The waterproofing of road or rail tunnels generally consists of waterproof concrete and/or concrete construction with a plastic waterproofing membrane. A change of the type of waterproofing within a...
The design and construction history of the Gotthard Base Tunnel has set standards for modern tunnel building. Tunnelling projects all over the world will profit from the innovations in tunnelling technology, concrete and waterproofing systems and materials management. In order to ensure this knowledge and practical experience for posterity, the Swiss Tunnelling Society (STS) has now published the reference book “Tunnelling the Gotthard”, a documentation of the project that is unique in this form. After the publication of the German edition for the opening ceremonies in June 2016, the English edition of this project documentation is now available in time for the official start of services in the GBT.
Efficient measuring technologies represent an essential prerequisite for successfully concluding tunnel projects. Ongoing accomplishment of such projects spurs on the development of new measuring technologies and the optimisation of existing ones. Current innovations focus particularly on the driving area of tunnel boring machines (TBMs). This article thus concentrates on a method for the continuous measurement of cutting disc forces, the geological 3D documentation of the TBM face, using a camera system, and a 3D laser scanner system for monitoring the tunnel lining. The new measuring technologies provide a rich field of research and contribute towards a deeper understanding of the interaction between TBM and rock.
London’s water and wastewater system provider, Thames Water, is improving its water quality through a three-stage upgrade. After redeveloping its clarification plants and opening the Lee Tunnel, a combined facility for storage and the conveyance of sewage mixed with rainwater in the east of the city, now the Thames Tideway Tunnel is being tackled. It is the biggest project, entailing investments of ca. 4.2 billion pounds sterling. As from 2023, it is intended to carry sewage from 34 of London’s largest combined sewer overflows over a length of 25 km, store and transfer it to Lee Tunnel. The article in tunnel 8/2016 describes the main construction measures and special features of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, particularly the West Section.
As HOFOR Fjernvarme P/S, the local energy provider in Denmark's capital Copenhagen, invited tenders for the “Distance-heating Tunnel under the Port of Copenhagen” in May 2014, the particular local conditions within the city centre had to be taken into consideration. Furthermore, the needs of a modern and environmentally-sensitive capital city like Copenhagen had to be considered above all, for setting up the construction site and the disposal concept. During the planning stage of the construction project, those responsible within the SMET Company (Belgium) were involved in searching for suitable technical solutions with regard to materials preparation technology.
Special measures are required in order to provide passengers with the greatest possible protection should fire occur in an underground facility. In close collaboration Cologne Transport (Kölner...
Work started on the first tube of the Rastatt Tunnel on the new/upgraded Karlsruhe–Basle rail route at the end of May 2016 as scheduled. After the so-called “flying shield start-up” for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) and penetrating the jet grouted sealing block adjoining the construction pit, the Tunnel Rastatt JV (Ed. Züblin AG and Hochtief Solutions AG) was able to commence standard operation. After 100 m had been driven, the federal highway 36 was successfully undertunnelled and then the frozen section in the Federbach low-lying area accomplished. The first 1000 m was excavated by mid-September at an average gross rate of advance of 11 m per day. This article follows up on the project report contained in tunnel 1/2016 on building the roughly 4.3 km long Rastatt rail tunnel.
The international tunnelling community will again assemble to attend the STUVA Conference from December 6 to 8, 2017. In conjunction with the Stuttgart–Ulm mega project, Stuttgart was once again...
A qualitatively high-grade tunnel lining requires the tunnel segment annular gaps to be properly grouted. At the same time, this provides a decisive contribution to a high rate of advance during mechanised excavation. The STUVA in Cologne has devised a complex and intricate unit for testing annular gap mortars in order to ensure that annular gap grouting is further optimised.
Dipl.-Ing. Edgar Schömig celebrated his 60th birthday at the beginning of October 2016. Schömig is member of the Ed Züblin AG board and the STRABAG Österreich board. In addition he heads the...
