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Low carbon: unveiling two new Environmental Product Declarations šŸƒ

Insights that matter: elevating benchmarks

The EPDs provide invaluable insights into the carbon footprints of VSL products, exemplifying our unwavering dedication to sustainable practices. By empowering our clients with essential information, we are fostering a culture of informed decision-making and promoting environmentally conscious choices.

Internationally recognized validation

The VSL EPDs, officially released under The International EPDĀ® system, undergo rigorous scrutiny. This validation upholds the commitment to openness, reliability, and compliance with the highest environmental standards.

GC Anchorage: Leading the Way with a GWP of 2.24 kg CO2/kg

Embarking on the path to achieve a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2.24 kg CO2/kg for VSL GC Anchorage, specifically tailored for our multistrand post-tensioning system, involved a detailed scrutiny of manufacturing processes and an extensive analysis of material sourcing. Through data-driven analysis and a holistic approach, we identified opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, setting a precedent for sustainable practices.

PT-PLUSĀ©: Unveiling a GWP of 3.08 kg CO2/kg

Similar efforts resulted in an EPD for the VSL PT-PLUSĀ® duct system, which is used for internal bonded tendons. The EPD is revealing a GWP of 3.08 kg CO2 per kilogram of product. This transparent disclosure underscores our collective commitment to address climate change and promote sustainable construction practices.

Instruments for change: Beyond mere documents

These EPDs are not just documents; they are instruments for change. They provide clear, quantifiable data, contributing to our collective pursuit of a more sustainable future.

Embracing a sustainable Tomorrow

Armed with insights from these EPDs, VSL is embarking on a continuous improvement plan. We are committed to reducing environmental impacts by incorporating recycled materials, harnessing renewable energy sources, and refining manufacturing processes for optimal efficiency.

#EnvironmentalResponsibility #Sustainability #EPD #VSLInternational #GreenInnovation

Two New Environmental Product Declarations

GC anchorages. kg CO2/ anchorage

PT-PLUSĀ© duct system. kg CO2/ m

Featured

šŸŽ„ Bearing Replacement: a critical maintenance operation that requires specialized techniques šŸƒ

However, this intervention is not without its challenges: not all bridges are designed for easy maintenance, and they often have not been detailed to allow replacement. A bridge bearing might encounter several pathologies such as deformation, corrosion, concrete damage….

Key engineering challenges of such an intervention

The success of the whole operation hinges on a strategic integration of methods, access, and equipment.
This specialized maintenance undertaking necessitates the following key considerations:

  • Ensuring deck fixity.
  • Checking Structure for Different Loading Points
  • Providing Adequate Clearance for Various Works, including bearing removal and installation, concrete demolition and reconstruction works.
  • Developing a method and access plan for the bearing replacement operation, including specialised temporary works, and jacks handing operations.
  • Ensuring proper filling of new plinths.

Technical solutions and jacking systems

Many factors are taken into account, in particular:

1. Bearing Selection: Each bearing is meticulously designed to meet project-specific requirements and location constraints, considering variables such as vertical and horizontal loads, rotation, and more.

2. Jacking system considerations: jacks are meant to transfer the loads, lift the bridge and create space for the operation. The type, number, and location of jacks are determined by loads and spatial constraints. Jacking systems can range from simple setups to sophisticated computerized hydraulic systems with a multitude of connected jacks, allowing for individual control of stroke and force.

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šŸŽ„ Extending the life of your structure: external post-tensioning as a fast-track and durable solutionšŸƒ

šŸ’” Why Choose External Post-Tensioning?

  • Rapid Strengthening: Boost your structure’s bending capacity quickly and efficiently.
  • Active Strengthening: Unlike passive techniques, external post-tensioning becomes immediately active, ensuring durability.
  • Non-Invasive & Efficient: Minimize disruptions to traffic during the strengthening process.

🌱 Benefits at a Glance

  • Durability Priority: Easy inspections and low maintenance for long-term reliability.
  • Design & Build Approach: Smart detailing for swift on-site operations.
  • Step-by-Step Process: From assessment to immediate strengthening.

