In the first construction phase, 10,000 m2 of a total site area of 15,000 m2 will be built on
Prior to the actual specialised foundation engineering work, the site had to be cleared. Among other things, foundations, piles and a sheet pile wall had to be demolished and disposed of. In total, the Seevetal team constructed around 1,550 m² of double back-anchored soldier pile walls, 850 m² of shotcrete infill, 10,800 m of temporary grouted anchors, 400 m² of pressed and back-anchored sheet pile walls, 1,148 partial displacement bored piles for the deep foundation and 130 m of back-anchored bored pile wall to Petersenkai at Baakenhafen. The latter required particular care, as micropiles for back-anchoring the quay walls protrude into the construction area and there was a risk of collisions. Other work included the manual underpinning of a deep-founded neighbouring building as well as the excavation and disposal of around 65,000 m³ of soil by the consortium partner.
Groundwater level depends on the tide
The cultural centre of attraction at TIDE will be Europe's largest, partially underground museum for digital art with a gross floor area of up to 6,500 m2. Around 10,100 m² of living space for students and trainees will be built above the exhibition rooms, which will be up to 10 metres high, on construction site 115. Another residential tower is being built on the neighbouring construction site 113, which is connected to a meandering block of two individual buildings by a plinth. All the buildings have one thing in common: a spectacular view of the water. The proximity to the water is also what makes specialised civil engineering work in HafenCity such a challenge. "When it came to dewatering, we had to take into account the fluctuating groundwater level due to the tidal range of the Elbe," explains branch manager Karl Thöne.
"Everything from a single source" guarantees adherence to deadlines and high quality
PORR Spezialtiefbau can also score points on this project by providing all services from a single source. The work is carried out more efficiently and without unnecessary interface losses. Nevertheless, the coordination of six different trades working simultaneously in the excavation pit remained a challenge despite all the experience. In addition, there were high requirements for emission protection. Vibrations and ramming of load-bearing elements are ruled out in HafenCity. For this reason, the soldier piles were placed in pre-drilled holes to prevent vibrations and shocks and to protect residents from unnecessary noise.
The completed excavation pit for the first section was handed over at the beginning of 2024 and the construction cranes have been erected. Construction can now begin at height.
