, see welding points 9, also under the influence of a protective gas. Only after the entire surface has been laid, glued and tacked by spot welding, are the butt joints 15 continuously welded tightly under the influence of protective gas, so that the welded longitudinal joints 6, see FIG. 2, are formed.

The test line 40 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the form of a tube made of stainless steel with an outside diameter of 3 mm and an inside diameter of 1 mm, in the tube wall of which small holes 41 are made at a distance of 30 to 40 mm by means of a laser beam Perforation are provided.

Such a pipe 40 as a test line is continuously introduced, for example, continuously into the longitudinal expansion joints 20 of the sealing layer formed by the upstanding edge strips 10, 11. On one or both end sides of the seal or the continuous expansion joint 20, the pipe end 46 of the pipe is led out of the seal, as shown in detail in FIG. 7, for example. Such a pipe end 46, accessible as a connection, is preferably provided on a rising wall 30 of the structure to be sealed. The elements 1 are also angled on such rising walls in the corner area and led up with the angled part 13 to form expansion joints. The end of the element 1, 13 is also sealed against the wall 30 in the area 18, for example by means of an adhesive or sealing tape. The test line 40 is laid in the cavity H formed by the expansion joint and is led out at an angle through the recess 43 in the element part 13. In order to seal this breakthrough, for example, the pipe socket 42 is welded onto the element part 13, see weld seam 44 and at the end of the pipe socket 42 the test line 40 is fastened in a sealed manner by means of a braze 45. Now a test gas, for example helium, can be placed in the gas bottle 50 by placing it on the pipe end 46 in the direction of arrow F. Pipe 40 and through the holes 41 in the cavity H in the expansion folds and expansion areas below the sealing layer of the elements 1 are introduced. The test gas introduced through the test line 40 will fill all cavities beneath the sealing layer and tends to emerge upwards through the sealing layer if there are any leaks. Such test gas escaping on the sealing layer can be detected with a leak detector and displayed. The leaks found in the sealing layer can then be resealed. After the end of the test process, for example an expansion fold 20 running in the longitudinal direction of the elements welded to one another, the gas supply is switched off and the pipe socket 42 is closed by screwing on the screw cap 51. The next section can now be tested by introducing the test gas into the test line of the next expansion fold 20, see FIG. 8.

A sealing layer, as already described with reference to FIG. 4, in the area of the longitudinal joints 6 on bent elements 1 with a transition to a wall 30 is shown in part in FIG. The seal is tight both for liquids in the direction of arrow B, that is to the substructure, and in the direction of arrow C, out of the substructure. If the sealing layer is to be accessible, e.g. Gratings 7 of suitable material are placed on the elements 1.

Due to the full-surface gluing of the elements 1 to the substructure, these are secured both against slipping and against warping. The expansion folds 20 formed on the welded butt joints enable the necessary thermal expansion compensation in the transverse direction. In the case of large surfaces to be sealed, elements 1 are to be connected not only on the long sides but also on the short sides. To ensure the unimpeded drainage of liquids in the direction of the gutter for seals with a gradient, see arrow E Figure 2, to ensure the cross welds must be formed in the element plane. FIG. 3 shows an advantageous embodiment of a transverse joint 2 with an associated expansion area according to section AA of FIG. 2.

