Corrugated steel box communication form of double-pipe suspension tunnel
By using corrugated steel box connections in the twin-tube suspended tunnel, the problems of poor stress performance and inconvenient passage in complex underwater environments of single-tube suspended tunnels are solved, achieving high-efficiency connection rigidity and waterproof performance, and improving overall safety and emergency passage capability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing single-tube suspended tunnels are insufficient in their ability to withstand high traffic volumes in both directions, emergency rescue, and extreme disasters. Furthermore, the connecting structures have poor stress performance in complex underwater environments, are prone to fatigue failure, and are inconvenient to pass through.
The design adopts a corrugated steel box connection method. By setting corrugated steel boxes, closed flat and vertical plates, bolt connections and flexible buffer sealing components between the independent pipes of the double-tube suspended tunnel, the connection rigidity and waterproof performance are improved. The opening and closing structure of the track plate and track door is also designed.
It improves the overall connection stiffness and structural durability of the twin-tube suspended tunnel, enhances its stress adaptability in deep water environments, ensures traffic efficiency and safety, and reduces the risk of fatigue damage and leakage.
Smart Images
Figure CN122039682A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of bridge and tunnel engineering, and specifically relates to a corrugated steel box connection form for a double-tube suspended tunnel. Background Technology
[0002] With the ever-increasing demand for sea-land connectivity, suspended tunnels (SFTs), with their unique advantage of traversing deep-water fjords, have attracted significant attention from academia and engineering, becoming an important development direction for future cross-sea transportation. A suspended tunnel mainly consists of two parts—the tunnel body and the anchor cables. The weight of the tunnel tube, buoyancy, and the tension of the anchor cables are balanced, while simultaneously resisting a series of external loads. Existing research mostly focuses on single-tube suspended tunnels. However, single-tube suspended tunnels have inherent disadvantages in terms of resilience to high-volume two-way traffic, emergency rescue, and extreme disasters. The public lacks sufficient confidence in their overall safety, preventing the realization of suspended tunnels.
[0003] The parallel twin-tube suspended tunnel effectively avoids the above-mentioned defects, becoming an innovative form in conceptual design. A transverse connecting passage needs to be set between the two independent tubes of the twin-tube suspended tunnel to meet the requirements of coordinated stress distribution, pipeline interconnection, and emergency evacuation. Current research on twin-tube connecting structures focuses on the following key points: 1) In complex deep-water environments, the connecting structure bears enormous water pressure and should possess sufficient out-of-plane stiffness; 2) Under continuous dynamic loads such as waves, currents, and moving vehicles, it must possess sufficient bending and shear stiffness to ensure coordinated deformation of the twin tubes; 3) Many nodes in the connecting structure are prone to stress concentration, implying the risk of fatigue failure, while high water pressure requires high waterproof sealing performance at the joints; 4) Refining the vehicle leveling measures and emergency opening / closing structures within the connecting structure's internal space improves traffic convenience.
[0004] In summary, there is an urgent need to propose a novel structural form for interconnected bidirectional tubes to improve their stress performance in complex underwater environments and their efficiency in emergency communication. This involves optimizing the cross-sectional shape of the interconnecting structure; utilizing elastic buffers and sealing components to alleviate local stress concentration; and improving the smoothness and opening / closing function of the tunnel interior to enhance the overall connection stiffness and safety of the bidirectional suspended tunnel. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to propose a novel corrugated steel box connection form for a double-tube suspended tunnel, which overcomes the shortcomings of existing connection structures such as difficulty in coping with complex spatial forces, easy fatigue leakage, and inconvenience in internal passage and opening / closing. It improves the stress state and waterproof sealing performance of the connection nodes, and enhances the overall connection stiffness, structural durability, and emergency passage efficiency of the double-tube suspended tunnel.
