[0001] This invention relates to a method of, and means for constructing a submerged tunnel
and also to a submerged tunnel.
[0002] Submerged tunnels extending between land bases are usually provided in conditions
where a bridge is not possible (for example, if the span is too great, the land bases
or sea bed are inadequate foundations or a shipping hazard would result) or where
a bridge is undesirable (for example, aesthetically or environmentally).
[0003] Hitherto it has been the practice for submerged tunnels to be constructed on land
and thereafter floated to the appropriate site and sunk into position; this technique
besides requiring a large land based building site and heavy equipment for manoeuvring
the tunnel or tunnel sections prior to their submergence is often disrupted by adverse
weather conditions and interrupts shipping. It is an object of the present invention
to provide a method and means of constructing a submerged tunnel in situ which alleviates
the aforementioned disadvantages.
[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a method of constructing a submerged
tunnel in situ which comprises providing a longitudinally extending substantially
cantilevered tunnel section with a chamber unit mounted on the free end thereof so
that the chamber unit and bore of the tunnel section provide a water sealed working
chamber; lengthening the longitudinal extent of the tunnel section within the chamber
unit, and displacing the chamber unit longitudinally relative to the tunnel section
over the lengthened part thereof to permit further lengthening of the tunnel section
within the chamber unit.
[0005] Further according to the present inventibn there is provided means for constructing
a submerged tunnel in situ comprising a longitudinally extending substantially cantilevered
tunnel section; a chamber unit mounted on the free end of the tunnel section so that
that unit and the bore of the tunnel section provide a water sealed working chamber
within which the longitudinal extent of the tunnel can be lengthened in the chamber
unit, and means for displacing the chamber unit longitudinally relative to the tunnel
section over the lengthened part thereof to permit further lengthening of the tunnel
section within the chamber unit.
[0006] The present invention therefore envisages the construction of a submerged tunnel
in situ by successively lengthening a cantilevered tunnel section which latter will
usually be anchored in support foundations of a land base so that the bore of the
tube is in direct communication with land throughout the construction of the tunnel.
The construction,being effected in a submerged state, is unlikely to be affected to
any great extent by adverse weather conditions and may be at such a depth as not to
present a shipping hazard. The tunnel section being in the form of a tube will-usually,
but not necessarily, be of circular section and its lengthening within the chamber
unit will usually be achieved by the addition of pre-formed elements to the end of
the tunnel section or by progressively casting or moulding material to the end of
the section. The present invention was primarily developed having in mind the construction
of tunnels for the passage of vehicles therethrough in which case its dimensions will
usually call for a basic tube structure of reinforced concrete although it will be
appreciated that other materials for the tube can be utilised, say reinforced plastics
sections for smaller tunnels which may be required for conduiting or a fluid flow
passage.
-
[0007] The chamber unit effectively provides a pressure vessel within which work is carried
out to progressively lengthen the tunnel section within that unit; this work may be
effected both on the interior and the exterior of the tunnel section and when appropriate
the pressure unit is displaced longitudinally over the newly lengthened tube wall
to permit further lengthening.
[0008] Preferably two chamber units are mounted on the free end of the tunnel section, one
such unit being located wholly within the other unit so that the inner chamber unit
provides with the bore of the tunnel section a first working chamber and the outer
chamber unit provides with the exterior of the inner unit a second working chamber
within which there is access to the exterior of the tunnel section. By this arrangement
the outer chamber unit effectively provides a second pressure vessel within the chamber
of which further work may be carried out on the exterior of the tube section while
the tunnel section is being progressively lengthened within the first working chamber.
The inner and outer chamber units are displaced progressively along the tunnel section
as the length thereof is increased. This displacement of the inner and outer chamber
units may be effected simultaneously so that they move in combination.but it is preferred
that each chamber unit is displaceable relative to the tube section independently
of the other so that when the outer chamber unit is stationary relative to the tube
section the inner unit can be displaced longitudinally as the tube section is progressively
lengthened to a maximum extent permitted by the outer unit and thereafter while the
inner unit is stationary relative to the tube section the outer unit can be displaced
over the inner unit to permit subsequent displacement of the inner unit.
