Hydraulic drives for land tunnel formwork 'The Green Arch'

Hydraulic system technology

Within the GWW, hydraulics have become indispensable. In addition to powering mobile vehicles such as shovels, cranes and excavators, hydraulics are at the heart of countless other machines. For mobile machines, but also for stationary drives such as high-pressure jack systems and concrete formwork. Hydroton from De Meern (Utrecht) specializes in customized hydraulic drives for various applications in all technical sectors. The focus is on stationary electro-hydraulic drives.

"In the past, Hydroton concentrated mainly on designing and building electro-hydraulic power units, cylinders and control units. Today the focus is more on complete hydraulic systems and turn-key solutions." Speaking is Paul Plomp, director of operations at Hydroton. "The demand for our expertise and solution capability has continued to increase in recent years. Our service technicians are now more often connecting and commissioning extensive production lines in industry and complete drives for locks and bridges in the civil sector."

Expertise and resolve

Hydroton applied its expertise to the design of the Rottemer Tunnel for the A16 Rotterdam freeway. A challenging project, because how do you efficiently pour "on the job" such a 2.2-kilometer-long tunnel? Plomp: "Thanks to our years of experience in the concrete sector, we were asked to help think about a solution in the field of drive technology for contractor combination De Groene Boog. It quickly became clear that various concrete molds had to be designed that can be hydraulically moved as well as adjusted in height and width. This allows the customer to independently pour the tunnel sections on site in 25-meter-long slabs. Several concrete formworks were built, each specifically to pour walls and tunnel roofs." Hydroton designed the hydraulic drive for each formwork with two ring pipes for oil supply. Thanks to a smart CAN bus connection, each function is connected to the central control system that can be operated remotely.

Extensive experience in concrete construction

In 2012, Hydroton supplied similar hydraulic drives for "De Groene Loper," the double-deck land tunnel in the A2 through Maastricht, topped by the N2 provincial road. "We provide turn-key custom solutions, where the entire installation drives, lifts, slides and aligns by means of hydraulic power units, locking nut jacks, double-acting cylinders and electro-hydraulic drives. Electronic control and operation is carried out with remote controls and controllers developed by Hydroton. Our specialists also take complete care of on-site connection, maintenance and troubleshooting in order to relieve the customer of any worries," said Plomp.

Specialist in custom hydraulics

Hydroton is also active in other branches within the GWW. For example, the company also excels in hydraulic drives for prestressing rebar, such as in bridges, viaducts, hollow-core slabs and piles. Furthermore, Hydroton supplies ingenious jacking systems and produces jacks with a working pressure of 700 bar in-house. In addition, motion mechanisms of movable bridges and locks are designed and commissioned.

"With a team of 30 technicians, we work daily on the sales, engineering, production and commissioning of hydraulic systems, installations and components in all technical sectors. In addition, we provide good old-fashioned service and maintenance support. We are curious what challenge you have for us!"