[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A corrugated steel box connection method for a twin-tube suspended tunnel is used to connect two horizontally parallel independent tubes of the twin-tube suspended tunnel, thereby improving the connection rigidity of the twin tubes. The method is characterized by arranging a corrugated steel box that bridging the connection, a flat and vertical plate that closes the openings at both ends of the corrugated steel box, and several bolts for fastening the connection, based on the two independent tubes of the twin-tube suspended tunnel and the transition section. A track plate and a track door are arranged between the traveling plate inside the independent tube and the transition section. The corrugated steel box is a hollow rectangular box welded from a corrugated top plate, a corrugated bottom plate, flat wing plates, and corrugated vertical plates. The corrugation direction of the steel plates of the corrugated top plate and the corrugated bottom plate is parallel to the axial direction of the independent tube of the suspended tunnel, and each of the four flat wing edges on both sides extends a section of flat wing plate. The corrugation direction of the steel plates of the two corrugated vertical plates is perpendicular to the axial direction of the independent tube of the suspended tunnel, and the corrugated edges at the upper and lower ends of the corrugated vertical plates are welded and fixed to the flat wing plates respectively. The corrugated steel box has a total of eight free edges along its two transverse openings, including two corrugated edges at the ends of the corrugated top plate and the corrugated bottom plate, and two flat wing edges on both sides of the two corrugated vertical plates, all of which are welded with flat vertical plates. The corrugated top plate and the corrugated bottom plate enhance the bending resistance of the connecting structure along the longitudinal direction of the tunnel, and the two corrugated vertical plates improve the vertical shear strength. The combination of different corrugation directions of the top and bottom plates and the vertical plates improves the out-of-plane stiffness of the steel plates and improves the spatial stress state of the corrugated steel box in the deep water environment. Both independent pipe bodies are equipped with transition sections that match the flat and vertical plates. Bolts pass through the openings in the flat and vertical plates and are fastened to the transition sections to connect the corrugated steel box and the independent pipe bodies. Waterproof rubber rings are arranged on the contact surfaces of the bolts and the flat and vertical plates. Vertical plate pads are laid between the contact surfaces of the flat and vertical plates and the transition sections. The bolt studs are wrapped with waterproof rubber sleeves to effectively buffer stress, prevent fatigue damage, and improve the waterproof sealing performance at the gaps. The track plate is composed of two independent panels, on which there are parallel tracks parallel to the axis of the independent tube and vertical tracks perpendicular to the axis of the independent tube, and the parallel tracks and vertical tracks intersect and connect; the track door is a partial segment of the independent tube, which is slidably assembled on the track plate; when the track door is in the closed state, the track door is located on the vertical track and is parallel to the inner wall of the independent tube along the axis of the independent tube; when the track door is to be opened, the track door first slides out along the vertical track to the intersection of the two tracks, and then slides open along the parallel track to the inner wall of the independent tube.
[0007] Several I-beams are laid at intervals above the corrugated bottom plate. Concrete is poured into the corrugated grooves of the bottom plate and the gaps between adjacent I-beams. The top surface of the bottom plate concrete, the top surface of the I-beams, the top surface of the traveling plate and the edges of the flat and vertical plates are flush to improve the convenience of passage and reduce the local stress caused by vehicle load on the corrugated bottom plate.
[0008] When the suspended tunnel is long, multiple corrugated steel boxes are arranged at intervals between the two independent tubes according to the design requirements of coordinated stress, connectivity and emergency evacuation at different locations along the longitudinal direction of the tunnel; when the cross-section of the suspended tunnel tube is polygonal, there is no need for a transition section to connect the independent tubes and corrugated steel boxes.
[0009] The beneficial effects of this invention are reflected in: (1) The main body of the steel box with double pipe connection structure is made of corrugated steel plate instead of flat steel plate, which greatly increases the out-of-plane stiffness of the four sides of the box, improves its bending stiffness and buckling resistance, and adapts to the three-dimensional stress state of deep water environment. (2) Multiple flexible buffer and sealing components (waterproof rubber ring, vertical plate pad and waterproof rubber sleeve) are set at the connection node of the transition section between the corrugated steel box and the pipe body. They can effectively buffer the stress concentration caused by long-term dynamic loads such as wave flow at the node, prevent fatigue damage at the joint, and extend the service life. The above flexible components, together with the high-strength fastening of the bolts, realize the stable connection between the steel box and the pipe body, while improving the high-pressure waterproof sealing performance at the joint and reducing the risk of leakage. (3) I-beams are laid at intervals on the bottom plate of the corrugated steel box and concrete is poured on the bottom plate, which not only makes the passage surface flat, but also reduces the local stress of vehicle load; the local segments of the tunnel are used as emergency track doors in conjunction with the sliding rail mechanism. When opened, the door body is close to the inner wall of the tube body, without occupying the core passage space inside the independent tube body and the steel box, ensuring efficient and convenient opening and closing. (4) As a standardized connecting unit, the corrugated steel box can be flexibly arranged in multiple points between independent pipe bodies according to the design requirements of overall coordinated force, personnel evacuation and pipeline connection at different locations along the suspended tunnel. Attached Figure Description
