Search Results: 'AlpTransit'

The unforeseen struggle in the south
06 December, 2010
Unexpected squeezing, rockbursting and heat made the southern contracts exceptionally difficult testing both human and technical capabilities

Gotthard – first of the 21st century tunnels
06 December, 2010
Gotthard’s progress has been dictated by complex geology and the limits of rock tunnel technology as well as social and political issues before and during construction

Keeping perspective
06 December, 2010
AlpTransit has meant construction management on a new scale for the Swiss tunnelling sector

Keeping the timetable on track
06 December, 2010
Following tunnel breakthrough civils work continues on inner linings and walkways, which complete only in 2014. But focus is already switching to the fit-out of the tunnels

Safety and sorrows, Gotthard leads to new practices
06 December, 2010
Tragically the giant Gotthard project has suffered fatalities during a decade of work. But it has also driven significant safety advances in Swiss tunneling

A mountain of spoil from inside the mountains
06 December, 2010
The world’s longest tunnel has produced a massive quantity of spoil to be disposed in tiny mountain valleys

Keeping the tracks in line
06 December, 2010
Keeping the AlpTransit tunnels on line has pushed surveying technique to the limit

Fans, pistons and airtight pressure doors
06 December, 2010
Cooling and ventilation has been critical for the Gotthard construction. It is essential for daily operation in the future and particularly for the safety regime

Deep down and squeezed tight at Sedrun
06 December, 2010
South African gold mine shafts, German coal seams, World War U-boat construction and Swiss mountain railways all helped on the difficult Sedrun section

Record drives at Amsteg and Erstfeld
06 December, 2010
The two drives for the northern section of Gotthard made the fastest progress including a world record TBM day rate. But they were not without their problems

Finesse in tough environments
10 November, 2010
Technologies employed underground to ensure positional accuracy have advanced at great pace over recent years. The portable computer, data processor and laser have all but replaced the tape, notepad and pencil. These, together with the introduction of lasers as reference axes and the toughening of electronics, have led to major benefits in productivity. Maurice Jones reviews some of the latest developments

Saving the tunnel customer
19 October, 2010
Although passing through tunnels is statistically one of the safest means of transport, major incidents have given the impression of wider potential danger. The aftermath of the Mont Blanc Tunnel fire and tunnel safety surveys have highlighted real areas of concern. Much of the subsequent attention has been on protecting tunnel structure by so-called ‘passive’ means, but humanitarian concerns must be focused on the speed of getting travellers away from the hazardous areas as soon as possible, for the dangers to life work much more quickly than dangers to structure. Maurice Jones reviews some best practice and developments to improve the chances of survival

Gotthard readies for breakthrough
07 October, 2010

The Gotthard Base Tunnel and Sedrun
11 June, 2010
At the March meeting of the British Tunnelling Society Hans Bartschat and Michael Gutzeit of Bilfinger Berger’s Tunnelling Division reviewed the new Gotthard Base Tunnel project, and in particular, the Sedrun section of what will be the longest transport tunnel in the world.