GB2512570A - Ground surface access assembly packing arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A ground surface access assembly packing arrangement 10 includes a packing member 12, the packing member is in the form of a cuboid having rectangular faces (4, 16, 18, 20, figure 1). The cuboid has a length (26, figure 1), height (22, figure 1) and width (24, figure 1). The height is the in use vertical dimension and is relatively small relative to the length; which is one of the in use horizontal dimensions. Each of the in use upper and lower faces (14, 16, figure 1) include gripping formations (28, figure 1). The gripping formations may be projections or recesses, and there may be different types of gripping formation with different shapes. There may be elongate gripping formations 32 in rows in a central area of a face, and protrusions or nodules 30 in a regular pattern on a second area of a face. There may also be a wedge shaped support member 52.

Description

Ground Surface Access Assembly Packing Arrangement The present invention relates to a ground surface access assembly packing arrangement, particularly but not exclusively a ground surface access assembly packing arrangement for use in the installation of a ground surface access assembly.

Ground surface access assemblies conventionally comprise a frame defining an opening and a cover which is mountable on the frame within the opening to close the opening. Such assemblies are used above underground installations such as manholes and gullies to provide access to underground services. Typically, such assemblies are formed of cast iron, but may also be formed of steel or plastics materials. Cast iron, however, is the favoured material when the access assembly is being installed within a trafficked road surface.

During installation, the access assembly is mounted onto a bedding layer, usually of a settable material such as cementitious material, (for example, mortar) which has been laid over the upper surface of the underground installation. A situation can arise in which the access assembly frame is being installed onto a pre-existing manhole or gully, but during resurfacing, the road level has increased in height relative to the pre-existing manhole or gully and the frame needs to be packed up relative to the manhole or gully to achieve the correct installation height relative to the road surface.

In such situations, mortar suffers the disadvantage that it cannot be used on its own to pack up the frame. In fact, the practical thickness limit for an unreinforced mortar is in the order of 25 mm. However, in practice, void spaces up to 65mm can be present. Laying a relatively heavy frame onto a thick bed of mortar often results in the mortar being squeezed out from under the frame. As the mortar thickness is increased, the mortar setting time is extended, increasing the risk of trafficking occurring before the bedding layers have attained an adequate strength, leading to rapid failure of the installation.

There is a tendency for contractors in such situations to use any convenient materials which may be to hand to form packing materials, which could comprise for example, pieces of timber. Timber is an inherently unsatisfactory material for use as a packing material in such a situation because of its compressibility and tendency to swell and shrink with variations in moisture.

Similarly, packing pieces which have smooth surfaces and/or sharp edges and corners are also unsatisfactory, as the mortar fails to bond adequately to the smooth surfaces, and the sharp edges and corners can lead to crack formation under imposed loads or differential thermal expansion. The ground surface access assembly is potentially subject to relatively high dynamic forces imposed by vehicle acceleration and braking and also to the effects of varying weather conditions such as rain, ice and heat. The use of packing pieces which are unsatisfactory in shape or formed of unsatisfactory material quickly leads to failure of the bedding layer and eventually failure of the installation.

In this specification, the terms "upper" and "lower" and other relative terms relate to an in use installed condition, in which a packing arrangement is located above an underground installation and below a ground surface access assembly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ground surface access assembly packing arrangement for use in the installation of a ground surface access assembly, the arrangement including a packing member, the packing member being substantially in the form of a cuboid, having substantially rectangular faces, the cuboid having a length, height and width, the height (being the in use vertical dimension) being relatively small relative to the length (being one of the in use horizontal dimensions), each of the in use upper and lower faces including gripping formations.

Possibly, each of the upper and lower faces includes a plurality of gripping formations. Possibly, each gripping formation comprises a projection, which projects outwardly from the respective face.

Possibly, the packing member defines one or more recesses, which may comprise the gripping formations. The recesses may be through recesses. The gripping formations may comprise both recesses and projections.

