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The engineering geological investigation for the environmental impact assessment of the more than 20 km long route section Schaftenau–Radfeld in the Lower Inn Valley (Tyrol) was conducted in 2017/18. As a central structure, a nearly 3 km long tunnel will be built through the Unterangerberg. The bedrock of the Unterangerberg consists of turbiditic, marine deposits of the Inneralpine Molasse with interbedded layers of marl, claystone and sandstone. The proximity to the Inntal shearzone and exogeneous effects like several glaciations have softened the surface of the inherently weak bedrock and led to heterogeneous mechanical properties. The monotonous lithology is therefore accompanied by an inhomogeneous rock mass characterization. This paper describes experiences of the geotechnical investigation of this weak rock. It was observed that only a quick transport of samples from the drilling site to the laboratory can guarantee for test results in accordance with the standards. The results, lying in the transitional zone between soft rock and hard soil, are in good accordance with data from other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rock slide on top of the clayey-silty-sandy-pebbly masses in the Gschliefgraben (Upper Austria province, Lake Traunsee) having occurred in 2006, together with the humid autumn of 2007, triggered a mudslide comprising a volume up to 4 million m³ and moving with a maximum displacement velocity of 5 m/day during the winter of 2007-2008. The possible damage was estimated up to 60 million € due to the possible destruction of houses and of a road to a settlement with intense tourism. The movement front ran ahead in the creek bed. Therefore, it was assumed that water played an important role. Inclinometer measurements showed that a less permeable layer was sliding on a thin, more permeable layer. During the last centuries, mudslides had already pushed farms into the lake, as reported by chronicles. Thus, the inhabitants of 46 houses had to be evacuated for safety reasons. They could return to their homes after displacement velocities had decreased. It was decided (a) to prevent soaking of water into the uppermost, less permeable layer by transversal drainages, (b) to lower the pore water pressures by longitudinal trenches filled with blocky material, (c) to pump water out of the more permeable layer by well drillings upslope of the houses in order to create a stable block below the houses and (d) to remove material thrust over the stable blocks in order to avoid damage to the houses. These mitigation measures costing 11.5 million € led to a deceleration of the process to displacement velocities of some cm/year up to now. The houses and the road were not damaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]