Rodundwerk I, new headrace system – Concept and realization.

As a result of several feasibility studies from which sound economic and technical arguments emerged, the decision was made to construct a new headrace system for the Rodundwerk I consisting of a low pressure tunnel, a shallow pressure shaft parallel to the surface slope and a subsequent high‐pressure penstock gallery. The new distribution pipeline was designed as a concrete‐encased gravity abutment. Construction started at the beginning of May 2020 and since then excavation work has progressed according to plan. Particular attention had to be addressed to the impact of construction operations on the existing power plant structures. Hence, a detailed monitoring concept was established concerning the vibration transmission in the rock mass. Excavation works are carried out partly by tunnel boring machine, partly by drilling and blasting and, once the critical threshold of vibration has been reached, by alternative methods. By continuously adjusting the blasting parameters (charge amount, ignition timing), it was possible to minimise the detonation‐related effects in the vicinity of the existing structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]