Early Stage Characteristics of Macro Engineering and Suggestions for the Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project

Taiwan Strait Tunnel (TST) is a Macro Engineering Project (MEP). Countries all over the world have accumulated much experience on MEPs. To study the early stage characteristics of MEPs would be significant for advancing the progress of TST project. This article summarizes some common characteristics in early stage of MEPs, such as Three Gorges, South-to-North Water Diversion, The Channel Tunnel, Confederation Bridge projects, and so on. Some suggestions on early stage development are given to TST project for reference.     

Major Features of Topography, Geology, and Crustal Stability in the Taiwan Strait: A Scientific Approach to the Problem of the Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project

This article discusses briefly the major features of topography, geology, and crustal stability of the possible Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project (TST Project) area. Any one route of the conceived TST Project is larger than either of the English Channel Tunnel or the Seikan submarine Tunnel (Japan) by at least three times in length, and the topographic and geologic conditions are rather more complex and complicated than those of the former two projects. Moreover, the Taiwan Strait is a seismic risk area. Hence, the selection of the route of the submarine tunnel should take advantage of the favorable conditions in the topographic, geologic, seismologic, and other fields to avoid the unfavorable circumstances. At the end of the article, two supposed by comparable routes, especially the south one of TST Project are discussed.     

Major Features of Topography,Geology, and Crustal Stability in the Taiwan Strait: A Scientific Approach to the Problem of the Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project

This article discusses briefly the major features of topography, geology, and crustal stability of the possible Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project (TST Project) area. Any one route of the conceived TST Project is larger than either of the English Channel Tunnel or the Seikan submarine Tunnel (Japan) by at least three times in length, and the topographic and geologic conditions are rather more complex and complicated than those of the former two projects. Moreover, the Taiwan Strait is a seismic risk area. Hence, the selection of the route of the submarine tunnel should take advantage of the favorable conditions in the topographic, geologic, seismologic, and other fields to avoid the unfavorable circumstances. At the end of the article, two supposed by comparable routes, especially the south one of TST Project are discussed.     

The Ocean Community

Development of ocean community systems relating to the Taiwan Strait Tunnel (TST) project, with regionalization and multistage approach is proposed. The purposes of these systems are to assist the development of coastal marine lands and harbor facilities and to develop connecting isolated islands into an organized community by means of embankment roadways, tunnels, bridges, ferryboats, and so on. The major aim of such an approach is to develop the isolated abandoned islands into useful land improvement, expand the forest, agriculture, and fishing industries and other resources to generate additional revenue to subsidize some of the cost for building the TST. This article points out the systems' importance, outlines the general procedures, and discusses a possible transportation network connecting islands with land; and the outlines development of the knowledge-based expert system computer program to be applied to the ocean community systems relating to the TST project.     

The Ocean Community

Development of ocean community systems relating to the Taiwan Strait Tunnel (TST) project, with regionalization and multistage approach is proposed. The purposes of these systems are to assist the development of coastal marine lands and harbor facilities and to develop connecting isolated islands into an organized community by means of embankment roadways, tunnels, bridges, ferryboats, and so on. The major aim of such an approach is to develop the isolated abandoned islands into useful land improvement, expand the forest, agriculture, and fishing industries and other resources to generate additional revenue to subsidize some of the cost for building the TST. This article points out the systems' importance, outlines the general procedures, and discusses a possible transportation network connecting islands with land; and the outlines development of the knowledge-based expert system computer program to be applied to the ocean community systems relating to the TST project.     

Environmental Geotechnical Problems in the Taiwan Strait Area

This article presents general information on environmental geotechnical problems along the Taiwan Strait Tunnel (TST) route including sea-floor characteristics. The term apparent sea-floor is introduced. This layer is due to land erosion washing down and settling in the Taiwan Strait. The depth of ocean water along the Taiwan Strait is estimated. Various soil, and rock types and marine sediments along the coastline of mainland, Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan Islands are presented. Foundation problems under adverse marine environments are discussed.     

