Erding near Munich

Erdinger Ringschluss suburban rail tunnel

Diaphragm walls and DSV works for the extension of the Munich Airport link road

Extension of the rail link to Munich Airport

Munich Airport has so far been served by S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 from the west. The completion of the Erdinger Ring will provide an additional connection from the east. The tunnel extension required extensive construction pits, diaphragm walls and DSV works. The works were carried out within the airport’s existing and planned air traffic areas.

Permanent diaphragm wall structure for the tunnel

The tunnel is being constructed using the open-cut method within a reinforced diaphragm wall excavation pit. Construction is taking place in sections, comprising a total of 18 sub-structures. A distinctive feature of the project is the permanent use of the diaphragm walls as an integral part of the future structure. The vertical loads from the tunnel structure are transferred via niche structures into the diaphragm walls and from there into the subsoil. At the eastern end, the tunnel connects to a trough structure through which the railway line is brought back to ground level.

Diaphragm walls and DSV works in the RAMP 3 area

A key construction phase was the construction of the tunnel section beneath the apron in the RAMP 3 section. Work began in early 2019 and involved the construction of approximately 10,000 m² of diaphragm walls, DSV tie columns for connection to existing structures, as well as underwater excavation for the tunnel. The diaphragm walls were constructed with wall thicknesses of 800 mm and 1,000 mm and reached depths of up to 24 m.

Underwater excavation and open-cut tunnelling

Around 30,000 m³ of underwater excavation was carried out for the construction of the tunnel section. The construction pit was fitted with a concrete base, upon which the tunnel structure could be constructed using the open-cut method. In the course of the works, almost 200 m of tunnel structure was created, which was subsequently integrated into the other sections of the Erdinger Ring closure.

Special civil engineering for airport infrastructure

The combination of a permanent diaphragm wall structure, DSV support columns, underwater excavation and tunnelling formed the basis for the extension of the S-Bahn tunnel in the vicinity of Munich Airport. The specialist civil engineering works carried out contribute to the realisation of the Erdinger Ring closure and the expansion of the rail infrastructure in the airport vicinity.

Foundation for the tunnel extension

The construction of approximately 10,000 m² of diaphragm walls, 30,000 m³ of underwater excavation as well as the DSV works laid the groundwork for the extension of the existing S-Bahn tunnel. The specialist civil engineering works thus form an essential part of the Erdinger Ring closure infrastructure project.