HUESKER wins major contract for Airbus site in Hamburg

Airbus Hamburg - factory extension using geosynthetics

HUESKER is participating as a major sub-contractor in the expansion of EADS Airbus GmbH's plant in Hamburg. The geosynthetics manufacturer from Gescher in Germany's Westphalia is to supply for the land development programme around one million linear metres of "Ringtrac®" type reinforcement sleeving, along with matching Comtrac® (tensile strength up to 1,000kN/m) for the necessary horizontal reinforcement. The sand piles being installed are to be encased in high-tensile material, so not only will the earthworks and foundation work for the plant extension be completed with the utmost efficiency, but more important still, the work will be highly acceptable in environmental terms.

The geosynthetics-encased sand piles are part of a pile-like load-bearing system that provides economical embankment foundations on low load-bearing subsoils. The system was originally developed by construction company Möbius-Bau. The sand piles are arranged in a pre-determined grid pattern, and the embankment erected above is provided with additional horizontal reinforcement. As a result, the load imposed by overlying buildings and structures during settlement is transmitted right down to the load-bearing sub-grade.

The Ringtrac® geosynthetic sleeve limits the expansion of the sand piles into the surrounding soft ground by providing controlled radial support. As a result the piles can carry a greater load, and can also be installed in extremely soft ground conditions. Consolidation settlement is largely limited to the actual construction period.

Geosynthetics - only defined quality permitted

Choosing the right geosynthetic material is of the utmost importance to the safety and quality of the construction process. The Ringtrac® geosynthetic sleeves being installed are produced specifically for the project with tensile strengths from 100 - 400kN/m in annular direction and a precisely defined behaviour in extension, dependent on the required pile strength, grid arrangement, pile diameter, and the properties of the soft subsoil surrounding the piles.

EADS Airbus GmbH investing around one billion Deutschmarks

EADS Airbus GmbH has welcomed the Higher Administrative Court's decision to approve their plant expansion in Hamburg, as it fires the first shot for a billion mark investment project. To quote the Chairman of the Board of EADS Airbus GmbH, Hans-Joachim Gante, highlighting once again the great industrial significance of the A380 Programme, 'EADS Airbus will not be the only ones to profit from producing the A380. This new aircraft programme has a life of at least thirty years ahead of it, providing a long-term perspective for sub-contractors as well as service providers'.

Gante reports that EADS Airbus are to invest about one billion Deutschmarks in the construction of the A380 shopfloors, buildings and associated infrastructure. Because the international schedule is tight, the work must start without delay. The planned compensation areas of almost twice the size of the actual construction site will more than make up for any temporary interference with the site environment, while building work is in progress.

'Our ability to begin the construction of the first A380 shopfloor by 1 November of this year is absolutely critical for us as aircraft manufacturers', continues Gante. The following are the scheduled milestones for production of the A380: assembly to begin in 2003, prototype flight in 2004, shipment of the first plane in quarter one, 2006.