Key engineering challenges of such an intervention

External post-tensioning, situated outside the concrete surface and implemented within or outside the box girder, offers a unique approach to strengthening structures. Connected to the anchorage blocks of the structure, it introduces a compression force that significantly boosts the structure’s bending capacity and contributes to shear strengthening.

Distinguishing itself from other techniques like section enlargement or carbon-fiber strengthening, external post-tensioning stands out as an active strengthening method. Unlike all other techniques that are passive – meaning they only become effective under additional loads, external post-tensioning immediately becomes active upon applying compression force, eliminating the need to clear or divert traffic during or before implementation.

Non-Invasive Efficient Deployment

With its ability to provide active strengthening in an efficient and non-invasive manner, external post-tensioning emerges as an optimal solution, minimizing disruptions to traffic during the strengthening process.

Prioritizing Durability

In any structure-strengthening endeavor, durability is paramount. External post-tensioning excels in this aspect, offering ease of inspections and low maintenance of post-tensioned cables. Its efficiency and durability make it a preferred choice to reinforce structures, enhancing serviceability and inspectability over the long term.

Design & Build Approach

External post-tensioning aligns seamlessly with a design & build approach, carefully considering construction constraints to arrive at an optimum solution. Smart detailing from the initial design phase, incorporating considerations such as access, weight limits, and more, enhances constructability for swift on-site operations.

The implementation process involves four key steps:

  1. Scanning, mapping, and marking : thoroughly assessing the structure and marking critical points for intervention.
  2. Preparation of the existing surface: ensuring the surface is ready for the post-tensioning process.
  3. Blister assembly: including anchorages and deviators in a meticulous construction process.
  4. PT tendon installation and stressing: the final step, activating the external post-tensioning system for immediate strengthening.

In summary, external post-tensioning offers a comprehensive solution that not only fortifies structures quickly and efficiently but also ensures their longevity, making it a preferred choice for a wide range of structures.

Featured

How to tackle PT Tendon inspection & maintenance ? šŸƒ

Some challenges of intervening with post-tensioned tendons are high forces, not being able to see the corrosion and ensuring safety. With an increased interest in preserving existing bridges, the guarantee of well-inspected and well-maintained tendons becomes even more critical.

This requires:

  • Proficiency in understanding the diverse pathologies affecting post-tensioned (PT) tendons, including voids, soft rout, chloride-induced corrosion, etc.
  • The ability to accurately diagnose PT tendon pathologies using cutting-edge Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques tailored to post-tensioning. These techniques encompass endoscopy, tapping, magnetic flux, acoustic emission, and others.
  • Specialized expertise in implementing targeted repair techniques, specifically for duct repair, void filling, external tendon replacement, and other relevant procedures.

A variety of NDT and repair techniques are available, and it is essential to find the one that is best applicable to the structure’s condition and the post-tensioning system.

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šŸŽ„ Why consider maintenance operations from design stage ?šŸƒ

šŸ‘‰ How do we anticipate bridge operations from the design stage?
The approach covers four aspects:

  • The durability of the bridge so that your structure can last longer.
  • The enablement of efficient inspections and maintenance of the structure.
  • The monitoring to extend the designed life or the service life of the structure.
  • The facilitation for future adaptations and change of use.

1. Durability mostly relies on the choice of the right systems. Among others, VSL offers a unique type of external multistrand post-tensioning systems  that include individually protected and restressable strands, and that consider monitoring and inspections’ constraints.

Combined with the design scheme of the structure, the tendon protection strategy introduced by the Fib in 2005 is also key to define the adequate corrosion protection of a post-tensioning tendon over its lifecycle. The Fib setup three protection levels – PL1, PL2, and PL3 – that enable monitoring. The adequate protection level can be defined according to the environmental aggressiveness to which the structure is exposed to, and the protection layer that the structure can provide around the tendon.

Investing in the right corrosion protection system represents only a small percentage of the overall cost of the construction of a bridge, but it’s even a smaller fraction of the cost that you might have to pay for a major repair intervention or an adaptation.

