Ground freezing and excavation of the Museum Island metro station under a river in central Berlin – challenges and experiences

Ground freezing effectively stabilized the saturated sands beneath Berlin's Spree canal during the construction of Museum Island metro station, enabling safe sequential excavation without significant surface movement. The project utilized a novel horizontal directional drilling method to install freeze pipes from both sides of the future station, minimizing disruption to nearby ancient and modern structures. Extensive monitoring ensured stability during freezing and excavation phases, demonstrating the viability of this approach for complex urban underground projects.

Classen, J., Hoppe, P., & Seegers, J. (2020). Ground freezing and excavation of the Museum Island metro station under a river in central Berlin – challenges and experiences. Tunnels and Underground Cities: Engineering and Innovation Meet Archaeology, Architecture and Art, 1314–1321. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003031628-7