Search Results: 'AlpTransit'

BTSYM workshop – waterproofing in tunnels
29 December, 2023
Earlier this year, BTSYM held a workshop where young members heard from Sika UK’s Head of Infrastructure, Sarah Langley, on the basics of waterproofing for tunnels. After attended the highly informative event, Avantika Raj, Tunnel Engineer with Dr Sauer & Partners, prepared this report for T&T

Deepest and Longest
07 May, 2019
Yves Boissonnas, head of tunnelling at Sika Europe Management, the guest speaker at the January BTS lecture, provided a presentation on the Gotthard Base Tunnel

Ceneri: A link in the chain
31 December, 2015
The Ceneri base tunnel is an integral part of the New Rail Link through the Alps. Sally Spencer Reports.

The power of protest
13 October, 2015
Keeping the public informed and on side is a key aspect of giant projects such as base tunnels. Adrian Greeman explores the strategies to win the PR battle

Long and deep
23 September, 2015
The 21st century has become the era of the base tunnel, boring at unprecedented depths through the giant mountain ranges. Seven are in progress all facing special challenges, reports Adrian Greeman

The move to mechanisation
23 September, 2015
It is in base tunnels that the TB M can really come into its own. Adrian Greeman reports

Fire protection by spray
13 April, 2011
The concept of applying fire protection to a tunnel lining is gaining acceptance even though projects in which it has been used are not yet in great numbers. Successful recent use of BASF Meyco’s Fireshield 1350 material on the massive Gotthard base rail tunnel seems destined to increase confidence in the method however.

Finishing Gotthard
14 March, 2011
Work is getting into full swing on the 15.4km long Ceneri tunnel that completes the Gotthard high-speed railway axis in Switzerland. Adrian Greeman visited the site

Hard-rock TBM performance prediction
18 January, 2011
The authors, present a paper covering an improved method of predicting penetrating, cutter wear and advance rate by calculation for TBMs in hard rock

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