METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERWATER TUNNELS Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: construction of underwater tunnels and laying of big pipelines. SUBSTANCE: separate sections of the tunnel are concreted on a floating means, interconnected by waterproof straps on the outer and inner sides of the section with formation of closed spaces in the area of section butts; flexible tension bars connecting the butts of the adjacent sections are made inside the closed spaces. After installation of sections on the water basin bottom the spaces are filled with concrete. In case of a storm in the water basin the butt of the upper section is covered by a waterproof diaphragm, ballast reservoirs are attached, connected to the floats on the surface by pipelines. A variant with lowering of sections over an inclined bridge lowered onto the water basin bottom is probable, the bridge is made up of hollow sections which when filled with water, the bridge sinks onto the bottom, and when they are filled with air, the bridge comes to the surface. EFFECT: simplified construction and enhanced safety, with the strength remaining intact. 3 cl, 4 dwg