STOREBAELT EASTERN RAILWAY TUNNEL: DESIGN

This paper describes the design of the 8km long eastern railway tunnel of the Storebaelt (Great Belt) crossing in Denmark. Conceptual design was carried out in 1986, and several options were considered. Tender design was conducted in 1987-88, for two tunnel options. The contract was awarded for the bored tunnel option, designed by the Mott McDonald Group. The structures include: (1) earthworks, approach ramps, and cut-and-cover tunnels at each end; (2) twin 7.7m diameter circular bored tunnels; and (3) 31 4.5m diameter cross passages for equipment and emergency evacuation purposes. Site investigations showed complex ground conditions; the rocks include: glacial clay tills with layers of silt and sand, marl with fissured and jointed zones, and boulders of granite and gneiss. In anticipation of these geological conditions, four sophisticated earth pressure balance machines (EPBMs) were specified for the tunnel boring. The design of the main components of the project, including the mid-point drainage sumps, is discussed. For the first time in the tunnelling industry, it was decided to use fusion-bonded epoxy-coated reinforcing cages for the precast concrete segmental tunnel linings. Two-dimensional finite element ground/lining analyses were conducted for the main tunnel lining.

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  • Corporate Authors:

    Thomas Telford Limited

    London,   United Kingdom 
  • Authors:
    • ELLIOT, I H
    • ODGARD, A S
    • CURTIS, D J
  • Publication Date: 1996

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00729832
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Dec 26 1996 12:00AM