The Brenner Base Tunnel - a new link through the Alps

34 The treatment and recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. The recycled material can be used for the production of concrete and turned into inner lining shells, bed or shotcrete and used in the tunnel. Because of the geology of the region the excavated material varies, and differing quantities of recyclable materials occur along the course of the structure. In areas where the quantity of processed material exceeds the demand for such materials, the excess will be used in other areas as concrete aggregate. Universities and industry are developing innovative techniques and new types of infrastructure to make use of the vast amounts of material as aggregate. Research and testing is being carried out in laboratories and on construc- tion sites to prove the suitability of the techniques. The preparation of the concrete aggregate takes place directly on the sites in proprietary gravel and concrete production plants. An inspection system ensures that the quality requirements of the concrete are always achieved. From excavated material to tunnel construction material The careful use of resources and of the environment is a natural part of the large-scale Brenner Base Tunnel project. During its construction approximately 21.5 million cubic meters of excavation material will be removed from the Brenner Base Tunnel. Depending on the quality this will either be landfilled or recycled. Materials management A large part of excavated material will be processed in the immediate vicinity of the access tunnel and made into concrete aggregates. This material is transported by conveyor belt.