[0009] As the length of the cantilevered tunnel progressively increases from its support
foundation it will be apparent that the upward buoyancy thrust thereon increases and
desirably the free end of the tunnel section is restrained at a desired depth of submergence
by anchoring.
[0010] The whole construction of the tunnel may be effected by progressively lengthening
the tunnel section from one land base to another and in such an event it is preferred
that the shape of the tube which is formed is controlled, say by use of appropriate
anchorages, so that the tube is an inverted arch to resist the upward buoyancy thrust
thereon. It is realised however that on many occasions the construction of the tunnel
from a single land base will be impractical or inefficient and it is preferred therefore
that the construction is by means of two longitudinally extending substantially cantilevered
tunnel sections each having a chamber unit mounted on its free end within which unit
the lengthening of the longitudinal extent of the respective tunnel section is effected.
A first of these tunnel sections is secured at a location corresponding to one end
of the tunnel which is to be constructed while the second tunnel section is secured
at a location corresponding to the other end of the tunnel which is to be constructed.
The first and second tunnel sections are then progressively lengthened by working
within their respective chamber units so that the free ends of the tunnel sections
project towards each other and a condition is reached where the chamber units of the
respective tunnel sections can be coupled together. With the chamber units coupled
together a longitudinally extending water sealed passage can be formed between those
units and thereafter one or both of the tunnel sections is lengthened to extend through
the sealed passage and connect the two tunnel sections together to provide continuity
of the tunnel. To resist the upward buoyancy thrust on the tunnel it is preferred
that the tube is an inverted arch formation as aforementioned and generally the chamber
unit of the first and second tunnel sections will be coupled together in the region
of the centre of the arch mid-way between the land bases. Where each tunnel section
has inner and outer chamber units mounted on the free end thereof, the two outer units
can be coupled together to provide the water sealed passage therethrough while the
two inner units can be dismantled or otherwise removed from the sealed passage prior
to connecting the tunnel sections together. Alternatively the two inner chamber units
can be retained within the sealed chamber of the outer units provided that their structure
is appropriately modified to permit extension of the tunnel sections to form the continuous
tunnel.
[0011] With the chamber units coupled together to provide the water sealed passage through
which the tube of the tunnel extends a desirable feature can be provided by arranging
for the chamber units to be longitudinally displaceable over the tube for the purpose
of maintenance or servicing of the exterior of the tube. With this in mind the present
invention still further provides a 1 tunnel comprising a submerged tube extending
between support foundations, said tube having the form of an inverted arch to resist
upward buoyancy thrust thereon and there being mounted on the exterior of the tube
a chamber unit providing with the exterior of the tube a water sealed working chamber
and wherein said chamber unit is longitudinally displaceable along the tube for servicing
the tube.
[0012] As will be appreciated appropriate water seals will be provided between the chamber
unit or units and the tunnel section. Longitudinal displacement of a chamber unit
will usually be effected by fluid pressure operated means such as hydraulic rams and/or
mechanical means such as a rack and pinion device; displacement of a chamber unit
may be effected by reaction directly between that unit and the tunnel section or,
in the case of the inner and outer chamber unit proposal by reaction directly between-the
inner and outer units where one unit will be longitudinally displaced while the other
unit is secured relative to the tunnel section. - It is envisaged that the chamber
unit or units will generally be displaced longitudinally without rotation relative
to the tunnel section such as by use of appropriate sliding seals although alternative
displacement means are available, for example the or a chamber unit may have an internal
screw thread which mates with a complementary external screw thread provided on the
tunnel section so that the chamber unit is displaced longitudinally by rotating it
relative to the tunnel section.
[0013] One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a section through a cantilevered tunnel section
and chamber units mounted on such section for the construction of a tunnel;
Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates an arrangement whereby two tunnel sections and
associated chamber units similar to that shown in Figure 1 are disposed for constructing
a tunnel from opposed ends thereof, and
Figure 3 is a similar view to that shown in Figure 2 and diagrammatically illustrates
the tunnel when completed and having mounted thereon a chamber unit which is longitudinally
displaceable along the tunnel for maintenance and inspection purposes.
