Geotechnical field trip 2024

From 21.05.2024 to 24.05.2024 the field trip of the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering took place. The destination of the excursion was Innsbruck (Austria).

On the way to Innsbruck, a stopover was made in Windischeschenbach to visit the geocenter at the Kontinentale Tiefbohrung (KTB). At 9101 m, the borehole at the KTB is the deepest borehole in Germany and one of the deepest in the world. This borehole was used to gain insights into the earth's crust.

In Innsbruck, the construction site of the Brenner Base Tunnel was visited. The Brenner Base Tunnel will be 64 km long from the Tulfes portal to the Franzensfeste portal. It will consist of two separate tunnel tubes and an exploratory tunnel. It is part of the TEN-T Scandinavia-Mediterranean Corridor and an important infrastructure project for crossing the Alps. It thus contributes to connecting the economic centers in the north and south of Europe.

The tunnel is being excavated using drill and blast and tunnel boring machines. The first stop on our excursion was the segment plant in section H41 Sillschlucht-Pfons, where we were able to observe the production of the segments up close. We then drove into the tunnel and were able to get a closer look at tunnel construction underground.

We also visited the Institute of Geotechnics at the University of Innsbruck. In addition to a tour of the laboratory, there was an exchange and discussion about current research projects. The excursion ended with a geotechnical hike to the Arzler Alm with an inspection of avalanche barriers on endangered slopes under the guidance of Prof. Kolymbas.

The Institute of Geotechnics would like to thank Prof. Schneider-Muntau and Prof. Kolymbas as well as BBT Tunnelwelten for the interesting insights and the scientific exchange.

More pictures of the field trip can be found on the following page: Exkursion - 2024