In order to lay the cross connection in the element plane and at the same time to maintain an expansion joint, ie to compensate for thermal expansion of the elements in this direction, a groove 31 is milled into the substructure, ie the fine layer 4 and possibly also the lower layer 3 . This groove is advantageously created before the adhesive 5 is applied. A U-shaped profile strip 22, for example made of copper sheet, is hung into the groove 31 with lateral support flanges and glued to the support flanges with the adhesive layer 5 on the fine layer 4. The elements 1 are designed to produce transverse joints, as shown in FIG. 1, with edge strips 14 which are angled downwards. The elements 1 are hooked into the groove 23 according to FIG. 3 with the edge strips 14. The two adjacent elements 1 are then continuously welded tightly to the butt joint in the presence of protective gas, as a result of which the transverse joint 2 located in the element plane is created. This transverse weld seam does not interfere with the outflow of liquids over the elements parallel to the longitudinal joints. The protective gas entering and remaining in the area of the expansion joint formed during welding prevents stress and crevice corrosion from occurring on the elements as a result of welding. In addition, there is sufficient space in the groove 23 to insert a test line 40, for example a perforated tube according to FIG. 6, continuously through the elements arranged next to one another. At the lateral ends of the transverse joints 2 or groove 23, the test line 40 can be led up at least on one side and led out of the sealing layer in order to form a connection, for example as shown schematically in FIG. 7, for blowing in test gas. This connection can then be sealed with a screw cap. So it is possible, for example every longitudinal joint and every transverse joint to be checked separately for leaks via a connection.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a cross section through a sealed collecting trough with a substructure made of concrete 3, which is delimited by laterally rising walls 30 and which has the collecting channel 21 for waste water or the like on one side. The trough runs to the collecting trough 21 with a slight slope in the direction of arrow E. The seal, see also FIG. 8, is applied to the bottom of the collecting trough. The elements 1 are led up from the bottom of the tub to the adjacent ascending wall surfaces 30 via bends 13, the expansion joints also being formed and led up and all the joints being welded tightly. The collecting trough 21 is also lined with a sealing layer made of elements 1 b made of corrosion-resistant metals, which are glued to the substrate via an adhesive layer. If necessary, expansion joints are formed according to the type of transverse joints, see FIG. 3, or where permissible, by upstanding edge strips with expansion folds 20 and weld seams 6. Outside of flat surfaces, the elements are made of corrosion-resistant metals in the necessary configuration, for example as a U-profile 1b or angle 1a. Adapted elements with welded joints and expansion areas are also formed at the connection points of these configurations of the building, in particular in the transition to the flat elements of the sealing layer or the lateral connections.

An additional point-by-point fixation can be carried out for large-area elements 1 on the substructure by means of additional fastening strips or tabs. These tabs are attached in the joint and expansion area of the plate elements, in particular of longitudinal joints with edged edge strips between adjacent elements, so that the tab with its part not resting on the substructure can be welded to the butt seam 6 at the top.

In the event that the sealing layer, as shown in FIG. 8, is to be passable, the upstanding joints 6 are disruptive. For this purpose, it is proposed to also lay the longitudinal joints 6 in the element plane, ie support surface 12 of the elements 1, see FIG. 12. The elements 1 required for this, as shown in FIG. 9, are only on the transverse sides with edge strips 14 bent downwards formed, while the long sides are only slightly chamfered 101. The elements 1 adjacent to one another in accordance with FIG. 12 then form a V-seam in the region of the long sides, which is welded. In order to compensate for this seam too, an additional, approximately hat-shaped profile strip 60, see FIGS. 10 and 11, is provided, which is arranged below the butt seam 6. The hat-shaped profile strip 60 according to FIG. 10 has support flanges 601, 602, with fastening holes 603. In the central region of the central web 604, longitudinal grooves 605, 606 with a short intermediate web 607 are formed symmetrically to the center. The profile strip 60 according to FIG. 10 is intended for flat sealing surfaces, while in the case of sealing surfaces with a gradient, the profile strip 60, as shown in FIG. 11, can also be provided with a corresponding gradient by forming rising side legs 608. The hat-shaped profile strip 60 is now, see FIG. 12, applied to the substructure, the concrete layer 3, for example glued on and additionally fastened by means of bolts guided through the fastening holes 3. The fine layer 4 is then applied, specifically via the lateral support flanges of the profile strip 60, but flush with the top of the central web 604. The adhesive layer is then applied continuously to the fine layer and the central web 604 and the elements 1 according to FIG. 9 are applied and glued thereon. The weld seam is formed between the two longitudinal grooves of the profile strip on the remaining intermediate web. In this way, an expansion area 20 is created by means of the hat-shaped profile strip in the area of the longitudinal joint 6 lying in the element plane.