[0014] The submerged tunnel is to be constructed between opposed land based support foundations
1 and 2. A generally cylindrical walled tunnel section 3 is secured in the foundation
1 so that the tunnel section projects from the foundation below water level 1a as
a cantilever and the bore 3a of the tunnel section opens to atmosphere through the
foundation. The completed tunnel may be intended for the passage of vehicles and may
therefore include a road surface 4 or a railway and may be in the order of 12 metres
diameter being constructed from reinforced concrete with internal water-proof membranes
and textured external rendering. Mounted on the free end 5 of the tunnel section 3
is a bottle shaped chamber unit 6 having a neck part 7 within which the tunnel section
3 is received. Water seals 8 are provided between the neck part 7 and the tunnel section;
the unit 6 is intended to be longitudinally displaceable along the tunnel section
3 and the seals 8 permit relative sliding movement and remain effective between the
said two components during their relative longitudinal displacement. The chamber unit
6 forms with the bore 3a a working chamber 9 within which the free end of the tunnel
section can be extended as indicated at 5a, for example by use of shuttering 10 where
material is cast on to the existing free end of the tunnel section or by the addition
of pre-cast elements to lengthen the tunnel section. The chamber 9 and bore 3a are
substantially at atmospheric pressure and adequate ventilation can be achieved by
circulating fresh air-in the direction of arrow A from the land base while exhaust
air can pass in the direction of arrow B through ducts 11 located beneath the road
surface 4. To promote rapid curing of the material cast in the shuttering 10 the chamber
9 can be heated.
[0015] Following completion of the additional part 5a of the tunnel section (and removal
of the shuttering 10) the chamber unit 6 is intended to be displaced longitudinally
over the part 5a to permit sufficient working area in the chamber 9 for the free end
of the tunnel section to be further and progressively lengthened. If required, spacers
indicated at 12 can be provided between an enlarged diameter part of the unit 6-and
the tunnel section 3 to maintain appropriate alignment between that section and unit.
[0016] Also mounted on the free end of the tunnel-section 3 is a further bottle-shaped chamber
unit 13 within which the chamber unit 6 is wholly received. The unit 13 similarly
to the unit 6 has a mouth part 14 with internal
[0017] water seals 15 within which the tunnel section 3 is received. Again similarly to
the unit 6, the chamber unit 13 is intended to be longitudinally displaceable relative
to the tunnel section 3 and this outer unit forms a second working chamber 16 which
permits, in part, access to the exterior of the tunnel section 3 over the cylindrical
region indicated at 17.
[0018] The chamber 16 being water sealed permits work to be carried out on the exterior
of the tunnel section 3 over the cylindrical region 17 as aforementioned and both
chamber units 6 and 13 provide effective pressure vessels which ensure adequate safety
for the personnel in the chamber 9 and in the submerged length of the bore 3a.
[0019] The chamber units 6 and 13 are intended to be displaced longitudinally progressively
and successively over the lengthened parts of the tunnel section 3. For this latter
purpose, each chamber unit has associated therewith a clamping unit indicated at 18
by which the respective units can be selectively secured against longitudinal displacement
relative to the tunnel section; the clamping units 18 may be operated by any convenient
means such as mechanical, fluid pressure operated or electrical.
[0020] Relative longitudinal displacement between the units 6 and 13 is effected by rack
and pinion units indicated at 19 operating in conjunction with hydraulic rams 20.
As shown in Figure 1, the driven components of the device 19 are mounted on the inner
chamber unit 6 while the longitudinally extending racks with which the pinion components
co-operate are mounted on the outer unit 13 and the rams 20 connect between the inner
and outer units to provide a stroke which extends longitudinally thereof. If required
spacer means (not shown) can be provided between the units 6 and 13 to maintdin, or
assist in maintaining, alignment between those units.
[0021] With the outer unit 13 secured by clamp 18 to the tunnel section 3 the components
in devices 19 can be driven and the rams 20 contracted to slidably displace the inner
unit 6 rightwardly in Figure 1 along the newly lengthened tunnel section until the
maximum extent of displacement of the inner unit 6 rightwardly in the outer unit 13
is reached. At this latter stage the inner unit 6 can be secured by its associated
clamp unit 18 to the tunnel section 3 and the clamp unit 18 associated with the outer
unit 13 released; the pinion components of devices 19 can now be driven and the rams
20 extended to displace the outer chamber unit 13 along the tunnel section 3 and rightwardly
in Figure 1 to a desired extent whereafter the unit 13 can again be secured to the
tunnel section 3 prior to rightward displacement of the inner chamber unit 6 as described
above for further lengthening of the tunnel section.
