Frankfurt am Main

Höchst Industrial Park

Fundex piles for the extension at the Höchst Industrial Park

182 Fundex piles for load transfer

A total of 182 Fundex piles, with diameters of 44 cm and 56 cm, were manufactured for the foundations of the extension. The piles transfer the loads from the future structures into load-bearing soil layers and form the basis for further development on the site. Even before the foundations and building structures could be erected, this laid the groundwork for the subsequent construction phases.

Work on a former industrial site

The building site exhibits the typical characteristics of an industrial site that has been in use for many decades. Following the dismantling of previous buildings, the upper soil layers consisted of fill consisting of sand, gravel and construction debris. Beneath these lay foundations and foundation remains of varying sizes and compositions. In addition, individual areas of the site were subject to further ground investigations. The foundation works were therefore adapted to the local site conditions.

197 exploratory boreholes for ground investigation

Before work on the pile foundations began, a total of 197 exploratory boreholes were carried out to locate existing foundation remains and underground obstacles. On the basis of these investigations, the pile positions were determined and additional clearance drilling was prepared. As massive reinforced concrete foundations could not be penetrated directly by the Displacement piles, they were first investigated and then worked on section by section using a rotary drilling rig. This created the conditions for the subsequent installation of the Fundex piles.

Work between existing plant and utility lines

The pile foundations were installed within an industrial site that remained in use. Existing pipework bridges, technical installations and utility lines dictated the site layout and the positioning of heavy machinery. In some areas, the working areas were situated directly between existing plant structures. The installation of the piles was therefore continuously adapted to the local conditions. Dismantling and investigation work was carried out on the site in parallel with the foundation works. Access routes, storage areas and site facilities were co-ordinated accordingly.

Fundex piles using the full displacement method

Fundex displacement piles were used for the deep foundations. This method is a full-displacement pile system and was tailored to the requirements of the subsoil and the site. The work was carried out in sections across the entire construction site. Step by step, the foundation elements for the extension within the industrial park took shape.

The basis for the extension

Even before new buildings, facilities and technical infrastructure are constructed, the loads of the future structures are transferred deep into the subsoil. The installation of 182 Fundex piles, together with the preparatory subsoil investigations, laid the foundation for the subsequent construction phases on the site of the Höchst Industrial Park. This marks the addition of another building block to the industrial and research infrastructure in the Rhine-Main region.