This formation of welded longitudinal joint 6 with expansion area 20 according to FIG. 12 can now be checked for leaks at any time by means of a test gas. For this purpose, the channels 40a and 40b formed by the longitudinal grooves 605, 606 and sealed on the upper side by elements 1 are suitable, which serve as test lines instead of the metal pipes. The grooves 605, 606 with the chambers they form also run along each joint and can be connected at the end via a pipe socket to a supply for test gas. In addition, the area directly below the welded longitudinal joint 6 can also be checked by gluing a sealing tape 61 on the underside of the profile strip 60, connecting the longitudinal grooves 605, 606 to the latter. In this way, an additionally closed chamber 40c is created between the two longitudinal grooves, into which test gas can also be introduced in order to test the tightness of the weld seam.

Elements with a V-shaped weld seam lying in the element plane with an associated underlying expansion area including the possibility of testing by means of blown-in protective gases according to FIG. 12 can be provided in such areas of a surface seal that should be accessible, for example, by forklifts or the like. The cross joints, as described in Figure 3, do not interfere with the passability.

After completion of the sealing layer from elements 1 and special additional elements adapted to the building configuration, such as 1b, 1a, the entire seal, see FIG. 8, is tested in sections with test gas which is filled into all gaps and joints via the pipes 40. The weld seams 6, 2 are scanned from the outside using a leak test device in order to locate escaping helium. Leaks can be re-welded. After completion of the test process, a cap is screwed onto the pipe socket and so that the pipe outlet is sealed. Such a leak check for leaks in the seal can be repeated at any time. When manufacturing seals for aggressive media, high-quality corrosion-resistant materials must be used for all materials involved in the sealing layer, for which stainless steel sheets and pipes are particularly suitable.

Claims (12)