[0022] As will be appreciated from the aforegoing all of the materials, equipment and facilities
necessary for lengthening the tunnel section are fed into the working chamber 9 through
the bore 3a.
[0023] Desirably-the chamber 16 is maintained at a greater pressure than that in chamber
9 to relieve pressure on the seals 15 and for this purpose an air compressor 21 is
provided. Air locks and de-compression chambers 22 and 23 are provided to permit access
between the chamber 9 and the chamber 16 and between the chamber 16 and the water
(the latter being convenient for external nspection). A water pump/sump 24 is provided
in the outer chamber unit 13.
[0024] As the cantilevered length of the tunnel section 3 is progressively increased from
the base foundation 1 the upward buoyancy thrust on the free end of the tunnel section
(by which is included the buoyancy attributed to the chamber units) increases. To
restrain upward movement of the free end of the tunnel section as a result of this
buoyancy thrust the outer chamber unit 13 is anchored to the sea bed by a hawser 25
extending from a winch 26(mounted in the unit 13) to an appropriate sea bed anchorage
27. As the outer chamber unit 13 is progressively displaced along the progressively
lengthening tunnel section 23 the winch 26 can be operated to vary the length of the
hawser 25 to maintain the free end of the tunnel section at a predetermined depth
of submergence. As will be appreciated, several such anchoring devices can be provided.
[0025] If required, the tunnel section 3 can be lengthened and the chamber units 6 and 13
progressively displaced to extend that tunnel section from the base foundation 1 to
the opposing foundation 2 while the. submerged depth of the tunnel section is controlled
by appropriate anchorages. Preferably however the tunnel is constructed by progressively
lengthening(in a similar manner to that previously described) two similar tunnel sections
extending in cantilevered manner from the base foundations 1 and 2 and at opposite
ends of the effective tubular tunnel which is to be formed.
* This preference is illustrated in Figure 2 where, for convenience, the same parts
or members associated with with the second tunnel section as those associated with
the first tunnel section 3 are indicated by dashed references having the same numerals.
As the tunnel sections 3 and 3' are progressively lengthened towards each other their
respective depth of submergence and alignment may be controlled by the winches 26
and 26' which, for convenience, are connected with the anchorage 27 (which is common
to both winched and may be situated beneath what will be the mid-length position of
the tubular tunnel when completed. The tunnel sections 3 and 3' are extended until
the outer chamber units 13 and 13' can conveniently be coupled together in alignment.
To facilitate such coupling the chamber units are provided with mutually co-operable
docking means 28, 28' which move into engagement with each other and can be welded,
bolted or otherwise joined together as indicated at 29 in Figure 3 to provide a water
seal. Following the sealed connection of the two outer units, bulk heads (shown at
30 in Figure 1) in the walls of those'units are removed to provide a passage which
extends longitudinally through the water sealed coupling 29 and within the enlarged
chamber formed by the combined chambers 16 and 16'. The inner chamber units 6 and
6' are now dismantled and conveniently removed through the bore of the tunnel sections.
One or both of the tunnel sections-3 and 3' is now lengthened to join with the other
tunnel section within the enlarged chamber 16, 16' to complete the tubular tunnel
as shown at 31 in Figure 3.
[0026] From Figure 3 it will be seen that the completed tunnel 31 is spaced from the sea
bed and may be regarded as a "submerged floating tunnel". Furthermore, the tunnel
31 has the form of an inverted arch which resists the buoyancy thrust thereon and,
if required, the anchorages 25, 25' can be removed.
[0027] Following completion of the tunnel 31 the coupled chamber units 13, 13' are preferably
retained to provide the water sealed chamber 16, 16' and these units can be longitudinally
displaceable over the length of the tunnel to permit servicing and maintenance of
the exterior of the tunnel as and when necessary. Any convenient means can be provided
for longitudinally displacing the combined units 13, 13' for example the units may
be connected by hawsers to winches on the base foundations 1 and 2 which are controlled
as necessary to move the units over the tunnel.
