THE USE OF UNDERGROUND SPACE

This paper which examines man's potential use of underground space, briefly reviews it's early use and the development of the various techniques for its creation. Natural caverns and man made excavations in America, Europe and Asia are described. The wedge and hammer technique, fire setting, tunnel driving, explosives, the compressed air drill, the extent of the support required, and the use of the rock bolt are discussed. The unique aspects and advantages of underground space are listed, and some modern examples of the economic use of underground space in America and elsewhere are described. These include hydroelectric facilites, dry storage and industrial facilities, nuclear power plants and oil storage facilities. The potential uses of such space include dead storage of radioactive wastes, the storage of energy, and the location of municipal facilities eg. sewage treatment plants, parking facilities, shopping areas etc. The economics of underground space use, and further advances for creating underground space are also discussed.

• Corporate Authors:

  Boston Society of Civil Engineers

  230 Boyston Street
  Boston, MA  United States  02116
• Authors:
  • Willett, D C
• Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 109-140
• Serial:
  • Boston Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, Journal
  • Volume: 64
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Boston Society of Civil Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric power plants; Excavation and tunneling; Explosives; Handling and storage; History; Hydroelectric power generation; Industrial buildings; Nuclear power generation; Radioactive materials; Rockbolts; Sewage treatment; Shopping facilities; Underground parking garages; Underground structures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Space
• Old TRIS Terms: Underground; Underground storage
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Freight Transportation; Geotechnology; Highways; History; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170869
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM