final major project

overarching theme

Better Conditions for Everyone

Raising Awareness to the Issue

Make a Statement

pecha kucha

The majority of the London Underground was constructed within the first 50 years after 1860 (when the first line, the Metropolitan first began under construction).

These were constructed using the ‘cut and cover method’, where trenches (33' 6", approx. 10.2m wide) were dug into the ground just deep enough for the trains to fit. The tracks and tunnel walls were fitted and covered again with the previously dug-up earth. Today, lines constructed with this method are known as the ‘subsurface tubes’.

Today, the deep-level tube lines consist of the:

Piccadilly, Central, Northern, Jubilee

Sub-surface tube lines include:

Circle, District, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan

A mission to dig a tunnel under the River Thames was set to connect Rotherhive and Whopping. Many engineers tried but failed such as Richard Dravidic whose tunnel caved in and flooded.

Mark Brunel, a French engineer was inspired by the behaviour of shipworms which bore their way into the timber of ships with its jaws and lined the wood with an excretion.

Brunel’s tunnelling shield involved miners standing on wooden platforms behind wooden planks that would hold back the soil. [Fig.1] The miner would have to remove a plank, dig 18 inches into the ground behind it, ush the plank back in and screw it tight. The process was repeated for the rest of the planks until the tunnel reached Whopping.

[Fig.1]

[Fig.2]

James Henry Greathead was a civil engineer, credited for his design of the Greathead Shield which is a temporary tunnelling shield which protected workers as they manually excavated through the clay. [Fig.2]

The shield would be pushed forward using screw jacks and lined the tunnel walls behind it with iron rings similar to an apple corer.

Each year, [1] 500GWh (18x10^14 J) of heat energy is produced in the London Underground networks (tunnels and stations). TfL has been looking to engineers who are proposing ways to redirect this heat and give it to nearby buildings.

The tubes travel at high velocities meaning that high amounts of kinetic energy are being stored. When the trains pull into the stations, the brakes quickly bring their velocity and therefore kinetic energy down to zero. During the deceleration, the kinetic energy transfers to sound and (mostly) heat energy.

When the trains accelerate, more heat energy is generated due to the friction between the tracks and the wheels. Braking accounts for 50% of the generated heat energy.

Approximately, 21% of the heat energy is caused by drag and frictional forces. Another 21% is caused by the operation of electric motors, drive and auxiliary systems. Although the temperatures seem to only be unbearable during rush hour, passengers only account for 2% of the heat energy. TfL has been increasing its service level and aims to continue doing so which means that more energy efficient trains are needed.

[Fig. 1]

[Fig. 2]

Despite its name, only [2] 45% of the London Underground network is below ground, when the trains are running on the surface, their bodies absorb solar radiation which is then converted into heat energy and stored in the tunnels.

One of the reasons why the London Underground tunnels were significantly cooler when they first opened was due to the lack of sunlight.

The clay surrounding the tunnels could absorb the heat energy generated. However, in recent years, it has become unable to absorb any more, causing the heat energy to linger in the tunnels.

[Fig. 1]

[Fig. 2]

The Central and Bakerloo lines are known to be the hottest where temperatures in the summer can exceed 30 degrees Celsius shown in Fig. 1. The EU legal temperature limit in the transportation of cattle is [1] 30 degrees Celsius.

[Fig. 1]

[Fig. 2]

In 1926, the Underground Electric Railways Company of London (UERL) collaborated with artist Frederick Charles Herrick and portrayed the Underground as a form of travel but also a place of safety.

The poster “It Is Cooler Below” designed by Herrick was published in the summer and promotes the Underground as cooler and more comfortable when the weather is hot above the ground. Herrick then introduced a complimentary poster, “It Is Warmer Below” for the winter which advertises the Underground as a warmer method of commuting.

Eventually, when the build-up of heat energy began, these posters and their captions were banned to avoid false advertising.

LO1 CONTEXT

By researching existing solutions, I can understand what methods and materials are successful and effective in cooling. Knowing what already exists means I can avoid plagiarism and propose a unique idea that is inspired by things that are known to work.

This method involves the pumping of cool water from boreholes, filtered and run through platforms and stations.

Heat energy moves from warm environments to cool environments until thermal equilibrium is reached.

The heat energy in the platforms and tunnels will be absorbed by the running cool water, carrying away the heat from the platforms. The warm water is then processed into an aquifer and the process repeats.

[Fig. 1]

TfL’s senior engineer, Tony Ridley, was challenged to design a solution to provide cooling to the Underground.

The metal panel unit hangs from the ceiling of the tube stations and involves air being pumped through the wider tubes.

The air is then cooled by cold water which will run parallel to the airflow. Its modular design allows it to be stacked to create a large air conditioning system. It has been proven that the metal panels work as the space under the system is significantly cooler.

However, a fan is needed to provide airflow through the tubes and the air in the Underground is known to be dusty which could potentially clog up the fan.

[Fig.3]

Animals take advantage of cold water as a cooling resource too. Waterfowls (such as ducks, geese and swans) tend to stand in colder water so that it can cool down the blood in their feet. This cool blood is then carried from their feet and circulates in the body.

[Fig.1]

[Fig.2]

Some animals have wide networks of blood vessels for heat exchange between the animal’s blood and the environment. The walls of the vessels are thin which allows for rapid heat loss.

From this research, I have found that animals use similar cooling methods to man-made ones listed above. Both involve the use of a flowing fluid to carry away/ exchange the heat energy.

