Rockfall protection Hostettfe

• Client: Canton of Valais, Natural Hazards Department DNAGE
• Site management/reference person: Curdin Condrau / geoformer igp AG
• Site manager: Celine Ludi
• Machine operator: Tristan Garbely
• Construction period: October 2023 and October 2025
• Construction costs: 1.30 million

Technical data:

• 900 m² rock clearance
• 100 m construction slope
• 10,000 m³ removal and excavation.
• 7,000 m³ processing of fill material
• Laying 3,100 m² geotextile-reinforced protective embankment
• Pour 7,000 m³ geotextile-reinforced protective embankment
• Create 600 tons of block set
• Create 110 m² concrete block set

Project description:

The Hostettfed rockfall protection project was located in the municipality of Randa in the canton of Valais. The aim of the project was to protect the underlying settlement and infrastructure areas from rockfall. The core of the measure was the construction of an approximately 310 m long and up to 4.5 m high rockfall protection dam. The dam was constructed as an earth-reinforced, geotextile-reinforced supporting structure and landscaped. In addition, a 100 m long access and maintenance road was built to facilitate construction and subsequent maintenance. Temporary construction roads and a turning area were set up during the construction phase. The construction work included rock clearance, excavation work, embankment filling as well as block setting and concrete work. Particular attention was paid to occupational safety due to the risk of falling rocks and the exposed location. Strict environmental and soil protection requirements were also adhered to in order to protect nature and the landscape. The project made a long-term contribution to increasing safety for the population, traffic routes and infrastructure.

Requirements:

• Safety: Working in a rockfall area
• Terrain: Very steep and difficult to access
• Material: Preparation directly on site