2. Inspections and maintenance cover a wide range of challenges. This is why a system easy to inspect and maintain, with components easy to access (such as tendons) is crucial. One should not forget to think about accessibility from the design stage.

3. Monitoring is also a hot topic. It’s about collecting the right data at the right time to make sure we can operate maintenance operations just when the structure needs it. For example, VSL has developed the grout void sensor to ensure that tendons are not at risk to become corroded. Another example is acoustic monitoring which allows to keep track of the level of corrosion and see if it is accelerating or not. VSL provides the systems integrated with monitoring.

4. Lastly, the change of use and adaptability is a key challenge for the sector as many ageing concrete bridges have not been designed to be strengthened. At VSL, we regularly come up with solutions to strengthen and extend the designed service life of an existing structure such that we don’t need to build a new one. With new build structures, the advantage is that you can already take this into account.

It is likely that a bridge will have a change of use over its service life, that it will need to be strengthened or have tendons replaced. If you take into account, right from design stage, that tendons must be easily replaced or restressed, then you could, for example, add separate tendons that are not yet filled, but can be useful in the future when there is a change of use – to strengthen the existing structure, extend its lifecycle and prevent a new build.

Featured

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil: a reduction of nearly 98% of CO2 emissions on the HS2 project, UK šŸƒ

HVO has the same calorific value as standard diesel and is in line with the stringent requirements of the equipment manufacturers. It reduces the NOx emissions by 30% (the nitrogen oxides NO and NO2, which are significant components of harmful air pollution) as well as PPM by 86% and CO2e by more than 90%.

However, low supply makes it hardly accessible to all countries and is likely to be a higher price point than diesel – approx. 10%. Besides, it can be made from virgin oils and can be associated with deforestation.

Manuela Carreiras, VSL Environmental Engineer on the HS2 project in the UK, explained: ā€œWe consulted with our supplier before deciding to use this specific type of fuel. We checked the provenance certificate, which provided details about the origin of the vegetables used to make the fuel. This information allowed us to confirm that it was not associated with any deforestation initiatives.ā€

The VSL teams involved in the HS2 project constructed 16 concrete panels that were approximately 34 meters deep. In addition, they built 181 barrettes with a depth of approximately 25 meters. To power their equipment, including hydraulic grabs, cranes, generators, MEWPs, and excavators, they solely used HVO fuel. According to Manuela Carreiras, ā€œThe use of HVO fuel resulted in a remarkable 98% reduction in CO2 emissions. The company only emitted about 11 tonnes of CO2e, compared to approximately 812 tons of CO2e if they had used diesel. This highlights the effectiveness of HVO fuel and it should definitely be considered in the future, once it becomes more affordable.

Featured

šŸŽ„ Launching gantries & lifting frames: Live monitoring for improved safety and productivity

Launching gantries and lifting frames are massive, costly and highly technical — and critical equipment for any bridge deck erection project. Any failure of this type of equipment can have drastic consequences for human lives and project programmes.

VSL and Bouygues Travaux Publics took advantage of the High-Speed Railway 2 (HS2) project in the United Kingdom to develop a smart solution combining sensors, data acquisition and live data management to closely monitor the launching gantry onsite, providing instantaneous data for operating and troubleshooting the equipment, also to generate automatic reports to monitor cycles and performance.

The sensors are numerous (video, GPS, loads, positioning, pressure, proximity sensors, anti-collision sensors…) and offer access to assess a wide range of data, which can be stored for long term use and also reported live via a detailed and user-friendly digital interface. This technology improves safety, provides accurate and systematic data, and is accessible everywhere, enabling teams to collaborate closely to monitor and improve productivity.

Data is also retained for future analysis, to assist with continuous improvement of performance.

Jean-Marie Laurens, Director of Civil Works Business Line, says:

“Until now, operators and engineers had to go onto the bridge deck and the launching gantry to gather all the data, which took a lot of time, increased the risk of accidents and was also prone to errors in the reading and reporting of data. This new technology brings a huge number of benefits and will now be used on all our projects.”

