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| Sciler |
 Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:27 am Post subject: tunnels in sand? |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 10 May 2008
Posts: 41
Location: UK
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Had a thought, (strange i know!) would it be possible to dig tunnels through sand?
I know that the co-hesion between the granuals is very weak thus totaly the wrong medium to use but... what if the digging machine had a ring of superheated material around it thus turning the sand to glass. would it then be stable enough to hold its own weight or would you need to reiforce it with concreate? |
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| dejawolf |
| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:49 am Post subject: |
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Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 31 Dec 2006
Posts: 668
Location: Norway
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that depends how deep you dig.
_________________
only a fool puts art above science. |
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| Lynx_Fox |
| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: |
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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| Would need to be extraordinarily hot. Though sands are made up a wide range of materials, as an example, silicons melting point is more than 2500 degree F. |
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| Bunbury |
| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:34 am Post subject: |
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Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 26 Sep 2007
Posts: 731
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| Quote: |
| Had a thought, (strange i know!) would it be possible to dig tunnels through sand? |
Planning a break-out? |
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| Sciler |
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:06 am Post subject: |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 10 May 2008
Posts: 41
Location: UK
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| Well i wasnt going to say anything but i have been watching the great escape a few times, anyone got a couple of spare nazi uniforms i could borrow? |
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| The Matt |
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:50 am Post subject: |
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Joined: 07 Jan 2007
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| It might be easier to impregnate the sand with a resin or something that will set in to something hard, then tunnel through that. Easier still would be using supports of some kind from the start. |
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| Sciler |
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:18 am Post subject: |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 10 May 2008
Posts: 41
Location: UK
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So it is possible?
But i imagine that the costs involved would make it prohibitive. Unless you could perfect the tecnique for a good price, you would make a killing |
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| The Matt |
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:26 am Post subject: |
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| Pong |
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:58 am Post subject: |
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Forum Professor
Joined: 08 Apr 2008
Posts: 1124
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Since ~80% of concrete's bulk is sand & gravel (plus water) you could have most materials on site - I mean right there at the end of the tunnel.
 I imagine logistics and transport costs being much reduced if the concrete factory creeps along just behind the digger, using much of the excavated material.
A range of aggregate sizes lock up most densely. They must be washed. Many tunnels have to pump out water anyway, which of course is pure as well water so just fine for the task at hand. Add a little cement powder and mix. That's it! |
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