ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF AN SUBMERGED FLOATING TUNNEL WITH SUSPENSION CABLES

Civil Engineering

Submerged floating tunnel is an revolutionary innovation which introduces a new beginning of trend in transportation engineering. It provides a fast and easy access of transportation where the conventional methods are not applicable. SFT is implemented when the water level is too deep, rocky and highly undulated submerged ground where submerged tunnels and bridges are not sustainable or economical. SFT is based on principle of buoyancy and they are acted upon by different varying loads. Hence SFT is to be designed for desired strength, stiffness and durability. Since SFT is not constructed till now, the design analysis is complex, difficult and needs various parameters to understand and its consequential impacts of the stability of SFT. Various researches were performed to analyze SFT under different environmental, accidental and varying loads. Continuous evaluation and inspection and improvements in the structure is required to eliminate the chances of damages. Based on the design technology of immersed tunnel, bridge and tunnel engineering, combining the current relevant design codes or specification of civil and offshore engineering, the conceptual design method of submerged floating tunnel tubular segment is presented according to safety, applicability, economy, fine appearance and environmental protection. The selection of tube cross section type, structural analysis, design loads of submerged floating tunnel etc., are described and explored by comprehensively considering the design load, buoyancy to weight ratio, flow resistance performance, durability and other factors of submerged floating tunnel. This project works undertakes the studies of various researchers and case studies were analyzed to determine the feasibility of an SFT with suspension cables.

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