SUBMERGED FLOATING TUNNELS
- 2. INTRODUCTION STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF SFT COMPETITIVE FEATURES OF SFT CASE STUDY ON A SFT : TRANSATLANTIC TUNNEL CONCLUSION
- 3. Tunnels in water are by no means new in civil engineering. Since about 1900, more then 100 immersed tunnels have been constructed. Bridges are the most common structures used for crossing water bodies. In some cases immersed tunnels also used which run beneath the sea or river bed.
- 5. Submerged floating tunnel consists of many structural components. These components should provide strength and stiffness against the various forces acting under the water surface. The three basic structural components are: Tube Anchoring Shore connections
- 6. It should accommodate the traffic lanes and the equipments. External shape can be circular , elliptical or polygonal. It may be constructed of steel or concrete. Corrosion protection is the main issue. Tube is composed of elements of length varying from one hundred meters to half a kilometre.
- 7. There are basically fours types of anchoring: SFT with pontoons SFT supported on columns SFT with tethers to the bottom SFT unanchored
- 8. The connections of the tube to the shore require appropriate interface elements to couple the flexible water tube with the much more rigid tunnel bored in the ground. This joint should be able to restrain tube movements, without any unsustainable increase in stresses.
- 9. Invisible Length only from shore to shore Very low gradient Access to underground service-parking space at ends
- 10. The actual SFT structure is only as long as the distance between the shores. If desired the SFT may be connected directly to tunnels and then be completely out of sight for any desired distance.
- 13. A Transatlantic tunnel is a theoretical submerged floating tunnel which would span the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe. The transatlantic tunnel would be built of 54000 prefabricated sections connected by watertight and vacuum-tight gaskets.
- 15. Transatlantic tunnel consists of many components. The main components of this Tunnel are listed below. Gasket/shell Sea anchors Utility conduits and service port Vacuum pumps Maglev train Guide ways
- 16. Cost: - Due to lots of material and machinery involved in project, estimated cost is nearly 1.2 Thousand core dollars. Fire: - It is difficult to rescue people if fire will break out in train and also to face the problems due to the smoke of fire. Collision: - If in case of collision of two trains took place, it is very difficult to rescue the people. No Stoppage: - It is very difficult to stop the train travelling on such a high speed.
- 17. The submerged floating tunnel will set up new trends in transportation engineering and which shows with the advances in technology that will reduce the time required for travelling. And make the transportation more effective by hiding the traffic under water by which the beauty of landscape is maintained and valuable land is available for other purposes.