Earthworks performed in two phases

Last spring the completion of the new fire station in Waalwijk took place. During the excavation work of this new construction project last May, Hendrickx Grondwerken was surprised by an old tank in the ground.

Text | Tim van Dorsten Image | LEEF Photography

The unsuspected oil tank had caused additional soil contamination, requiring the Brabant-based Molenschot company to perform remediation work. "The work and associated planning due to the oil tank did not cause any delays," says estimator/operator Peter Hakkens of Hendrickx Grondwerken. "We perform remediation work more often and therefore know exactly which steps need to be taken to carry out everything according to the rules." The remediation of the soil and tank took place alongside regular work, during the first phase of the project. This involved excavating and removing the soil from the site.

For the foundation of the new fire station to be built, soil improvements also had to be carried out. Hendrickx Grondwerken has its own soil bank, namely 'Gronddepot Klein Zwitserland' in nearby Gilze. This offers the possibility to easily supply the right building materials at the right time and remove soil. "For these soil improvements, we brought in sand in accordance with certification BRL 9335, which compacts well. As a result, the subsoil became load-bearing enough to build a new building on. The advantage of a load-bearing soil is that it can be built without piles." In addition, during the first phase, the company installed power lines, sewers, gullies and inspection pits.

Clinker paving

In mid-March, Hendrickx Grondwerken started phase two of the earthworks, including preparing the site for clinker paving. "In phase one, we applied mixed granulate in accordance with BRL 2506 from our depot, which is now being profiled for the clinker paving. This is a rubble course for a stable and hard surface," says Hakkens. "In addition, we are bringing the inspection pits to the correct height for paving. Here we take into account the drainage of the site and the spaces for the green spaces with plantings."

Following this, Hendrickx Grondwerken will provide the connections from the site to the public road. "The municipality of Waalwijk has commissioned us to provide these public driveways. In addition, we will be constructing a buffering and infiltration facility for the municipality to collect rainwater from the fire station," Hakkens said.