Possibly, the gripping formations comprise a number of different types, with each type being of a different shape. Possibly, a first type of gripping formation is elongate in plan, and may be in the form of a projecting rib.

Possibly, a second type of gripping formation is circular in plan, and may be in the form of a projecting nodule or stud.

Possibly, the gripping formations are arranged in a regular pattern across each of the respective faces. Possibly, the regular pattern may comprise one or more areas, and each area may comprise only one type of gripping formation.

Possibly, the areas include a first area, which may comprise only the first type of gripping formations. Possibly, in the first area, the first type of gripping formations extend parallel with each other, and may extend parallel with the length of the member.

Possibly the areas include a second area, which may comprise only the second type of gripping formations. Possibly, in the second area, the second type of gripping formations is arranged in rows, and may be regularly spaced apart from each other.

Possibly, each of the in use upper and lower faces includes one first area, which may occupy a substantially central part of the face, and may occupy a substantially major part of the face.

Possibly, each of the in use upper and lower faces includes a pair of second areas, which may occupy end parts of the faces, and may occupy end parts of the faces either side of the central part.

Possibly, the pattern of the in use upper face is interlockable or inter-engageable with the pattern of the in use lower face, to permit in use substantially vertical stacking of the packing members with interlock or inter-engagement therebetween.

Possibly, the packing member includes crack reducing formations. The crack reducing formations may include one or more chamfered or radiused edges and/or corners. Desirably, all of the edges and/or corners of the packing member may be chamfered or radiused.

Possibly, the packing member includes a separation formation, which permits the packing member to be separated into a plurality of parts. Possibly the separation formation includes a line of weakness, which may extend across the width of the packing member, and may be located between different gripping formation areas.

Possibly, the first and/or second type of gripping formations extend across the width of the packing member, and may be arranged in alternating sequence along the length of the packing member.

Possibly, the arrangement includes a side packing member, which may be elongate, and may be rectangular in plan, and may have a length greater than its width.

Possibly the arrangement includes a corner packing member, which may be substantially square in plan. The corner packing member may be wider than the side packing member.

Possibly, the arrangement includes a combination side and corner packing member, in which a side packing member and corner packing member are formed integrally.

Possibly, the packing member includes a support member receiving recess, in which a support member is receivable. Possibly, the recess is a through recess, and may extend between the upper face and the lower face.

Possibly, the packing member includes a plurality of support member receiving recesses. Possibly the packing member includes a pair of support member receiving recesses, which are arranged oppositely, extending towards each other.

Possibly, the corner packing member includes a pair of the support member receiving recesses, which may be arranged oppositely, and may extend towards each other from opposite corners of the corner packing member. In an installed condition, one of the recesses of the pair may be located at or towards a corner of an underground installation.

Possibly, the arrangement includes one or more support members.

Possibly, the or each support member includes a frame engaging surface, which may form an in use upper surface and may in use incline to the horizontal. The frame engaging surface may include a plurality of height adjustment formations. Possibly, the or each support member includes an underground installation engaging surface, which may, in use, be substantially horizontal. The or each support member may be in the form of a wedge.

In the installed condition, the or each packing member may be located onto or within a bedding layer of a settable material which is located on an underground installation. The or each packing member may be located adjacent to an opening defined by the installation. The packing members may extend substantially continuously around the opening.

The or each packing member may be at least 5mm in thickness (in use vertical height), and may be no more than 60mm in thickness (in use vertical height).

The or each packing member may be at least 50mm in width, and may be no more than 250mm in width.

The or each packing member may be formed of a settable material, which may, in the installed condition and when set, have a relatively low propensity to absorb water, and which may, in the installed condition and when set, substantially not swell when water is absorbed. The settable material could comprise a cementitiousorcementitious-based material, which may be polymer modified, or may include an epoxy material.

The settable material may have similar material properties to the material of the bedding layer in the installed condition and when set.

