Caisson Construction

Port of Piraeus, Greece

Slipformed Caisson

Slipformed caissons for the West Pier 3 expansion, Port of Piraeus, Greece – 2016

40 large concrete caissons were slipformed for the Port of Piraeus, West Pier 3 expansion project, just south of Athens. The individual caisson boxes were built on a large, semi-submersible barge. After slipforming was completed, the barge was lowered into the water and the caissons floated away to their final locations. The overall caisson dimensions are 24.8 m x 13.1 m, with a height of 19.5 m. The wall thickness varies between 0.3 m and 0.4 m.

Vertical slipform construction is eminently suited for offshore and marine structures because of the high degree of durability that can be achieved with the slipform process. There are no construction joints because slipforming is a continuous process that does not stop until the structure is completed. There is also no need for form ties and rebar bolsters when using this construction method, resulting in an extremely durable structure.

Gleitbau GmbH was hired by J/V Routsis S.A. – Tekal S.A. to provide the equipment and supervision for the slipform operation, including the geometry control. Work is expected to be completed in 2016. Gleitbau is an industry leading slipform company and works on projects all over the world, including North America.

Slipformed Caisson

Aerial view of the slipform operation, taking place on top of a semi-submersible barge.

Silos Slipformed

Gagarin Factory, Russia

Gagarin Silos Russia 2015

Silos for the Gagarin Factory in Russia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This silo work for the Gagarin Factory in western Russia was completed in late 2015. The winter conditions were not a problem for the slipforming operation as the slipform platform is very compact and can be readily heated and shielded from the elements. Note the openings and block-outs in the walls, which are easily created by inserting custom wood frames into the slipform setup as it climbs upwards. The tallest silo has a height of 26.5 m.

Gleitbau GmbH was hired by Egger Holzwerkstoffe Brilon GmbH & Co KG for slipforming the silo shells. Gleitbau is an industry leading slipform specialty contractor with over 50 years of experience in this type of construction. The company works all over the world from its base in Salzburg, Austria. For more information, please contact Michael Veegh.

Conical Chimney

Taean, South Korea

Conical Chimney in Taean, South Korea

Conical Chimney in Taean, South Korea

Completed in 2014, this conical chimney stands 146 m / 479 ft tall. The bottom diameter measures 32 m, the intermediate (minimum) diameter is 21 m and the top diameter is 27.3 m. This chimney is part of the STX Bukpyung Power Plant in South Korea.

The general contractor, Gangnae Co. hired Gleitbau GmbH for the slipforming of the chimney. Gleitbau supplied the customized slipform system and onsite supervision, including geometry control. This is one of dozens of chimneys built by Gleitbau. They are the only company in the world that routinely slipforms conical concrete structures such as this chimney.

Gleitbau GmbH is the technical leader in vertical concrete slipform construction, executing between 80 and 100 slipform projects every year. They work all over the world, including North America. Gleitbau typically supplies slipform equipment, engineering, geometry control and related heavy lifting services to general contractors. For more information, please contact Michael Veegh.

Hebron Main Shaft Completed

Hebron Main Shaft Slipforming Completed

Hebron Main Shaft Slipforming Completed In Under 4 Weeks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hebron Offshore Gravity Based Structure

Newfoundland, Canada. The main shaft of the platform was finished on December 22, 2015 and completed in under four weeks. The shaft is 153 ft / 47 m tall and has a base diameter of 115 ft / 35 m. To slipform the variable cross-section, a 200 ton truss system was required to guide the forms as they climbed upwards. The slipform system and construction supervision were supplied by Gleitbau GmbH, the leading slipform company in the world today. Slipforming operations continued around the clock to complete this very demanding project in record time and also under severe winter conditions.

The surface finish and concrete color came out exceptionally uniformly, as can be seen in the picture above. Hydraulic jacks were used to raise the form system every few minutes, by a few millimeters at a time. The jacks were attached to special climbing rods which were embedded in the concrete wall. Vertical lasers guided the slipform system as it moved upwards to construct the shaft. The custom-designed truss system that guided the forms transversely was also used as a work platform and storage area for rebar and post-tensioning materials. About 3000 tons of post-tensioning was installed in total in the concrete substructure.

Lower platforms suspended from the truss system were used for concrete finishing work. A third platform below the finishing platform provided a work area for survey activities as part of the geometry control operations. The platforms and flooring had to be re-worked repeatedly as the concrete walls  moved within the footprint of the truss system. This made for great logistical challenges as the steady supply of materials to the work point had to be maintained at all times.

Hebron Slipform Truss System Being Removed

Slipform Truss System Being Removed After Completing the Variable Geometry Shaft

Hebron Prepares For Main Shaft Slipforming

Hebron Gravity Based Structure

Newfoundland, Canada. As the year draws to a close, the KKC project team is making preparations for slipforming the main shaft of the Hebron GBS. This 35 m diameter shaft varies in cross-section from round at the bottom to approximately square on top. Thus, a highly specialized slipform system is required. Key to this system is the radial truss assembly seen below. It allows the slipform yokes and forms to move transversely as they glide upwards. The final result is the unique shape of the main shaft. This shape minimizes the drag below the waterline, but also offers a solid, square support on top, for the platform superstructure.

slipforming

The 200 ton slipform truss system being prepared for main shaft construction on the Hebron GBS.

slipforming

The slipform truss system being lowered onto temporary supports on top of the crude oil storage tanks in preparation for slipforming the main shaft, which varies in cross-section from round to square.

Slipforming such variable cross-sections represents a quantum leap in slipform technology. This technology was developed by Gleitbau GmbH, the only company in the world currently offering this capability. These systems are extensively engineered, as the truss assembly can weigh up to 200 tons.

slipforming

Computer model of the truss system for the crane lifting condition.

 

Slipforming Hebron Offshore GBS

Hebron Gravity Based Structure

The Hebron oil field off Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, will be developed using a stand-alone concrete gravity based structure (GBS). This GBS oil platform is built out of steel-reinforced, post-tensioned concrete using the slipforming method of construction. It is designed to withstand sea ice, icebergs, storms and offshore waves. Kiewit-Kvaerner Contractors, an equal partnership between Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co. and Kvaerner Canada Ltd. has been awarded a contract by ExxonMobil Canada for building this GBS. The contract is for the GBS design, procurement, construction and installation in approximately 93 m water depth.

slipforming

Below, the lower part of the GBS has left the dry dock and slipform work is progressing on the crude oil storage tanks. The slipforming of the 35 m diameter main shaft will start towards the end of 2015. slipforming