OVERVIEW OF INITIAL GROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE CHANNEL TUNNEL HIGH SPEED RAIL LINK

The first stages of the geological and geotechnical studies of the route for the 108km-long Channel Tunnel Rail Link between London and the English entrance to the Channel Tunnel are described in some detail. A geological map of the route, and a chart of the strata, are included. The three distinct landform units and hydrogeological areas, through which the route passes, are the Thames Basin, the North Downs, and the Weald of Kent. The geology and ground conditions of the tunnels along the route dominated much of the early planning of the investigations. Investigations were also required of former industrial and waste disposal sites that could be contaminated. In August 1993, a dedicated geotechnical management unit was established. By January 1994, the geotechnical works, previously applied to Phase I investigations, were extended to include Phase II investigations. Key geotechnical issues, covered by the 1994 development studies, included: (1) construction over soft ground; (2) ancient landslips, shear surfaces, and geomorphology; (3) chalk earthworks; (4) track bed design; (5) seismicity; and (6) ground water conditions. Practical data acquisition difficulties during fieldwork and the data processing methods used are also discussed. For the covering abstract see IRRD 883023.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0727725130
• Corporate Authors:

  Thomas Telford Limited

  London,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • BECKWITH, R C
  • RANKIN, W J
  • BLIGHT, I C
  • Harrison, I
• Conference:
  • ADVANCES IN SITE INVESTIGATION PRACTICE. PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD IN LONDON ON 30-31 MARCH 1995
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 119-44

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chalks; Compressibility; Conferences; Construction; Data collection; Earthwork; Geology; Geomorphology; Groundwater; Information processing; Itinerary; Landslides; Maps; Pollution; Railroad tracks; Rock mechanics; Seismicity; Shear strength; Soil mechanics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Site investigation
• ITRD Terms: 4120: Chalk; 5905: Compressibility; 8525: Conference; 3655: Construction; 8623: Data acquisition; 8655: Data processing; 3653: Earthworks; 4053: Geology; 4055: Geomorphology; 4383: Ground water; 699: Itinerary; 4029: Landslide; 4074: Map; 2453: Pollution; 5757: Rock mechanics; 5731: Seismic; 5531: Shear; 5722: Site investigation; 5755: Soil mechanics
• Subject Areas: Construction; Environment; Geotechnology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00729269
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-7277-2513-0
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 12 1996 12:00AM