Sweco Belgium
Digital engineering keeps the mighty Samga Silo standing
At the heart of Antwerp stands a remarkable monument that blends historical grandeur with cutting-edge engineering: the Samga Silo. Sweco’s engineers have risen to the challenge of preserving this 19th-century structure amid the Oosterweel Project using advanced digital techniques and years of accumulated expertise. Through innovative modelling and continuous monitoring, we merge heritage conservation with infrastructural progress.
It’s the year 1895. Antwerp is booming, grain ships from America are docking, and architect Frans Van Dijk is building an impressive brick silo for the Société Anonyme des Magasins à Grains d’Anvers, known as SAMGA. This grain fortress, with its ingenious conveyor belts, is unique in Belgium and far beyond.
Today, the Samga Silo A stands amidst the Oosterweel works and remains upright thanks to our digital precision. The Oosterweel Project is a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at completing the ring road around Antwerp, significantly improving connectivity and mobility in the region. This project is crucial for reducing traffic congestion and enhancing transport efficiency. However, it presents significant technical challenges, particularly in safeguarding the integrity of Samga Silo A, a monumental masonry structure recognized for its historical significance. Lantis, the governmental body overseeing the Oosterweel construction, has acquired the building and is exploring repurposing options.
Sweco’s engineers examined the impact of various construction activities on the silo’s structural integrity and proposed several mitigation measures. How do we approach this?
Engineering challenges and solutions
The primary challenge is managing the impact on the Samga building from various nearby construction activities, such as filling the Samga dock, constructing a quay, driving diaphragm walls, demolishing a quay and removing piles, as well as excavating and installing a tunnel. Sweco’s experts used a series of sophisticated models and analyses to estimate potential settlements and deformation behaviours and proposed various countermeasures to ensure the silo’s structural integrity remains uncompromised.
Innovative modelling techniques
Based on a 3D scan, we developed a detailed model of the silo. Using Plaxis 2D, we simulate ground movements and vibrations caused by tunnel and foundation works. Plaxis 2D is a powerful tool for analysing geotechnical problems, particularly those involving soil-structure interaction. It allows for detailed simulations of ground movements and vibrations and evaluates the resulting deformation behaviour in the Samga structure. Diana, on the other hand, is advanced finite element software used for structural analysis. Using DIANA software, we analyse stability down to the level of settlements and cracks. These models provided crucial insights into the consequences of calculated deformations from the Plaxis model, enabling engineers to assess possible crack formations.
The use of these models involved several key steps:
- Geotechnical Investigation: Detailed geotechnical surveys were conducted to understand soil properties and behaviour. This information was critical for calibrating the Plaxis 2D model.
- Structural Analysis: The Diana model was used to analyse the structural integrity of Samga Silo A under various load conditions. This included assessing the impact of settlements and deformations caused by construction activities, supported by masonry tests conducted by KULeuven.
- Integration of Models: The results from Plaxis 2D, Diana, and the KULeuven masonry tests were integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of soil-structure interaction. This allowed us to formulate effective mitigation strategies.
Continuous monitoring and adjustment
During the construction phase, deformations, vibrations, and crack widths at critical locations are continuously monitored. The results are used to refine and calibrate the models. Monitoring will also indicate when and where potential remedial actions are needed. This dynamic approach ensures the structural integrity of Samga Silo A is maintained, respecting the overall planning and budget of the Oosterweel Project.
Collaboration
The success of this project is a testament to the collaboration between Sweco and various stakeholders, including Lantis, contractor consortium Rinkoniên, Pelser Hartman, and KULeuven. Each party played a vital role in conducting in-situ investigations, pile driving tests, and stability analyses. This joint approach ensured a comprehensive stability analysis, combining practical engineering solutions with academic precision.
Conclusion
Sweco’s innovative approach to civil engineering and heritage conservation underscores our commitment to tackling complex infrastructural challenges while respecting historical significance. By leveraging advanced modelling techniques and collaborating with various stakeholders, we ensure that historical monuments like Samga Silo A can coexist harmoniously with modern infrastructure developments.
Our extensive expertise in geotechnical and structural analysis, combined with continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies, demonstrates our capability to address and mitigate potential risks effectively. The Oosterweel Link project exemplifies how meticulous planning, advanced technology, and professional collaboration can achieve both infrastructural progress and heritage conservation.
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