Possibly, in an installed condition, the packing arrangement is located above an underground installation and below a ground surface access assembly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a ground surface access assembly, the method including providing a ground surface access assembly packing arrangement, the arrangement including a packing member, the packing member being substantially in the form of a cuboid, having substantially rectangular faces, the cuboid having a length, height and width, the height (being the in use vertical dimension) being relatively small relative to the length (being one of the in use horizontal dimensions), each of the in use upper and lower faces including gripping formations.

Possibly, the method and the ground surface access assembly packing arrangement include any of the steps, items and/or features described above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a side packing member of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative side packing member of the invention; Figs. 3A and 3B are plan and side views of yet another alternative side packing member of the invention; Figs. 4A and 4B are plan and side views of a combination side and corner packing member of the invention; Figs. 5A and 5B are plan views of steps in the installation of a ground surface access assembly using a packing arrangement according to the invention; Figs. 6A and 6B are perspective views of steps in the installation of a ground surface access assembly using a packing arrangement according to the invention; and Fig. 7 is side cross-sectional view on a diagonal across a corner part of a ground surface access assembly in an installed condition including a packing arrangement of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a ground surface access assembly packing arrangement 10, the arrangement 10 including a packing member 12, the packing member 12 being substantially in the form of a cuboid, having substantially rectangular faces 4, 16, 18, 20, the cuboid having a length 26, height 22 and width 24, the height 22 (being the in use vertical dimension) being relatively small relative to the length 26 (being one of the in use horizontal dimensions), each of the in use upper and lower faces 14, 16 including gripping formations 28.

Each of the upper and lower faces 14, 16 includes a plurality of gripping formations 28. In the example shown, each gripping formation 28 comprises a projection, which projects outwardly from the respective face.

The projecting gripping formations 28 have rounded or at least chamfered edges and tips/ends to reduce the risk of crack induction in the installation.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative similar packing member 12 in which the gripping formations 28 comprise a number of different types, with each type being of a different shape. In the example shown, the gripping formations 28 include a first type 32 which is elongate in plan, in the form of a projecting rib, and a second type 30 which is substantially circular in plan, in the form of a projecting nodule or stud.

In Fig. 1, the packing member 12 shown includes only the second type 30 of the gripping formations 28.

The gripping formations 28 are arranged in a regular pattern 33 across each of the respective faces 14, 16. As shown in Fig. 2, the regular pattern 33 could comprise a plurality of areas 34, 36, each area 34, 36 comprising only one type 32, 34 of gripping formation 28.

In the example shown, the areas 34, 36 include a first area 34, which comprises only the first type 32 of gripping formations. In the first area 34, the first types 32 of gripping formations extend parallel with each other and with the length 26 of the member 12.

In the example shown, the areas 34, 36 include a second area 36, which comprises only the second type 30 of gripping formations. In the second area 36, the second types 30 of gripping formations are arranged in rows, and are regularly spaced apart from each other.

Each of the in use upper and lower faces 14, 16 include one first area 34, which occupies a substantially central part of each face 14, 16, and as shown could occupy a substantially major part of each face 14, 16.

Each of the in use upper and lower faces 14, 16 includes a pair of second areas 36, which occupy end parts of the faces either side of the first area 34 in the central part.

In one example, the pattern 33 of the in use upper face 14 could be interlockable or inter-engageable with the pattern 33 of the in use lower face 16, to permit in use substantially vertical stacking of the packing members with interlock or inter-engagement therebetween, without mortar. This could be achieved in a number of ways. For example, as shown most clearly in Figs. 3A and 4A, the gripping formations 28 in both the first and second areas 34, 36 could be aligned with each other in rows which are regularly spaced across the width 24 of the packing member 12. The spacing could be such as to permit a full depth of interlock to occur ie in an interlocked condition, the gripping formations 28 of one packing member 12 butt against the upper or lower face of an adjacent packing member 12. The spacing could be such as to provide a tight interlock, in which, in the interlocked condition, the interlocked packing members 12 are restrained from moving relative to each other in at least one direction.

Advantageously, the pattern 33 shown in Figs. 3A and 4A provides a lateral interlock across the width 24 of the packing member, but permits sliding relative movement along the lengths 26 of the packing members 12.

