12/06/2024
Diaphragm walls under construction for Phase IV of Krakow’s Fast Tram
The Kraków Fast Tram Stage IV will be a new double-track tramway that will connect residential districts located in the north part of Kraków with the city centre. The total tramway length will be 4.5 km, 1.23 km of which will constitute an underground tunnel. The scope of work for Soletanche Polska encompasses the construction of diaphragm walls with a total length of about 2.5k metres and a maximum depth of 21 metres.
“From the technical perspective, the most interesting task during the accomplishment of the fourth stage of the investment is the conduction of foundation work under the active Gen. Mateusz Iżycki Bridge,” says Justyna Żabka, Project Manager at Soletanche Polska.
The general contractor responsible for Kraków Fast Tram Stage IV is the GÜLERMAK company. The primary scope of work for Soletanche Polska encompasses the construction of diaphragm walls in the underground tramway tunnel section and in the underground passenger stations: Rondo Polsadu and Rondo Młyńskie. The diaphragm walls were designed with different purposes in mind. Primarily, they are to constitute the final support of the underground tunnel and the final structure of the underground stops (stations and their entrances). Furthermore, in some spots the diaphragm walls serve as shoring and thereby secure the trench during the conducted work.
Soletanche began the excavation of the diaphragm walls in early October 2023, with the Rondo Polsadu station.
“Our team has to construct diaphragm walls with a total length of 2.5k metres and a maximum depth of 21 metres. Their thickness depends on the exerted loads and equals 60 centimetres, 80 centimetres or 1 metre. The thickest diaphragm walls were designed for the Rondo Młyńskie station,” explains Justyna Żabka, Project Manager at Soletanche Polska.
The most interesting geotechnical solutions
Building the fourth stage of the Kraków Fast Tram is a complex undertaking, as it is carried out in a residential area with numerous office buildings, shops and an advanced transport infrastructure with significant traffic.
Currently, Soletanche is conducting some of the most difficult work – the construction of diaphragm walls under the active Gen. Mateusz Iżycki Bridge.
“The existing Bridge considerably limits the construction gauge, that is the free undeveloped space that allows the personnel to conduct construction work freely by means of major and heavy machinery. In this case, the height from the ground level to the bottom of the Bridge girders is only 7 metres. We had to bring specialist equipment from France and Germany to the site, which made it possible to construct diaphragm walls with a thickness of 80 centimetres and a depth of up to 21 metres at this location,” says Justyna Żabka from Soletanche Polska.
Soletanche Polska is building diaphragm walls next to the foundations of the Bridge. Excavation is performed in a way that limits the impact of the conducted work on the foundation of the existing Bridge to a minimum.
“We’re constructing sections under the Bridge with dimensions much smaller than in standard diaphragm walls. For example, the length of a standard section ranges from 6.5 to 9.5 metres, whereas those under the Kraków bridge are only about 3-metres-long. The primary goal is to ensure the safety and stability of the structure of the bridge,” stresses the Project Manager at Soletanche Polska.
Monitoring the Kraków bridge
The Bridge and the nearby buildings are subjected to specialist monitoring provided by Sixense. The technology makes it possible to control the state and operational behaviour of the construction, the infrastructure and its surroundings.
“We installed inclinometers in our diaphragm walls, which enable the conduction of horizontal displacement measurements in the monitored structure. This makes it possible to adopt specific countermeasures early on to prevent any occurring hazards,” states Justyna Żabka.
Public transport and Soletanche’s experience
“Public transport contracts open up huge opportunities for us. Not only do they provide an opportunity to grow our business, but they also fit perfectly with our strategy of caring for the environment. Public transport is a key element in shaping the sustainable development of cities and regions. Implementing projects in this area is also an expression of our commitment to social and environmental issues. For this type of tasks, we look for and propose geotechnical solutions that not only contribute to improving the quality of life of the inhabitants, but also promote environmental protection,” clarifies Hubert Tomczak, Managing Director at Soletanche Polska.
Soletanche Polska has substantial experience in accomplishing investments supporting the development of urban public transport. The company has performed trench shoring using diaphragm walls for stations and rail tunnels in the M1 subway line (stations: Młociny, Stare Bielany, Słodowiec) and M2 subway line (stations: Bródno, Kondratowicza) in Warsaw. In the latter case, Soletanche Polska is currently conducting work during Stage III of the western section construction. The company is building diaphragm walls and a horizontal barrier by means of jet grouting at the final C01 Karolin station.
Furthermore, Soletanche Polska is involved in projects encompassing the construction and modernisation of bridges, tunnels and other elements of infrastructure that have key significance for the efficient functioning of Polish railway. Currently, the company is laying the foundation for the new Warszawa Zachodnia railway station and takes part in the construction of a 7.5 kilometre-long cross-city railway tunnel that is being built 17 metres beneath the city centre of Łódź.
About the Kraków Fast Tram Stage IV project
The Stage IV of the constructed tramway will connect two existing lines in the north part of Kraków, in District III Prądnik Czerwony and District XV Mistrzejowice.
The Krakow Fast Tram is expected to contribute to reducing car traffic and improving air quality in Krakow’s inner city and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city by providing alternative transport options.
More information regarding the project can be found on the following website: https://www.tramwajdomistrzejowic.pl/en/
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