LO6 EVALUATION AND REFLECTION

After conducting thorough research and consulting with a tutor, I realised that the scale of the problem was more complex than I had initially thought. Even though I wanted to maintain the Engineering aspects of the project, I was concerned that it would become too technical and that it would be difficult to develop an effective and practical solution within the given seven-week timeframe. Without formal education in mechanical engineering, devising a solution becomes more difficult.

Alternatively, I could propose a daft and highly theoretical ‘solution’ to make a statement. This would align with the theme of Protest as it draws attention and reminds the public of this wider issue. I would then be able to unleash my creative thinking without being limited by mathematical and physical realities. The overall project aim would be to tackle a serious issue with an unserious response to garner attention and protest for better means of travel.

LO1 CONTEXT

Taking inspiration from how ducks soak their feet in cold water to keep cool, I decided to create a platform where water will flow directly beneath the passengers’ feet. The heat energy will be absorbed by the flowing water and carried away. A large fan will be placed at the end to support the water flow (similar to a submarine engine) and a bonus is that it will not be clogged up by dust.

draft sketch

draft render

My initial idea was to use glass so that lights could be installed under the glass panels for aesthetic purposes. However, after some evaluation, I realised that glass acts as a hazard when cracked. Glass is also an insulator meaning that it will absorb the heat energy itself instead of transferring it to the water.

LO4 PROBLEM SOLVING

Metal (a conductor) could be used instead. The water will be filled to the brim as a gap of air between the metal and the water will cause an echoing sound which can be distracting for the passengers. Some passengers may also fear that the glass might crack under their feet, using metal eliminates that risk. Hiding the running water underneath means that metal pipes don’t need to surround the platform ceiling which affects aesthetics and presentation.

LO1 CONTEXT

There goes a famous saying in the USA that ‘it's so hot outside, you could fry an egg on the sidewalk’. Bringing this concept to the UK, I wondered since it's so hot in the underground, could we cook food down there? The heat energy could be redirected like the Bunhill Heat and Power Network and concentrated in one specific area to achieve high enough temperatures.

brainstorm of ideas

LO1 CONTEXT

Many users of public transport work long hours and may miss their meal times, this solution provides quick access to edible food.

It may also help passengers realise the severity of the issue regarding the overheating of the London Underground.

LO1 CONTEXT

Instead of running cool water to carry the heat energy away from the platforms. I decided to consider another cold substance, ice cream. As it absorbs heat energy, it will melt into a viscous, cool liquid (like a milkshake).

The ice cream can be kept in pipes along the platform walls with dispensers so passengers can grab a milkshake.

I then considered the other necessities on platforms and added a Help Point, a map and a seating booth.

Adding a spiral pipe allows for more surface area and less volume of space taken up. This increases the rate of heat energy absorption by the ice cream.

LO1 CONTEXT

Drawing inspiration from the London Underground’s roundel, I created a circular seating with pipes running underneath it. Enclosed in the seating is a machine with a dispenser, cups and methods of paying.

LO1 CONTEXT

Continuing the use of the roundel, I decided to create a circular pipe full of ice cream which is attached to two dispensers on either end.

The dispensers will release the melted ice cream. For a significant cooling effect, these rounded pipes will be placed along the entire platform.

LO3 DEVELOPMENT OF A CREATIVE PRACTICE

Aside from melting ice cream into a milkshake. The heat energy could be used to create steam, which can allow people to heat up their unfinished/cold meals.

LO2 RESEARCH

Considering the logistics of my solution, I came across a device called a Heat Pump.

It is capable of collecting wasted heat energy from machinery, raising its temperature to usable temperatures and directed to where it is needed.

LO2 RESEARCH

After learning about heat pumps, I realised that instead of letting the cool substance bathe in a hot environment, I could use a heat pump and draw ‘all’ the heat energy to become concentrated in one area. This can then allow for ‘cooking’ and not just melting.

I wanted people to be able to heat their food in case they missed their meal time or wanted to heat a cold pasta they bought.

However, since my design is intended for public use, I realised that some members of the public could abuse it, leaving it untidy and unsanitary.

LO1 CONTEXT

I thought of steamers which are commonly used in Chinese cuisines to make steamed buns. They can also be used to steam vegetables, eggs, dumplings and rice.

So far, I have completed everything I planned to do during Assessment Week, including the tasks I had listed for Week 1. I expected to get ahead of schedule anyway as I knew that my initial research wouldn’t take a whole week.

However, I did not visit the London Transport Museum during Assessment week but intend to pay a visit during the Easter Break.

LO4 PROBLEM SOLVING

After brainstorming ideas, I realised that different platforms are different sizes and have different levels of congestion.

I needed to conduct primary research on the platforms to tailor my design to each platform.

I then began researching the hottest platforms as I wanted to prioritise those.

I need to design a solution that would fit on the platform, yet give enough room for people to walk around it safely without it being a major obstruction and delaying people from leaving the platforms.

LO5 PLANNING PROGRESS AND PRODUCTION

I aim to photograph all the platforms as quickly and cheaply as possible.

This means that I need to work out when I need to visit and the order I will be visiting.

I want to photograph the platforms when it is empty to get a clear sense of scale as well as when they are busy to get a sense of the traffic.

This means that each platform will need to be visited twice. Once during rush hour and once during the quieter hours.

I would visit Waterloo first for two reasons. The station is shared between the Jubilee and Bakerloo lines, meaning that I could easily travel from the university to the Bakerloo stations. Travelling from 4:43 means that I would be travelling during rush hour so photos must be taken quickly to avoid blocking people’s way.