Vibration Protection Solution For The World’s Longest Railway Tunnel

Buers , Erstfeld – Bodio  Getzner has developed a special vibration protection measure to ensure passenger comfort and durability of the track in the world’s longest railway tunnel. Until the opening in June 2016, testing is in full swing.

Around 250 trains will soon travel along the 57 km tunnel every day at speeds of up to 250 km/h. The solution Getzner has designed for these types of loads will be showcased at InnoTrans, the leading rail transport trade fair, in Berlin this September.

Once it opens in June, 250 trains travelling at speeds of up to 250 km/h (approximately ten trains per hour) will use the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which connects Swiss municipalities Erstfeld and Bodio. To guarantee high availability and a long service life for the railway superstructure despite the significant loads, Getzner Werkstoffe has been developing a special vibration protection measure over the last few years.

After all, the demands for this project are particularly high: when the tunnel is in frequent use, ambient temperatures can reach up to 40°C and humidity can be as high as 70%. The high speeds of the trains also exert strong pressure and suction forces, which put the material under above-average stress. Elastic Sylodyn® bearings for the single block sleepers and high-speed turnouts have been installed in both tunnel tubes for the slab track and on sections of the approach routes.

“The vibration protection measure reduces vibrations, and therefore wear of the superstructure components, minimising the maintenance required on the track. Passenger comfort is also significantly improved, as the highly elastic inserts ensure even deflection as the train passes over,” explains Juergen Rainalter, Chief Executive Officer of Getzner. Until the Gotthard Base Tunnel opens in June 2016, all the components will be subjected to real test loads in up to 3,000 planned trials.

Sustainable solution and reduced maintenance This project imposed very high demands on the railway technology in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, because all the materials have to deliver excellent performance over the entire planned service life of the tunnel. “The outstanding properties of our materials (proven even in long-term tests), our technical expertise and our well-known references were what won over the client.

We also had to guarantee the client high supply availability and the best possible quality for the entire duration of the project,” summarises Juergen Rainalter. The aim of the Gotthard Base Tunnel is to move transit traffic off the roads and onto the railway. Getzner, the vibration specialist from Vorarlberg, Austria, was on hand to provide support every step of the way.

InnoTrans 2016: technical presentations on the Gotthard Base Tunnel project of the century At this year’s InnoTrans, the international trade fair for transport technology, which is being held from 20th to 23rd September in Berlin, Getzner will address the specific requirements of the high-speed turnouts and the vibration protection used for the Gotthard Base Tunnel project in its technical presentations. The vibration protection specialist will also showcase its in-house developed vibration protection solutions, including sleeper pads, under ballast mats, mass-spring systems and solutions for turnouts and transitions.

Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH
Getzner Werkstoffe is one of the leading specialists in the field of vibration protection. The company was founded in 1969 as a subsidiary of Getzner, Mutter & Cie. Its solutions are based on the products Sylomer®, Sylodyn® and Isotop®, all of which were developed and manufactured at Getzner’s own facility. They are used in the rail, construction and industry sectors to reduce vibrations and noise, improve the service life of bedded components and minimise the need for maintenance and repairs on tracks, vehicles, structures and machines. Getzner markets its vibration protection solutions around the world. Alongside its locations in Buers and in Germany, Getzner also has offices in China, France, India, Japan, Jordan and the USA. Its tightly-knit distribution network in Europe is complemented by its distribution partners in the USA, South America and the Far East. Partners in a total of 35 countries around the world distribute Getzner Werkstoffe products to every location. By reducing noise and vibrations, Getzner is making a valuable contribution towards enhancing the quality of people’s living and working conditions.

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