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With its specialist knowledge and techniques, Freyssinet has already solved many structural concrete problems in construction and infrastructure projects. From galleries and parking garages to bridges and viaducts, concrete problems, but certainly also problems with bearings, occur everywhere. Freyssinet specializes in repairing these and has developed various techniques for this purpose.
Freyssinet is a name that was originally known for prestressing and jacking techniques in concrete and steel structures. Nowadays, Freyssinet does much more. For the past ten years, the company has specialized in all kinds of solutions for repairing, reinforcing, and protecting concrete structures. “There is a great need for good solutions for concrete repair,” says Jurgen Jochims of Freyssinet Zuidwest BV.
The techniques that Freyssinet has at its disposal range from prestressing techniques and jacking structures to cathodic protection and applying coatings that provide protection and/or slip resistance. Freyssinet is keen to showcase its expertise in this area. “We carry out inspections, provide advice, and develop solutions, which we also implement. We can also include maintenance and monitoring in this,” says Jochims. In the civil engineering sector, the repair of bridges and viaducts is an important market for the company. This often requires concrete repair, but also the replacement of bearings, for example. “We have the various techniques for this in-house. We jack up the structure and supply and install the new bearings ourselves, but we can also replace the cables or hangers of a cable-stayed or suspension bridge, for example. We often make use of our internal international network, which covers all specialisms worldwide.”
Freyssinet has been involved in various well-known projects in recent years. For example, Paleis Het Loo stood on the company's jacks for two years, and Freyssinet was also involved in the renovation of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, using jacking techniques for the foundations.
In addition to these specialized renovation techniques, Freyssinet is an expert in designing and implementing specific construction methods that adequately address traffic disruption and/or structural challenges. One of the most striking projects in this range is currently the implementation of the Incremental Launching Method for two viaducts over Terbregseplein in Rotterdam.
In recent years, the company has also worked on the restoration of various parking garages. “In these cases, the columns and beams of the (prefabricated) structure are rigidly connected to each other and therefore exhibit various defects (such as cracking in the support lugs),” explains Jochims. “We usually find the solution in the application of various techniques, such as transferring the loads by jacking, applying carbon reinforcement, for example, and, of course, various concrete repairs. Freyssinet carries out all the work as a recognized and certified contractor.”
In the civil sector, Freyssinet works together with various specialized market parties in the SAmenwerkingsverband voor de VErvangings en Renovatie Aanpak (SAVERA), or Cooperation for Replacement and Renovation Approach. This consortium recently won the tender for the renovation of the Heinenoord Tunnel. Other companies operating under the Dutch Freyssinet banner include Freyssinet Southwest (including Tebecon), Freyssinet East (including Concreet and Conflex) and Concept Ingenieurs.
