MERSEY KINGSWAY TUNNEL: PLANNING AND DESIGN PAPER 7480

THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MERSEY CROSSINGS AND THE PLANNING OF THIS CROSSING FOR THE BENEFIT OF MERSEYSIDE AS A WHOLE IS SUMMARIZED. TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY ARE DESCRIBED AND IN PARTICULAR THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUNTER SANDSTONE IN WHICH THE TUNNEL IS DRIVEN. THE ALIGNMENT, LEVELS AND GRADIENTS OF THE TUNNEL AND APPROACHES WERE DETERMINED TO UTILIZE THE DISUSED SEACOMBE RAILWAY AND TO PASS UNDER THE RIVER BED WITH SUFFICIENT COVER. THE TUNNEL LINING FOR USE IN THE ROCK IS OF PRECAST REINFORCED CONCRETE WITH A WELDED STEEL INNER FACE AND WAS DESIGNED FOR ERECTION BY A TUNNELLING MACHINE WHICH PROVIDED A SMOOTH AND ACCURATE BORE. CAST IRON SEGMENTAL LINING WAS USED WHERE THE TUNNEL ROSE OUT OF THE ROCK INTO BOULDER CLAY. THE ROAD DECK IN THE TUNNEL IS A COMPOSITE REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE WITH PRESTRESSED BEAMS AND IN SITU FILLING AND TOPPING, WHICH FORMS THE RUNNING SURFACE. VENTILATION SHAFTS AND DUCTS CONNECT TO THE TUNNEL UNDER TWO VENTILATION STATIONS. PORTAL CHAMBERS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE AT EACH END INCORPORATE DRAINAGE SUMPS AND RUMPS. AT THE LIVERPOOL END A CUT-AND-COVER SECTION AT A DEPTH OF 50-60 FT HAS A REINFORCED CONCRETE ARCH OF ABOUT 100FT SPAN RESTING ON WALLS FORMED BY 8 FT DIA. BORED PILES. VENTILATION IS ON THE SEMI-TRANSVERSE SYSTEM WITH A MAXIMUM FRESH AIR SUPPLY OF 740000 CU. FT/MIN FROM EACH OF TWO STATIONS. DRAINAGE AND PUMPING ARE PROVIDED FOR AT THE PORTALS AND AT MIDRIVER PRINCIPALLY TO DEAL WITH RAIN WATER ON THE APPROACHES AND WASHING DOWN WATER. THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE DECORATIVE FINISHES WITHIN THE TUNNEL ARE THE DIRECT EPOXY SPRAY APPLIED TO THE PRIMARY LINING WHERE THE WELDED STEEL FACINGS ARE USED, AND VITREOUS ENAMELLED STEEL CLAD PANELS ABOVE EACH WALKWAY. LIGHTING, OPERATIONAL SERVICES AND CONTROLS ARE DESCRIBED. COSTS ARE SUMMARIZED (A).

• Authors:
  • Megaw, T M
  • Brown, C D
• Conference:
  • Inst Civil Engineers Proc, London /UK/
• Publication Date: 1972-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 479-502
• Serial:
  • Volume: 51

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boreholes; Bridge design; Bridges; Epoxides; Excavation and tunneling; Lighting systems; Reinforced concrete; Sandstones; Streambeds; Structural design; Tunnel lining; Tunneling; Tunneling machines; Tunnels; Ventilation systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Epoxy; River beds; Tunnel lighting
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00210066
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 24 1974 12:00AM