Fixed Spacing Requirements for Fully Automatic Wet-Spray Trolley Pipelines
Release time:
2026-08-27
Source:
Author:
Summary:
In shotcrete support for tunneling and underground engineering, the high-pressure pumping lines of fully automated wet‑spraying rigs are subjected to vibration and impact forces generated by the high‑velocity flow of concrete. The reliability of pipeline anchorage and the appropriateness of support spacing directly affect both operational safety and pumping efficiency. Improper pipeline fixation can not only lead to loose joints and grout leakage but may also result in pipe bursts and injuries. This paper reviews the requirements for pipeline fixing intervals on wet‑spraying rigs, addressing fundamental principles of pipeline securing, methods for determining support spacing, and the specific requirements applicable to different pipe sections.
I. Basic Principles for Determining Pipe Fixing Spacing
The spacing of supports for the pumping pipeline of a wet‑spraying boom should be determined appropriately based on the pipe’s diameter, wall thickness, operating pressure, and installation method. For rigid pipelines—typically with an inner diameter of 125 mm or 150 mm—when horizontal straight sections are supported by brackets, support points are generally provided every 2 to 3 meters. When the pipe diameter is smaller or the conveying pressure is lower, the spacing may be increased accordingly, but it should not exceed 3 meters; for larger diameters or high‑pressure pumping, the support spacing should be reduced. In horizontal pipeline runs, the pipes must not be left unsupported and must be securely braced.
GB 50666-2011 “Code for Construction of Concrete Structures” explicitly stipulates that concrete pump pipelines shall be secured with supports, which must be firmly connected to the structure; at pipeline bends, support spacing shall be reduced. Support designs shall be determined through structural calculations, and the structural elements at support locations must be verified; reinforcement measures shall be implemented where necessary. The national standard further specifies that supports shall not be anchored to scaffolding, and each vertical pump pipeline must have no fewer than one fixed point on walls and columns.
II. Fixing Requirements for Horizontal Pipelines
Horizontal conveying pipelines are typically routed along the ground, along tunnel walls, or on trolley booms, and may be secured using steel‑structure supports or dedicated pipe clamps. The number of supports and clamps shall be determined based on the pipeline’s length and diameter, and the spacing between supports must not exceed the design specifications.
When securing horizontal pipelines, the typical support spacing is 2 to 3 meters. At a distance of 3 to 5 meters from the equipment outlet, the conveying pipeline should be fitted with fixed supports to absorb the reaction forces generated during concrete pumping and to minimize pipeline vibration. A bent pipe must not be connected directly to the pump’s discharge cone; instead, at least 3 meters of straight pipe should be installed before connecting the bend. Vertical pumping lines must not be connected directly to the pump’s discharge port; a horizontal section at least 20 meters long should be installed at the upstream end of the vertical line.
Wooden shims shall be installed between the pipeline and its supports to provide cushioning. Pipe clamps must not make direct contact with the ground or supporting structures; the horizontal clearance from the support shall be no less than 100 mm, and the clearance from the ground shall also be no less than 100 mm. Pipe clamps must be tightened securely to ensure that joints are tightly sealed, with no grout leakage or air leakage. Grout leakage at pipe joints is strictly prohibited. In confined tunnel spaces, pipelines should be routed as close to the tunnel walls as possible and firmly secured with brackets and pipe clamps to prevent impacts with equipment or structural elements. The pipe clamp assembly—featuring a base plate welded to the lower clamp body—provides more robust fixation; its overall low profile enhances stability, facilitating pipeline installation in tunnels with limited space.
III. Fixing Requirements for Vertical Pipelines
During tunnel construction, vertical conveying sections are typically routed along the tunnel walls or extended through boreholes to the working face above. The anchoring requirements for vertical conveyance pipes are more stringent than those for horizontal pipelines—each pipe should be secured at two or more points. The bend at the lower end of a vertical pipe must not serve as a support for the upper section; instead, separate steel supports should be provided to bear the weight of the vertical pipe.
Vertical delivery pipes must be new and exhibit minimal wear. When the vertical run is long, the lower section should use thick-walled pipe, and the lowest bend should also be thick-walled and easily removable. Vertical delivery lines may be routed along the tunnel wall or scaffold, or passed through the rock face. Straight and bent sections must be secured to the tunnel wall or steel arches with clamps, ensuring that the weight of the pipeline and the conveyed concrete is reliably transferred to the support points. When installing vertical pipes within the tunnel along the sidewall, a fixing point should be provided every 2 to 3 meters (with closer spacing—every 1.5 to 2 meters—at the portal, depending on the cross‑section dimensions), and each pipe segment must have at least one fixing point.
IV. Reinforced Fixing at Pipe Bends and Special Locations
Bends are the most stress‑prone and vibration‑intense sections of a piping system, and under pressure pulsations they are particularly susceptible to joint loosening and displacement. Piping must be securely and stably connected, with robust fixed supports provided at bends to prevent shaking or disconnection during pumping. National standards mandate that support spacing be reduced at pump‑line turn‑offs. Each bend should have separate pipe clamps or brackets at both ends to ensure it remains stationary under pumping‑induced impacts. At change‑in‑direction points—such as transitions from horizontal to vertical—dedicated support structures must be installed; the piping itself must not bear any additional loads. The lower bend of a vertical run should not serve as a support for the upper section; instead, steel bracing should be used to carry the vertical pipe’s weight.
Hose sections—such as the delivery rubber hose at the nozzle end—generally do not require dense support brackets due to their inherent flexibility. However, at both ends where they connect to rigid pipelines, reliable pipe clamps and anti‑disconnection devices must be installed to prevent the hose from coming loose and causing injury. When pipelines pass through rock walls or traverse trolley booms, protective sleeves should be fitted at the penetration points, and support points should be spaced more closely.
V. Key Points for Routine Inspection and Maintenance
Once pipeline supports have been installed, they should not be regarded as permanently fixed; a routine inspection regime must be established. Before each shift, the entire pipeline system should be inspected, with particular attention paid to whether supports are loose, pipe clamps have shifted, and sealing rings show any signs of damage or leakage. For frequently used pipe clamps, bolts should be periodically tightened to prevent loosening due to vibration. Any pipelines exhibiting excessive wear must be replaced promptly, and worn‑out sections must never be installed in downstream high‑pressure areas.
Pipeline installation shall adhere to the principles of “minimum length and fewest bends.” Conveying pipelines should be routed in areas readily accessible to personnel to facilitate cleaning and replacement. During installation, care must be taken to ensure that concrete delivery pipes are not subjected to any external tensile forces; proper sealing at pipe joints is critical for preventing grout leakage and pipe blockages.
In summary, the recommended spacing for securing the pipelines of a wet‑spraying carriage can be outlined as follows: on horizontal straight runs, supports should be installed approximately every 2 to 3 meters (with a fixed bracket positioned 3 to 5 meters from the pump outlet); on vertical runs, each pipe should have two anchoring points, with additional supports provided every 2 to 3 meters when the piping is routed along the tunnel wall; and at both ends of bends and at all turning points, support spacing should be reduced. Special locations—such as the pump outlet, bends where horizontal runs transition to vertical sections, and junctions between flexible and rigid pipes—require separately installed reinforcement brackets. By strictly adhering to these specified spacing requirements, the risk of joint loosening and pipe rupture caused by pipeline vibration can be effectively minimized, thereby ensuring safe pumping operations and continuous performance of the wet‑spraying carriage during tunnel construction.
RELATED INFORMATION