The train is unloaded and loaded again in just over half an hour. If the vehicle is too early for its booked train, the passengers may visit the terminal building with cafés and duty free shopping, driving onto the train once it has arrived and is ready. On arrival at the terminal, having booked beforehand or not, vehicles can check in (in separate freight/passenger booths) and go through the juxtaposed French and UK immigration and customs checks.
The Chunnel incorporates advanced safety features, including. These two accidents forced the authorities on both sides to improve their safety arrangements. It remained closed for quite some time and safety features of the tunnel were criticized by people all over the world. In 2008, another fire accident occurred, costing 60 million pounds to repair the tunnel. About 500 meters of the track had to be replaced. In 1996, one train going towards France caught fire and the accident inflicted heavy damage to the services of the tunnel. Communications are an important safety characteristic when operating under such unique conditions. All the systems were thoroughly integrated, and checked for effectiveness. Multiple communication systems were installed for contact between the railway control center and the trains, and between the passengers and the shuttle crew. The studies involved tests on fire detection equipment, smoke control, evacuation procedures, and several other systems involved in the venture. A detailed qualitative and a quantitative analysis, involving experts from all fields, were carried out regarding the complete project. Since the Channel was the first of its sort in the transport industry, it required a detailed study to achieve essential safety requirements. On Decema Frenchman and an Englishman shook hands in front of the World's media, through a hole connecting the two tunnel ends. The spoil from tunnelling was used to create a 73 acre hoe on Britain's coast, on the French side their spoil was piled up into a new hill. The cutters of the tunnel boring machines that are fixed at the front side of the machine have tungsten teeth.
Some of the machines were built especially for the job, with a combination of extremely high pressure water jets and rotating disc cutters used to burrow through the land beneath the Channel. To further minimize these risks, the vertical and horizontal alignments were optimized to make the best use of the water and ground conditions.Įleven giant boring machines were used to shift tonnes of rock and soil, at the rate of 250 feet a day. The detailed survey allowed for a suitable selection of equipment, techniques for excavation, ground assistance, and the reduction of unforeseen risks. The clay functioned as an obstruction through which water could not cross. Underneath these layers was the layer of chalk composed mostly of clay. The top and middle layers were unsuitable for digging due to the high levels of porosity, through which water could easily penetrate.įurthermore, the upper layers contained sand and gravel that made drilling difficult. Geological samples established that the mining conditions were perfect for the project. The studies revealed the characteristics of the rocks and the precise location of the fault zones in the region. The geological profile and topography of the tunnel area around was studied to determine the most suitable rock layers, and also to ensure that no major geological hazard existed along the tunnel path. Geotechnical Investigations for the Channel Tunnel The completed project was opened by Queen Elizabeth II and French President Francois Mitterrand on May 6 1994.4.8m (used for ventilation and maintenance} The structure consists of two railway tunnels and a service tunnel.
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