The outdoor pool in Norden-Norddeich is located directly adjacent to the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and offers swimming fun regardless of the tide. The centrepiece of the new facility will be a shell-shaped bathing platform with a 25-metre swimming pool as well as a separate non-swimmer pool with water familiarisation steps, a swing bay and a water mushroom. The little ones can enjoy their own pool with various water features and a protective sun sail. Particularly environmentally friendly: the outdoor pool is operated with North Sea water, which is heated in a climate-neutral manner using solar collectors.

Micro piles must transfer enormous loads into the sandy soil

The subsoil consists of clay, peat and alternating layers before the load-bearing sand begins at around -15 m NHN. The structures are therefore deeply founded with 215 GEWI® solid micro piles with diameters of 40 and 50 millimetres and lengths of up to 25 metres. The water in the swimming pool alone weighs almost 720 tonnes, so the quality of the piles is of paramount importance. Before the actual drilling work began, several test piles were installed to check the load-bearing capacity using test loads.

PORR's special civil engineering teams not only have many years of experience, but are also equipped for a wide variety of soil types, ensuring that the optimum method can always be used. PORR Special Civil Engineering has its own general type approvals from the German Institute for Building Technology for the manufacture of micro piles in accordance with DIN EN 14199. ‘The micro piles are manufactured at our own plant in Colbitz and undergo a strict quality assurance process. From production to installation, we adhere to the highest standards to ensure the stability of the structures even in difficult ground conditions,’ explains Markus Wenke, PORR Regional Manager North.