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Valendas: Securing a large block

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

3 200 meters of wire rope and a net hold the rock at risk of demolition, picture RhB

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

Threatened rockfall gallery; picture Vetsch Klosters AG

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

The marked area was unstable and had to be dynamited without damaging the railroad gallery below, picture Caprez Ingenieure

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

Installation of the wire ropes, the railway line lies below, along the "young" river Rhine , picture via RhB

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

Mesh and wire ropes are installed and hold the endangered boulder before blasting, picture via Martina Sättele

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

Wire ropes leading to the meadow above the boulder, picture Vetsch Klosters

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

Secured boulder from above, picture via Martina Sättele

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

Technically and physically demanding work, here the installation of the GUARD monitoring device

Monitoring - Valendas: Securing a large block 2022

Geobrugg GUARDs monitored rock movements alongside other systems

 

Year of installation

2022

Initial situation

The railroad line between Reichenau-Tamins and Ilanz runs through a unique landscape. Here, the Rhaetian Railway passes through the Rhine Gorge (Ruinaulta) over a length of about 15 kilometers. Galleries, dams and nets protect the railroad line from falling stones and boulders that break loose from the steep erosion slopes, which can be up to 120 meters high.

In the summer of 2022, a team member of the Surselva railroad service discovered huge stones on the gallery and the slope while inspecting the protective structures. A geologic evaluation revealed that a large boulder was in danger of falling and had to be removed as quickly as possible.

The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) reacted quickly: after the rope inspection by geologists, contractors and project engineers, measures were planned using a 3-D model to determine the volume, position, behavior and center of gravity of the boulder.

 

Description

In a short time, the block weighing almost 500 tons was stabilized with 32 wire ropes (22 mm GEOBINEX). These ropes were firmly anchored on the grassland above with 350 meters of spiral rope anchors (22.5 mm). A heavy-duty net (SPIDER S4-130) measuring over 300 square meters additionally secured the boulder. These measures were designed to prevent the boulder from falling during the blasting operations. Furthermore, several Geobrugg GUARDS continuously monitored the rope loads.

The project was carried out in the shortest possible time and in the best possible cooperation with the client RhB and all those involved so that the safety of everyone involved was guaranteed at all times. Swiss television SRF reported in December 2022.

Involved partner companies of the Rhaetian Railway

Protected object

Railway

Other installed applications

Impact Protection, Monitoring

Your local contact

Roger Moor
   

Roger Moor

Country Manager Ost- und Zentralschweiz, Liechtenstein

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG,Aachstrasse 11,8590 Romanshorn / Switzerland Country Manager Ost- und Zentralschweiz, Liechtenstein

E-Mail

René Müller
   

René Müller

Country Manager Kantone AG BE BL BS FR GE JU NE SO VD VS

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG,Industriestrasse 21,5200 Brugg / Switzerland Country Manager Kantone AG BE BL BS FR GE JU NE SO VD VS

E-Mail

Alexander Bittendorfer
   

Alexander Bittendorfer

Project Manager Inspection Services

Natural Hazards
Geobrugg AG,Aachstrasse 11,8590 Romanshorn / Switzerland Project Manager Inspection Services

E-Mail

Isacco Toffoletto
   

Isacco Toffoletto

Ticino Country Manager

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG Ticino,Stabile Cometal, via Pizzante 7,6595 Riazzino / Switzerland Ticino Country Manager

E-Mail