Project to bypass the Schwarzkopf Tunnel - Specialised civil engineering for a core project of Deutsche Bahn AG; [Bauvorhaben Umfahrung Schwarzkopftunnel - Spezialtiefbau für ein Kernprojekt der Deutschen Bahn AG]

The line being upgraded (ABS) from Hanau to Nantenbach is part of the about 112 km long Main-Spessart-Bahn line between Hanau and Würzburg. The line is a central axis for long-distance and goods traffic linking the economic centres of the Rhine-Main region with Würzburg and the region of Franken and with more than 200 trains per day is one of the most heavily trafficked lines of German Railways DB. A key part of the project is the bypassing of the 160 year old Schwarzkopf Tunnel between Laufach and Heigenbrücken. In order to bypass the Schwarzkopf Tunnel, four new cut-and-cover tunnels are being constructed, which requires extensive specialised civil engineering measures. The excavations for the cut-and-cover tunnel sections are supported by piled walls, nailed walls and walls with walers. In addition, extensive piled foundations are being provided for the open-air sections using the continuous flight auger (CFA) method. There is also soil nailing along the existing tracks and temporary and permanent anchoring. The article gives a brief overview of the project and describes examples of the specialised civil engineering methods used through the example of two structures. © 2015 Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin.