Gotthard Base Tunnel

World’s longest rail tunel

Ricardo Loureiro n. 53584

Class LC11D

Inglês 2012/13Prof. Luís Amaral

Overview

Main goals

To increase the capacity on railroad transportation

To reduce the pollution caused by the trucks that pass by the Alps

To reduce the travel times.

Specifications

Length: Western tunnel: 56.978 km Eastern tunnel: 57.091 km Total length of all tunnels and

shafts: 151.84 km Diameter of each of the single-track

tubes: 8.83–9.58 m

Specifications

Start of construction: 1993 (sounding drills), 1996 (preparations), 2003 (mechanical excavation)

End of construction: 2016

Tunnel scheme

TBM

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

Excavation by TBM - 85.529 km It provides a safer and less disturbing drill to

the surrounding area The drilling is faster than traditional

techniques.

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)

Number of TBMs used: 4 Total length: 440 m (including back-up

equipment) Total weight: 3,000 tons Max. excavation daily: 25–30m (in excellent

rock conditions)

Excavation by blasting (conventional drive)

66.311 km - 43.7 % (Sections of the main tunnel , cross

passages, access tunnels, etc.) Excavation diameter in tunnel section with

drive by blasting (only single track tunnels) -8.80 - 13.08 m

Different numbers and facts

Regular distance between single tunnels - 40 m

Max. Distance between single tunnels - 70 m Number of cross passages total - 176 pieces Regular distance between cross passages -

312.5 m Maximum work temperature - 28° C Persons employed, including engineers,

geologists, etc. - 2600

By 2016...

In December, the construction is expected to be completed.

Trains per day: 200–250 Amount of excavated rock: 28,200,000 tons Total cost: CHF 9.74 billion  (as of October

2010) (US$10.1 billion)