The Semmering Base Tunnel – Special challenges in construction

The Semmering Base Tunnel with a total length of 27.3 km is being excavated from the Gloggnitz portal as well as from three intermediate faces at Göstritz, Fröschnitzgraben and Grautschenhof. The geological conditions of the project are characterized by tectonically extremely complex rock formations with difficult geotechnical conditions. The excavation passes through numerous fault zones with deep overburden. During the excavation works, some large‐volume collapses occurred. In this article, the collapse events are reconstructed from the available geological and geotechnical information. The reconstruction of the observed system behaviour is based on analytical and numerical calculations. The aim is to identify the respective failure mechanisms.

Section: Project Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…27,3 km lange Semmering-Basistunnel (SBT) wird vom Portal Gloggnitz aus und über die drei Zwischenangriffe Göstritz, Fröschnitzgraben und Grautschenhof aufgefahren (Bild 1). Aus organisatorischen, terminlichen und topographischen Gründen ist der Tunnel in drei Baulose unterteilt [1], seit Mai 2016 sind alle in Bau [2].…”

Section: Projektübersichtunclassified

Nachbrüche im Nahbereich von Störungen – Geotechnische Ursachen und Identifikation

Gschwandtner

Lenz

Wagner

2019

“…For organisational, scheduling and topographical reasons, the tunnel ist devided into three construction contracts [1]. Since May 2016 all three are now under con struction [2].…”

Section: Generalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Die Hauptbestandteile des gesamten Tunnelsystems sind zwei eingleisige Tunnelröhren, Quer schläge mit einem Abstand von maximal 500 m und eine Nothaltestelle im mittleren Tunnelabschnitt. Aus organi satorischen, terminlichen und topographischen Gründen ist der Tunnel in drei Baulose unterteilt [1], seit Mai 2016 sind alle in Bau [2].…”

Section: Allgemeinesunclassified

“…The tunnel route crosses several tectonic nappe units, encounters various crystalline rock complex es as well as Permomesozoic cover rocks and is crossed by a number of tectonic fault zones. The complexity of the ground conditions posed particular challenges for the site investigation, the design for tendering and the production of the tenders [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6].…”

Section: Allgemeinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Semmering Base Tunnel – Ground characterisation for tendering and construction

Wagner

Fasching²,

Stadlmann³

et al. 2017

Since the start of construction on contract SBT3.1 in May 2016, all three tunnel construction contracts for the Semmering Base Tunnel are now under construction. From the geological and geotechnical point of view, this represents the transition from the geotechnical prediction for the design for tendering to the documentation in the course of construction. The paper describes the considerations about the systematics of ground characterisation and the definition of ground types in the course of producing the ground prediction for the design for tendering. It also describes the requirements for the documentation of ground conditions encountered during the advance, the updating of the prediction for the daily specification of support measures and the comparison of prediction and actual conditions for contractual purposes.

Semmering Base Tunnel – Geotechnical models in design and construction

Lenz

Poisel²,

Brandtner³

et al. 2018

The article describes the fundamental geotechnical model assumptions in the design phase of the Semmering Base Tunnel. Two selected case studies show the verification of the geotechnical model during tunnel construction. The verification process is essentially based on geotechnical monitoring in combination with specific back analyses. It is shown that particularly in complex geotechnical conditions, such as deep tunnels in weak rock mass, the designer can only assess a range of expected behaviour. Most information about system behaviour and thus about the geotechnical model conceptions can only be gained during construction. An improved understanding of the geotechnical model provides the potential to identify and minimize geotechnical risks earlier and to adapt excavation and support measures to the actual conditions.