[0028] Usually the tunnel section or sections will extend between opposed land bases so
that the tunnel lies in a single vertical plane and in plan view is substantially
straight - this permits maximum advantage to be taken of the inverted arch form of
the tunnel to withstand the buoyancy thrust. It is to be realised however that the
present invention is applicable to the construction of a submerged tunnel which extends
other than in a single vertical plane between opposed base foundations, that is to
say the tunnel may be curved in plan view and although it may still have a substantially
arch-like form in side elevation the curvature in plan view may require anchorages
to resist the buoyancy thrust. Furthermore, to counter variations in upward buoyancy
thrust that may occur on the tunnel section or sections during their lengthening as
a result of the movement of heavy loads (such as material and equipment) along those
sections, it may be desirable that the winch devices 26 provide self (automatic) levelling
and/or that buoyancy tanks are incorporated within the tunnel sections or in the working
chambers, such tanks being optionally water filled or air blown to vary the effective
buoyancy of the tunnel sections as required.
1. A method of constructing a submerged tunnel in situ which comprises providing a
longitudinally extending substantially cantilevered tunnel section with a chamber
unit mounted on the free end thereof so that the chamber unit and bore of the tunnel
section provide a water sealed working chamber; lengthening the longitudinal extent
of the tunnel section within the chamber unit, and displacing the chamber unit longitudinally
relative to the tunnel section over the lengthened part thereof to permit further
lengthening of the tunnel section within the chamber unit.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 which comprises mounting two chamber units on the
free end of the tunnel section with one chamber unit located wholly within the other
chamber unit so that the inner chamber unit provides with the bore of the tunnel section
a first working chamber and the outer chamber unit provides with the exterior of the
inner unit a second working chamber within which there is access to the exterior of
the tunnel section; lengthening the longitudinal extent of the tunnel section within
the inner chamber unit, and displacing the inner and outer chamber units longitudinally
with, respect to the tunnel section over the lengthened part thereof.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 which comprises providing a water seal between each
chamber unit and the tunnel section.
4. A method as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 which comprises maintaining a
greater pressure in the second working chamber than that in the first working chamber.
5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises maintaining
the pressure in the or the first working chamber substantially at atmospheric pressure.
6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises restraining
the free end of the tunnel section in a submerged condition by anchoring.
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises forming
the tunnel as an inverted arch to resist the upward buoyancy thrust thereon.
8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises providing
two said longitudinally extending substantially cantilevered tunnel sections with
chamber units mounted on the free ends thereof within which lengthening of the longitudinal
extent of the respective tunnel sections is effected; locating the first of the tunnel
sections and its associated chamber unit at a location corresponding to one end of
the tunnel which is to be constructed and locating the second of the tunnel sections
and its associated chamber unit at a location corresponding to the other end of the
tunnel which is to be constructed; lengthening the respective=. first and second tunnel
sections towards each other until the chamber units of the respective tunnel sections
can be coupled together; coupling the chamber units together; providing a longitudinally
extending water sealed passage between the chamber units, and lengthening at least
one of the tunnel sections to extend through the sealed passage to connect the two
tunnel sections together and provide continuity of the tunnel.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 when appendant to claim 2 in which each of the first
and second tunnel sections has mounted thereon a said inner and a said outer chamber
unit and which comprises coupling together the two said outer chamber-units; providing
the longitudinally extending sealed passage between the outer chamber units; removing
at least part of the two inner chamber units from the notional extent of the tunnel
through the sealed passage and lengthening at least one of the tunnel sections to
connect the first and second tunnel sections with each other.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9 which comprises wholly removing the two inner chamber
units
from within the outer chamber units prior to lengthening the first and second tunnel
sections to connect with each other.
11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 which comprises securing together the chamber units which form the sealed passage
and mounting those chamber units on the tunnel sections so that they are longitudinally
displaceable in combination along the exterior of the tunnel when constructed for
servicing purposes.
12. Means for constructing a submerged tunnel in situ comprising a longitudinally
extending substantially cantilevered tunnel section; a chamber unit mounted on the
free end of the tunnel section so that that unit and the bore of the tunnel section
provide a water sealed working chamber within which the longitudinal extent of the
tunnel can be lengthened in the chamber unit, and means for displacing the chamber
unit longitudinally relative to the tunnel section over the lengthened part thereof
to permit further lengthening of the tunnel section within the chamber unit.
