CHALKING UP EXPERIENCE ON STROOD AND HIGHAM

This article describes a project designed to refurbish the Strood and Highham rail tunnels located 50km south east of London in North Kent. It first gives historical background to the tunnels which were originally constructed in 1819 as one continuous canal tunnel. The tunnel then evolved into first into a joint canal and single-track railway tunnel, then backfilled and installed with a twin-track railway, followed by a complete backfilling of the canal basins. The tunnels were constructed in chalk and mostly unlined, and had brick lining in areas of less stable chalk. An increasing trend of chalk falls precipitated the tunnel's closure in 1999. The remainder of the article describes mitigation measures that were taken, and a refurbishment project that was initiated. The project involved lining the unlined tunnel sections, construction of refuges throughout the tunnels, the installation of a drainage system, stabilization of construction shafts, and track renewal. The project emphasized limited excavation, with focus on reduced costs and minimum disturbance to the chalk.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0041414X
• Corporate Authors:

  Polygon Media Limited

  Tubs Hill House, London Road
  Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1BY,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Simms, C
  • Jones, S
  • Russell, J
  • Evans, A
• Publication Date: 2005-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 38-41
• Serial:
  • Tunnels & Tunnelling International
  • Volume: 37
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Progressive Media Markets, Ltd
  • ISSN: 0041-414X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chalks; Railroad tunnels; Tunnel lining
• Subject Areas: Construction; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00989393
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 3 2005 12:00AM