[0010] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the corrugated steel box connection form of the double-tube suspended tunnel of the present invention. To show the structural details, one of the independent tubes is shown. Figure 1 Only a quarter of it is reflected; Figure 2 This is an overall elevation view of the double-tube corrugated steel box assembly. Figure 3 This is an overall side view of a double-tube corrugated steel box with interconnected sections; Figure 4 This is an overall plan view of the double-tube corrugated steel box connection configuration; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the A-A section sectional view; Figure 6 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a 1 / 4 section view of the B–B section in the figure; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding door when it is closed. Figure 8 Detailed drawings of the bolt waterproof rubber ring, rubber sleeve, and vertical plate pad (in words) Figure 2 Taking part C as an example, Figure 8 (a) is a waterproof rubber sleeve for bolts. Figure 8 (b) Waterproof rubber rings for bolts and padding for vertical plates; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a corrugated steel box connection when the cross-section of the tube is polygonal; The structure shown in the diagram includes: corrugated steel box 1, corrugated top plate 101, corrugated bottom plate 102, flat wing plate 103 and corrugated vertical plate 104, independent pipe body 2, flat and vertical plates 3, bolts 4, transition section 5, track plate 6, parallel track 601, vertical track 602, track door 7, waterproof rubber ring 801, vertical plate pad 802, waterproof rubber sleeve 803, bottom plate concrete 9, traveling plate 10, and I-beam 11. Detailed Implementation
[0011] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012] like Figures 1-4 As shown, based on the two independent tube bodies 2 of the double-tube suspended tunnel and the transition section 5 set on their respective opposite side walls, a corrugated steel box 1 is arranged to connect and cross, a flat and vertical plate 3 is closed at the openings at both ends of the corrugated steel box 1, and several bolts 4 are used for fastening the connection; a track plate 6 and a track door 7 are arranged between the traveling plate 10 inside the independent tube body 2 and the transition section 5.
[0013] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the corrugated steel box 1 is a hollow rectangular box welded together from a corrugated top plate 101, a corrugated bottom plate 102, a flat wing plate 103, and a corrugated vertical plate 104. The corrugation direction of the steel plates of the corrugated top plate 101 and the corrugated bottom plate 102 is parallel to the axial direction of the independent tube body 2 of the suspended tunnel, and a section of flat wing plate 103 extends from each of the four flat wing edges on both sides. The corrugation direction of the steel plates of the two corrugated vertical plates 104 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the independent tube body 2 of the suspended tunnel, and the corrugated edges at the upper and lower ends of the corrugated vertical plates 104 are welded and fixed to the flat wing plates 103 respectively. The corrugated steel box 1 has a total of 8 free edges along its two transverse openings, including two corrugated edges at the ends of the corrugated top plate 101 and the corrugated bottom plate 102, and two flat wing edges on both sides of the two corrugated vertical plates 104, all of which are welded with flat vertical plates 3. The corrugated top plate 101 and the corrugated bottom plate 102 enhance the bending resistance of the connecting structure along the longitudinal direction of the tunnel, and the two corrugated vertical plates 104 improve the vertical shear strength. The combination of different corrugation directions of the top, bottom and vertical plates improves the out-of-plane stiffness of the steel plate and improves the spatial stress state of the corrugated steel box 1 in the deep water environment.
[0014] like Figures 1-4As shown, both independent pipe bodies 2 are provided with transition sections 5 that match the flat and vertical plates 3. Bolts 4 pass through the openings in the flat and vertical plates 3 and are fastened to the transition sections 5 to achieve the connection between the corrugated steel box 1 and the independent pipe bodies 2.
[0015] like Figures 5-6 As shown, the track slab 6 is composed of two independent panels, on which are provided a parallel track 601 parallel to the axis of the independent tube 2 and a vertical track 602 perpendicular to the axis of the independent tube 2, and the parallel track 601 and the vertical track 602 intersect and connect; the track door 7 is a partial segment of the independent tube 2, which is slidably assembled on the track slab 6; several I-beams 11 are laid at intervals above the corrugated base plate 102, and base plate concrete 9 is poured in the corrugated groove of the corrugated base plate 102 and the gap between adjacent I-beams 11. The top surface of the base plate concrete 9, the top surface of the I-beams 11, the top surface of the traveling plate 10 are flush with the edges of the flat and vertical plates 3; in order to improve the convenience of passage and reduce the local stress caused by the vehicle load on the corrugated base plate 102.
[0016] like Figures 6-7 As shown, when the track door 7 is in the closed state, the track door 7 is located on the vertical track 602 and is parallel to the inner wall of the independent tube 2 along the axis of the independent tube 2; when the track door 7 is to be opened, the track door 7 first slides out along the vertical track 602 to the intersection of the two tracks, and then slides out along the parallel track 601 to the inner wall of the independent tube 2.
[0017] like Figure 8 As shown, a waterproof rubber ring 801 is arranged on the contact surface between the bolt 4 and the flat plate 3, and a vertical plate pad 802 is laid between the contact surfaces of the flat plate 3 and the transition section 5. The stud of the bolt 4 is wrapped with a waterproof rubber sleeve 803 to effectively buffer stress, prevent fatigue damage, and improve the waterproof sealing performance of the gap.
