Aachen
Stabilisation of a historic city wall Kornelimünster
Aachen, Germany / 2020
In the Kornelimünster district of Aachen, the historic riverbank retaining wall along the River Inde at Napoleonsberg has been renovated. Preliminary investigations had revealed that the natural stone wall, which is up to ten metres high, had sustained damage and that the structural stability of the structure needed to be assessed. The renovation work involved the repair of the natural stone masonry as well as supplementary grouting work to stabilise the wall’s structure.
Facts & Figures
Company
PORR Spezialtiefbau GmbH
Type
Rehabilitation
Runtime
2020
Injection works to stabilise a riverbank retaining wall on the River Inde
Rehabilitation of a historic natural stone wall
The riverbank retaining wall at Napoleonsberg forms part of the historic development along the River Inde. Prior to the grouting work, vegetation and ingrown roots were removed, damaged natural stones were replaced and the wall was repointed in sections. The subsequent specialist civil engineering works served to reinforce and stabilise the existing masonry.
Grouting work for the masonry restoration
The site facilities were set up above the wall. Mixing plants and grouting containers were used to carry out the work. During the works, the key production parameters were recorded and documented. The data collected was made available for the subsequent evaluation and documentation of the work carried out.
Strengthening the masonry through grouting
Between February and May 2020, the earth-facing section of the retaining wall was reinforced through grouting works. A cement-bound grouting material was injected through more than 130 boreholes to fill existing voids within the masonry. A total of six grouting pumps were used to carry out the work. The grouting served to stabilise the masonry and restore the structurally effective wall cross-section.
Special civil engineering for heritage-listed structures
The work was carried out on a historic natural stone wall in the town centre of Kornelimünster. The planning and execution were tailored to the existing structure as well as the requirements of the masonry rehabilitation. The combination of masonry repair, re-pointing and grouting formed the basis for the rehabilitation of the structure.
Contribution to the preservation of the historic embankment wall
Through grouting work and the repair of the natural stone masonry, a section of the historic embankment retaining wall on the Napoleonsberg was renovated. The measures served to stabilise the existing masonry and ensure the continued use of the structure along the River Inde.