Re:World's longest and deepest rail tunnel to open in Switze...
by CaptainZapp on Wednesday June 01, 2016 @10:30AM
(#11814589)
There are things that can't be planned for.
One of the major problems detected was the fact that they had to drill through dolostone, which is a huge technological challenge. When mixed with water it results in a soupy mixture, which is almost impossible to work with in drilling a tunnel.
The did exploration drillings in 1993, but engineers where still pretty worried.
It was only in 2008 that the engineers lost the last of their concerns.
Such a huge project comes with technical uncertainties. What do you want to do about it?
One of the major problems detected was the fact that they had to drill through dolostone, which is a huge technological challenge. When mixed with water it results in a soupy mixture, which is almost impossible to work with in drilling a tunnel.
The did exploration drillings in 1993, but engineers where still pretty worried.
It was only in 2008 that the engineers lost the last of their concerns.
Such a huge project comes with technical uncertainties. What do you want to do about it?