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Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

RXE-500 rockfall barrier fully installed along the railway line

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

Due to the demanding terrain, transport by helicopter was necessary at all stages of the building process

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

Precast RXE-500 supports awaiting transport by helicopter

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

Even concrete elements were made to measure – a special solution for this difficult-to-access construction site

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

Precast concrete elements, ground plates, and post connection

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

Rows 3 and 4 – both with a custom rock face connection

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

Line 1 of the RXE-500 rockfall barrier fully installed - visible support rope separation after 50 meters of the barrier, executed on the post no. 6 (counting from the end on the picture)

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

View of the support with carrier separation

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

Carrier separation with brake elements on the post head saves on two anchoring points at ground level. Carrier separation on the post head also enhances safety, as it is installed at height and thus protected from rockfall.

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

An RXE-500 barrier protects the tunnel entrance

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

The RXE-500 rockfall barrier protects not only the railway, but also the major mountain road B179, and the site of Burgenwelt Ehrenberg

Rockfall Protection - Ausserfernbahn Ehrenberg near Reutte, Austrian Railway ÖBB 2015

View of the installed RXE-500 barrier

 

Systems

 

System length

13 m - 100 m

 

Year of installation

2015

Initial situation

Within the concept of "The Rehabilitation of the Karwendel and Ausserfernbahn – A Railway for Mobility", the line was further protected from natural disasters in 2015.

Since its commissioning in 1912/13 as the first completely electrical railway in the former Monarchy of Austria–Hungary, the line has now developed into a popular railway. Today, the route is considered a premier historical landmark, with early Alpine railways, numerous railway buildings, bridge structures, and a natural stone tunnel having protected status.

Due to damage from storms and harsh winters, the section between the tunnel portal, above the site of the Burgenwelt Ehrenberg castle and mountain road B179, was likely to be struck by rockfall.

As far as tourism and infrastructure are concerned, a secure railway connection between Ausserfern-Reutte and Innsbruck is of huge importance.

Description

Four RXE-500 rockfall barriers were installed to protect the railway line, the B179 road running directly below, part of the area of the Burgenwelt Ehrenberg tourist site, and the highline179 pedestrian bridge against falling rocks, blocks, and trees.

A double-walled enclosure of just 13 meters connected to the rock secures the tunnel portal. Three rows of RXE-500 run parallel to the track, with a total length of 207 meters. All barriers were designed with an overall height of 3.5 meters. A series of cables, with a length of 100 meters, has a carrier separation with intermediate suspension after 50 meters. This adheres to the requirements set out by the ONR (Austrian Standards).

Due to its exposed position, the task of carrying all construction site equipment and the installation of the RXE barrier had to be undertaken by helicopter.

Country/Region

Austria

Customer

Austrian Railway Infrastructure - ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG

Engineering

ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG

Contractor

Hilti & Jehle GmbH

Protected object

Road, Railway, Building, Touristic infrastructure, Infrastructure

Corrosion protection

Galvanized, GEOBRUGG SUPERCOATING

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Saleh Feidi
 

Saleh Feidi

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Bryant Jackson

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Geobrugg North America, LLC,22 Centro Algodones,87001 Algadones / United States

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John Kalejta

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Geobrugg North America, LLC,24905 Winterberry LN,60585 Plainfield / United States Regional Sales Manager Southeast

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Pierce Runnels, Civil Engineer
   

Pierce Runnels

Sales Director North America

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Geobrugg North America, LLC,22 Centro Algodones , Civil Engineer Sales Director North America

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Tim Shevlin

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