Tube section for evacuated tube transport system

A tube section, having a length L, for constructing a tube suitable for underpressure applications, with an incircle having a diameter of at least 2 m,

• wherein the tube section comprises:
• a plurality of longitudinal stringers,
• a plurality of circumferential sections, and
• a plurality of thin-walled skin sections having a radius of curvature R and wherein the curvature extends along the entire length of the thin-walled skin sections,
• wherein the longitudinal stringers are connected to an inner surface of the circumferential sections;
• wherein the plurality of longitudinal stringers are mounted to the circumferential sections substantially equidistantly to form a skeletal framework for attaching the thin-walled skin sections;
• wherein the thin-walled skin sections have a pair of opposed long edges and a pair of opposed short edges, wherein the long edges of the thin-walled skin sections are mounted fixedly and air-tightly to the longitudinal stringers, and wherein, in use, the thin walled sections between the stringers are loaded in tension;
• wherein the centre point M of the radius of curvature R of the curved thin-walled skin sections lies outside the tube section.

A tube section, having a length L, for constructing a tube suitable for underpressure applications, with an incircle having a diameter of at least 2 m,

• wherein the tube section comprises:
• a plurality of longitudinal stringers,
• a plurality of circumferential sections, and
• a plurality of thin-walled skin sections having a radius of curvature R and wherein the curvature extends along the entire length of the thin-walled skin sections,
• wherein the longitudinal stringers are connected to an inner surface of the circumferential sections;
• wherein the plurality of longitudinal stringers are mounted to the circumferential sections substantially equidistantly to form a skeletal framework for attaching the thin-walled skin sections;
• wherein the thin-walled skin sections have a pair of opposed long edges and a pair of opposed short edges, wherein the long edges of the thin-walled skin sections are mounted fixedly and air-tightly to the longitudinal stringers, and wherein, in use, the thin walled sections between the stringers are loaded in tension;
• wherein the distance between the circumferential sections is smaller towards the middle of the tube section at ½ L than at both extremities of the tube section.