TUNNELLING TECHNOLOGY. AN APPRAISAL OF THE STATE OF THE ART FOR APPLICATION TO TRANSIT SYSTEMS

This appraisal forms part of a continuing study of the applicability of tunnelling technology to urban transit systems in tunnels of intermediate diameter. It deals specifically with present and potential tunnelling methods suited to the subsurface conditions of three Ontario locations: Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa. Experience gained in these areas in the construction of deep sewers and of transit tunnels is related to present world-wide technology. The conclusions from this study are that the cost and feasibility of a transit tunnel are more dependent on the variations in subsurface conditions along the tunnel route, on contractual arrangements and on the length of tunnel necessary to amortize the cost of specialized equipment, rather than on the exact diameter of the tunnel within the range under consideration. The study indicates that the technology and expertise necessary for construction of transit tunnels is readily available in Ontario. It is further concluded that tunnelling merits serious consideration for transit routes where land acquisition costs are high or where the disruption of services is a major problem. In favorable subsurface conditions, the benefits arising from reduced environmental intrusion into a community may more than offset the somewhat greater costs of tunnel transit systems over surface or elevated systems.

• Corporate Authors:

  Ontario Ministry of Transportation & Communic, Can

  Research and Development Division, 1201 Wilson Avenue
  Downsview, ONo M3M 1J8,   Canada 

  Golder Associates

  2390 Argentia Road
  Mississauga, Ontario  Canada  L5N 5Z7

  MacLaren (James F) Limited

  10 Lyon North
  Ontario,   Canada 
• Publication Date: 1976-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 166 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compressibility; Construction; Construction management; Construction projects; Cost estimating; Costs; Design; Drilling; Environment; Equipment; Estimates; Excavation; Excavations; Geological surveying; Geology; Mucking; Presplitting (Blasting); Rock mechanics; Rocks; Shielding (Tunneling); Soil mechanics; Soils; Spoil; State of the art reports; Structural design; Subways; Technology; Tunnel lining; Tunneling machines; Tunnels; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria; Tunnel design
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Old TRIS Terms: Subway construction
• ITRD Terms: 5188: Blasting; 8018: Canada; 5905: Compressibility; 3666: Construction method; 224: Cost; 3871: Drilling; 2455: Environment; 3674: Equipment; 5155: Excavation (process); 4053: Geology; 4154: Rock; 5757: Rock mechanics; 3394: Shield driving; 4156: Soil; 5755: Soil mechanics; 5126: Spoil removal (tunnel); 8588: State of the art report; 3855: Technology; 3374: Tunnel; 3385: Tunnel lining; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Finance; Geotechnology; Public Transportation; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179524
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 27 1981 12:00AM