Shanghai Outer Ring tunnel

The Outer Ring tunnel under the Hangpu River has been built as immersed tunnel.
entrance of the highway tunnel in Shanghai

© Outer Ring Tunnel Management Center

Project description

The tunnel stretch has a length of 1.860 km and includes cast in-situ tunnels on both riverbanks and 7 monolithic tunnel elements, approx. 108 m each, with a total length of 736, immersed in place to form the river section. The project construction commenced in December 1999 and the tunnel link is in operation since June 2003.

The immersed tunnel is experiencing significant settlements at one end of the section (Pudong side), issues with rubber seals (GINA and Omega) at some of the immersion joints and water leakages at various locations.

Scope of work

The Chinese Design Institute STEDI has requested TEC to provide specialist and independent consultancy services to assess the observed issues, provide potential explanations and prepare repair and mitigation measures.

  • Analyse (including back-analyses) the tunnel settlement behaviour, especially in longitudinal direction at various stages (years) including the current stage. This 
    includes the assessment of the bearing capacity and durability of the immersed section.
  • Develop potential future settlement scenarios and assess the bearing capacity and durability of the immersed section.
  • Develop retrofitting options that can be utilized when overloading of the structures can be expected:
    • Structural strengthening options
    • Ground improvement options
    • Unloading options
  • With regard to the issues of GINA gaskets at some joints, analyse the possibility of installing an additional water stop; assess the element joint repairment scheme 
    proposed by STEDI and provide suggestions.
  • A general assessment of the observed leakages of immersed section including potential repair methods (crack treatment for different kind of cracks).
  • Provision of other suggestions for the overhaul of the immersed section of the Shanghai Outer Ring Tunnel (focus on minimizing disruption to the tunnel operation → maximize availability of the very busy tunnel).

Project facts Shanghai Outer Ring tunnel

  • Client
    Shanghai Tunnel Design Institute (STEDI)
  • Project duration
    2019-2021
  • Country
    China
  • Project phase
    Asset management stage, technical services condition assessment
  • Location
    Shanghai
Hans de Wit - Managing Director / Senior Consultant

Hansde Wit

Managing Director / Senior Consultant