This permits the packing members 12 to be longitudinally offset when being stacked to form a stretcher bond to give added strength and stability to the construction.

In one example, the patterns 33 on the upper and lower faces 14, 16 are identical and in the interlocked condition the upper packing member 12 is slightly offset laterally relative to the lower packing member 12. In another example, one of the patterns 33 on the upper and lower faces 14, 16 is slightly different to the other, comprising one less row and being offset by one half row spacing so that in the interlocked condition the width 24 of the upper packing member 12 is aligned substantially vertically above the width 24 of the lower packing member 12.

The location of the second areas 36 at the ends of the side packing member 12 permits stacking of packing members 12 substantially at 900 to each other at the corners of an installation.

The packing member 12 includes crack reducing formations 38 which include radiused edges and corners 40 between all of the faces 14, 16, 18, 20 of the packing member 12.

In one example, the packing member 12 could be at least 5mm in thickness (ie the in use vertical height 22), and could be no more than 60mm in thickness (in use vertical height 22).

Figs. 3A and 3B.show another alternative similar packing member 12, which includes a separation formation 42, which includes a line of weakness, which extends across the width 24 of the packing member 12, and in the example shown, is located between different gripping formation areas 34, 36.

The separation formation 42 permits the packing member 12 to be separated into a plurality of parts, substantially along a notional dotted cut line 45 indicated by the scissors symbol.

The first and second type 32, 30 of gripping formations extend across the width of the packing member 12, and are arranged in alternating sequence along the length 26 of the packing member 12.

The packing members 12 shown in Figs ito 3 could be designated as side packing members, being elongate, rectangular in plan, and having a length greater than their width.

The packing arrangement 10 of the invention could include a corner packing member 46 which is of similar height 22 to the side packing member 12, but is substantially square in plan. The corner packing member 46 has a width 47 which is greater than the width 24 of the side packing member 12.

The corner packing member 46 includes a centrally located first area 34 of ribs 32 between two second areas 36 of nodules 30.

As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, one side packing member 12 and one corner packing member 46 could be formed integrally to form a combination side and corner packing member 48.

In one example, the side packing member 12 could be at least 50mm in width 24, and could be no more than 100mm in width 24, while the corner packing member 46 could be at least 50mm in width 24, and could be no more than 250mm in width 47.

Optionally, the corner packing member 46 includes a pair of support member receiving recesses 50. Each recess 50 is a through recess, extending between the upper face 14 and the lower face 16. The recesses 50 are arranged oppositely, extending from opposite corners of the corner packing member 46 towards the centre and each other.

Also optionally, as shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the arrangement 10 includes one or more wedge shaped support members 52. Each support member 52 includes an in use upper frame engaging surface 54 which in use inclines to the horizontal. The frame engaging surface 54 includes a plurality of height adjustment formations 56 in the form of steps. The or each support member 52 includes a lower in use underground installation engaging surface 58, which in use is substantially horizontal.

In one example, the angle of inclination of the frame engaging surface 54 could be in the range 20° to 65°, and more desirably is in the range 30° to 45°. The step formations 56 could each have a step height in the range 3mm to 12mm, and more desirably in the range 5mm to 10mm. The overall height at each support member 52 could be in the range 25mm to 80mm.

Each packing member 12, 46, 48 could be formed of a settable material such as polymer concrete or resin concrete, which in the installed condition and when set, has a relatively low propensity to absorb water, and will substantially not swell in the presence of water. In other examples, the settable material could comprise a cementitious or cementitious-based material, which could be polymer modified, or could include an epoxy material.

The material properties of each packing member 12, 46, 48 are ideally similar to that of the bedding layer material in the installed condition and when set. For example, the density of each packing member 12, 46, 48 is ideally similar to that of the bedding layer material, and could be at least 1500 kgtm3 and more desirably is at least 2000 kgfm3.

Similarly, the thermal characteristics of the material of each packing member 12, 46, 48 (in particular its thermal expansion) are ideally similar to that of the bedding layer material.

