Geomechanik und Tunnelbau最新文献

We regularly read and hear about the different characteristics of different generations – for example, that the younger generation lacks enthusiasm, motivation or basic technical understanding. But is that really true? What role do such assumptions play in geotechnical engineering in particular? Or are the differences observed based more on individual personality traits than on the year of birth? Anyone wishing to investigate differences between ‘young’ and ‘old’ or between Generation X and Y must take into account that age and personal experience play a central role. With age, the wealth of experience from which conclusions can be drawn for future challenges (hopefully) grows. However, we do not see any fundamental difference between the generations in terms of enthusiasm, motivation or technical skills. This article highlights how, in our experience, younger and older people approach tasks and problems differently, where conflicts regularly arise and how people deal with them. Our conclusion: The social developments of the last 50 years have brought the generations closer together. Young and old can – and should – learn from each other. The goal must be to develop a common understanding and create a working environment that promotes motivation, sense of purpose and cooperation – especially when it comes to overcoming complex geotechnical challenges.

According to the tender planning for construction of the reverser at Matzleinsdorfer Platz, a tunnelling concept with inclined side wall drift was envisaged. The geological/hydrogeological forecast model on which this approach is based shows a water-bearing Miocene coarse-grained stratum in the floor area of the tunnel. To alleviate the pressure, groundwater-lowering measures were planned. Owing to the significant differences in the effectiveness of the lowering wells and difficulties encountered when manufacturing the horizontal filter wells, there was some doubt as to whether this objective would be achieved at all. Consequently, the tunnel driving concept was changed to a system with pilot tunnel which is subsequently widened to the standard cross-section of the reverser. By using a flexible arrangement of vertical wells which were drilled from the pilot tunnel, it was possible to satisfy the prerequisites for safe tunnelling. This article describes the decision-making processes involved in the replanning, geotechnical challenges and advantages of implementing the modified groundwater-lowering and tunnelling concept.

The construction lot H41 Sill Gorge – Pfons is one of the largest construction lots of the Brenner base tunnel, continuing the construction work in Austria from the Sill Gorge to Pfons, based on the previous construction lots. The findings from the approximately 16.6 km long exploratory tunnel, which was driven with an open gripper TBM in combination with anchors and shotcrete ground support measures, were taken into account in planning the mechanized excavation of the main tunnel tubes, each just over 8 km long, with single-shield TBMs. Meanwhile, the mechanized tunnelling of the main tunnel tubes using a single-shield TBM in combination with a predominantly single-shell sealed segmental lining are very advanced and will reach the lot boundary with the neighbouring construction lot H53 Pfons - Brenner in summer 2025. During the mechanized tunnelling, several fault zones have been driven through that had already been excavated with the exploratory tunnel. This paper presents the experience gained to date from the mechanized excavation of the main tunnel tubes with single-shield TBMs, as a comparison to the findings from the mechanized excavation of the exploratory tunnel with an open gripper TBM, based on different boundary conditions.

Times of social and significant technical changes and developments, as can be observed in recent decades, but also special challenges such as climate change, lead to a faster change in values, attitudes and expectations of the professional world of younger generations. In order to be able to meet the resulting challenges between the generations, intergenerational dialogue is becoming increasingly important. In this article, the backgrounds and differences of values, attitudes, the expectations derived from them, but also the resulting potential for conflict, especially of Generation X and Generation Z, are discussed. The focus is on the prerequisites for a productive dialogue to solve possible conflicts but also expected challenges in this process.

In Forbach in the Northern Black Forest, EnBW is currently constructing a new underground pumped-storage power plant to replace an existing above-ground facility that has been in operation at this site for over 100 years. The new pumped-storage plant consists of a powerhouse cavern, two separate power stations and a transformer cavern, along with an underground water reservoir consisting of six storage caverns connected by the main tunnel. This reservoir serves as the lower basin for pumping operations, with the Schwarzenbach Reservoir acting as the upper basin. The upper water conduits run down two vertical shafts that are being excavated via the raise-boring method. Additional tunnels are being constructed for water conveyance and logistical access to the power plant. This report presents the current status of the construction work. Construction began on 1 January 2024, and the first tunnel excavation for the muck haulage tunnel commenced in April 2024. Currently, approximately half of all underground cavities have been excavated. The top heading excavation of the future power plant cavern has been completed, as have the excavation and support works for other tunnel structures. An overview of the implementation of existing project boundary conditions is also provided.

The reliability of infrastructure, especially key structures, is crucial for the future efficiency of the entire infrastructure system. To ensure high availability of the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT), various aspects in the planning and construction measures were implemented. Following this requirement, a distributed fibre optic sensing system was employed for the mechanised tunnelling sections of construction lots H41 and H53. This system enables detailed load monitoring of the segmental lining during both construction and operation phase. By continuously monitoring the condition of the segmental lining, the system supports optimised on-site implementation planning (e.g. for temporary supports of cross-passage openings) and facilitates targeted maintenance during operation. Thanks to its durability and immunity to electromagnetic interference, the distributed fibre optic sensing system embedded in the segments is ideally suited for long-term monitoring during operation, i.e. serving as a structural health monitoring system.