Concrete specialist tests latest generation of joint crossings

Major bridge maintenance

The multi-year maintenance of 360 artworks in the province of Limburg, installation of joint transitions project IJssel bridges and the maintenance of all artworks within the Integral Major Maintenance region East. Three major current projects in which Technobeton is deploying its specialty: concrete repair and renovation, and installation of joint crossings. Works Manager Sjoerd van Geene tells more about the latest generation of jointing bridges and how they applied the sustainable working method for the first time in the maintenance project in Limburg. 

The Netherlands has countless small and large bridges, viaducts, roads, railroad crossings and concrete structures. Exactly the works of art for which the people of Technobeton apply their craftsmanship and expertise. "On average we do 200 projects on an annual basis, including 10 very large projects such as the multi-year maintenance contracts of the Department of Public Works," says Sjoerd van Geene. "In principle, we work throughout the country, but our focus is on Limburg, Brabant and the Randstad." A good and current example of a major maintenance contract commissioned by BAM for Rijkswaterstaat is the Integral Major Maintenance Region East (IGO East). In the context of future-proof highways, major maintenance is being carried out on all national highways in the eastern Netherlands, including major arteries such as the A50, A15, A12, N35, N18 and N46. "On the entire A50 route, we provide maintenance from A to Z of all the engineering structures. That is, renovation, repair of all concrete structures except the asphalt."

Sustainable approach in Limburg

A similar project in terms of size, is the maintenance of some 360 structures in the province of Limburg. Here Technobeton is responsible for the maintenance of bridges, viaducts and culverts. It is doing this in partnership with Dura Vermeer. What is special about this project is the plan of action. "Previously, we first carried out an inspection, a recommendation rolled out from that and based on the final agreements we planned the work. Now we do it differently. Beforehand, we agreed with Dura Vermeer and the Department of Public Works which damages had to be addressed anyway. Simultaneously with the execution of these smaller repair works, we inspect any larger damage. We do advise on the latter prior to repair. This way of working is much more efficient. It saves time and therefore money. We also do not have to return for most of the repairs, which saves on transport. Moreover, we do the small-scale work including inspection with electric transport and tools. So it is also a lot more sustainable."

Joint transitions project IJssel bridges

In the other current project, the A12 IJssel bridges, Technobeton is involved in replacing the joint crossings. The A12 IJssel bridges east of Arnhem handle nearly 125,000 vehicles daily, including much heavy freight traffic. The A12 IJssel bridges consist of one concrete bridge for traffic heading west and two steel bridges. 

Precisely because of the heavy freight traffic, these are specialized multiple joint crossings that are larger and heavier than standard joint crossings. The heavier joint crossings are due to the fact that they are larger bridges that shrink and expand more, resulting in larger joint dilations. In addition, Technobeton performs concrete repair work on the undersides of the bridges. Joint transitions are an important specialty of Technobeton. For this Technobeton has an exclusive partnership with Mageba for the Dutch market. Mageba is a global manufacturer of very high-quality expansion joints, overlays, structural bearings, seismic protection and health monitoring systems. Together they have developed, among other things, the TENSA GRIP TB R LS, an innovative low-noise joint transition construction. Characteristic of the TENSA GRIP TB R LS joint transition is its long service life and relatively simple installation. 

New generation of joint crossings

However, this latest generation of joint crossings is not long in coming, as Technobeton, in cooperation with the Department of Public Works, is now in the final stages of approval. "The new generation of joint transitions is still made of steel, but it is lighter, smaller and also more durable. These joint crossings are even easier to (de)assemble and thus quick and easy to replace."

Rock-solid foundation: professionals

But the main strength of Technobeton is in its people. That's where the knowledge and skill is. Van Geene: "We have real specialists at work with a lot of experience and knowledge of concrete. Not only those who perform the repairs and renovations, but also the concrete maintenance experts who are responsible for the inspections and advice to our clients. They look not only at how to repair the damage, but especially at the cause of the damage, so that measures can be taken for this as well."