Lessons learned of innovative drilling- and grouting solutions for tunneling under high water pressure

Innovative drilling and grouting techniques have successfully enabled the construction of the Semmering Base Tunnel, a critical component of Austria's high-speed railway network navigating the Alps' challenging terrain. This 2,500-meter tunnel, part of the European High-Speed Railway Network (TEN), required specialized methods to manage pressurized groundwater bodies with significant storage capacity. Over five years, more than 5 million liters of grout were used to stabilize the tunnel's path beneath valleys and mountain ridges. The study highlights key lessons from these grouting works, offering valuable insights for future tunneling projects under high water pressure.

Entfellner, M., Hauer, H., Ekici, Z., Peintner, C., & Wannenmacher, H. (2025). Lessons learned of innovative drilling- and grouting solutions for tunneling under high water pressure. Tunnelling into a Sustainable Future – Methods and Technologies, 3724–3731. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003559047-474