French Highway secured in unique HOBAS fashion
May 02, 2008
The French highway network spans almost 12000 route kilometers, 60% of which are administered in a concession system by private companies such as APRR (Autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhône). Thousands of metal culverts have been installed along the roads to channel water. More than 50% of these are steel circulars or arches. After being in service for 30 to 40 years, these culverts have reached their maximum lifetime and are at risk to collapse any time causing road ruptures as approximately 20 years ago: Road embankment, paving and culverts needed to be repaired immediately which required an expensive construction of temporary diversions for both water and traffic. As a consequence, the highway companies conducted an extensive inventory.
On this account HOBAS GRP Pipe Systems have contributed to the security upgrade of the constructions and highways. Thanks to its environment-friendly characteristics and its exceptionally long lifetime properties HOBAS GRP is an ideal material that fulfills all requirements. It should also be noted that the HOBAS Solutions for this project are based on trenchless technologies which permit works without traffic disruptions.
The described project is located on Highway A31, which connects the town Beaune and Luxembourg and is part of the APRR network. APRR is a subsidiary of the Eiffage Group, the seventh largest building and concession company in Europe, and is in charge of the second most important French highway network with 1800 km.
This project is noteworthy for its dual purpose:
- to rehabilitate damaged metal pipes that were severely corroded for some parts;
- and to extend the road by one lane in each direction.
APRR first invited tenders that HOBAS France approached. An overall solution was developed considering the geometry of each channel and grouping the constructions by size. This led to the proposal of 4 different and individual NC-Line® profiles plus one circular CC-GRP Pipe OD 1720 for the rehabilitation of 9 elliptical constructions. Standard CC-GRP HOBAS Pipes were suggested for the remaining circular constructions and for the arch a NC-Line® ID 2880x1800. Apart from this, an alternative solution was proposed sliplining NC-Line® arches and HOBAS® CC-GRP Pipes using both flush couplings and standard FWC couplings.
APRR opted for the latter proposal. The mixed technologies confirm the adaptability and flexibility of HOBAS Products. Thus, 635 m of pipes ranging from DN 1200 to DN 2400 have been installed between May 2007 when first deliveries were made and end of November 2007. Slightly more than 50 m of HOBAS NC-Line® profiles completed the lot.
“Works were accomplished more easily, thanks to the simple handling and jointing of HOBAS Pipes”, explained Civ. Eng. Norbert Cheminot, Head of the Special Constructions Office of Eiffage Traveaux Publics Reseaux, contractor in charge of pipes installation and specialist for trenchless technologies. “Working on highways without disrupting the traffic is always a challenge. The HOBAS Solution required less heavy equipment, and turned the usually complex storage and handling into easy installation.”
HOBAS Pipe Systems was clearly the right solution for this project. It provided a clever and made-to-measure technical solution combining standard CC-GRP Pipes with arch-shaped NC-Line® panels, and offers an exceptionally long lifetime under constant mechanical loading. The highway companies appreciate the products’ hydraulic properties despite a small reduction in dimension, and a low roughness coefficient thanks to the smooth liner surface, maximizing the flow rate and minimizing maintenance. “It was very important for us to find a rehabilitation solution that meets the terms of the French Water Act, something that would not affect the hydraulic condition of the existing pipeline and offer a long life-time.” Said Mr. Caisey a technical member of APRR‘s area staff. “The solution also allowed an open installation for the part where the roads were enlarged.”
For further information:
Alexandra Dobnigg Marketing - Graphics & Press
HOBAS Engineering GmbH
Pischeldorfer Straße 128
9020 Klagenfurt
Austria
Phone: +43 463 482424 38
Fax: +43 463 482121
E-Mail: alexandra.dobnigg@hobas.com
Internet: www.hobas.com
More News and Articles
Apr 29, 2024
News
Minimising cultural impacts with trenchless
Through the benefits of trenchless technology, Yarra Valley Water is minimising impacts on the Upper Darebin Creek branch sewer project.
The project consists of building a 2.7km sewer pipe in Epping, …
Apr 26, 2024
News
Bothar’s cutting head innovation
The trenchless industry in Australia continues to grow and the need to provide customised solutions becomes vital for a leading subsurface contractor.
Recognising the need for advanced solutions to meet the growing …
Apr 24, 2024
News
Sustainable drainage solutions: German Start-up transforms urban water management.
Germany boasts a well-established infrastructure for managing rainwater and wastewater, yet many developing countries lack such systems. Addressing this gap, …
Apr 22, 2024
News
HDD tooling that gets the job done
Horizontal directional drilling is a dynamic process that constantly changes and adapts to suit a range of applications across utilities and infrastructure. Operators looking to get the most from their equipment …
Apr 19, 2024
News
WATCH: Overnight with SAERTEX-LINER H20 in São Paulo
Available through Pipe Core, high-quality liner SAERTEX-LINER H20 performed under pressure in São Paulo, Brazil.
Maintaining aging potable water pipe infrastructure is a constant challenge …
Apr 17, 2024
News
Immersive media provides wastewater experience in Denmark
An immersive media experience (IMX) may not be what most people want when they think about industrial wastewater, but that is exactly what visitors can expect when they visit a new installation …
Apr 15, 2024
News
Spotlight on gender diversity at Pipe Core
Since founding in 2008, Pipe Core’s team has grown across all areas of the business and is now in a position where there are more females than males across the organisation. Research published in Harvard …
Apr 12, 2024
News
New Wave of Startups Scale Innovation to Solve Global Water Challenges
Innovators from Around the World Join Xylem’s 2024 Accelerator Program to Deploy Breakthrough Innovations for Utilities and Industrial Users of Water
A new group of startups …
Apr 08, 2024
News
Integrated sustainable electricity and clean drinking water systems
Altitude Water and New Use Energy Solutions have partnered to create integrated, mobile solar-plus-water generation systems that produce sustainable electricity and clean drinking …
Apr 05, 2024
News
How to Evaluate Hydraulic Fracture Risk in HDD Design
The design of horizontal directional drill (HDD) installations often requires an evaluation of the potential for hydraulic fracture of the soil layers through which an HDD passes. Evaluating …
Apr 02, 2024
News
Historic Project Linking Rome and Vatican City Uses Advanced Technology and Local Knowledge to Keep Water Flowing
Relocation of Major Sewer Infrastructure Enables Construction of Pedestrian Link for 35 Million Visitors to the 2025 Jubilee
Water …
Mar 27, 2024
News
USU Study Looks at Water Main Break Rates in the U.S. and Canada
Report Highlights Correlation Between Material and Diameter
Utah State University (USU) has published new research on water main breaks in the United States and Canada, examining …
Contact
HOBAS Engineering GmbH
9020 Klagenfurt, Österreich
Phone:
+43.463.482424
Fax:
+43.463.482121