As a specialist of structural systems and ground engineering, we provide bespoke solutions combining design and methods, in-house systems and project execution for the construction of transport infrastructure worldwide.
Ground engineering, post-tensioning, heavy lifting…: discover our solutions to cater for a complex architecture, difficult site conditions, accelerated schedules and more.
Industrial & energy-producing structures
As a specialist of structural systems and ground engineering, we provide bespoke solutions combining design and methods, in-house systems and project execution for the construction of industrial and energy-producing structures worldwide.
We deliver bespoke inspections, preservation plans and maintenance operations to manage the ageing of structures and optimize their safety, durability and asset value.
As specialists of structural components, we specialise in the repair or replacement of parts of an asset that are essential to guarantee continued safe use. The repair or replacement of parts of an asset due to structural deterioration is essential to maintain or reinstate it in a condition that guarantees continued safe use. As specialists of structural components, VSL helps owners and asset managers to define a tailored-made solution balancing cost, safety, continuity of service, performance and durability.
We offer structural modification solutions to accommodate new uses or requirements that help maintain a structure’s value, comply with the latest design codes and safety recommendations or answer to new needs.
Bridges and viaducts are key infrastructure that have an impact on the economic and social development of a city, region and even an entire country. They require the expertise of a design, construction and maintenance specialist to ensure their stability and durability. Since 1956, VSL is specialized in bridge construction and has contributed to thousands of bridges and viaducts worldwide offering a diverse range of solutions from post-tensioning to full building, which can be combined to create bespoke packages or applied as standalone services.
Ground investigation
Ahead of a bridge construction project, it is vital to investigate and assess the ground properties in order to locate faults, groundwater and large fissures with soft infill materials. This information is crucial for a successful project execution as it dictates the choice of methods, the programme, the resources needed and the project costs. Ground investigation is especially important to guarantee solid foundations of structures subject to high loading such as bridges.
The improvement of ground properties guarantees solid foundations and therefore, improved stability, durability, and increased success of construction works. Ground improvement also reduces the cost of foundation works.
Ground improvement methods include:
Soil consolidation techniques such as grouting, jet grouting, vibro-compaction, stone columns, soil mixing
Environmental protection such as slurry walls and curtain grout
Temporary consolidation such as curtain wall by ground freezing
Dewatering
Drainage and preloading to consolidate compressive soils
By transferring loads deep into the ground to competent soils or rock, these structural elements, encompassing the piles and pile caps, improve the stability and durability of bridges.
Each bridge is built within environmental constraints, and with a given schedule and budget. Being an expert in deck erection and bridge construction, VSL helps to determine and set up the best method, from a deep and 360° analysis of challenges through to the engineering, detailing and methods, the design and supply of specialised equipment, and the project execution on site.
Active structural reinforcement systems and solutions that offer flexibility in the design of bridges, optimise the construction process and drastically improve sustainability and safety of the structures. VSL is an industrial pioneer of this technology and stands at the forefront of innovation and worldwide standards.
In the early fifties, post-tensioning systems for the pre-stressing of concrete was developed by specialists such as VSL in Switzerland. Very quickly, this revolutionized the design and construction of concrete bridges.
Bearings design, supply & installation for bridge construction
Vital components that provide a resting surface between the bridge deck and its piers, and allow controlled movement and rotation by the bridge, by transferring concentrated forces from one structural member to another one – thereby reducing stress. We tailor-design and fabricate them to meet requirements specific to each structure.
Joints design, supply & installation for bridge construction
Key elements of a bridge structure that allow for bridge deck movement and expansion by absorbing horizontal, vertical and oblique movements. They are critical components that ensure a comfortable surface continuity for the road traffic, and require quality supply and installation services as well as rigorous inspections and maintenance.
Stay cables are the optimum solution for spans or cantilevers between 100 to 500 metres and exposed to severe loadings and environments. VSL is a worldwide leader in stay cable solutions, and has developed versatile and modular solutions that are installed with minimum impact on site operations.
A game changing and revolutionary new technology that offers you the chance to permanently transform your cable-stayed bridge into a breathtaking and must-see attraction. Your bridge will become a giant screen – measuring several hundred meters and with several million pixels – that can project live shows, videos, advertisements and direct messages to the public, offering inhabitants and visitors alike a new kind of entertainment and interaction.
A range of protection solutions against external threats like fire or ice, protecting an asset from structural damage, as well as enhancing the safety of its users.
Fire protection
Our system meets the latest fire protection standards to protect stay cable systems from damage caused by fires, without compromising the bridge’s aesthetics. They can be installed during initial bridge construction or as a retrofit solution on existing structures.
Blast protection
This technology allows a bridge to withstand blast loading while preserving functionalities and mechanical performance.
DE-ICING
This systems mitigates the risks associated with ice accretion on stay cables. It can be installed during initial construction or as a retrofit solution on existing structures.
ANTI-SEISMIC PROTECTION
The dampening solution optimises structural strength and resistance to seismic and wind loading elements.
A monitoring scheme, including the integration of permanent or quasi-permanent sensor systems, which allows the collection and analysis of data to control and anticipate the structural behaviour and stability of a bridge, and optimise maintenance and repair interventions.
Bridge preservation, structural repairs and upgrading
Bridges and viaducts are critical links in transport infrastructure networks that need to remain in operation while ensuring users safety. The structural components ensuring their stability, such as stay cables, post-tensioned concrete or bearings, are subject to high stresses and exposed to harsh environments. It is therefore critical to preserve, repair and sometimes upgrade them in order to control their ageing and guarantee the structure’s stability.
As soon as it is built, your bridge is entering a long-term life cycle with evolving needs and continuous preservation, repairs and upgrading obligations.
Please note: We use cookies on our site to give you the best experience. Please accept these cookies, or change your settings here:
Cookie preferences
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
