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Shell construction of the "Güterplatz" light rail station has begun

The impressive excavation pit for the "Güterplatz" light rail station in Frankfurt am Main is making great progress as part of the U5 light rail extension to the Europaviertel district. The concreting of blocks 1.1. & 1.2 of the construction base was successfully completed in mid-June. As it was necessary to close the public road traffic area for the concreting, it was imperative that the work was completed before the start of the European Championships due to the complex traffic conditions. The team mastered the tight schedule with flying colors in a tight shift operation over two days.

The concreting of blocks 1.1. & 1.2 of the construction base was successfully completed in mid-June. 

 

© PORR

"Frankfurter Ton" requires groundwater depth relief

The construction pit in Frankfurt's city center is 180 meters long, as well as 30 meters wide and 24 meters deep on average. Construction work has been underway here since summer 2022 for the only underground light rail station, which is being built as part of the extension of the U5 light rail line to the new Europaviertel district. At the end of October 2023, the PORR team reached a major milestone in the overall contract: the completion of the shell of the tunnel, which was completed by the cut-and-cover tunnel and the ramp.

In the Güterplatz construction pit area, the deeper layers consist of impermeable "Frankfurt clay", which is interspersed in places with limestone banks that carry pressurized water. In order to counteract the high earth and water pressure on the diaphragm wall shoring, three reinforced concrete layers were constructed as well as a sub-concrete base with a stiffening effect. Below the base, the water pressure is specifically reduced with the help of pressure-relief lances and deep wells in order to prevent floating during the construction work. Groundwater containing sulphite is purified as part of the dewatering process before being discharged into the River Main.

Scheduled completion of the construction base in November 2024

Around 170,000 tons of excavated earth were removed from the construction pit. Excavation and construction of the base of the structure took place in sections. After reaching the final excavation depth of approx. 24 m, a clean layer (5-10 cm) as well as a 30 cm thick sub-concrete base were produced one after the other. This was followed by the approx. 2 meter thick construction base.

"The clean layer and sub-base must be installed to final depth no later than 4 weeks after the start of excavation. The rainy May really put our excavation schedule to the test due to the special soil conditions. Fortunately, however, the team mastered the challenge with flying colors and shoulder to shoulder," says PORR project manager Joachim Loos. A total of approx. 500 tons of reinforcement as well as approx. 2200 m³ of concrete were installed in the 2nd quarter. Completion of the entire construction base is planned for November 2024.

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