Túnel do Bolhão

Túnel do Bolhão was designed and constructed as part of the extensive rehabilitation of the Mercado do Bolhão, a historic market in Oporto that dates back to 1839. The tunnel connects the streets of the Commercial Athenaeum of Oporto and Alexandre Braga, passing beneath Formosa Street and a residential block. Its primary function is to facilitate vehicle traffic for market deliveries, enabling efficient loading and unloading without disrupting street-level traffic.

Vibration and Noise Mitigation
The tunnel's design focused on minimizing structural vibrations and noise, which can be a concern with increased car and truck traffic servicing the market. To address this, specialized infrastructure solutions were implemented to protect the surrounding residential buildings from the impacts of tunnel operations.

Technical Solution
To isolate different sections of the tunnel infrastructure, given their varying load requirements, we used Stravibase SEB, engineered to achieve a natural frequency of 7-9 Hz. This custom-designed isolation system provides robust support while reducing the transmission of vibrations and noise.

Challenges
The project required high-performance isolation systems tailored to a broad range of loads. The tunnel's proximity to residential areas and existing structures necessitated precise engineering solutions to ensure stability and safety.

Benefits
The chosen solution delivers several key benefits:

• A customized isolation system optimized for specific technical requirements.
• Long-lasting performance without the need for ongoing maintenance.
• Effective noise and vibration control to protect nearby residential buildings.
   

Overall, this innovative approach ensured the successful integration of the Bolhão Tunnel into the urban landscape, while preserving the integrity and tranquility of the surrounding community.
 

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