Research Paper on "Differences Between Heathrow Cargo Tunnel and Piccadilly Tube"

Research Paper 4 pages (1127 words) Sources: 3 Style: Harvard

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Channel Tunnel and the Thames Tunnel: Soil Composition and Building Methodology

Subaqueous tunnels present unique engineering challenges, for some obvious and some not-so-obvious reasons. Complications regarding materials, work crews, machinery, soil, and of course water all make tunnel-building beneath rivers, seas, and other bodies of water a major undertaking, even when tunnel length and soil composition might otherwise make an easy go of things. By comparing to subaqueous tunnels that are similar in their revolutionary qualities but hugely different in terms of their execution, some of the common problems that crop up in subaqueous tunnel construction can be better appreciated. The following pages present a brief comparison of the Thames Tunnel, the first known subaqueous tunnel ever constructed, and the Channel Tunnel, a more modern marvel that connects England with continental Europe. Similarities in these two tunnels are highlighted, and the differences in the requirements and approaches to these two very different tunnels is fully discussed.

Thames Tunnel

Initial work began on a tunnel running underneath the Thames in 1825, though it would be almost two years before a satisfactory set of test holes could be drilled and it took nearly two decades for the tunnel to be completed (Skempton & Chrimes, 1994). Given that a project like this had never been attempted and that the worksite lay entirely dormant for seven years while funding was worked out, this timeline is actually more impressive than it first seems, and the fact that the tunnel was successfully completed at all is a testament to the ingenuity and the perseverance of the engineers and

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work crew that brought this tunnel into being. The soil through which the tunnel was dug was itself not problematic, however the layers of soil above the tunnel were clay and sand, the latter of which posed significant problems to the tunnel's engineering and construction at the outset. In areas where the clay layer between the sand and the tunnel was thick, progress was relatively rapid and easy for the tunnel-makers, but where the clay was thin the sand presented a constant problem of sand runs breaking into the tunnel. On five occasions, this led to the river's intrusion into the tunnel, significantly delaying progress and raising safety concerns (Skempton & Chrimes, 1994).

Fortunately, the solution was found in engineer Sir Marc Isambard Brunei's advent of the tunneling shield, a now-commonplace (and far more complex) tool that allowed the insertion of a tunnel casing, what would now be deemed a lining, while work progressed. (Skempton & Chimes, 1994). This tunnel shield propped up the tunnel along its length as it was being constructed, but was especially useful at the tunnel ends where the sand breaks were ore common due to the thinner clay layers. Here, they propped up the clay that was prone to grow brittle and crack when thinned out, while elsewhere they simply provided an easing of working conditions and greater safety against the less-likely sand breaks and inrushes of water. No significant engineering problems appear to have been encountered in the actual digging of the tunnel; though progress was very slow as the labor consisted entirely of hand-held tools, it was the tunnel support that provided the most significant soil-based engineering challenge and that required innovation in methodology to overcome.

The Chunnel

The Channel Tunnel, affectionately known as the Chunnel, is a far cry from an… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Differences Between Heathrow Cargo Tunnel and Piccadilly Tube" Assignment:

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CE3GEA - Geotechnical Engineering Applications

Student Centred Learning ***** Underground construction (Tunnelling)

Description of the Coursework

Search for references in Civil, Geotechnical and Structural Engineering journals and magazines, on the design/construction of two different tunnels which have been built in rock, sand or clay. They may be of any age and built by any construction method. Look particularly at the tunnelling methods, and write a report on your findings. The tunnels should be constructed in similar ground conditions so that they can be compared.

Aspects you might consider including:

*****¢ A brief description of the soil conditions at each site and the site investigation technique used on the project, mentioning any specific problems.

*****¢ A brief description of the tunnelling method used to construct each tunnel.

*****¢ An explanation of the tunnel lining method used and the reasoning that led to each tunnel design.

*****¢ An explanation of the volume loss encountered and consequent ground movements induced for each tunnel. Include the effect (if any) these had on existing constructions above/below ground, mentioning (where appropriate) how movements were measured.

*****¢ An assessment of how ground movements were minimized or how they could have been minimized.

*****¢ Suggestions for any possible improvements, e.g. different types of tunnel lining that could have been used, different methods of construction.

Report Layout and Format Requirements

The maximum length of the report is 1200 words, and up to three pages of sketches/figures. You must declare your word count on the cover page. The cover page, contents and reference lists, list of figures/tables and notations do not count towards the word limit. The report should have a minimum of 1.5 lines line spacing, 25mm margins all around. No appendices are allowed. The minimum font size is 11pt. The report should have a professional layout. Failure to adhere to these specifications will attract a penalty.

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