Stuttgart 21 – 17 Kilometres Tunnelling in Anhydrite:Lessons Learned

Credit/Quelle: WBI

1 Stuttgart 21 – Sections in anhydrite, plan and cross sections

Credit/Quelle: WBI

2 Unleached Gypsum Keuper, rock mechanical model

Credit/Quelle: WBI

3 Tunnels in Gypsum Keuper, longitudinal section, principle

Credit/Quelle: WBI

4 Horizontal leaching through marker layers (Ober-/Untertürkheim)

Credit/Quelle: WBI

5 Sealing of loosened zone around the tunnel, sealing structures and grouting works anhydrite

Credit/Quelle: WBI

6 Design measures for tunnel sections in anhydritic rock

Credit/Quelle: WBI

7 Excavation works for the construction of a sealing structure

Credit/Quelle: WBI

8 Results of grouting works anhydrite

Credit/Quelle: WBI

9 Results of Lugeon-tests carried out in grouted rock

Credit/Quelle: WBI

10 Design of internal lining, sequence of FE-analyses

Credit/Quelle: WBI

11 Calculated radial pressures on internal lining after 100 years of swelling, examples

Credit/Quelle: WBI

Credit/Quelle: Arge Tunnel Feuerbach

12 Reinforcement in the sidewall, example Feuerbach Tunnel

Credit/Quelle: Arge Tunnel Feuerbach

Within the framework of the Stuttgart 21 project, the tunnelling work for the approximately 17 km of tunnels in anhydrite has been successfully completed. The present article is intended to provide a brief overview of the findings from these tunnelling operations and to contribute to reducing the risk of damages and inadmissible heave in future tunnel construction projects in swelling anhydrite-bearing rocks.

1 Introduction

Tunnelling in swelling anhydrite-containing rocks has been within the focus of the work of WBI since we started our engineering company in the year 1980. We were deeply involved in the design and construction of the Hasenbergtunnel of the suburban railway line in Stuttgart, Germany, as ground and tunnelling expert and as review engineer. This tunnel has been operational since its completion in 1984 without damages and heave. Already before WBI was founded, Prof. Dr. Walter Wittke was ground and tunnelling expert as well as review engineer for the successful construction of the...