The BERNARD Gruppe is providing design services for the renewal of railway overpasses on behalf of DB Netz AG. The project comprises several existing structures that need to be renewed due to their poor condition.
The overpass in Zuffenhausen is a grade separation structure with a length of approx. 70 m, which was built in 1912. On each of six superstructures, two tracks are passed over and one track is passed under in a very sharp angle. The grade separation structure is to be rebuilt with unchanged clear dimensions while maintaining rail traffic. The BERNARD Gruppe was commissioned for the structural analysis and design of the replacement structure in the service phases preliminary, final, and permit application design (optionally tender design and award of contract) as well as for the design of the planning of the railway route. The project is realized by using BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology. Major challenges of the project are the cramped space conditions, the sharp angle of the crossing tracks and the fact that construction work is carried out while maintaining rail traffic.
The railway overpass Schlossweg is located on the Ostkorridor section between Uelzen and Freilassing which is being modernized. The section will be upgraded both for regional long-distance traffic and for local passenger traffic. The BERNARD Gruppe is responsible for structural analysis and design in the service phases conceptual and preliminary design (optionally final and permit application design) as well as for the planning of the railway route. The existing structure has a length of approx. 45 m and a cover of approx. 12.75 m. The clear cross-section of the overpass must be dimensioned in accordance with the requirements of the city of Hof. In addition to the conventional mining method, which is already being used as suggested by the feasibility study, other excavation methods with reinforced concrete frame cross-sections are being investigated. Challenging factors for the repair works are the extremely high railroad embankment, the extensive earthmoving and the statically relevant, high depth of cover on the superstructure.
The BERNARD Gruppe is also active for DB Netz AG in infrastructure projects requiring interdisciplinary skills, ranging e.g. from environmental construction monitoring to site supervision services for Munich’s second core S-Bahn route (2. Stammstrecke), as well as in the upgrade section Brenner north access (ABS 36) to the Brenner Base Tunnel. The BERNARD Gruppe is pleased to contribute to a sustainable infrastructure with its many years of experience.
Albert Außerlechner, BERNARD Gruppe