1. Seal for civil engineering works such as industrial basins, tubs, industrial floors, or the like with a sealing layer cemented to a solid structural sublayer such as concrete with a fine layer (4), made of plate-like elements (1) of corrosion-resistant metals, with tightly connected together continuous lengthwise seams and crosswise seams including expansion areas and hollow spaces (19, 20) being formed lengthwise of adjoining sides with possibly bent upward edge strips (10, 11, 14) and possibly having tubular test lines (40) in the hollow spaces in the expansion areas for monitoring leaks along the lengthwise and crosswise seams with outside connection means (42), characterized by expansion areas of plate-shaped elements (1) formed at crosswise seams (2) and lengthwise seams (6) being made differently and by at least crosswise seams (2) being laid in element plane (12) and corresponding expansion area below the element plane and the tubular test lines (40) having perforations with shape of very small holes (41) or slots in the tube walls for the exit of an introduced test gas or in the lengthwise seams (6) disposed in the element plane below the element plane, a strip (60) with a hat-shaped cross section abutting elements (1) with a middle rib (604) and covering lengthwise seam (6), said strip being made of corrosion-resistant material with two mutually parallel lengthwise grooves (605, 606), formed on the middle rib (604), the lengthwise grooves (605, 606) being sealed by the applied elements (1) of the sealing layer forming passing-through channels (62) for test lines (40a,40b), which are provided with outside connection means for introduction of testing gas, and lengthwise seams (6) and crosswise seams (2) being welded under a protective gas.
2. Seal according to claim 1 characterized by elements (1) for forming expansion folds (20) projecting upward above the element plane at lengthwise seams (6) having edge strips (10,11) located on two mutually opposite parallel sides and bent upward and sloping slightly outward from the vertical, and by an edge strip (14) being bent downward to form expansion joints (19) at crosswise seams (2) on one or both transverse side of elements (1).
3. Seal according to claim 2 characterized by elements (1) having edge strips (10,11) bent outward form the vertical by about 2 to 10°, especially 2 to 5°.
4. Seal according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by a continuous roughly U-shaped strip (22) made of corrosion-resistant metal being arranged in the vicinity of crossweise seams (2) beneath elements (1) in the substructure, with downwardly bent edge strips (14) of adjoining elements (1) projecting into said strip with sufficient space for expansion movements.
5. Seal according to claim 1 characterized by the perforations of the test lines consisting of very small holes made in the tube walls by a laser beam.
6. Seal according to claim 5 characterized by corrosion-resistant metal tubes with an outside diameter less than 4 mm, especially equal to or less than 3 mm, and an inside diamter less than 2 mm and especially equal to or less than 1 mm, being provided as test lines (40).
7. Seal according to claim 1 characterized by the groove formed between the two lengthwise grooves (605, 606) on the inside of a strip with a hat-shaped cross section (60) being formed by a cemented sealing strip (61) to form an additional test line (40c).
8. Method for manufacturing seals for civil engineering works, such as industrial basins, tubs, and industrial floors, in which on a structurally strong sub-layer (3), such as concrete, a fine layer (4), possibly slightly sloping in the runoff direction of a collecting device for liquids to be collected, is mounted and on this a sealing layer of plate-shaped elements (1) of corrosion-resistant metals is cemented over the entire surface, and the elements that abut one another are made with laterally bent edge strips (10, 11; 14) tightly connected together at the seams to form expansion areas and hollow spaces, and tubular test lines for monitoring leaks along the lengthwise seams and crosswise seams may be inserted into the hollow spaces being provided within the expansion areas, said line being connectable to a central monitoring system, characterized by tubular perforated testlines (40) with perforations with a shape of holes or slots in the tube walls being laid into the hollow spaces (19,20), said hollow spaces formed by expansion folds (20) at the lengthwise seams of elements (1), said folds extending above or below the element plane, and by expansion folds at the crosswise seams of elements extending below the element plane, respectively a strip (60) with a hat-shaped cross section with two mutually parallel lengthwise grooves (605, 606) formed on middle rib (604) being used, the elements (1) are applied onto the middle rib (604) of the said strip in such a manner that the lengthwise grooves (6) being located between the two lengthwise grooves (605, 606) and said lengthwise grooves being sealed to form continuous channels (40a,b) serving as test lines; by lengthwise seams (6) and crosswise seams (2) of adjoining elements (1) being welded under a protective gas, and after the sealing layer is prepared, by the perforated test lines (40) respectively the channels serving as test lines being filled with gas, especially a rare gas, and by the sealing layer being scanned externally along welded seams (6, 2) for gas escaping through leaks.
9. Method according to claim 8 characterized by elements with edge strips (14) on two mutually opposite sides being bent downward to form expansion joints at the crosswise seams, and by grooves (23) being milled in fine layer (4) and possibly sub-layer (3) transversely to the runoff direction at intervals corresponding to the length of elements (1), by an approximately U-shaped strip (22) made of corrosion-resistant metal being suspended in grooves (23), into which downwardly bent edge strips (14) of elements (1) are inserted with sufficient clearance for expansion movements, and by seams (2) then being welded in the element plane.
10. Method according to claim 8 or 9 characterized by elements (1) with edge strips (10 and 11) projecting on mutually opposite sides being used, said strips being mounted on the substructure parallel to the runoff direction and by the upper edges of the edge strips being pressed together to form a nearly gap-free seam and then being spot-welded together at intervals under a protective gas, and by seams (6) along the upper edges then being welded tightly and continuously under a protective gas.
11. Method according to claim 8 or 9 characterized by elements (1), without any formed edge strips, being inserted parallel to the runoff direction, and by a strip with a hat-shaped cross section (60) being mounted, parallel to the runoff direction at intervals corresponding to the width of elements (1), on substructure (3) and fastened thereto, and by fine layer (4) then being mounted on substructure (3) flush with the top of shaped strip (60), and then elements (1) being cemented over the entire surface of the fine layer and middle rib (604) of shaped strip (60), and by lengthwise seam (6) of adjoining elements (1) being located centrally on shaped strip (60) and being welded there.
12. Method according to claim 8 characterized by a continuous sealing strip (61) connecting the two lengthwise grooves (605, 606) being cemented on the inside of the strip with a hat-shaped cross section, forming an additional channel (40c) that can be used as a leak-test line by adding gas.

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