Title: DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF ZURICH'S BYPASS TUNNELS
Abstract: This article describes the design and construction of the tunnels for the N20 Zurich Western Bypass in Switzerland; it includes two route maps. The link is 10.6km long and 80% underground; its construction began in 1996. Its first part is the 5.4km long Birmensdorf Bypass, N20.1.4, which will have three twin-tube tunnels of total length 4.0km, two smaller on-off ramp tunnels, and bridge and road works; its construction is expected to take ten years. The main twin-tube tunnels each contain two traffic lanes and a hard shoulder, with a 10.5m wide carriageway and an excavated cross section of about 135m to 150m. There is a service canal under the main carriageways. The tunnels have a permanent reinforced concrete shotcrete rock support that carries the initial rock and soil loads. The bores are waterproofed with a plastic membrane all round, for environmental reasons and to minimise maintenance costs. Support in the soft ground consists of lattice girders, mesh, and wet-mix shotcrete. Support in the rock is similar, but with additional temporary anchors as overhead support. Various measures are proposed as additional support in soft ground. Environmental constraints had to be met to secure site approval. The article also describes the construction sequence and site installations.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
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