RAUTER Fertigteilbau zähmt die „Steinerne Jungfrau“

Already a few years ago, two rows of nets were erected to catch rockfall from the steep face called “Steinerne Jungfrau”. But the difficult topography through which the L127 “Radmerstraße” winds in this area made truly effective rockfall protection almost impossible. At least until the Styrian provincial government invested a total of 2.7 million euros to finally put an end to the danger of falling rocks. There is, of course, no technical challenge that the Styrians do not face with their combined efforts – especially when it comes to the safety of passers-by. In addition to the engineers and construction companies carrying out the work, the Institute for Foundation Engineering and Soil Mechanics at the Graz University of Technology was also commissioned to calculate the actual potential danger using simulation programmes.

28-tonne special prefabricated elements support the rockfall barrier
In order to permanently protect the 120-metre-long road section, a total of 15 gigantic precast supports were inserted into the foundations prepared on site. The cantilevers attached to each of the 28-tonne supports now span the enormous rockfall nets across the entire width of the roadway. In addition, 2-metre-high prefabricated walls were inserted between the columns, which were also prefabricated at RAUTER Fertigteilbau GmbH in Murtal, Styria. No other precast manufacturer in Austria was prepared to take on the challenge of producing such supports, as RAUTER managing director Dipl.-Ing. Wilfried Klade reveals. Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Kammersberger from the Department of Road Infrastructure – Existing Buildings in the Office of the Styrian Provincial Government also confirms the difficult challenge when asked: “The special precast elements used are certainly not an everyday challenge due to the complex geometry and the enormously dense reinforcement.” RAUTER has built up an excellent reputation throughout Austria as a specialist for special prefabricated parts. With the spectacular project on Radmerstraße, RAUTER has not only tamed the production challenges, but also the Stony Maiden.

Delivery of the massive special prefabricated parts and installation of the 28-tonne supports as well as the wall elements for the new rockfall protection at the rock face called “Steinerne Jungfrau” along the L127 Radmerstraße (Styria, district of Leoben).Reprint free of charge if named: © Kirchdorfer