Classification system of tunnels by purpose, location, and construction method.
Overview
Types of Tunnels
Tunnels are classified by purpose (road, railway, waterway, etc.), construction location (mountain, urban, underwater, etc.), and construction method (mountain tunneling, shield tunneling, cut-and-cover, immersed tube, etc.). Japan is one of the world's leading tunnel countries with approximately 15,000 tunnels. Tunnel technology is essential for transportation infrastructure development, enabling safe and efficient movement.
tunnel
civil engineering
infrastructure
road
railway
underground structure
construction method
| code | slug | name | description | category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P01 | road-tunnel | Road Tunnel | Tunnel for vehicles and pedestrians to pass through. | By Purpose |
| P02 | railway-tunnel | Railway Tunnel | Tunnel for railway trains to pass through. | By Purpose |
| P03 | subway-tunnel | Subway Tunnel | Tunnel used for urban subway systems. | By Purpose |
| P04 | waterway-tunnel | Waterway Tunnel | Tunnel used for water conveyance and drainage. | By Purpose |
| P05 | utility-tunnel | Utility Tunnel | Tunnel for lifelines such as electricity, gas, telecommunications, and sewers. | By Purpose |
| P06 | other-underground-space | Other Underground Space | Underground spaces for oil/gas storage, flood control, underground shopping malls, etc. | By Purpose |
| L01 | mountain-tunnel | Mountain Tunnel | Tunnel constructed in mountainous areas. | By Location |
| L02 | urban-tunnel | Urban Tunnel | Tunnel constructed under urban and city areas. | By Location |
| L03 | underwater-tunnel | Underwater Tunnel | Tunnel passing under seas, lakes, and rivers. | By Location |
| M01 | natm-tunnel | NATM Tunnel | Method supporting ground with shotcrete after blasting or mechanical excavation. | By Construction Method |
| M02 | shield-tunnel | Shield Tunnel | Method using a shield machine to excavate. | By Construction Method |
| M03 | cut-and-cover-tunnel | Cut-and-Cover Tunnel | Method excavating from the surface and backfilling after construction. | By Construction Method |
| M04 | immersed-tube-tunnel | Immersed Tube Tunnel | Method sinking prefabricated sections to the seabed and connecting them. | By Construction Method |
| M05 | tbm-tunnel | TBM Tunnel | Method using a Tunnel Boring Machine. | By Construction Method |