Berlin
East Side Mall
Berlin, Germany / 2016
The East Side Mall was built in Berlin between the Warschauer Bridge and the Mercedes-Benz Arena. PORR special civil engineering carried out the deep foundations for the construction project. The contract comprised the installation of Frankipiles NG®, including load tests to verify load-bearing capacity, as well as adapting the design to the local subsoil conditions and site constraints.
Facts & Figures
Company
PORR Spezialtiefbau GmbH
Type
Foundations
Runtime
2016
550 Frankipiles NG® for the foundations of the shopping centre
In March 2016, PORR special civil engineering was awarded the contract for the pile foundation work. The foundation was constructed using Frankipile NG® piles. The pile structural analysis and design were carried out in collaboration with isg. Between May and September 2016, around 550 piles, ranging in length from 12 m to 15 m, were driven into the ground. The piles form the basis for load transfer in the new building.
Subsoil comprising fill and sand
The subsoil consisted of fill, as well as loosely consolidated sand up to six metres thick, and beneath that, moderately consolidated sand from a depth of approximately nine metres. Groundwater was encountered at a depth of around three metres below ground level. The bearing capacity of the piles was verified by means of test loadings prior to the start of series production.
Test loadings and adjustment of ramming criteria
During pile fabrication, the effects of hammer vibrations on the subsoil were observed. As a result, the specified number of blows required to drive the piles into place could not always be achieved. Additional load tests were carried out to verify the foundations, and the ramming criteria were adjusted. The results served as the basis for the continued execution of the pile fabrication.
Pile fabrication in an inner-city environment
The construction site was located in a densely built-up inner-city area. The vicinity of the construction project contained various types of use, including facilities with equipment sensitive to vibrations. To carry out the work, the construction schedule was adapted to the local conditions. The pile fabrication was carried out in accordance with the agreed work procedures.
The foundation for the East Side Mall
By installing around 550 Frankipiles NG® (Frankipiles NG®), PORR special civil engineering laid the groundwork for the foundations of the East Side Mall in Berlin. The deep foundations were adapted to the ground conditions as well as the requirements of the site.