Whiteball Tunnel, Devon

Whiteball tunnel near Taunton in Somerset is a large twin-tracked railway tunnel constructed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1842.

Whiteball tunnel has suffered through weathering, water ingress and sulphate attack leading to degradation of the mortar joints. Network rail’s standard tunnel repair methods were continually being carried out but the rate of deterioration was such that a completely new approach was needed.

The RamArch system was selected as the method of carrying out the repair works as it provided a safe method of working and rapid installation times.

The speed of erection was a major factor when having a limited supply of just six 48-hour possessions to repair in excess of 300 metres of tunnel.

RamArch on this project was fixed in position by using 200 mm long bolts, set in place using high-speed fast setting resin although there are other systems that could be used. The design called for further bolts to be fitted around the periphery of the arch again using fast setting resin to form a very robust structure.

By using the RamArch system all works were completed on time and within budget.

The final stage of repair to the tunnel is to be carried out when further possessions allow, this will be to apply a layer of shotcrete over the RamArch to form a permanent lining.

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