Work on the tubes of the Brenner Base Tunnel is in full swing on different fronts. Excavation of the new Tulfes-Pfons section officially began on 18.09.2014. In 5 months, at 16.02.2015, approximately 1035 m have been driven. Still 7975 m to excavate.

The soil is highly fragmented, which requires the casting of a layer of cement reinforcement on an electric welded metal net using Spritz Beton technology. The casting is made in 2-m long drive sections along the entire profile of the tunnel. CIFA will supply the consortium Strabag/Salini-Impregilo five next-generation Spritz Beton machines: three CST 8.20 and two CSS3. Two of the new machines are already at work on the faces of the Brenner tunnel.

The new CST 8.20 was specially designed to nimbly move about in medium-size and small tunnels (up to 10 m in height). The CST 8.20 is fitted with a newly-designed, sturdy and versatile boom than can be opened and positioned in driving mode once the machine is in the working position. The new horizontal slewing ring is interesting: with just one single movement of the control joystick, the machine follows the entire tunnel section, from the base up to the maximum height. The chassis of the CST 8.20 can easily move about on very bumpy soil like that of the Tulfes-Pfons tunnel, thanks to its four-wheel drive and efficient hydrostatic transmission powered by a powerful diesel engine. The safe ROPS-FOPS driver's cab protects the operator, and the driver's seat can turn 180 degrees so that manoeuvrability is extremely simple, even in the narrowest tunnels.

CIFA is supporting the companies not only with its machines, but also with the customer service technicians of its dealer Hittmayr and with the product specialists from Senago.  For further information read the press release. Visit www.cifa.com. 08/15.