20 Types of Classification of Tunnels
Tunnels are generally classified on the basis of the purpose, types of material and according to their position:
A. Classification Based on The Purpose
Base on purpose tunnels are classified as:
a. Traffic Tunnels
Traffic tunnels are of following types:
- Highway tunnels
- Railway tunnels
- Navigation Tunnels
- Pedestrian tunnels
- Subway tunnels
b. Conveyance Tunnels
Conveyance tunnels are of following types:
- Water supply tunnels
- Hydroelectric power tunnels
- Sewer tunnels
- Tunnels for intake and conduit of public utilities
- Transporting tunnels in industrial plant
B. Classification Based on Type of Material
Based on the type of material through which they pass, tunnels are classified as:
- Tunnels in hard rock
- Tunnels in soft rock
- Tunnels in loose sand
- Tunnels in quicksand
- Open-cut tunnels
- Tunnels in the river bed
C. Classification based on position or alignment
Based on position or alignment, tunnels are classified as:
- Spiral tunnels
- Saddle and base tunnels
- Off-spur tunnels
- Slope tunnels
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