Bending Strength Analysis of Steel-Composite Submerged Floating Tunnels

Abstract

Submerged floating tunnel (SFT) must have enough strength to resist to various external loadings such as bending, torsion, tension, and compression. The expected main deformation of SFT is caused by bending moment. And this bending moment makes tensile stress and compression stress on the wallof SFT. Thus, bending moment is a main affecting factor on the safety of SFT. Until now, a reinforced concrete tunnel was suggested for SFT by other researchers. In this study, an internally confined hollow reinforced concrete tunnel and a double skinned composite tubular tunnel were proposed. And their bending strengths were studied and compared with that of a reinforced concrete tunnel. The analysis results showed the proposed SFT structures had enough strength to guarantee safety.nt makes tensile stress and compression stress on the wall of SFT. Thus, bending moment is a main affecting factor on the safety of SFT. Until now, a reinforced concrete tunnel was suggested for SFT by other researchers. In this study, an internally confined hollow reinforced concrete tunnel and a double skinned composite tubular tunnel were proposed. And their bending strengths were studied and compared with that of a reinforced concrete tunnel. The analysis results showed the proposed SFT structures had enough strength to guarantee safety.