Tunnel Technology
Dome Technology has successfully designed and constructed several tunnels to compliment
bulk storage projects associated with our large storage domes. The basic design
criteria that we incorporate with our tunnel design is the basic arched roof geometric
shape. This configuration has proved very successful with the following specific
advantages:
The tunnels are built using steel reinforced shotcrete (a concrete product incorporating
900 lbs of cement per cubic yard). Shotcrete is a product that Dome Technology,
Inc has developed to provide the durability and strength requirements of dome structures.
Past history and experience with this material at numerous locations has provided
break tests as high as 6,000 psi from this product.
The arched form used for the tunnel provides increased strength allowing the tunnel
to utilize a much thinner wall, floor, and roof thickness compared to conventional
rectangular shapes.
Dome Technology's method of tunnel design and construction provides an arched metal
liner that acts as the tunnel's internal form and supports the reinforced shotcrete
method of construction without additional work. This simple factor allows the tunnels
to be built in extremely long and continuous sections without downtime associated
with extensive work forming techniques. The tunnel design provides the following features:
- The arched tunnel is very adaptable to junctions, arteries, etc.
- The metal liner provides a very clean finish to the inside of the tunnel.
- Our design is very adaptable to custom sizing associated with specific width or
height characteristics. The basic limitation of our standard tunnel is any width
or height beyond a 6 foot width – 3 foot tall radius.
- The arch portion of the tunnel is a simple curve. The remaining height of the tunnel
is created using vertical pony wall or stem wall procedures.
Some of the tunnel value engineering project improvements that we have constructed
include:
United Arab Emirates Clinker
storage dome system.
This project required and then utilized our tunnel system to construct approximately
900+ feet of tunnel under a Clinker Storage Dome System to be utilized with a gravity
reclaimer that empties the 100,000 ton clinker storage upon demand.
Kosmosdale cement storage dome project, Kosmosdale, KY.
This Southdown Cement (now Cemex) project utilized one of our tunnel improvement
designs to exit the 100,000 ton cement storage dome. It also utilized some 500+
feet of our tunnel to cover and protect the discharge conveyor between the transfer
dome (buried dome structure) and the ship loading feed conveyor. This tunnel was
constructed in a single run including the gradient and angle change at its midpoint.
The transfer dome and tunnel system we constructed saved this client $50,000 and
provided more space and usable mechanical area. The system has proven very adaptable
to later plant modifications and use.
FMC phosphate byproduct storage in Pocatello, ID.
FMC utilized our tunnel design to house a combination discharge system above and
below ground. The tunnel above ground actually bisects half of the dome and is used
as a push wall for the loaders that processes the product into feeder holes in the
top of the tunnel. The tunnel supports all of the conveyor systems and keeps the
product system moving efficiently. The tunnel starts in a deep access pit at one
side of the dome structure and rises completely out the ground prior to exiting
the opposite side of the dome. The tunnel is approximately 12' wide and 10' high.
The area of this project required structures that could absorb and function in spite
of predicted differential settlement. Both the tunnel and dome met the settlement
challenge and continue to work well.
View Tunnel Video