The grandeur of the project requires huge amounts of formwork

Design and production of formwork requires customization

No less than 2,100 m² of panel formwork is required for the construction of the IJmuiden salt dam, in addition to a large package of climbing systems and a considerable number of custom-made formwork that must connect to the above-mentioned panel formwork. As partner for the supply of all standard and custom formwork, Van Hattum en Blankevoort called on the expertise of Construx.

The Belgian company Construx is responsible for building and supplying all formwork systems. Director Construx Netherlands Herry van Houten: "The beauty of our work is that no project is the same. We always have to start from scratch to reach the final solution together with the client." The formwork designed and supplied by Construx was needed, among other things, for one of the most important parts of the salt dam: the pillars. These two pillars are 27.5 meters high and weigh just under 3,000 tons. The piers also have a special shape, namely an oval front. This oval front will be on the east side, which is the canal side of the Binnenspuikanaal. The oval front ensures that the water flows more easily past the piers to the Spui and Pumping Station IJmuiden. Herry: "The design team of Van Hattum and Blankevoort figured out the concrete shape. Based on this, our engineers designed the formwork shape. Given the dimensions of the salt dam, we are soon talking about large quantities of formwork. We also have in-house production of the formwork systems. Engineering, production and project management, everything is done in-house and from one of our sites in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Romania."

Versatile in formwork

In addition to custom formwork for the construction of the salt dam, Construx Rental supplies standard panel formwork (Tricon and Conflex formwork) on a rental basis. "We will take these back later to be used for the next project. We also supplied the necessary platforms for this. The custom formwork is being erected by our own people, the assembly of the standard panel formwork, on the other hand, is in the hands of Van Hattum and Blankevoort." The construction of the salt dam is right up Construx's alley. Indeed, the company is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of formwork systems and precast molds for concrete elements, both for use on the construction site and in the prefabrication hall. Among other things, it has supplied formwork for the quay wall in Rotterdam's Amaliahaven, for the storm surge barrier wall in Wenduine, Belgium, and for the development of the Ede-Wageningen railway station area. These are just a few of the many projects Construx is involved in and which also immediately reflect the company's versatility and expertise. In addition to its parent company in Belgium, it has a branch in the Netherlands. Since September, the company has expanded further by acquiring German company Weckenmann, the carousel and machine builder for the precast concrete industry.

Intensive cooperation

Construx has been working with Van Hattum en Blankevoort for years. Herry: "We've done many beautiful and interesting projects together. Especially the non-standard projects are the most challenging, because you work together intensively for a longer period of time. As a result, we know each other well, the lines of communication are short, we can switch quickly and therefore also provide the best suitable solution. Construx would like to thank Van Hattum en Blankevoort once again for the trust they have placed in the various divisions of Construx."