Channel tunnel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Channel tunnel - Essay ExampleThe Transmanche Link (TML) is the avower who is responsible for the Channel burrow design, construction and commissionioning of the project. Design of the Channel Tunnel The design scale was massive and high uply intricate and hence it was categorized into fivesome divisions a) System throughput b) Performance of shuttle trains c) Environment d) Safety and passenger evacuation e) Scenarios and operational procedures The design of the Channel Tunnel included four phases 1. Development piece of tame 2. Outline Design APS) 3. Definitive Design (APD) 4. Detailed Design (PEO) The design of the project was so intricate and diverse with a huge volume of work and limitedties involved that sub-contracts making use of the expertise of major independent companies were accepted. Design teams such as BETU (Tunnel design office) and BETER (Terminal design office) contributed their expertise. 1. Structural design a) The Service Tunnel The Service Tunnel Transpor tation is designed with 24 rubber-tyred vehicles rolling along at top speed of 80 kph that is electronically guided by cables that are embedded but al firsts for the maintenance of permanent equipment. These shuttles are 650m in length having a single deck. There are open wagons that are 20m in length, 4 m in width and 5m in height with a load capacity of 44T. It is designed in such a way that special amenity coaches are provided to carry drivers between the locomotive and the HGV wagons. b) The Main Railway Tunnels (RTs) The design comprises of two tunnels 50 km in length and running analog to each other with a distance of 30m. Each tunnel has a single declaim track, overhead catenary, power supply, cooling pipes, two walkways, a drainpipe system and other auxiliary services. These tourist shuttles are designed with an average capacity of 135 vehicles and a length of 775m. Each end has a despatch and unloading wagon and 12 twenty-five meter long carrier wagons that are closed an d identical. Special Design Features Rail Signaling System The rail signaling system is so designed so as to ensure safety to passengers, drivers, goods and locomotive behavior. All information is directly relayed within the drivers cabin. It also includes an automatic rifle speed limit to ensure safety. Track System Since this railway is the most heavily trafficked with an average of about 240,000,000 tonnes per year, the design is made to match this output. It has a stiff contribute system made of concrete to last for a minimum of 50 years. The strong framework is made highly tolerant for safety to liveness and property and is also designed with a rail fastening to allow minor service adjustments for maintenance and changing of components. The design also includes a low aerodynamic resistance that allows airflow under the trains. The tunnels comprise of a non-ballasted track made of concrete consisting of UIC 60kg/lm rail tracks that is mounted on pairs of independent support blocks. The tracks are isolated from the support blocks by nylon clips and rubber O ring. Such designing not only lends resilience but also maintains a high level of geometric tolerance. The design also contributes towards increasing speed that is 200km/h for TGVs through trains, while shuttles go at 160 km/h. Rolling argument Rolling Stock comprises of 43 locomotives and 512 wagons that include