With combined (anchor) forces
Groningen station is currently being redesigned so that travelers at the most important rail and bus hub in the northern Netherlands can reach their destination even faster and more conveniently. But it will still be a while before that happens. For now, the civil engineering work is underway, in which the anchors from BBV Systems are playing a key role. "After we were able to prove what our Multibond anchors are capable of in phase 1 of the Groningen station construction project, we were also called in for phase 2 - with a particularly challenging task," emphasizes Thomas Riss, Site Manager Geotechnics at BBV Systems.
Anchors in new dimensions
The Multibond anchors for the second construction phase are longer, larger and heavier than all anchors supplied by BBV Systems to date. They are also designed for a service life of 50 to 100 years, electrically insulated and equipped with measuring sensors for permanent monitoring of the anchor forces. "All in all, these are anchors that have never been seen before in Germany and probably also in the Netherlands and throughout Europe."
New paths in production
In order to realize them, BBV Systems took paths that were new even for the highly innovative company. It quickly became clear that the usual manufacturing steps and production processes would not work for the construction of these anchors. "We had to rethink and redesign everything. This presented me and my colleagues in production with challenges that were not commonplace."
Production line adapted
Production lines were extended and relocated and established and proven processes were adapted. One example: Due to the high inherent weight of the anchor and the sensitivity of the protective tube, it was not possible to use a heavy-duty winch to pull up the corrosion-protection collecting sleeve as usual, so BBV Systems quickly developed new auxiliary constructions. Another example is the construction of a 50 m long low-friction trough, which was designed to minimize deformation of the cladding tube when rolling up the up to 47 m long and up to 1,200 kg heavy Multibond anchors onto drums.
Achieving top performance together
For Thomas Riss, Groningen Phase 2 is a success story - both for BBV Systems and for the patented Multibond anchor, as well as for his team. "In order to develop the solution, an open exchange between production and project management was necessary. Everyone was able to contribute their ideas, experience and expertise - regardless of any hierarchy."
"An effective tool for soils with low bearing capacity"
Interview with Thomas Riss, Head of Geotechnical Engineering at BBV Systems
