Saukopf Tunnel B38 A
The Saukopf Tunnel represents the most significant structure on the B 38 A. It passes through the Odenwald range beneath the Saukopf over a length of 2,715 m with overburden ranging from 10 to 180 m. The tunnel project is divided into 4 sections: the western and eastern tunnel access sections with integrated control centres, the 2,620 m long mined section and the 203 m high waste air shaft with subterranean control centre and shaft head structure. Within the excavated cross-section lined with an in situ concrete vault, which possesses an area of between 83 and 107 m², there is an 8.0 m wide carriageway with 2 bi-directional lanes. The gradient rises from west to east by 1.78 %. The route alignment in the layout is S-shaped with radii of 3,000 m. The tunnel was built in 2 working phases. First of all, the tunnel was headed simultaneously from east and west by mining means. The cross-section, which was excavated section-by-section, was secured and stabilised. Then in a follow-up phase, the seal for the final supporting reinforced concrete vault was installed in blocks from west to east. A semi-cross ventilation system with central exhauster was installed. For this purpose, an intermediate ceiling was put in place above the carriageway zone and the resultant cross-section divided into 2 varyingly large ducts by means of a partition wall.
- Country: Germany
- Region: Baden-Württemberg, Hessen
- Tunnel utilization: Traffic
- Type of utilization: Road tunnel
- Client: Hessisches Straßenbauamt Bensheim
- Consulting Engineer: Bung Beratende Ingenieure, Gackstatter und Partner, Schindler Haerter AG
- Contractor: Östu Schacht- und Tiefbau GmbH, Bauunternehmung Stettin
- Main construction method: Trenchless
- Type of excavation: Drill-and-blast
- Lining: In-situ concrete
- No. of tubes: 1
- Tunnel total length: 2,715 m, mining means 2,620 m, open 95 m
- Cross-section: 83-107 m²
- Contract Volume: 93.5 mill. DM
- Construction start/end: 9/1989-4/1993; operating equipment 10/1997-11/1999