A first in Liechtenstein: Bauer Spezialtiefbau successfully completes dam rehabilitation

Schaan, Liechtenstein – With its internationally operating subsidiaries, BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH is known as an expert in the field of specialist foundation engineering and global construction projects. Now a specialist foundation engineering project has been completed in the Principality of Lichtenstein for the first time – a premiere in the heart of Europe. For the project, BAUER Spezialtiefbau Schweiz AG was tasked with remedial measures to secure a dam in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Here, in the immediate vicinity of the capital Vaduz, the Rhine river forms a natural border with Switzerland.

 As local site investigations determined that the dam body on the Rhine was in danger of leakage, a 370 mm wide cut-off wall was constructed as a safeguarding measure over a total length of 530 m using the mixed-in-place method up to a depth of 10 m. In addition, an intervention track with relief ditches was constructed at the dam base by the client, the Liechtenstein Office of Civil Defense. Because the project was implemented in a water protection area of categories S1 and S2 and in the immediate vicinity of a water pumping station, the underlying Rhine gravel had to be retained as a water-bearing layer. In the process, the depth of the wall was determined beforehand by consulting engineers to prevent the slurry used from penetrating into the water-bearing Rhine gravel. To protect the meadow on the slope – both on the land side and on the Rhine side – it was covered with geotextiles.

“We are very proud to be able to work in Liechtenstein for the first time,” explains Benjamin Martin, project manager at BAUER Spezialtiefbau Schweiz AG. “The work was successfully completed in March 2022 to the client’s full satisfaction.”