The Future of the Tunnel Crossing: The Submerged Floating Tube Bridge

Abstract

As a bridge envisaged in the future of tunnel crossings, the submerged floating tube bridge (SFTB) is a floating bridge, submerged at a defined position under the water level. The closed cross-section resembles that of a tunnel, but the design of the SFTB is governed by the dynamic behaviour of the structure, as for a bridge. Even though the concept was first proposed at the end of the nineteenth century, it is only in recent years, with the studies for the E39 fjord crossing project in Norway, that the real feasibility of the structure has been proven. In an era of a lack of available land to accommodate population growth, this structure offers the advantages of tunnels in using the underground space to hide the transport system, optimizing the use of the land. Several aspects have to be considered in the design to make this new concept a technologically competitive reality for transport systems. Most importantly, continuous research and development will be the key to successful realization of the concept in the near future.

Keywords:

• Tunnels
• bridges
• technology
• transport system
• coastal engineering

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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