Other material properties of the material of each packing member 12, 46, 48 such as load compression and conductivity characteristics could also be similar to that of the bedding layer material.

The similarity of the material properties between the packing members 12, 46, 48 to the bedding layer 62 means that the packing members 12, 46, 48 and the bedding layers 62 respond similarly to changes in load and environmental factors such as temperature and moisture, reducing the risk of differential movement which can cause stress and lead to premature installation failure.

The support members 52 could be formed of similar material to the packing members 12.

In use, in installing a ground surface access assembly 80, the packing arrangement 10 is used as follows. The ground surface access assembly 80 includes a frame 66 which is to be installed above an underground installation such as a gully or manhole chamber, which could be formed of brick work.

The underground installation 60 defines an opening 64.

An initial bedding layer 74 of settable material 76 such as cementitious mortar is located on the underground installation 60 and packing members (which could be any one, number or combination selected from side packing members 12, corner packing members 46 and combination side and corner packing members 48) are then located on the initial bedding layer 74 as required. The side packing members 12 could be trimmed to length as required. The various packing members 12, 46, 48 could be arranged to extend adjacent to and substantially continuously around the opening 64, as shown in Fig. 5. A second layer 78 of the mortar 76 is then applied over the packing members 12, 46, 48, and the frame 66 located onto the combination of the second layer 78, the packing members 12, 46, 48 and the second layer 78.

Advantageously, as the packing members are of similar material and density to the bedding layer mortar, the packing members are easy to use as they do not tend to "float" or displace in the mortar.

A further layer of a settable material 82, which could be the same material as the mortar 76, or could be different (for example, the further layer 82 could be a coarser material such as concrete) is then applied over and around the frame flange 68 and up the frame side wall 70 to form a haunch.

When the bedding layers 62 have set sufficiently, further material 86 such as sub base, road base and surface material is applied to bring the material surrounding the frame 66 up to ground surface level 84.

The relatively heavy weight of the frame 66 can cause the initial and second layers 74, 78 when soft and unset, to be squeezed sideways when the frame 66 is located thereon. The support members 52 can be used to support the frame 66 while the bedding layers 74, 78 are setting as follows.

With the initial layer 74 and the packing members located thereon, the corner packing members 46 with the recesses 50 could be arranged so that one of the recesses 50 of the pair is located at or towards a corner of the underground installation 60. One support member 52 is then inserted fully inwardly into one or each of the recesses 50. Although as shown in Figs. 5A and SB, potentially eight support members 52 could be used, in practice this number may not be required. The second layer 78 is then located over the packing members 12, 46,48 and around/over the support member(s) 52, and the frame 66 positioned thereon. The support members 52 could be located on the initial layer 74 or could be located directly on the underground installation 60.

The support members 52 are then withdrawn substantially horizontally out of recesses 50. As the support members 52 are withdrawn, the frame 66 moves under gravity down the height adjustment step formations 56 of the inclined frame engaging surfaces 54, lowering the frame 66 to a correct level.

Thus the sloping height adjustment formations 56 permit the height of the frame 66 to be adjusted relative to the underground installation 60 and the ground surface level 84. The support member(s) 52 support the frame 66 at the correct height while the bedding layer 62 is setting.

In another example, the support members 52 could be located on top of packing members 12, 46, 48, rather than in the recesses 50. In yet another example, the support members 52 could include a lower face with gripping formations projecting therefrom which correspond to and can interlock with the gripping formations 28 of the upper face of one of the packing members 12, 46, 48.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The packing members and support members could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material.

The patterns could comprise any suitable number and type of areas.

The areas could comprise any suitable arrangement, combination and type of gripping formations. The gripping formations could be different. For example, the packing member could define one or more recesses, which could comprise the gripping formations. The recesses could be through recesses.

The gripping formations could comprise both recesses and projections.

The crack reducing formations could be different. For example, the edges and corners between the faces could be chamfered rather than radiused.

