Magni - Mosconi: the winning combination in the construction of the Brenner tunnels
Mosconi is a leader in the infrastructure and industrial construction sectors. This company was entrusted with the construction of the new Brenner railway tunnels.
This colossal project will revolutionise the links between Italy and central Europe and will reduce heavy traffic on the border section of the A22 motorway by diverting it to rail to Innsbruck, Austria.
Mosconi is responsible for waterproofing the tunnels with special PVC sheaths, which hermetically isolate the rooms from humidity and water infiltration. This complex work must be performed at height and once the ribs supporting the vault have been installed. After evaluating various offers from the lifting sector, engineer Mosconi decided to entrust Magni with this special project.
We met engineer Andrea Mosconi, who is the Technical Director of the construction company of the same name based in Edolo, Brescia. He took the time to explain to us the reasons for his choice.
The project for the new Brenner Pass tunnels represents an engineering challenge on different levels. This project borders on a miracle of applied technology. Suffice it to say that some sections of the tunnels, at around 30-40 m, pass under the bed of the Isarco river. As precautionary measure, Isarco river will be frozen using innovative systems, in order to work in complete safety.
Magni RTH 5.21 SH has been chosen to perform this work. This high-performance machine is equipped with Twin Energy option, which allows to operate in electric mode in closed environments, such as tunnels. By connecting to an external electricity supply (380 V), it is possible to power the machine and perform all normal lifting and load positioning operations. A 15-kW electric motor and a 90-litre piston pump guarantee excellent performance and precision.
Besides being optimal in terms of performance, this solution is also green. The use of the heat engine is restricted to the movement phase while, once stabilised, the machine is powered by the Twin Energy system.
This rotating telehandler has been equipped with two interchangeable platforms, in order to safely reach the height of the vault and to position PVC sheaths.
Magni machines are equipped as standard with various sensors and limitations, which ensure total safety. These machines only operate after milling cutters and moles have finished drilling the rocks. Thus, no additional safety systems were requested.
Engineer Mosconi has stressed several times why he chose Magni as partner for the realisation of this great work. Magni TH is the only company in the sector to offer machines that can also operate in electric mode. Moreover, it is the only one to produce machines that can operate with the boom fully extended without limitations and to provide load charts perfectly reflecting the real performance of the machine. This is an excellent confirmation for the manufacturer based in Castelfranco Emilia. Bolstered by its R&D department, Magni has been able to establish itself on the market as a reliable and innovative player in just a few years.
This major construction project will be completed in a few years. We hope that it will reduce traffic on this section of motorway, which is so important for the economy of our country, and that it will contribute to significantly reduce environmental pollution in the unique Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site.
For more information on this project watch the video, which is an excerpt from the “Grandi Opere” programme, and the photos in the gallery.
Special thanks to the Mosconi family for choosing Magni and taking the time to do this interview.
For more information on Mosconi and its activities, please visit the following website www.mosconihydro.en.