Environmental Geotechnical Problems in the Taiwan Strait Area

This article presents general information on environmental geotechnical problems along the Taiwan Strait Tunnel (TST) route including sea-floor characteristics. The term apparent sea-floor is introduced. This layer is due to land erosion washing down and settling in the Taiwan Strait. The depth of ocean water along the Taiwan Strait is estimated. Various soil, and rock types and marine sediments along the coastline of mainland, Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan Islands are presented. Foundation problems under adverse marine environments are discussed.     

A Feasibility Study on the Application of Fiber-Optic Distributed Sensors for Strain Measurement in the Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project

Taiwan Strait Tunnel (TST) will be an extra-long tunnel or tunnel-bridge complex, running over 150?km of seafloor geologic body with complicated topographic and geologic units. It is therefore necessary to measure and monitor the strain distribution along the TST. In this article, the Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometer (BOTDR), a newly developed strain measurement and monitoring technology, is introduced, and the feasibility of its application in the strain monitoring for TST is analyzed through the monitoring achievement with BOTDR of a tunnel located in Nanjing City, China. The results indicate that the BOTDR has many unique merits such as distributed measurement, long-distance, real-time, and resistibility for strain monitoring application in a tunnel such as TST. Finally, apreliminary scheme for BOTDR application in TST monitoring is proposed.     

A Feasibility Study on the Application of Fiber-Optic Distributed Sensors for Strain Measurement in the Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project

Taiwan Strait Tunnel (TST) will be an extra-long tunnel or tunnel-bridge complex, running over 150 km of seafloor geologic body with complicated topographic and geologic units. It is therefore necessary to measure and monitor the strain distribution along the TST. In this article, the Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometer (BOTDR), a newly developed strain measurement and monitoring technology, is introduced, and the feasibility of its application in the strain monitoring for TST is analyzed through the monitoring achievement with BOTDR of a tunnel located in Nanjing City, China. The results indicate that the BOTDR has many unique merits such as distributed measurement, long-distance, real-time, and resistibility for strain monitoring application in a tunnel such as TST. Finally, apreliminary scheme for BOTDR application in TST monitoring is proposed.     

台湾海峡隧道工程的若干工程地质问题与选线方案探讨

对台湾海峡的地质状况了进行了分析，作者认为，台湾海峡的工程地质条件复杂，地震、活动断裂、岩土体稳定性、海底底床活动性等是隧道工程将遇到的主要工程地质问题。隧道的线路选择应进行全面、深入的技术、经济比较。平潭至新竹和厦门经澎湖至嘉义海滨是两个可选的隧道线路方案。     

Protection, Pollution Prevention and Control of Environment in Construction Stage

The proposed Taiwan Strait Tunnel will raise numerous challenges for environmental professionals. The environmental issues must be incorporated in the preliminary study, planning, design, and construction of the works and be addressed consistently throughout all phases of the project. In this article, the environmental issues that will be encountered in the construction stage are discussed, including environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring, and specific environmental issues during construction such as spoil handling, air quality and noise control, drainage, and health and safety. The experience and practice of handling environmental issues during the construction English Channel Tunnel are reviewed throughout the discussion.     

Protection,Pollution Prevention and Control of Environment in Construction Stage

The proposed Taiwan Strait Tunnel will raise numerous challenges for environmental professionals. The environmental issues must be incorporated in the preliminary study, planning, design, and construction of the works and be addressed consistently throughout all phases of the project. In this article, the environmental issues that will be encountered in the construction stage are discussed, including environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring, and specific environmental issues during construction such as spoil handling, air quality and noise control, drainage, and health and safety. The experience and practice of handling environmental issues during the construction English Channel Tunnel are reviewed throughout the discussion.     

