ASSOCIATION
INTERNATIONALE DES TRAVAUX
ITA
EN SOUTERRAIN
INTERNATIONAL
TUNNELLING
AITES
ASSOCIATION
In Consultative Status, Category II with the
Towards an
United Nations Economic and Social Council
improved use
http://www.ita-aites.org
of underground
Space
Topic
UNDERSEA TUNNEL
Title
Technical Development for the Seikan Tunnel
Author
A. Kitamura
Originally published
in the Journal "Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology",
Vol. 1, Nr. 3/4, pp. 341 - 349, Year 1986.
Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Science Limited, www.elsevier.com; All Rights reserved.
Working Group: -
Seminar 1986, Tokyo: "The Seikan Tunnel"
Open Session, Seminar, Workshop:
Meetings
Others:
Abstract:
In the construction of the Seikan Tunnel, because of both the great length of the tunnel and the condition of the
undersea portion of it, difficulties were expected, such as the impossibility of confirming the geology of the
tunnel route using reconnaissance. In order to overcome these difficulties, many techniques were developed
during the construction of the Seikan Tunnel. This paper describes several examples of such techniques,
including a horizontal advance boring to confirm the prior geology; the development of grouting methods
oriented toward tightening the ground and sealing off the sea water; and each of the excavating techniques that
were tried and failed in completing the undersea tunnel.
Résumé:
Lors de la construction du tunnel de Seikan, on s'attenda Ä… de nombreuses difficultés telles que l'impossibité de
confirmer la géologie du tracé du tunnel donné par l'étape de reconnaissance; ces difficultés étaient dues Ä… fois Ä…
la grande longueur du tunnel et aux conditions de la partie sous la mer. Afin de surmonter ces difficultés,
plusiers techniques furent développées pendant la construction du tunnel de Seikan. Cet article décrit plusieurs
exemples de ces techniques telles que des sondages horizontaux Ä… l'avance pour confirmer la géologie, le
développement des méthodes de cimentation visant Ä… compresser la terre et Ä… boucher les infiltrations d'eau de
mer et, toutes les techniques d'excavation qui furent essayées et qui échouérent jusqu'Ä… l'aboutissement du
tunnel.
Remarks: -
Secretariat : ITA-AITES c/o EPFL - Bât. GC  CH-1015 Lausanne - Switzerland
Fax : [phone] - Tel. : [phone] - e-mail : [e-mail] - www.ita-aites.org