4 static pile load tests at Yara

For the project "Construction of a new Urea plant at Yara Sluiskil", GSNED was commissioned by the German main contractor Uhde to carry out 4 static pile tests.

The entire project is based on a tight schedule, which is why people can not afford a delay and / or standstill. Due to the urgency of our assignment, we have built a completely new test-frame in-house, all within a period of one week. With a length of 20 meters, a width of 3 meters, a height of 1 meter and a weight of about 36 tons, this was a huge frame. The preparations for the project location will also start in the same week. Because of the size and weight of the test frame it was necessary that the test locations for heavy vehicles and materials would be accessible and of course also resistant to this. To this end, adjustments had to be made in the form of creating various transitions by means of heavy dragline baffles and the different test locations were finished flat. Subsequently, at those places where the frame was to be laid, dragline baffles were provided on both sides of the frame, 5 pieces next to each other and then stacked 3 layers.

The test frame will come to lie on these partitions with the ends, after which the ballast can be stacked on it in the form of steel slabs, weighing 10 tons each.
Barely a week after receiving the order, GSNED will start supplying all materials on Friday. Finally, the frame is delivered and placed late in the evening, after which the test is built up during the night hours.
The next day a start is made with the execution of the first test; every hour the pressure on the pile is increased by 30 tons and every 5 minutes measurements are taken with the totall station.
The test will continue to a maximum of 300 tons or until the pile collapses.
On Saturday evening after the end of the first test, the position was aborted and moved to the next location where again the test was built up again in the night in order to be able to carry out the next test the next day.
24H was worked at 24H during pile testing for various reasons.
On the one hand for safety at the project location, during the evening and night few people were present, which was an advantage due to the size and weight of the test material.
On the other hand, there were so many activities for the new building that we opted for the shortest possible time at the location, in such a way that we would not hinder the other work too much.

Facts & Figures

  • GSNED
  • Hoofdaannemer Uhde

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