
Franki Foundations was selected by AG Real Estate as general contractor to execute the foundations for the new City of Brussels Administrative Centre. The sustainable oriented project involves the construction of 37.000 m² of offices and a 4-level underground car park that replace the emblematic Parking 58 in the heart of the capital.
Soil nailing works to secure the existing peripheral wall
Waterproof reinforced excavation with 7500 m² diaphragm wall
Tension piles
After preparatory nailing works to secure the existing peripheral wall (the old “Mur des Halles”), Franki Foundations realised 400 linear metres of diaphragm wall which constitute the walls of the future car park.
The particularity of this project was, in addition to the number of technologies applied such as soil nails, anchors, a diaphragm wall and Atlas displacement piles, the use of struts to support the walls of the excavation before and during the placement of the slab. These steel tubes fitted with hydraulic jacks and a monitoring system make it possible to do away with banquettes and the issue of watertightness when installing anchors under the level of the water table, as originally planned.
Advantages? Struts adapt easily to a very dense urban environment, they reduce the risk of waterproofness problems associated with anchors installed under the water table level, and they allow a phased approach with earth works done in parallel with a number of civil engineering works (see our article on the subject).
Handing over the construction site to the client at the beginning of 2020, Franki Foundations is convinced it ensured solid and sustainable foundations for this new project!
For our ambitious project, Franki Foundations has shown itself to be highly professional in implementing a well-planned operationally and financially balanced solution, with an innovative combination of construction techniques, and a customer-oriented approach.
Chief Design & Build Officer AG Real Estate
Project name
BruCity
Category
Car Parks, Governmental, Cultural and Religious
Techniques
Diaphragm wall, Atlas screw pile, Ground anchors and nails
Contract type
Design & Build
Location
Brussels, Belgium
Client
AG Real Estate
Building Period
2018 - 2020
Total value
€ 6 million