The packing arrangement could include any suitable combination of packing members and support members. For example, the arrangement could include a plurality of different packing members of different sizes. In one example, the arrangement could include packing members which have heights 22 (thicknesses) of 5mm, 10mm and 20mm, and the required packing thickness is achieved by stacking combinations of different thickness packing members. In another example, the arrangement could include packing members which have heights 22 (thicknesses) which increase incrementally by 5mm from 10mm up to, for example, 50mm, so that it is unnecessary to stack packing members to achieve the required thickness.

Any of the items, features or steps of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the

overall disclosure of this document.

There is thus provided a packing arrangement which provides packing members which permit a ground surface access assembly to be installed at a correct height while maintaining a good installation integrity. The packing members have gripping formations to provide an improved bond with bedding materials. The packing members have crack reducing formations to reduce the risk of crack formation in the installation when in use under imposed loads. The packing members can be interlocked to stack vertically and form a stretcher bond and will not substantially swell or shrink with varying conditions. The support members of the arrangement aid height adjustment of the frame. The packing arrangement of the invention permits the use of thinner bedding layers to reduce mortar setting times, reducing the risk of trafficking occurring before the bedding layers have attained an adequate strength. The packing arrangement of the invention thus provides improved ease of use and an improved integrity of installation.

Claims (9)

1. Claims 1. A ground surface access assembly packing arrangement for use in the installation of a ground surface access assembly, the arrangement including a packing member, the packing member being substantially in the form of a cuboid, having substantially rectangular faces, the cuboid having a length, height and width, the height (being the in use vertical dimension) being relatively small relative to the length (being one of the in use horizontal dimensions), each of the in use upper and lower faces including gripping formations.
2. 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which each of the upper and lower faces includes a plurality of gripping formations.

