A new controlled drainage system for submarine tunnels using double-adhesive waterproof membrane

Abstract

Traditional submarine tunnels with drainage systems are highly susceptible to water leakage, which is challenging to locate and manage, leading to high maintenance costs. To address this problem, a new controlled drainage system for submarine tunnels was proposed in this study. The system utilizes a double-adhesive waterproof membrane instead of traditional waterproof sheets, which not only reduces the likelihood of leakage but also makes subsequent leak detection and repair easier. In addition, replacing blind pipes with drainage sheets significantly improves the clogging resistance of the drainage system. The influence of grouting circles and drainage sheets on the water inflow and the external water pressure on the lining was then analyzed using numerical calculation methods. Finally, the design process of the new controlled drainage system was proposed. The research suggests that the new system allows for a multi-stage control method using grouting circles and drainage sheets, providing greater design flexibility. In the primary control stage, grouting circles effectively reduce the tunnel water inflow and the external water pressure on the lining, with the permeability coefficient playing a crucial role. In the secondary control stage, the spacing and width of the drainage sheets can regulate the water inflow and pressure. Unlike grouting circles, drainage sheets decrease water pressure while inevitably increasing water inflow, and vice versa. These findings can serve as a valuable reference for the design of waterproof and drainage systems in submarine tunnels.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

submarine tunnel / spray-applied waterproofing membrane / drainage system / numerical simulation / design process

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University (No. 2023ZZTS0183) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 502802002). In addition, the authors express sincere thanks to the editors and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions that helped to improve this article.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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