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The Bjørnegård Tunnel has been under construction since early 2015 on the Norwegian E18 motorway between Sandvika and Weyen. Within the scope of linking the E16 from the northwest surrounding area of...

Featuring a length of 16.9 km, the planned second tunnel tube through the Gotthard will prove to be yet another outstanding feat in the Gotthard region. This article from tunnel 1/19 provides a short overview of the project, explains the investigation of the fault zones, outlines the excavation concept for piercing these zones and addresses both material management and the reuse of the excavation material. The article was part of the Swiss Tunnel Congress 2018 lecture programme.

Using the example of the Boßler Tunnel, the importance of careful rock mechanical investigations for the excavation concept of a tunnel is shown. The preliminary exploration revealed that squeezing rock conditions were to be expected in the middle section of the tunnel. In another tunnel section, karstification had to be expected. Towards this background, the tunnel was tendered for construction with conventional means (“shotcrete method”). Along the first 2.8 km, the use of a TBM was permitted. By driving an exploration shaft and gallery combined with accompanying rock mechanical investigations and numerical calculations, it was possible to create the basis for allowing for a TBM-excavation in the entire formation of the Brown Jurassic. In addition, the program for karst exploration was adapted to the requirements of a TBM heading.

The complicated geology presents a challenge to man and machine for the new Stuttgart-Feuerbach rail tunnel, part of the major project Stuttgart 21. Owing to the rock that contains anhydrite, holes for excavation and injections must largely be carried out by the dry drilling method. As a result, modified tunnelling jumbos and vehicles with suction aggregates are deployed. The excavation is partially secured by pipe umbrellas.

As part of the trade fair InnoTrans 2018 in Berlin, the German Research Association for Tunnels and Transport Facilities (STUVA) once again organised the “International Tunnel Forum” in the CityCube on the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds. STUVA managing director Dr.-Ing- Roland Leucker greeted about 130 guests on the two days to informative expert panels. The basic question discussed by both the experts on the podium and the members of the audience was the maintenance and extension of an efficient and modern infrastructure to serve the growing demand for mobility and ensure well organised goods transport with sufficient capacities for the present and the future.