Repair of Gotthard Railway Line in Gurtnellen/UR

Following Rockslide, Canton Uri, June 2012, Using Concretum® Q-FLASH 2/20

Initial Situation

The Gotthard railway line near Gurtnellen was already closed in early 2012 due to a rockslide and subsequent blasting operations. On June 5, 2012, another large rockfall occurred at the same location. Under immense time pressure, the clearing and repair work had to be expedited to restore this critical rail line, vital for Swiss rail traffic, as quickly as possible. As part of the reconstruction efforts, four hard-to-access mast foundations also had to be re-concreted.

Solution

The use of Concretum® Q-FLASH 2/20 rapid-setting concrete significantly accelerated the reconstruction of the overhead line masts and the reopening of the railway. Due to the challenging accessibility of the site, the concrete was transported and installed using a helicopter. Through close collaboration between the construction contractor, helicopter crew, and concrete supplier, the project was executed efficiently, meeting the high demands for concrete quality and construction speed.

The choice of rapid-setting concrete, combined with the unconventional helicopter transport method, greatly expedited the concrete installation. This not only facilitated faster damage repair but also significantly reduced the follow-up costs associated with the rockslide.