13. Means as claimed in claim 12 and comprising two chamber units mounted on the free
end of the tunnel section with one of the chamber units being located wholly within
the other, the inner chamber unit providing with the bore of the tunnel section a
first working chamber and the outer chamber unit providing with the exterior of the
inner unit a second working chamber within which there is access to the exterior of
the tunnel section, and means for displacing the inner and outer chamber units longitudinally
with respect to the tunnel section to permit lengthening of the tunnel section within
the inner chamber unit.
14. Means as claimed in claim 13 in which the inner and outer chamber units are longitudinally
displaceable relative to each other and to the tunnel section.
15. Means as claimed in claim 14 in which displacement of the inner and outer chamber
units is effected by means which reacts between those units so that when one of the
units is secured from longitudinal displacement relative to the tunnel section the
other unit is displaceable longitudinally by reacting against the said secured unit
and vice versa.
16. Means as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 in which both the inner and outer
chamber units are in water sealed engagement with the tunnel section.
17. Means as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 in which means is provided for maintaining the pressure in the second working
chamber greater than that in'the first working chamber.
18. Means as claimed in any one of claims 1'3 to 17 in which spacer means is provided
between the inner and outer chamber units to maintain relative alignment between those
units.
19.. Means as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18 in which the or each chamber unit
is substantially bottle-shaped having a neck portion within which the tunnel section
is received and which neck portion is in water sealed engagement with the exterior
of the tunnel section.
20. Means as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19 in which the or at least one of
the chamber units is longitudinally displaceable relative to the tunnel section by
non-rotatable longitudinal sliding movement over the exterior of the tunnel section.
21. Means as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20 in which the or at least one of the
chamber units has an internal thread which engages with a complementary thread on
the exterior of the tunnel section and longitudinal displacement of the chamber unit
is effected by rotation of the unit relative to the tunnel section,
22. Means as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 21 in which longitudinal displacement
of the or a chamber unit is effected by at least one of fluid pressure operated ram
means and co-operating rack and pinion means.
23. Means as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 22 and comprising anchoring means
for retaining the free end of the tunnel section at a desired . submerged depth.
24. Means as claimed in claim 23 in which the anchoring means comprises a winch device
carried by the, or one of the chamber units.
25. Means as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 24 and comprising two said longitudinally
extending substantially cantilevered tunnel sections each having a said chamber unit
mounted on the free end thereof within which the lengthening of the respective tunnel
sections is effected, a first of the tunnel sections and its associated chamber unit
being located at a position corresponding to one end of the tunnel which is to be
constructed and the second of the tunnel sections and its associated chamber unit
being located at a position corresponding to the other end of the tunnel which is
to be constructed; the chamber units associated with said first and second tunnel
sections being capable of being coupled one with the other and their structure modified
to provide a water sealed passage extending longitudinally therethrough, the arrangement
being such that the first and second tunnel sections can be lengthened towards each
other until the chamber units of the respective tunnel sections can be and are coupled
together and their structure modified to provide the water sealed passage between
the chamber units and thereafter at least one of the tunnel sections lengthened to
extend through the sealed passage to connect the two tunnel sections together and
provide continuity of the tunnel.
26. Means as claimed in claim 25 in which the two chamber units which are intended
to be coupled together are movable into engagement one with the other and include
means to facilitate alignment and docking of those units.
27. Means as claimed in either claim 25 or claim 26 when appendant to claim 13 in
which each of the first and second tunnel sections has an inner and an outer chamber
unit mounted thereon, the respective outer chamber units being intended to be coupled
together and their structure modified to provide the water sealed passage between
those units and at least part of each of the two inner chamber units being removable
from the notional extent of the tunnel through the sealed passage to permit the first
and second tunnel sections to connect with each other.
28 . Means as claimed in claim 27 in which the two inner chamber units are removable
from the water sealed passage formed by the two outer chamber units prior to connecting
together the first and second tunnel sections through the sealed passage.
29. A tunnel comprising a submerged tube extending between support foundations, said
tube having the form of an inverted arch to resist upward buoyancy thrust thereon
and there being mounted on the exterior of the tube a chamber unit providing with
the exterior of the tube a water sealed working chamber and wherein said chamber unit
is longitudinally displaceable along the tube for servicing the tube.