Evaluation of long-term tunnel behaviour in preparation for construction over existing tunnels, in The Netherlands

Abstract

In 2006 the Betuwe Route including three bored tunnels; was opened. Since then nearly 10 years of operation had passed when in 2015, new construction works in the vicinity of the tunnels was undertaken. During constructions the interaction needed to be evaluated. For that, systematic surveys by laser scanning in the tunnels where performed and additional ring joint rotations were evaluated. It appeared that the soft soil conditions at the Botlek tunnel leads to larger deformations, whereas the design of the rubber sealings at Pannerden is more critical for additional deformations. For the Botlek tunnel the unfavourable situations was Ramps being built in close vicinity of the tunnels, whereas at Pannerden at one cross section clay deposits from an adjacent Stone forging factory need to be relocated and at another location a cross passage needs to be built over the tunnel approach. Characteristic data from both tunnels is shown.