šŸŽ„ Watch the video below šŸ˜‰

Featured

šŸŽ„ Cable-Stayed Structures: automating bridge inspections

Stay cables can be damaged through mechanical action, exposure to the environment, or accidents.

Given the critical role of these cables in bridge safety, inspection and maintenance is crucial, but it is a time-consuming, costly and error-prone process that requires expert operators.

By combining an automated video-capturing robot that moves along the stay cable with an artificial intelligence algorithm and machine learning that can detect and classify defects on the cables from the videos, this novel solution makes the inspection process faster, accurate and safer.

Andreas Schwarz, Director of VSL Repair & Preservation Business Line, says:

“Mechanised, robotic inspection of cables coupled with machine learning algorithms has changed the way we inspect cables. Not only does it allow us to capture the entire length of the cable quickly and efficiently, but it also reduces the risk of accidents for our workers. The added benefit of the machine learning algorithm is that it automates the detection of damage, saving us countless hours of manual review by expert operators. This robot is set to transform bridge inspections, saving valuable time and resources while also enhancing safety.”

šŸŽ„ Watch the full video below:

Featured

VSL Spain: 320 solar panels to supply the factory with energyā˜€ļø

In Spain, where sun exposure is one of the highest in the European continent, VSL’s factory in Barcelona, has turned to photovoltaic energy to help reduce their electricity consumption and C02 emissions. A total of 320 solar panels were installed in April 2022 on the roofs of the factory for self-consumption.


This installation is bringing a saving of electricity from grid of 225 MWh/year, representing 16% of the total consumption of the year. After 7 months, 8,800 kg of CO2 have been saved over 55 tonnes annually emitted for electricity consumption.

Featured

PT Slabs: taking action towards reducing our carbon footprint šŸƒ

A strong commitment of VSL for 2023 is to keep taking real action towards reducing our carbon footprint and that of the structures we build or repair. Our experts make it a priority and they explore ways to build differently.

šŸ—ļø The embodied CO2 impact of a building structure is a significant part of a building construction’s carbon footprint. And the CO2 impact is mainly related to the construction of the floor.

āž”ļø In the video below, we have compared three solutions for cast-in-situ slabs for building construction: reinforced solid concrete flat slab, solid post-tensioned flat slab, and internally voided post-tensioned slab.

šŸ‘€ Check it out!

Featured

šŸ“½ļø VSoLĀ®: a Low-Carbon Solution šŸƒ

Climate change is the defining issue of our time, and everyone will have to do their part to limit its impact. At VSL, not only are we taking action to reduce our own carbon footprint, but we also build innovative solutions to reduce the one of the structures we build or repair.

Exploring ways to build differently, our experts have rolled up their sleeves and compared various solutions to identify the most efficient ones. In this video, we’ve compared three solutions for retaining earth walls, including gravity, cantilever and reinforced soil walls.

āž”ļø How do we reduce the carbon footprint of a retaining wallā“
āž”ļø Why is VSoLĀ® considered as a low-carbon solutionā“

šŸ‘‰ Answers in the video below!

Featured

HS2: DIVE INTO THE SPECIALIST SOLUTIONS DELIVERED BY VSL

For the past three years, VSL has been actively involved in the construction of HS2, a high-speed rail network that will connect London to the West Midlands, UK – with a further phase extending to Manchester and the East Midlands. To date, this is Europe’s largest infrastructure project.

šŸ‘· What are the specific solutions and expertise delivered by VSL on this magnificent project? Watch the video to dive into the unique and specialist offer of VSL, from tunnel engineering to bridge construction.

Featured

REACHING NET ZERO CARBON WITH GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Swaffham Prior is the first village in the UK to retrofit a renewable heating network into an existing community. Currently most of the residents in the village rely on oil to provide heating and hot water in their homes, the remaining use either electric or other alternative sources. Not only is oil a fossil fuel and carbon intensive, it contributes to local air pollution and makes the village more vulnerable to global challenges that can contribute to shortages and inflated oil prices.

