How to Define Tunnel Engineering and Uses of Tunnels?

Tunnel

How to Define Tunnel Engineering and Uses of Tunnels?

A tunnel is a corridor that has been dug through the soil, rock, or other surrounding earth material. It is enclosed, except for exit and entrance, that are often located at each end.

Although similar shorter excavations can be built, such as cross passages between tunnels, a tunnel is a relatively long and narrow excavation; the length is frequently much longer than double the diameter.

Even though some modern tunnels were built using immersed tube construction techniques rather than conventional tunnel boring techniques, a pipeline is not a tunnel.

A tunnel may be used for canal flow, rail traffic, or foot or vehicle traffic on a road. Typically, the tunnel is where the core of a rapid transit system is located. Some tunnels are utilized as aqueducts or sewers to supply drinking water or to power hydroelectric plants. Utility tunnels are used to connect buildings for easy movement of people and equipment, as well as to route steam, chilled water, electrical power, or telecommunication cables.

Secret tunnels are constructed for military or civilian purposes, such as the transportation of weapons, goods, or persons. Special tunnels, such as wildlife bridges, are constructed to allow wildlife to safely pass man-made barriers. Tunnel networks can be formed by connecting tunnels.

A significant tunnel project must begin with a thorough assessment of ground conditions, which includes collecting samples from boreholes and using other geophysical techniques. An informed choice of machinery and procedures for excavation and ground support can thus be made, lowering the danger of encountering unforeseen ground conditions. The horizontal and vertical alignments can be chosen during route planning to take advantage of the optimum ground and water conditions. In order to drill through solid rock or other material that is simpler to sustain during construction, it is common practice to locate a tunnel deeper than would otherwise be required.