Tunnel Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

Description

The aim of the Watching series is to draw attention to some of the very interesting items around us, things that perhaps we don't notice as much as we might. The first was Bridge Watching, and when this was put 'on the Net' it produced, to the surprise of the author, such a pleasant flood of e-mail that another was written, called Water Watching. This, too, was kindly received. So it was tempting to continue with the theme. Some people find pleasure in taking photographs and some like to sketch or paint, because tunnel mouths are often set in lovely countryside. A train emerging from a hole in the side of a hill makes a good picture, in any weather conditions, whether as a photograph or a painting. On the other hand some people like to just look, without recording the sight. Whichever may be your choice, I wish you happy tunnel-watching. There are other reasons for tunneling, such as providing an approach for men and materials, to get at something not otherwise accessible from the surface, escaping from a prison, robbing a bank, or following a seam of mineral deposits, perhaps to carry water or other liquids from one place to another. As you extend your knowledge during tunnel-watching sessions I wish you well. You may also be drawn to some of the literature on the subject, either easy introductory material like this or more technical treatment, leading you along fascinating lines of learning. Go forth and enjoy this free entertainment.
Preface

The Problem

The Materials

Some Solutions

Methods

Examples

Glossary

Bibliography

Sujets

• Arts visuels
• Architecture
• Railroads
• Sciences et techniques
• General officer
• Structural engineering
• Technology
• Rail transport
• Engineering
• General
• Civil

Informations

• Publié par: Intellect Books
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2003
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781841508344
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Tunnel Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

intellect

Tunnel Watching

Edmund W. Jupp

TM intellect Bristol, UK Portland OR, USA

First Published in Paperback in UK in 2002 by Intellect Books, PO Box 862, Bristol BS99 1DE, UK

First Published in USA in 2000 by Intellect Books, ISBS, 5804 N.E. Hassalo St, Portland, Oregon 972133644, USA

Copyright © 2000 Intellect Ltd

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission.

Consulting Editor: Production and Cover Design: Production Assistant

Masoud Yazdani Vishal Panjwani Peter Singh

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 1841508071

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Cromwell Press, Wiltshire

Contents

Preface iv The Problem The Materials Some Solutions Methods Examples Glossary 50 Bibliography

iii

1 10 20 34 46

52

Preface

The reader might be forgiven for wondering what there is to be "watched" about tunnels. After all, the greater part of a tunnel lies out of sight underground, and only the entrance and exit can be seen. Even these may not be easily accessible. Again, when under construction these burrowings may not be something the passer- by would find worthy of a second glance. So those whose knowledge lies in other fields may feel that there is no attraction in seeking them out just to look at them.

When most people walked, instead of riding in vehicles, a hole dug in the road could attract a small crowd of interested passers-by, to see what the workers were doing.

Tunnels are much larger excavations, and if you know a little about how they are conceived and built the knowledge can increase your interest in what bits there are to be seen. Moving about the world, you come across all kinds of holes running along beneath the ground; and although they have this one thing in common, that they are for the most part hidden from sight, yet there are many differences, too. Size is not the only thing that makes one tunnel differ from another.

The methods of making the bore itself have changed over the centuries and are still developing. The styles of the entrances have altered, too. New materials have become available. A modern tunnel doesn't look the same as an ancient one. If you know something about tunnels, and if you look carefully you can see the differences.

Enjoy tunnelwatching

So here we hope to look at some of the facts that make tunnels rather more intriguing than they might seem at first. The technical aspects will be dealt with lightly, (without, I hope, "talking down" to the reader), and those who tremble at the very thought of mathematics have nothing to fear.

Indeed, many of those competent in the delights of mathematics and physics may well shudder a little at some of the liberties I shall take with aspects that perhaps deserve a more rigorous treatment. Well, this isn't for them. It is for those who have a little time to stand and stare, or even to sit and stare, to muse and contemplate, to luxuriate in the pleasant occupation of idle thoughts.

iv

Tunnel Watching

I do hope you will enjoy your watching, and will be led to look a little more closely at such tunnels as you may meet in your wanderings. Some people find pleasure in taking photographs and some like to sketch or paint, because tunnel mouths are often set in lovely countryside. A train emerging from a hole in the side of a hill makes a good picture, in any weather conditions, whether as a photograph or a painting. On the other hand some people like to just look, without recording the sight. Whichever may be your choice, I wish you happy tunnel-watching.

Tunnel or bridge?

Perhaps the first question that you will ask is "Why a tunnel at all?" The answer is most easily put in the words "To cope with an obstacle to progress". For example, when a road or railway is laid out in such a way that it meets an obstruction like a hill or a stretch of water the engineers must choose whether it is cheaper or better to go over or under, or round, i.e. to plan a bridge or a tunnel, or a diversion.

v