The Bouygues Energies & Services team has been working to deliver this community heating system which will contribute towards Cambridgeshire County Council’s ambition of reaching Net Zero carbon by 2045 for Cambridgeshire, preserving the local environment and reducing the impacts of climate change.

Geothermal heating system: how does it work?

VSL, an expert in foundations and ground engineering, has undertaken the drilling of the deep boreholes required for the ground source heat array installation. Installing the necessary in-ground heat exchange pipes involved VSL mobilising up to 4 specialised drilling rigs controlled by highly skilled operators, whilst working together with the wider team to drill 20km of boreholes below ground, approximately 108 boreholes altogether. Less than the 130 boreholes originally estimated at the start of the project.

A U-shaped pipe has been installed which will enable the heat retained in the earth to be brought to the surface via a pump. The heat is then transferred to provide hot water and heating for homes and community buildings in the village. Green electricity will be supplied locally from a solar park in Cambridgeshire and together with the local ground heat will demonstrate how local energy supplies can be used for heating and hot water and help cut almost all operational carbon emissions in the process.

Key engineering challenges of such an intervention

Miles Messenger Head of Energy Performance Contracting at Bouygues Energies & Services said, ā€œThis project is an exceptional example of how a partnership between a forward-thinking local community, a committed local authority and Bouygues Construction can collaborate to deliver decarbonisation goals. It showcases technical, commercial, and social innovations, which should help to accelerate our transition to net zero carbon. We’re delighted to have had an opportunity to collaborate with our sister company VSL, who brought industry-leading expertise and much-needed capacity to deliver this complex ground-source borehole array installation.ā€

Sandro Gomes, Ground Engineering Manager at VSL Systems UK said, ā€œVSL UK is proud to have been involved in the Swaffham Prior project alongside Bouygues Energies & Services, which sees an entire community switching from heavy fuel oil to a decarbonised ground source heat network. We have reduced the CO2 emissions on the project by over 90% with our plant – boring holes measuring over 200m – running on hydrogenated vegetable oil instead of diesel. We are proud of our continued work in the renewable energy sector.ā€

Cllr Lorna Dupre, Chair of the Environment and Green Investment Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council said, “This project was envisioned by local residents and is the first of its kind in the county. We are very excited to be working with Bouygues to retrofit renewable heat into an existing community. The County Council’s Joint Administration has big ambitions to get to Net Zero by 2045 and working in partnership to decarbonise a village like Swaffham Prior will be a template for others to follow. As with any innovative project there will be challenges and learning along the way, and we are glad to have the technical expertise of Bouygues Energies & Services and VSL supporting us.”

Featured

HOW TO PROVIDE RELIABILITY AND DURABILITY TO WIND STRUCTURES?

Post-tensioning: an efficient structural reinforcement system for wind structures

Wind towers are subjected to continuous vibration-induced forces throughout their operational life. Concrete and hybrid towers have emerged as an alternative to traditional steel towers, thanks to their durability, stability and vibration control. Post-tensioned concrete offers an optimal resistance and durability, while reducing instability, to both onshore and offshore wind farms. As an expert in post-tensioning systems and their application in wind structures, VSL can fully optimize their incorporation into the overall project.

For onshore projects, we provide our external post-tensioning system designed specifically for wind towers, the E-WT system, a proprietary technology that has obtained a European Technical Approval (ETA). Made of multi-strand vertical tendons, it is a versatile and reliable post-tensioning system that maximizes the use of local resources and offers maximum flexibility, allowing re-stressing and de-stressing the tendons if necessary.

We have recently supplied and installed our external post-tensioning system on Gecama and Pestriz wind farms for Nordex in Spain.

We also develop reliable post-tensioning systems that ensure the structural behavior of offshore structures throughout their service life.

Our robust and unique technical solutions are perfectly suited to challenging installation environments, thanks to our optimized design and construction methods. We are notably involved in the Hywind Tampen project in Norway, the largest floating offshore wind farm, and responsible for the post-tensioning works of the semi-submersible concrete structures.

