Tunnel Through!
Students apply their knowledge about mountains and rocks to transportation engineering, with the task of developing a model mountain tunnel that simulates the principles behind real-life engineering design. Student teams design and create model tunnels through a clay mountain, working within design constraints and testing for success; the tunnels must meet specific design requirements and withstand a certain load.
Workers look at the TBM cutterhead after it reached daylight in April 1997, after a 2.5-year journey excavating through Yucca Mountain, NV. TBM is a tunnel boring machine.Copyright US Department of Energy http://www.cfo.doe.gov/
To support our world's high demand for transportation routes, many types of engineers (civil, environmental, architectural, mechanical, electrical, etc.) work together to ways to create safe and efficient travel through mountains, over water, and in varying climates. Creation of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) improved the process of drilling through rock with an alternative to drilling and blasting methods. Mountain tunnel construction using TBMs results in smooth tunnel walls, reducing the costs of lining the tunnel, and causes fewer disruptions to the surrounding natural environment. Additional tunnel and roadway engineering tasks include design of air quality testing, ventilation and lighting systems; back-up generators; and safety considerations.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the process used in creating mountain tunnels.
- List several types of engineers that are involved in the final design of a mountain tunnel.
- List several engineering design constraints involved in the creation of a mountain tunnel.