Modular Tunnel Deck Advancing from Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for forming green tunnels are slow, disruptive, and costly due to the need for extensive excavation and support infrastructure, causing significant environmental disruption and requiring extensive reinstatement of the landscape.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involves forming access points along the tunnel route, using support bases with guide means to advance deck structures that span and form the tunnel roof, with excavation performed by apparatus on the leading deck structure, minimizing the need for additional land disruption and support infrastructure by allowing tunnel formation outwardly from the access point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional excavation and formwork methods are used to form green tunnels, then the tunnel structure can be formed, but the process is slow and requires frequent material deliveries and personnel transport causing significant environmental disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical excavation and formwork systems with a modular tunnel formation system that uses pre-assembled tunnel segments transported on wheeled carriages. This substitution eliminates the need for frequent material deliveries and on-site formwork assembly, significantly reducing environmental disruption while maintaining construction speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunnel structure is divided into modular segments that can be pre-assembled and then transported to the excavation site. This segmentation allows the tunnel to be constructed efficiently without requiring continuous material deliveries and personnel access along the entire tunnel route, thereby reducing environmental impact.
2Ease of operation
If access roads are formed to service the tunnel construction works, then materials and equipment can be delivered, but significant disruption to residents and local environment occurs and additional excavation works requiring reinstatement are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the tunnel segments and carriages to serve multiple functions: they are used for excavation, transport, and final tunnel assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate access roads and support infrastructure, as the same equipment serves all construction phases without requiring additional land disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunnel formation system is designed to be self-sufficient, with all necessary equipment and materials contained within or on the modular segments. The system can service itself during construction without requiring external access roads or support infrastructure, thereby minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment and residents.
3Ease of manufacture
If extensive support infrastructure and transport access are provided for tunnel formation, then construction can proceed, but the overall area of landscape disturbance increases and reinstatement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tunnel into modular units that can be independently assembled and transported, the patent eliminates the need for extensive support infrastructure along the tunnel route. Each segment is self-contained and can be positioned using minimal access points, significantly reducing the area of landscape disturbance while maintaining construction feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the support infrastructure and transport functions from the conventional construction process and integrates them into the modular tunnel segments themselves. This extraction eliminates the need for separate access roads and support facilities, reducing the overall footprint of landscape disturbance while preserving construction capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming tunnels(6), and tunnels formed thereby, said tunnels in one embodiment being of a form to carry transport routes (1) such as rail and road transport therealong. The method allows the tunnel to be formed from one or more access points (2) by allowing the tunnel structure (6) to be progressively extended out from the tunnel by advancing deck structures (24) along guide means (20) which are formed as part of a base structure (18). The deck structures (24) can also be used to support excavation equipment (28) and/or act as transport routes for access to the leading edge of the tunnel as it is formed. This greatly reduces the need for separate access and works to be provided adjacent to the tunnel as it is formed and therefore reduces the level of reinstatement works required after the tunnel has been formed.