Owner
Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias ADIF
Client
Dragados S.A.
Cost
$250 million USD
Timeframe
May 2006
— June 2016
Services performed
Bifurcation cavern feasibility study, excavation and support design, and final lining design. The excavation and support design considered the TBM tunnel in service to allow for simultaneous TBM tunnel construction progress.
Description
The Pajares Rail Tunnel is part of the new Leon-Asturias High Speed Rail Line, and with a length of 25.7km one of the longest tunnels in the world. The project encompasses twin 10m dia. TBM hard rock tunnels, bifurcation chambers, cross passages, and emergency stops. The tunnel is lined with a pre-cast segmental lining made from high-strength with a thickness from 50 to 60cm. The connection between the access tunnel and the main tunnel requires the construction of a large-span Bifurcation Chamber and a short mined tunnel.
Geology
The predominant rock formation is the Lancara Formation consisting of dolomite, red limestone and gray limestone. The design groundwater head is 434 m.
Location
León - Asturias, Spain
Highlights
- Final design of large bifurcation cavern
- Use of canopy pipe umbrellas
- Engineering support services during construction
Numerical Analysis of Bifurcation Chamber
Completed Bifurcation Cavern