Motorway tunnels in the Czech Republic / Straßentunnel in der Tschechischen Republik

Abstract

Motorway tunnelling only started in the Czech Republic after the political changes in Europe in 1989 with the objective of rapidly integrating the then small national motorway network into the European network. In reality, this meant the construction of Motorway D5 to the West (Prague-Pilsen-Nuremberg), Motorway D8 to the North (Prague-Dresden), Motorway D3 to the South (Prague-Budweis-Linz), Motorway D1 to the North-East (Brno/Brün-Ostrava-Katowice), Motorway R52 to the South (Brno/Brün-Vienna) and Motorway R48 (Brno/Brün-Olomouc/Olmütz-Krakow). In order to improving conditions for the rapidly growing traffic around the Czech capital Prague, and to eliminate transit traffic through Prague, an outer motorway was proposed, the Prague City Ring Road R1. In the mean time some of these ambitious plans have been realized and several motorway tunnels constructed in the last decade. The paper starts with a general overview of the motorway tunnels, their parameters and features. The rest is focused on details of the design and construction of the Lochkov Tunnel on the Prague City Ring Road.

Problems of Watertight Concrete for the Concrete Tunnel Lining

“…These requirements usually imply higher degree of reinforcement of tunnel lining. On the other hand, the advantage is lower sensibility of tunnel lining to mechanical damage, which is a problem of foil water-proofing [1]. For this reason the risk of water in the tunnel is lower during the service life.…”

“…Designing stage of fresh concrete for tunnel lining has to take into consideration the state of the rock massif in which the tunnel is driven, deformation of stopped-out cavity, which is temporarily secured with a primary lining from shotcrete and, last but not least, also chemical composition of percolation water, its possible corrosive power and amount. All these data are necessary for assessment of durability of primary lining as well as for defining of necessary capacity of secondary lining [1].…”

Study of Correlation Relationships Aerated Concrete Intended for Waterproof Tunnel Lining

“…Requirements for final concrete lining are often contradictory, as regards either realization or development of properties during life of the work (workability, limitation of cracks formation, fastest possible development of strength and resistance to various influences) [4].…”