A method for realignment or repair of immersed tunnels

This paper describes a method envisioned by the writer to replace a, section of an immersed tunnel. This might be necessary, as in the case of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Thimble Shoal Channel Tunnel to improve the depth of a navigation channel. It also could be used to repair a tunnel in the case of an internal fire or explosion that would be so severe as to cause its collapse. The method described in this paper could provide a means for a relatively quick recovery from a disaster of this kind where a tunnel is completely flooded and the damage is very difficult to reach. This paper focuses on cross sectional details related to a double steel shell type of immersed tunnel. This is perhaps the most difficult type to adapt to a replacement tunnel section. Similar methods can be applied to other types of immersed tunnels as well.