Socioeconomic Impact of the Taiwan Strait Tunnel

This article discusses the possible socioeconomic impact of Taiwan Strait Tunnel from the perspective of the relationship between the construction of Taiwan Strait Tunnel and the socioeconomic development of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding areas. First of all, the construction of Taiwan Strait Tunnel in its conceptual stage depends on the socioeconomic development of the two sides of the Strait. Important basic conditions—such as the mainland's and Taiwan's future sustainable economic growth above what has already been achieved; their further development of economic, trade, and social ties; their political dialogue based on “the principle of one China”; and the progress of the peaceful reunification of the motherland—will decide the construction of the Taiwan Strait Tunnel. Under such conditions, once the Taiwan Strait Tunnel is operable, it will create a huge demand pull on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and their surrounding areas for a long period and, thus, will bring about a sustainable increasing economic upsurge in the two sides. Secondly, once the Taiwan Strait Tunnel is open to traffic, its transport ability will be tremendous and will greatly influence the economic development of the two sides of the Strait and enhance their economic and trade ties and their personnel exchange. At the same time, the tunnel will not only form a new traffic pattern of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, but it will also improve their traffic structure and expand their traffic scale to a large extent. It is certain that the construction of Taiwan Strait Tunnel will be a highly complex project of an all-time grand scale to be constructed over quite a long period. It will encounter a lot more restrictive factors than have ever been met in the fields of design, programming, techniques, equipment, organization of construction, and the operation and maintenance of the tunnel and line. Moreover, it will also encounter many important restrictive factors as a result of its socioeconomic impact.     

Managerial Issues and Lessons for the Proposed Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project

The aim of this article is to explore some aspects of strategic and managerial issues that may pose challenges to the proposed Taiwan Strait Tunnel. These issues include political, financial, organizational, and human factors, and a framework for project risk management. The experience and accomplishment of the Eurotunnel are used as parallels to draw out important lessons on threats and opportunities, and raise relevant questions for any future would-be promoter and project leaders to ponder. The issues raised are preliminary and exploratory in nature and only to serve as a basis for further deliberation and debates.     

Managerial Issues and Lessons for the Proposed Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project

The aim of this article is to explore some aspects of strategic and managerial issues that may pose challenges to the proposed Taiwan Strait Tunnel. These issues include political, financial, organizational, and human factors, and a framework for project risk management. The experience and accomplishment of the Eurotunnel are used as parallels to draw out important lessons on threats and opportunities, and raise relevant questions for any future would-be promoter and project leaders to ponder. The issues raised are preliminary and exploratory in nature and only to serve as a basis for further deliberation and debates.     

Control and Recovery of Environment after the Construction

The Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project will bring very deep, far, and long lasting influence on the environment inevitably. This article focuses on what shall be done considering environmental issues after the construction. Herein an environmental protection program with a four-step procedure is particularly illustrated, including setting environmental objectives, formulation of environment protection program, plan of environmental survey, and management of environmental event. This procedure based on the outcome of environmental impact assessment formulates an environment protection program to control and recover environmental problems after the project completed. Two case studies will illustrate the special design and considerations adopted that make the project coexist with the environment successfully, peacefully, and friendly.     

Geomorphology and sedimentary sequence evolution during the buried stage of paleo-uplift in the Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation,Junggar Basin,northwestern China: Implications for reservoir lithofacies and hydrocarbon distribution

The evolution of large-scale paleo-uplifts within sedimentary basins controls the sedimentary provenance, depositional systems and hydrocarbon distributions. This study aims to unravel changes in paleo-geomorphology, interpret sedimentary sequence evolution, and investigate favourable reservoir types and the hydrocarbon distribution during the buried stage of a long-term eroded paleo-uplift, taking the Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation (K₁q) in the Junggar Basin as an example. These research topics have rarely been studied or are poorly understood. This study integrates current drilling production data with outcrop and core analyses, drilling well logs, 3D seismic data interpretations, grading data, physical property comparisons and identified hydrocarbon distributions.After more than 20 million years of differential river erosion and weathering in arid conditions, the large-scale Chemo paleo-uplift within the hinterland area of the basin formed a distinctive valley–monadnock paleo-geomorphology prior to the deposition of K₁q. Since the Early Cretaceous, tectonic subsidence and humid conditions have caused the base level (lake level) to rise, leading to backfilling of valleys and burial processes. Two systems tracts in the target strata of K₁q, consisting of distinctive depositional systems, can be identified: (1) a lowstand systems tract (LST), which is confined within incised valleys and is mainly composed of gravelly braided rivers and rarely occurring debris flows and (2) an extensive transgressive systems tract (TST), which developed into an almost flat landform and consists of braided river delta to lacustrine depositional systems. Overall, the physical properties of braided river reservoirs in the LST are better than those of the braided river delta reservoirs in the TST. However, the inhomogeneous distributions of carbonate cements cause differences in the physical properties of conglomerate reservoirs in the LST. However, for sandstones in both the LST and TST, coarser grain sizes and better sorting result in better physical properties. Altogether, four types of reservoir can be identified in the study area: Jurassic inner monadnock reservoirs, K₁q LST stratigraphic onlap reservoirs, LST structural reservoirs and TST structural reservoirs.     

