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All structures of the Blankenburg connection will be carried out with the prestressing systems of DYWIDAG-Systems International. This is the specialist in the field of prestressing technology and geotechnics. The company develops, produces, delivers and assembles pre-tensioning systems and anchoring systems. DYWIDAG also provides advice, training, supervision, inspection and maintenance.
"Preliminary engineering involves putting pressure on structures to reduce reinforcement and increase span. We do the prestressing for all the cable bridges, flyovers and for the floor and roof of the Maas Delta Tunnel," says Robert Jansen of DYWIDAG. The company began working on the project in 2019 and will be there until early 2024. Jansen: "It's a big project for us because we get to do everything there. From the ramps in the tunnels to the flyovers: the whole package. Wherever prestressing is required, we are the contracting party. That's special, because often you see such a big job being split up between different suppliers."
However, there are not many companies in the Netherlands that can do this work, and DYWIDAG has the knowledge and capacity to bring it all to fruition. The biggest challenge is in the design, Jansen continues. "We look at whether everything can and fits and whether it can be done more efficiently. Then the whole execution follows. During the design phase, we already bring up issues that will make the work simpler during execution and certainly not slow it down. We know from experience where bottlenecks are and we incorporate them into the design. It is often small things that can prevent major misery."
Only when DYWIDAG puts the structure in tension can construction move to the next step. So it is a crucial link in the whole planning process. Working efficiently is of great importance, because delays during pre-planning lead to delays in the process.
A special feature are the outriggers in the ramps to the Maas Delta Tunnel. This is because the products used by DYWIDAG are susceptible to corrosion, but the construction pit for the tunnel would be flooded. Jansen: "Normally our product remains dry and is processed within a quick time. To prevent corrosion problems at the tunnel, we had part of our product galvanized. We also took measures so that part of the channels are watertight. We installed dewatering everywhere. We don't normally do this, so it was a challenge."
