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.

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

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-PLUS©: Unveiling a GWP of 3.08 kg CO2/kg

Similar efforts resulted in an EPD for the VSL PT-PLUS® 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-PLUS© duct system. kg CO2/ m

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….

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.

Many factors are taken into account, in particular:

💡 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Post-tensioning Tendon Inspection Leaflet

Download

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: “We 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.”

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, “The 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.

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.”

🎥 Watch the video below 😉

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.”

🎥 Watch the full video below:

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.

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.

🏗️ 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.

➡️ 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.

👀 Check it out!

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.

➡️ How do we reduce the carbon footprint of a retaining wall❓
➡️ Why is VSoL® considered as a low-carbon solution❓

👉 Answers in the video below!

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.

👷 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.

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.

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.

Miles Messenger Head of Energy Performance Contracting at Bouygues Energies & Services said, “This 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.”

Sandro Gomes, Ground Engineering Manager at VSL Systems UK said, “VSL 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.”

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.”

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.