[0018] like Figure 9 As shown, when the cross-section of the suspended tunnel is polygonal, there is no need for the transition section 5 to connect the independent pipe 2 and the corrugated steel box 1.
Claims
1. A corrugated steel box connection method for a double-tube suspended tunnel, used to connect two horizontally parallel independent tubes (2) of the double-tube suspended tunnel, improving the connection stiffness of the double tubes, characterized in that, Based on the two independent tube bodies (2) of the twin-tube suspension tunnel and the transition section (5) set on their respective opposite side walls, a corrugated steel box (1) is arranged to connect and cross, a flat and vertical plate (3) is closed at the openings at both ends of the corrugated steel box (1), and a number of bolts (4) for fastening the connection; a track plate (6) and a track door (7) are arranged between the travel plate (10) inside the independent tube body (2) and the transition section (5). The corrugated steel box (1) is a hollow rectangular box welded from a corrugated top plate (101), a corrugated bottom plate (102), a flat wing plate (103), and a corrugated vertical plate (104). The corrugation direction of the steel plates of the corrugated top plate (101) and the corrugated bottom plate (102) is parallel to the axial direction of the independent tube body (2) of the suspended tunnel, and each of the four flat wing edges on both sides extends a section of flat wing plate (103). The corrugation direction of the steel plates of the two corrugated vertical plates (104) is perpendicular to the axial direction of the independent tube body (2) of the suspended tunnel, and the corrugated edges at the upper and lower ends of the corrugated vertical plates (104) are welded and fixed to the flat wing plates (103, 104, 102, 103, 104, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 10 ... 3) The corrugated steel box (1) has a total of 8 free sides at its two ends of the transverse opening, including two corrugated edges at the ends of the corrugated top plate (101) and the corrugated bottom plate (102), and two flat wing edges on both sides of the two corrugated vertical plates (104), all of which are welded with flat vertical plates (3); the corrugated top plate (101) and the corrugated bottom plate (102) enhance the bending resistance of the connecting structure along the longitudinal direction of the tunnel, and the two corrugated vertical plates (104) improve the vertical shear strength. The combination of different corrugation directions of the top, bottom and vertical plates improves the out-of-plane stiffness of the steel plate and improves the spatial stress state of the corrugated steel box (1) in the deep water environment; Both independent pipe bodies (2) are provided with transition sections (5) that match the flat and vertical plates (3). Bolts (4) pass through the openings of the flat and vertical plates (3) and are fastened to the transition sections (5) to realize the connection between the corrugated steel box (1) and the independent pipe body (2). Waterproof rubber rings (801) are arranged on the contact surface between the bolts (4) and the flat and vertical plates (3). A vertical plate pad (802) is laid between the contact surfaces of the flat and vertical plates (3) and the transition sections (5). The studs of the bolts (4) are wrapped with waterproof rubber sleeves (803) to effectively buffer stress, prevent fatigue damage, and improve the waterproof sealing performance of the gaps. The track plate (6) is composed of two independent panels, on which there is a parallel track (601) parallel to the axis of the independent tube (2) and a vertical track (602) perpendicular to the axis of the independent tube (2), and the parallel track (601) and the vertical track (602) intersect and communicate with each other; the track door (7) is a partial tube segment of the independent tube (2) and is slidably assembled on the track plate (6); when the track door (7) is in the closed state, the track door (7) is located on the vertical track (602) and is parallel to the inner wall of the independent tube (2) along the axis of the independent tube (2); when the track door (7) is to be opened, the track door (7) first slides out along the vertical track (602) to the intersection of the two tracks, and then slides open along the parallel track (601) to the inner wall of the independent tube (2).
2. The corrugated steel box connection form of a double-tube suspended tunnel as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Several I-beams (11) are laid at intervals above the corrugated base plate (102). Base plate concrete (9) is poured in the corrugated groove of the corrugated base plate (102) and the gap between adjacent I-beams (11). The top surface of the base plate concrete (9), the top surface of the I-beams (11), the top surface of the traveling plate (10) are flush with the edge of the flat plate (3) to improve the convenience of passage and reduce the local stress caused by the vehicle load on the corrugated base plate (102).
3. The corrugated steel box connection form of a double-tube suspended tunnel as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the suspended tunnel is long, multiple corrugated steel boxes (1) are arranged at intervals between the two independent tubes (2) according to the design requirements of coordinated force, connection and emergency evacuation at different locations along the longitudinal direction of the tunnel.
4. The corrugated steel box connection form of a double-tube suspended tunnel as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the cross-section of the suspended tunnel is polygonal, there is no need for a transition section (5) to connect the independent tube (2) and the corrugated steel box (1).