Tunnelling
We are the experts for all areas of underground construction.
Tunnelling with experience, precision and technical excellence
Tunnelling is one of ZÜBLIN's core competencies, and we have been a leader in the implementation and expertise of tunnel construction for many decades. Whether shotcrete construction, mechanised tunnelling, pipe jacking or shaft construction: our experienced project teams implement technically and economically optimized tunnels of all types and sizes for the expansion of transport infrastructure.
In addition to tunnel construction, our services also include the realisation of underground hydropower plants and the construction of pumped storage power plants.
Our business areas at a glance
With our service portfolio, we cover all the necessary construction methods for tunnelling and are therefore able to meet all construction requirements with various construction techniques in tunnelling. Our business areas include
- Road tunnels: We build efficient road tunnels that improve transport infrastructure and create safe, sustainable connections.
- Rail tunnels: Our rail tunnels increase the efficiency of modern rail networks and support sustainable local and long-distance public transport.
- Subway and metro projects: We build efficient subway and metro tunnels that relieve urban traffic and ensure mobility in growing cities.
- Supply and disposal tunnels: Our supply and disposal tunnels ensure a reliable underground infrastructure for water, energy and media.
- Shafts: We create safe access structures and central connection points for complex tunnel systems with precisely executed shafts.
- Hydropower plants: In tunnel construction for hydropower plants, we combine engineering skills and sustainability to make renewable energy efficiently usable.
- Tunnels: We realize mining tunnels for energy, supply and infrastructure - robust, economical and technically precise.
Construction methods & building processes
Our services in tunnelling
Whether mechanised tunnelling, shotcrete construction, pipe jacking or shaft sinking – ZÜBLIN stands for technically sophisticated tunnel construction. With state-of-the-art technology, project-specific processes and comprehensive engineering, we realise safe, economical and tailor-made solutions for demanding ground and project conditions.
Mechanised Tunnelling
In mechanised tunnelling, the soil or rock is excavated and removed by a tunnel boring machine (TBM) using a so-called cutting wheel. Since the first project with a tunnel boring machine (lot 9/17 of the Munich subway in 1966), ZÜBLIN has produced more than 340 km of tunnel tubes with TBMs. In the process, we have developed the expertise to design project-specific machines in cooperation with the manufacturers and to plan the entire logistics chain for the supply and disposal of the excavation drives. All common types of tunnel boring machines have been used in our projects. This includes hard rock TBMs, earth pressure-supported TBMs as well as liquid-supported and variable-density (VD) TBMs.
Shotcrete Construction
This particularly flexible construction method is suitable for all types of rock and enables tunnelling using a wide range of support methods. We implement all excavation methods professionally and safely, using blasting, excavator or milling methods, depending on the properties of the subsoil. Adapted to the respective conditions of the subsoil and the surrounding structures, we can safely manage and execute the respective construction task by using a suitable combination of different specialised techniques – such as soil freezing, high-pressure or low-pressure injections, compressed air methods, and more.
Pipe Jacking
With the pipe jacking method, it is possible to construct trenchless tunnels for sewers and supply lines. ZÜBLIN has been carrying out pipe jacking projects for over 50 years, successfully excavating both large diameters, such as DN 4,000 mm in Austria for the H 3-4 and H8 tunnel construction lots of the Inn Valley route, as well as medium and smaller diameters. We have experience in full cut, partial cut and open excavation with and without compressed air support. We have particular expertise in the production of landfall sections for undersea pipelines. If required, ZÜBLIN also manufactures the pipes for pipe jacking in its own prefabrication plant or in a field factory on the construction site.
Shaft Construction
Discover our Tunnelling projects
From traffic tunnels to supply shafts – gain insights into complex underground structures.
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Get in touch with us!
Would you like to find out more about our services or are you planning a project? Then please contact us and we will support you with your project.