   -15
3. 3. An arrangement according to claims 1 or 2, in which each gripping formation comprises a projection: which projects outwardly from the 0 respective face.
4. 4. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the packing member defines one or more recesses, which comprises the gripping formations.
5. 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, in which the recesses are through recesses.
6. 6. An arrangement according to claims 4 or 5 when dependent on claim 3, in which the gripping formations comprises both recesses and projections.
7. 7. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the gripping formations comprise a number of different types, with each type being of a different shape.
8. 8. An arrangement according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon, in which a first type of gripping formation is elongate in plan, and may be in the form of a projecting rib.
9. 9. An assembly according to claims 7 or 8 when dependent on claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon, in which a second type of gripping formation is circular in plan, and may be in the form of a projecting nodule or stud.lOAn arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the gripping formations are arranged in a regular pattern across each of the respective faces.hAn arrangement according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 7 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the regular pattern comprises one or -15 more areas, and each area comprises only one type of gripping formation. r0 12.An arrangement according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the areas include a first area, which C) comprises only the first type of gripping formations.13.An arrangement according to claim 12, in which in the first area, the first type of gripping formations extend parallel with each other, and may extend parallel with the length of the member.14.An arrangement according to any of claims 11 to 13 when dependent on claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the areas include a second area, which comprises only the second type of gripping formations.15.An arrangement according to claim 14, in which in the second area, the second type of gripping formations are arranged in rows, and may be regularly spaced apart from each other.16.An arrangement according to claim 12 or any claim dependent thereon, in which each of the in use upper and lower faces includes one first area.17.An arrangement according to claim 16, in which the one first area occupies a substantially central part of the face.18.An arrangement according to claims 16 or 17, in which the one first area occupies a substantially major part of the face.19.An arrangement according to claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which each of the in use upper and lower faces includes a pair of second areas.20.An arrangement according to claim 19, in which the second areas occupy -15 end parts of the faces. r0 21. An arrangement according to claim 20, in which the second areas occupy end parts of the faces either side of the central part.22.An arrangement according to claim 10 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the pattern of the in use upper face is interlockable or inter-engageable with the pattern of the in use lower face, to permit in use substantially vertical stacking of the packing members with interlock or inter-engagement therebetween.23.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the packing member includes crack reducing formations.24.An arrangement according to claim 23, in which the crack reducing formations include one or more chamfered or radiused edges and/or corners.25.An arrangement according to claim 24, in which all of the edges and/or corners of the packing member are chamfered or radiused.26.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the packing member includes a separation formation, which permits the packing member to be separated into a plurality of parts.27.An arrangement according to claim 26, in which the separation formation includes a line of weakness, which extends across the width of the packing member, and may be located between different gripping formation areas.28.An arrangement according to claim 12 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the first type of gripping formations extend across the width of the packing member and/or according to claim 14 or any claim dependent -15 thereon, in which the second type of gripping formations extend across the width of the packing member.29.An arrangement according to claims 12 and 14 or any claim dependent C) thereon, in which the first and second type of gripping formations are arranged in alternating sequence along the length of the packing member.30.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement includes a side packing member, which is elongate, and is rectangular in plan, and has a length greater than its width.31.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement includes a corner packing member, which is substantially square in plan.32.An arrangement according to claim 31 when dependent on claim 30, in which the corner packing member is wider than the side packing member.33.An arrangement according to claims 31 or 32 when dependent on claim 30, in which the arrangement includes a combination side and corner packing member, in which a side packing member and corner packing member are formed integrally.34.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the packing member includes a support member receiving recess, in which a support member is receivable.35.An arrangement according to claim 34, in which the recess is a through recess, and extends between the upper face and the lower face.36.An arrangement according to claims 34 or 35, in which the packing member includes a plurality of support member receiving recesses. *-1537.An arrangement according to claim 36, in which the packing member 0 includes a pair of support member receiving recesses, which are arranged oppositely, extending towards each other.38.An arrangement according to claim 37 when dependent on claim 31 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the corner packing member includes a pair of the support member receiving recesses, which may be arranged oppositely, and may extend towards each other from opposite corners of the corner packing member.39.An arrangement according to claim 38, in which in an installed condition, one of the recesses of the pair is located at or towards a corner of an underground installation.40.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement includes one or more support members.41.An arrangement according to claim 40, in which the or each support member includes a frame engaging surface, which forms an in use upper surface and in use inclines to the horizontal.42.An arrangement according to claim 41, in which the frame engaging surface includes a plurality of height adjustment formations.43.An arrangement according to claim 40 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the or each support member includes an underground installation engaging surface, which, in use, is substantially horizontal.44.An arrangement according to claim 40 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the or each support member is in the form of a wedge.-15 45.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which in the installed condition, the or each packing member is located onto or within a 0 bedding layer of a settable material which is located on an underground installation, and may be located adjacent to an opening defined by the C) installation.46.An arrangement according to claim 45, in which the packing members extend substantially continuously around the opening.47.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each packing member is at least 5mm in thickness (in use vertical height), and may be is no more than 60mm in thickness (in use vertical height).48.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each packing member is at least 50mm in width, and may be no more than 25omminwidth.49.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the or each packing member is formed of a settable material, which, in the installed condition and when set, has a relatively low propensity to absorb water, and which may, in the installed condition and when set, substantially not swell when water is absorbed.50.An arrangement according to claim 49, in which the packing member settable material comprises a cementitious or cementitious-based material, which may be polymer modified, or may include an epoxy material.51.An arrangement according to claims 49 or 50, in which the packing member settable material has similar material properties to the material of the bedding layer in the installed condition and when set.52.An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which in an -15 installed condition, the packing arrangement is located above an underground installation and below a ground surface access assembly.53.A method of installing a ground surface access arrangement, the method C) including providing a ground surface access assembly packing arrangement, the arrangement including a packing member, the packing member being substantially in the form of a cuboid, having substantially rectangular faces, the cuboid having a length, height and width, the height (being the in use vertical dimension) being relatively small relative to the length (being one of the in use horizontal dimensions), each of the in use upper and lower faces including gripping formations.54.A method according to claim 53, in which the packing arrangement includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 52.55.A ground surface access assembly packing arrangement for use in the installation of a ground surface access assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.56.A method of installing a ground surface access arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. r