Along the E403 towards Kortrijk, Vanheede Environmental Group is constructing a new site. Verhelst Aannemingen played an important role in the preparatory works in 2023 by making the site construction-ready with ground leveling and compaction. In 2024-2025, we received an additional contract for various earthworks around the building, including the installation of an underground water storage in the form of large horizontal Paladex pipes with a length of 90 meters and a diameter of 2.20 meters.
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Groundworks and Installation Process
To realize the underground water storage, several steps were carefully executed:
- Trenching: A trench with double slopes was dug, where a solid foundation was crucial. The excavation process was executed in different layers, supported by our 35-ton crane with an extended arm (the ideal crane to dig a two-story pit). The pit had a final depth of 5 meters.
- Pipe Placement: The paladex pipes, each weighing 3 tons, were carefully slid into each other and welded on the inside to ensure complete watertightness. The pipes were firmly anchored with stabilized sand along the bottom sides.
- Finishing: After the placement of the pipes, the trench was further finished and filled. A concrete pavement is laid over the fill.
Project Results
- 5000 m³ of earth was moved.
- 700 m³ of concrete debris was applied under the pipes.
- The water storage capacity is 350,000 liters.
