Deep Excavation and Piling: Tackling Structural Risks in Ainola Project – Väylä, Finland

Project Overview

The Ainola project is an important part of the broader HERI initiative, which Väylä leads. It focuses on enhancing Finland’s busiest railway corridor between Helsinki and Riihimäki.

Because of the extensive construction, the track operated as a single track for half a year (April-December 2023), with a speed limit of 80 km/h. In this setup, significant activities like deep excavation and piling occurred beside the track, posing potential structural risks.

Monitoring Requirements

Due to the complexity and impact of the construction, comprehensive risk management became essential. Väylä required monitoring to ensure track stability, detect any displacements, and predict maintenance needs during construction. As a result, they determined the need for live measurements with automated alerts, covering attention, warning, and critical thresholds, particularly during high-risk activities like piling and excavation.

Railmonitor’s TrackBed³⁶⁰ Solution

To meet these rigorous monitoring requirements, Väylä partnered with Railmonitor and deployed the TrackBed³⁶⁰ solution. Equipped with wireless sensors, TrackBed³⁶⁰ provided accurate tilt and displacement measurements, installed at strategic points along the western track. The sensors, powered by solar energy, were spaced approximately six meters apart and integrated into the project’s BIM framework.

Railmonitor’s Digital Service Platform delivered real-time monitoring with updates every 30 seconds, thus automatically generating alerts for any deviations. This digital platform documented all monitoring activities and enabled Väylä to forecast track behavior and anticipate required adjustments effectively.

Implementation and Benefits

The TrackBed³⁶⁰solution was efficiently installed in less than an hour, thus supporting the project throughout the construction timeline.

Key benefits included:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous, precise measurements ensured immediate detection of track displacement, thereby providing essential insights for safe construction management.
• Automated Alerts: Instant notifications on deviation thresholds allowed for prompt corrective actions, minimizing operational risks.
• Data-Driven Forecasting: The solution enabled Väylä to predict and plan track adjustments, enhancing both safety and efficiency during critical phases.

Conclusion

Railmonitor’s TrackBed³⁶⁰ solution played an instrumental role in supporting Väylä’s Ainola project. Through real-time monitoring and precise data collection, Väylä could confidently execute complex construction activities without compromising track integrity. This project demonstrates the essential role of digital monitoring in infrastructure safety amid challenging rail construction.

About Väylä

Väylä, Finland’s national transport infrastructure agency, is responsible for the planning, maintenance, and development of the country’s rail, road, and waterway networks. As a leading entity in infrastructure management, Väylä emphasizes safety, efficiency, and sustainability in overseeing Finland’s critical transport corridors.