Pile foundations for sugar silos, Kalkar-Appeldorn

Pfeifer & Langen is planning the construction of two new sugar silos on its Kalkar-Appeldorn site in Rhineland. Around 9000 t of sugar beet are processed there every day. PORR was commissioned to lay the foundations using FRANKI PILE NG® piles. Franki implemented 309 FRANKI PILE NG® piles with a diameter of 71 cm, and a length of 14.0 m.

Heavy alternating loads

During set-up, the alternating loads had to be taken into consideration through the uneven filling of the sugar silos, as well as the silo level, which was 4 m higher than in the surrounding ones. The upper part of the subsoil contains several metres of fillings, sandy loam and silt, which have an insufficient carrying capacity. In order to meet the high requirements regarding implementation, a pile foundation was necessary. Good resistance settlement and the possibility of adapting to changing ground conditions were also essential when selecting the pile system.

To meet the high requirements, FRANKI PILE NG® piles were used, and were implemented in the underlying, densely layered sand and gravel. Once the first silo had been completed, the earth excavation began, and so the production of the other piles had to be adjusted accordingly. Static and dynamic test loads were applied, to check the load-carrying capacity and resistance settlement of the piles. All loads met the specified criteria.

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