Meet us at WindEurope annual event from 5 to 7 April in Bilbao, Spain, to find out about our durable solutions to meet the specific needs of your projects.

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PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY: WE PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE YOUR STRUCTURES LAST

As a specialist contractor and an expert in the design, installation and maintenance of structural systems and technologies, VSL can assist owners and concession holders throughout the entire lifecycle of their assets.

VSL’s portfolio of techniques for repair, maintenance and functional improvements has grown constantly over the years. This has been possible thanks to the combination of our core capabilities with our ability to deliver innovation.

Our mission: extent the useful life of structures and ensure the safety of their users.

Our commitment: we are your partner able to provide innovative solutions as part of a comprehensive package adding true value to your project.

Repair solutions – Partnering with an expert

VSL delivers specialist construction services ranging from inspection, monitoring and condition assessment to implementation of preventative measures and major repair and retrofit schemes.

We offer a solution driven approach responding to your challenges. Here are some examples of how we can assist owners, operators and contractors:

All our teams and agencies in 20 countries have the required extensive expertise in specialist construction together with access to the worldwide VSL network to become your partner for preventive maintenance, repairs and upgrading. We draw on more than 60 years of international experience to deliver customised solutions, for even the most complex repair and maintenance interventions.

We’re ready to make your project possible!

 

Contact our team:

Featured

EMBRACING DATA SCIENCES TO BETTER PRESERVE AND REPAIR STRUCTURES

The construction industry has adopted later than other industries the latest technological trends, but it is now fully committed to succeed in its digital transformation and collecting the benefits of new technologies for the business. Thus, the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) emerges as an innovative method for the maintenance of transport infrastructures through the installation of multiple sensors collecting in real-time a large amount of data regarding their structural health.

As this technology is less applicable to existing bridges where the starting condition is often not known, VSL has decided to explore another path using big data concepts alongside machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). The critical and informed insight they can provide will allow to enhance the quality of condition assessments, increase warning times in case of major deterioration and ultimately help our clients to minimize maintenance costs while maximizing availability of the traffic network.

Under Bouygues Construction’s innovation programme, VSL has teamed up with the Chair in Construction 4.0 at Centrale Lille in France to research the use of these disruptive technologies with a particular focus on prestressed concrete structures, making use of existing consolidated data sources.

The objective is to develop a tool that can forecast the future evolution of the structure’s condition and hence help to guide decision making on predictive maintenance. A team of 4 researchers is working for a period of 2 years on the project working in close cooperation with VSL’s specialists.

Predictive maintenance: the value of data

The potential of big data is undeniable: it provides companies with a method to collect, analyze, and apply vast amounts of information to help solve problems and create added value for their clients. In the construction sector, it poses at the same time a significant challenge when it comes to collecting, sharing, structuring and using the data generated across the long life of bridges.

ā€œIn the coming years, one of the biggest challenges of the construction business will be how to create true value from data.ā€ Andreas Schwarz, VSL Repair & Preservation Manager.

As a specialist of structural systems and components, VSL has collected a lot of data over the years and the research team can leverage both internal and external data sources to build predictive models and improve the power and accuracy of their predictions.

The first step of the work consists of using artificial intelligence to detect deterioration patterns in consolidated bridge data collected from inspection reports, photos, non-destructive testing (NDT) results and general information.

The second part will lead to investigate and work on algorithms that can predict the evolution of these patterns over time to serve as a key differentiator in the repairs and preservation market.

ā€œThe application of IA to predict the sustainability of bridges is really important when the experience of the humanĀ knowledge in theory and in practice is taken into account.ā€ Professor Zoubeir Lafhaj,Ā Chairholder of the Chair in Construction 4.0 at Centrale Lille.

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HOW CAN POST-TENSIONING HELP DEVELOPING OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES IN DEEP WATERS?

