It is state of the art to drive long tunnels in Alpine areas using hard rock TBMs. Mechanised tunnelling has much less flexibility than conventional excavation, so a deeper analysis of the available geological and geotechnical fundamentals is needed. In the course of planning the mechanised drives of the main tunnels on the Austrian side of the Brenner Base Tunnel, a detailed tunnelling concept was created, which deals with the project‐specific features and boundary conditions. The exploratory tunnel, which is used for geological and geotechnical exploration for the construction of the main tunnels, is currently being excavated. Through additional analyses, the geotechnical model could be verified and a reliable update of the rock parameters and the associated critical decisions has been achieved. All further specifications regarding TBM requirements, additional and auxiliary measures, support concept, bill of quantities and construction time model were based on the prognosis of system behaviour.

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