IMMERSED-TUBE TUNNELS

This article gives a general account of the use of immersed tube tunnels with particular reference to the Hong-Kong cross harbour tunnel designed by British engineers and the proposed Tees tunnel which is likely to be the first of its developed in the USA does not closely match the envelope this type of tunnel and the conditions under which it can be constructed. The two alternative types, steel shell and the European developed concrete box, are discussed. The former developed in the usa, does not closely match the envelope required by traffic and hence has to be located at a greater depth. However if ventilation is required the segmental spaces can be used for this purpose. Steel shell construction is also favoured by a combination of low material costs combined with high labour costs. The Hong Kong bridge is of the steel shell type, is 1536 metres long and has four lanes. The tube comprised two steel shells linked by diaphragms and keel concrete, later filled with tremie concrete. The units, weighing about 6,000 tons, varied in length from 99 to 113 metres. They were placed by an all purpose screed and lay barge using laser beam for alignment. The proposed Tee's tunnel is of rectangular concrete box construction, 915 metres long and with four lanes. It will normally be self ventilating, but fans can be used under exceptional traffic conditions. The article outlines the proposed method of construction which involves manufacture of the units on a casting bed and their subsequent placement by means of a lowering dock. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Norwood Publications Limited

  Elm House, Elm Street
  London WC1X OBP,   England 
• Authors:
  • CULVERWELL, D R
• Publication Date: 1975-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 47-53
• Serial:
  • Consulting Engineer
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Norwood Publications Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete; Concrete construction; Construction management; Costs; Depth; Pipe; Shells (Structural forms); Steel; Tunnels; Underwater construction; Underwater structures; Ventilation systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Immersion
• Geographic Terms: Hong Kong (China); United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Steel shell
• ITRD Terms: 4755: Concrete; 3666: Construction method; 6499: Depth; 8131: Hong kong; 3361: Pipe; 4542: Steel; 3374: Tunnel; 3626: Underwater; 8119: United kingdom; 3392: Ventilation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Finance; Highways; I25: Design of Tunnels; I54: Construction of Tunnels;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127926
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 29 1975 12:00AM