- Civil Engineering
- Geotechnical
- Site Supervision
- Structural Engineering
Scope
Large-scale project on the Kiel Canal – under tidal conditions, insularity, challenging soil conditions and during ongoing lock operation.
The Kiel Canal between Brunsbüttel and Kiel, Germany is linking the North and Baltic Seas avoiding the detour via the Kattegat for shipping and makes a significant contribution to cost and CO2 avoidance. This advantage makes the Kiel Canal the busiest artificial waterway in the world, which must be kept in constant operation. Locks on both sides of the canal make it independent of tidal influences.
The lock system at Brunsbüttel forms the western entrance. It consists of the small double locks dating from 1895 and the large double locks built in 1914. Both sets of locks require extensive restoration. To maintain shipping operation during this period, a decision was taken to construct an additional large lock chamber. Alongside the new 5th lock chamber required, the outer port on the Elbe side needed to be adapted, the lock island converted, and the main line of the dyke integrated with the new setting.
Approach
Already in 2008 WTM Engineers together with our partner IRS, got contracted to perform the conceptual design assessing different options optimising the width and length of the lock chamber and the filling and emptying concept considering aspects regarding economics, approvability, construction methods, nautical and structural feasibility.
Especially the transport of material from the island (1,9 mio m³ soil) and to the island (all kinds of building material) by ship under consideration of the regular shipping traffic required a sophisticated work schedule which was driving the overall construction time schedule and phasing.
Based on the conceptual design the plan approval application was elaborated resulting in the plan approval procedure, including the participation in a vast public hearing procedure.
Based on the conceptual design and the legitimate requirements of the plan approval the tender design and documents were elaborated and the contract negotiations accompanied.
Since than WTM Engineers and IRS are supervising the construction to ensure a high-quality execution.
The long-term and continuous involvement in the construction project enables in-depth project knowledge, minimises interface losses and provides the client with reliable support in this complex project.
Outcome
The new lock chamber is 360 x 45 m in size suitable for ships with up to 11 m draught.
The lock heads are made as concrete structures in a dry excavation pit. The lock gates at these heads are designed as sliding gates, which are mounted on a lower gate carriage and attached to a gate superstructure.
Building construction is affected by the confined space on the lock island between the existing locks and by the tides. There are high structural requirements because of challenging soil conditions and high-water pressure on the deep construction pits. Complex construction-site logistics are necessary to maintain ongoing lock operations, ensure flood protection, clear potential UXO areas, and reconstruct the lock island by removing and disposing of some 1.9 million m³ of soil.
The new lock chamber will ensure continuous shipping traffic in the Kiel Canal, allowing the existing locks to be completely overhauled.
Image 1 copyrights used: Carsten Bernot
