Tunnel engineering deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of underground passages constructed without disturbing the ground surface above (tunnels). Tunnels are used for transportation of people, goods, and materials. They are also used for conveying water, oil, sewage, and gas. Tunnels provide advantages such as connecting locations by the shortest route and allowing free movement of traffic throughout the year. However, tunnels require specialized equipment and techniques for construction and take more time and skilled labor to build compared to other underground structures.
4. TUNNEL ENGINEERING:
The branch of civil engineering which deals
with the design, construction and
maintenance of tunnel is known astunnel
engineering.
6. *They are used for conduction of water to
generate power.
*They are used for carrying oil, sewage,
gas etc.
7. Necessity of tunnels:
*When the two terminal stations,
separated by a
mountain are to be connected by a
shortest route.*When depth of open cut for reaching the
other side of a hill is more than 20m and it
is costlier to construct and maintain it,
than a tunnel.*When the provision of a bridge for
carrying road or railway traffic across the
river is more inconvenient and costlier than
a tunnel under the river bed.
8. *When the routes of railway track or road
at high at high altitudes is to be protected
from blockage due to snow fall or land
slides.
9. Advantages of tunnels:
*They connect the two terminal stations by
the shortest route.
*They provide free movement of traffic
throughout the year.
10. *They carry railway lines, roads and public
utilities like water, oil, gas etc. across a
stream or mountains.
*They facilitate less route length and thus
result in less transportation cost.