Installed west of the city of Bergen, the 88 MW floating wind project is designed to supply electrical power to the nearby oil and gas platforms.
With 11 turbines, it will be the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm and a pilot project for the offshore wind power industry using concrete SPAR buoys. This technology is adapted to deep waters and allows to place the wind turbines far from the coast, where the wind is faster and steadier.
The use of concrete and the optimized construction process, with almost no maintenance, have allowed SPAR buoy foundations for offshore wind turbines to emerge as an efficient solution for deep water sites.

Vertical post-tensioning tendons for the Hywind Tampen project

VSL is contributing to this world-first: the company is responsible for the post-tensioning works of the semi-submersible concrete structures, consisting of tendons with up to 85m in length, installed offshore with no access along the cables.

In a harsh environment where the wind towers are subject to extreme loads imposed by the wind and the ocean (waves, currents, drifting ice blocks…), post-tensioned concrete offers optimal resistance and durability.

An optimized construction process

To speed up the installation on site, the post-tensioning tendons will be fully prefabricated by VSL and delivered to site ready for installation. With no access along the vertical tendons, all the post-tensioning operations will be done from the top of the concrete hulls including grouting in a single operation without intermediate steps.

The works should be completed during the autumn 2022.

Mathieu GuilƩ, Civil Works Business Development Manager
Josep Fabra, Business Development Manager for Wind Energy

Featured

HOW TO KEEP BRIDGES FULLY OPERATIONAL AND SAFE OVER THE YEARS?

Over the past few years, the management of bridges across their entire life has become a major issue. Typical service life has been extended from 50 to 100 years, or even 120 years, thanks to the development of new solutions and because we have a better understanding of what makes structures sustainable.

With a mature infrastructure network, knowing how to maintain and repair these structures, especially their structural systems – bearings, prestressing, stay cables, etc., has become crucial – as has the need to allow for eventual replacement of components.

More broadly, the discipline of durability engineering has emerged, bringing together design, systems and technologies, construction processes, maintenance, repairs and upgrades. As a result, VSL has positioned itself to work across all stages of a structure’s life, with experienced specialists on tap.

Recurring issues affect the health of a structure

 

Having full knowledge about the current condition and possible deterioration mechanisms is key to deciding what needs to be done. We have identified five recurring issues, that can be addressed with appropriate repair and retrofit solutions.

The BIG 5 of bridge ageing

 

THE BIG 5 OF BRIDGE AGEING

VSL Bridge repairs Corrosion

VSL Bridge repairs Corrosion

VSL Bridge repairs Fatigue

VSL Bridge repairs Fatigue

VSL Bridge repairs Changes

VSL Bridge repairs Changes

VSL Bridge repairs Seismic events

VSL Bridge repairs Seismic events

VSL Bridge repairs Erosion

VSL Bridge repairs Erosion

ā€œA combination of individual solutionsā€ – VSL repairs expertise

Assisting owners and operators throughout the entire lifecycle of their assets, VSL has understood one thing: there is no one solution fitting all approaches, but rather a combination of individual solutions. Watch the video of Andreas Schwarz, VSL Manager of the Asset Preservation, Structural Repairs and upgrading Business Line.

Andreas Schwarz, Repair & Preservation Manager

Featured

CREATE ICONIC LANDMARKS BY TURNING YOUR BRIDGES INTO SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS.

Over the past few years, the management of bridges across their entire life has become a major issue. Typical service life has been extended from 50 to 100 years, or even 120 years, thanks to the development of new solutions and because we have a better understanding of what makes structures sustainable.

With a mature infrastructure network, knowing how to maintain and repair these structures, especially their structural systems – bearings, prestressing, stay cables, etc., has become crucial – as has the need to allow for eventual replacement of components.

More broadly, the discipline of durability engineering has emerged, bringing together design, systems and technologies, construction processes, maintenance, repairs and upgrades. As a result, VSL has positioned itself to work across all stages of a structure’s life, with experienced specialists on tap.

VSL LEDsPLAYĀ®: How does it work?

 

Having full knowledge about the current condition and possible deterioration mechanisms is key to deciding what needs to be done. We have identified five recurring issues, that can be addressed with appropriate repair and retrofit solutions.

The BIG 5 of bridge ageing

 

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