INDUSTRY NEWS
heat-resistant materials for applications
in the engine area, increased
attention paid to air flow and other
parts subject to vibration, as well
as the use of coffers made of plastic
material to muffle the noise better.
The combination of all these solutions
and measures has led to an excellent
result in terms of noise containment,
with a guaranteed sound power level
of 109 dB and a sound pressure level
in the cabin of 78 dB. This feature is
crucial when working in a metropolitan
centre like Frankfurt’s central
business district.
On the Way from Paris to Prague
It crosses through southern Germany
stretching between the French and
Czech borders. As part of European
Route 50, it is an important link
between Paris and Prague: the A6
motorway. The upgrading of the motorway
includes rebuilding the Neckartal
Bridge at Heilbronn between the junctions
Untereisesheim and Neckarsulm.
Hochtief Infrastructure GmbH
installed the foundation piles using the
new LB 45 drilling rig from Liebherr.
The name of the machine comes from
its nominal torque of 450 kNm. That
is an increase of approximately 10 per
cent in comparison to the LB 36 with
410 kNm.
Challenge
Foundation piles were also required
on “Neckar Island” about 100 metres
from the riverbank. The drilling rig
was transported there by pontoon.
Following transportation, Hochtief
built a pontoon bridge from the pontoon
elements so site traffic could
cross. However, the drilling rig was too
heavy for the pontoon bridge. After
completion of this construction phase,
the bridge was rebuilt back into a pontoon
so the LB 45 could return across
the Neckar. The simple handling of the
machine proved to be a huge advantage
both when operating and when
facing such logistical challenges.
Implementation
During the six-months of piling work,
Hochtief installed 106 foundation piles
using the Kelly drilling method with
auger and rock drilling bucket. The
company handled 170 tonnes of steel
reinforcements and 2,000 m³ of concrete
in the process. On average, the
piles were 11.5 metres deep and have a
diameter of 1.5 metres. Depending on
the density of the rock and the drilling
depth, Hochtief required about
two hours per pile. Including concreting,
2.5 piles were installed per day.
Hochtief was particularly impressed
with the handling and the power of the
LB 45. The bridge is expected to open
for traffic mid-2022.
ECA expands team to support
long-term growth vision
Equipment Corporation of America
(ECA) has announced new hires at several
The LB 45 at the rebuilding of the Neckartal Bridge
of its branches in the U.S.
ECA’s president/CEO Roy Kern
is especially excited to announce The LB 45 installed 106 foundation piles
CONTINUED ON PAGE 72
PHOTOS: LIEBHERR
70 Q4 2020 www.pilingcanada.ca
/www.pilingcanada.ca