Coastal Pollution Mitigation with Lime and Zero Valent Iron

The Taiwan Strait region has many miles of coastline, and the Taiwan Straits Tunnel (TST) project faces many potential pollution problems as construction proceeds through sensitive areas. Conventional approaches for pollution mitigation require further examination. The recent development of nanoscale particle technology has shown distinct advantages for contaminant attenuation and ground improvement. This paper is focused on trace metals and is part of the overall effort to develop the nanoscale particle technology. Trace metals in ground and surface waters represent a continued threat to human and ecological health. One of the difficulties in removing toxic concentrations of trace metals from solution is the variable oxidation state and amphoteric nature of multiple constituents. In particular, while cationic metals (e.g., Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺) may be rendered less mobile under high pH conditions, anionic metals (e.g., AsO₄^3-, CrO₄^2-, SeO₄^2-)may become more mobile. The objective of this research was to evaluate the sorption of both cationic and anionic trace elements, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and selenium (Se) under batch conditions. Mixtures of a local residual soil were tested alone and in combination with lime and zero valent iron. It was hypothesized that lime would raise the pH and precipitate positively charged metals while zero valent iron would create reducing conditions favorable to the immobilization of negatively charged metals. Results indicate that the use of lime and/or zero valent iron can increase the sorption capacity of soil. Compared to the baseline soil, sorption capacity increased with addition of lime for arsenic and cadmium while it decreased for chromium and selenium. In the case of zero valent iron addition, sorption capacity increased for cadmium, chromium and selenium, while showing no change for arsenic. When both lime and zero valent iron were used, the sorption capacity increased for all metals tested. These results suggest that the combined use of lime and zero valent iron may serve as an alternative treatment technology for removing trace metals from contaminated water systems.     

水下悬浮隧道结构分析研究进展

长期以来,如何快速跨越广袤的水域一直是世人关注的焦点.在最近几十年里,一种新的跨越海峡、大江、湖泊、水道的交通结构物-水下悬浮隧道吸引了世人的目光.水下悬浮隧道的研究历史虽然短暂,但由于该种结构的新颖性与其独有的优越性与应用潜力,使得世界各国的学者专家为此进行了很多有价值的工作.首先概述水下悬浮隧道的概念、优点及需要研究和解决的关键问题;随后从水下悬浮隧道的隧道管体结构、隧道锚固系统、作用荷载以及锚固基础等几个方面的结构简化模型综述了水下悬浮隧道结构分析的研究现状;最后对水下悬浮隧道的发展方向进行了总结和分析.     

The application of geostatistical inversion in shale lithofacies prediction: a case study of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi marine shale in Fuling area in the southeast Sichuan Basin,China

Based on cores, well logs and seismic data, we established the isochronous sequence stratigraphic framework of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation and predicted the shale lithofacies distribution within the sequence stratigraphic framework using geostatistical inversion. The results of our study show that the Lower Member of the Longmaxi Formation is a third order sequence that includes a transgressive systems tract (TST), an early highstand systems tract (EHST) and a late highstand systems tract (LHST). Four lithofacies units have been recognized, specifically siliceous shale, argillaceous shale, calcareous shale and mixed shale. The results of geostatistical inversion reveal that the TST is characterized by flaky siliceous shale and some sparsely distributed calcareous shale. The EHST is dominated by mixed shale with minor amounts of siliceous shale, which occurs in only a small area. Moreover, in the LHST, argillaceous shale occupies almost the entire study region. Comparing to traditional geological research with geophysical research, the vertical resolution of the predictive results of geostatistical inversion could reach 1–2 m. Geostatistical inversion effectively solves the problem of precisely identifying the lithofacies in the Fuling shale gas field and predicting their spatial distribution. This successful study showcases the potential of this method for carrying out marine shale lithofacies prediction in China and other locations with similar geological backgrounds.