Safe Drive through the Alps

Safe Drive through the Alps
References
High traffic volume, narrow and winding road layout, as well as hazards such as storms and natural forces impose high demands on the safety of the Gotthard pass road. Under the leadership of the Federal Roads Office ASTRA, planners and executors 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 flowing traffic on the 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 mainly from avalanches. To increase the safety of the Tanzenbein gallery, the existing roof was reinforced. For this purpose, 1,900 fischer FCC-A concrete-concrete shear connectors, consisting of anchor rods and special nuts, were installed over 250 square meters. The axial spacing was 25 and 35 centimeters apart depending on the direction. First, the concrete workers of the responsible construction company Implenia drilled holes in the old concrete according to the specified dimensions. After careful hole cleaning, they filled these with the 2-component injection mortar FIS V. They then manually inserted the FCC-A connectors into the injection mortar to the bottom of the 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.

Property Data Sheet 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 track with 357 meters elevation difference
"Economical and high-quality as well as durable systems that can be assembled easily and quickly are in demand especially on demanding construction sites like 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 construction authority-approved fastenings FCC-A and FIS V fit well into the concept at this site."

Additionally, Implenia used the FIS V to anchor new reinforcement bars to strengthen existing retaining walls and to connect new curtain walls with the existing vertical supports. "The solution brings many advantages," emphasizes Markus Unmüssig. "The system based on vinylester hybrid surpasses the bond strength of embedded bars. The tensile and compressive forces are initially transferred via the ribbing of the reinforcement bars into the injection mortar. Through interlock and composite action, it then transfers them into the concrete. With its numerous system approvals, such as in cracked concrete, masonry, and special applications, the FIS V can be used in many ways."
Economical, high-quality, and durable systems that can be assembled quickly and easily are especially in demand on challenging construction sites like the Schöllenen Gorge.
Markus Unmüßig, SFS unimarket
Overall, the "Schöllenen Renewal" encompasses the complete repair and modernization of the 5150-meter-long roadway with a height difference of 357 meters. Included are the surface, civil structures, vehicle restraint systems, and utility lines. Additionally, a new, separately uphill-directed bike and pedestrian path for slow traffic will be created, and the drainage systems will be improved – benefiting 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 swift construction progress and continuously flowing traffic.

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