Safe journey through the Alps

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Safe journey through the Alps
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Heavy traffic volume, narrow and winding road alignment, as well as hazards such as storms and natural forces place high demands on the safety of the Gotthard Pass road. Under the leadership of the Federal Roads Office ASTRA, planners and contractors have so far managed the renovation under these difficult conditions exactly on schedule. At the same time, ASTRA’s sophisticated project management regulates the ongoing traffic flow on this important connecting route between the north and south of the Alps.

Since April 2017, the renovation of the Tanzenbein galleries (middle and south sections) and Brüggwaldboden as well as the Fadegg tunnel has been underway. These structures protect road users from rockfall, landslides, and primarily avalanches. To increase the safety of the Tanzenbein gallery, the existing roof was reinforced. For this purpose, 1,900 fischer FCC-A concrete-to-concrete shear connectors, consisting of anchor rods and special nuts, were installed over an area of 250 square meters. The spacing between axes was 25 and 35 centimetres depending on the direction. First, the concrete workers of the responsible construction company Implenia drilled holes into the old concrete according to specified dimensions. After careful cleaning of the drill holes, they filled them with the 2-component injection mortar FIS V. They then manually inserted the FCC-A into the injection mortar down to the bottom of the drill hole. After a short curing time, these fasteners are fully load-bearing and now absorb tensile and shear forces occurring in the joint between old and new concrete and safely transfer them further.

Project Profile Gotthard Pass Road

Project Management
Federal Roads Office ASTRA
Scope:
On 250 square meters, 1,900 fischer FCC-A concrete-to-concrete shear connectors, consisting of anchor rods and special nuts, were used.
Total length
5150 meter long roadway with 357 meters height difference
“Economical and high-quality as well as durable systems that can be installed easily and quickly are particularly in demand on challenging construction sites such as in the Schöllenenschlucht,” says Markus Unmüssig from SFS unimarket, the Swiss importer of fischer. “There, the whims of nature can still thwart plans for rapid construction progress even in the 21st century. For this reason, the building authority-approved fastenings FCC-A and FIS V fit perfectly into the concept on this construction site.” Additionally, Implenia used the FIS V to anchor new reinforcement bars to strengthen existing retaining walls and connect new guide walls with the existing vertical supports. “The solution offers many advantages,” emphasizes Markus Unmüssig. “With the vinylester hybrid-based system, the bond strength of embedded bars is exceeded. The tensile and compressive forces are initially transferred via the ribbing of the reinforcement bars into the injection mortar. Through interlocking and bonding effects, these forces are then transmitted into the concrete. With its wide range of system approvals, such as in cracked concrete, masonry, and special applications, the FIS V can be used in many ways.”
Economical and high-quality as well as durable systems that can be installed easily and quickly are in demand, especially on challenging construction sites such as in the Schöllenen Gorge.
Markus Unmüßig, SFS unimarket
Overall, the "Erneuerung Schöllenen" encompasses the complete repair and modernization of the 5150-meter-long roadway with an elevation difference of 357 meters. This includes the pavement, engineering structures, vehicle restraint systems, and utility lines. Additionally, a new, separately uphill-directed cycle and pedestrian path for slow traffic will be constructed, and the drainage systems will be improved – benefiting both people and the environment. Only two construction sites are operational each year. A traffic light system safely guides road users through the single-lane construction zones. This way, clients and contractors manage the balancing act between rapid construction progress and continuously flowing traffic.

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