Geotechnical Engineering
Anything can be calculated today, the question is, whether the method is appropriate and what features need to be abstracted. Furthermore, a correct and technically profound interpretation of the calculated results is essential for a reliable design of complex underground structures. Based on 50 years of tunnelling and underground infrastructure experience, AMBERG defines the correct analysis method, relevant questions to be asked and integrates the entire process into the overall design process.
The custom – tailored analysis is performed with highest competence and efficiency, and the answers to the questions are prepared in an easy-to-understand, logical way. The special knowledge of AMBERG employees allows the seamless transfer from complex geometries from 3D BIM-Models into the numerical modelling software. This allows detailed and efficient geotechnical analysis and supports the design and goes hand in hand with the BIM Modelling.
Services
Model Building
- 2D and 3D Modelling of complex underground structures (caverns, underground stations, tunnel intersections, etc.) with AutoCAD and Rhino
- Modelling of weakness zones and geological features
- Seamless geometry transfer from the 3D-BIM-Model into the meshing module with Griddle (Rhino Plugin from Itasca)
- Geometry and mesh Clean-up and De-Featuring of existing 3D-Models
- Import of external loads from 3rd party structures (foundations, piles, cables)
- Inclusion of support (shotcrete, rock bolts, etc.)
- Multi-Stage models and complex excavation sequences
- Custom-developed scripts for various detailed tasks are used: excavation sequence automatization, parameter studies, back analysis and results evaluation.
Discontinuous numerical analysis
- Data acquisition via remote sensing equipment (photogrammetry) and reliable and fast determination of all relevant structural information (joint orientation, persistence, spacing et cetera)
- Check of potential block failure due to the presence of unfavourably orientated discontinuities
- Analysis of cases where the failure mechanism can’t be identified reliably beforehand, and the stress-in duced failure is in direct interaction with the present discontinuities
- Transfer of structural data (persistence, orientation, frictional properties) of the discontinuities into the model
- Application of advanced modelling techniques (prob abilistic joint networks) based on the remote sensing results
- Support design and validation (shotcrete, rock bolts) according to technical standards
Continuous numerical analysis
- Identification of critical areas and stress concentrations in the rock (e.g., weakness zones, remaining pillars, areas of increased interference)
- Determination of all relevant field variables (stress, strain, displacements etc.)
- Support design and validation (shotcrete, rock bolts)
- Displacements, surface settlements and influences on 3rd party structures (buildings, tunnels, streets, etc.)
- Experience with all state-of-the-art constitutive laws (Mohr-Coulomb, Hoek-Brown, Hardening Soil, etc.)
- In-house implementation of custom tailored, empirical constitutive laws (brittle failure according to Diederichs and Martin, etc.)
- Verification of serviceability
- Development of monitoring concepts (comparison of calculation and measurement data), their validation and back analysis
Competence
- Extensive expertise
- Top experts in Rock Mechanics and numerical modelling
- Advanced modelling and simulation tools (ROCSCIENCE, ITASCA, RHINO, Plaxis)
- Experience with solving complex non-standard problems
- Advanced library of evaluation tools: we don’t deliver colourful, meaningless plots, but palpable and interpretable data
Benefits
- Applied know-how customised to your requirements and infrastructure project
- Integration of BIM Modelling with geotechnical analysis and support design
- Optimisation of complex underground structures
- Reduction of construction cost
- Determination of specific monitoring concepts
Selected references
Project
Semmering Base Tunnel, Austria
Services
Modelling and numerical investigation of the shaft head caverns in construction lot SBT1.1 and of the cavern expansion at shaft foot in lot 3.1: Design of rock support, verification of serviceability
Client
ÖBB INFRA
Project
Tunnelbana Stockholm, Sweden
Services
Modelling and numerical investigation of the complex underground construction circumstances with implementation of the complex fault zone structure: Design of rock support, sensitivity analysis regarding the fault zone influence, verification of serviceability, development of optimal construction sequence, numerical discontinuity analysis and permanent support validation, compilation of the relevant monitoring variables to be observed.
Client
WSP
Project
Brenner Base Tunnel – Construction lot H51, Austria
Services
Modelling and numerical investigation of the emergency station St. Jodok
Client
BBT SE
Project
Hydropower plant Grimsel 3, Switzerland
Services
Modelling and numerical investigation of powerhouse and transformer caverns.
Client
KWO (Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG)
Frequently Asked Questions
This service turns ground conditions into safe, efficient and buildable solutions. It covers ground characterisation and geotechnical interpretation; ground improvement and stabilisation concepts; excavation and support systems; temporary works and construction engineering; construction methods selection and optimisation; construction staging and sequencing; TBM, drill & blast, and mechanised tunnelling support; and shaft and cavern engineering.
Our geotechnical services include site investigations and ground characterisation; geological and geotechnical modelling; numerical analysis and simulations (continuous and discontinuous); groundwater and hydrogeological studies; geotechnical design and support systems (shotcrete, rock bolts); and construction support and performance evaluation. We translate ground behaviour into safe, economical design decisions.
We work in all challenging ground conditions — soft ground, squeezing and swelling ground, fault zones, and water- and gas-bearing ground. For large-span caverns, we develop geotechnically optimal configurations and support designs, backed by detailed ground characterisation, numerical modelling and monitoring.
We seamlessly transfer complex geometries from 3D BIM models into numerical modelling software, enabling efficient analysis with state-of-the-art constitutive laws (Mohr-Coulomb, Hoek-Brown, Hardening Soil, and custom empirical laws).
