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The construction of the 275 m high Yusufeli arch dam and auxiliary structures required the execution of very steep cut slopes with more than 400 m height. Uncertainties regarding the geotechnical conditions imposed a serious challenge for the cut slope design. The design approach evolved from initial back‐calculations to a robust methodology, which was constantly revised and updated as excavation proceeded. The article explains the modular design procedure that allowed continuous interaction, adjustments and updates of and between different design and construction activities. It briefly describes the process of geological data collection and parameter determination and elaborates on the calculation tools utilised for the design. Finally, the verification and updating of the design during construction is explained on a selected case study. The excavation of the Yusufeli Dam was completed in 2018, dam concreting and grouting in 2022, and the final impounding level was reached by the end of 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Semmering Base Tunnel with a total length of 27.3 km is being excavated from the Gloggnitz portal as well as from three intermediate faces at Göstritz, Fröschnitzgraben and Grautschenhof. The geological conditions of the project are characterized by tectonically extremely complex rock formations with difficult geotechnical conditions. The excavation passes through numerous fault zones with deep overburden. During the excavation works, some large‐volume collapses occurred. In this article, the collapse events are reconstructed from the available geological and geotechnical information. The reconstruction of the observed system behaviour is based on analytical and numerical calculations. The aim is to identify the respective failure mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]