Implant™ Method adopted in railway embankment reinforcement project in Germany

Global interest in the GRB™ System grows

2021.10.11 NEWS RELEASE

Giken Europe has completed works using the Implant Method and the GRB System* with the Press-In Piling technology reinforcing a railway embankment in Berlin, the capital of Germany.

The project site was located in a confined space adjacent to a residential district and live railway which was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of the GRB system. All piling works were completed on top of the installed piles and eliminated the need for temporary platforms and workspaces for cranes, materials and other construction equipment. Construction works were completed without affecting residents, existing infrastructure or train operations.

Giken Europe B.V. (Head office: Almere, Netherlands, Managing Director: Shinnosuke Moribe) provided technical consulting and the installation work. The installation work utilizing the GRB System attracted the attention of many construction parties who visited the site. Project owners, consultants and contractors are seeking to adopt the GRB system in other projects. They have begun considering other railway embankment reinforcement projects. The GIKEN Group expects to expand the adoption of the Implant Method and GRB System across the German market.

*The Implant Method is a construction method that uses a press-in machine to install piles using the press-in force and creates high rigidity and retainable structure.

The GRB system includes a Press-in machine, power unit, UNIT RUNNERTM , CLAMP CRANETM and PILE RUNNERTM. Utilising these, piling works can be completed without a temporary platforms and workspace on the ground and improve constructability.

Photos of project site

■Outline of Construction

Due to aging, the existing railway embankments suffered cracks. This resulted in reduced train running speed and therefore the current embankments needed to be repaired and reinforced.

The SILENT PILER™ F401-1400 was used to install 0.6m wide U piles in 1.2m wide pairs – resulting in a 224m retaining wall*. Sheet piles ranged in lengths of 7.25 to 10.25m.

* A wall that retains soil from surrounding areas when excavating the ground.

■Future expectations

In Germany, the adoption of the Press-in Method in railway embankment reinforcement projects is increasing. The Press-in Method has also been utilised in flood prevention measures since the country’s severe flooding in 2013. GIKEN Group has worked on projects in Brandenburg and Sachsen-Anhalt and has cases wherein projects adopted the GRB system. In July 2021, Germany was again affected by widespread flooding, and restoration measures are underway in response to those damages.

Press-in machines and technologies of GIKEN have been instrumental in the rehabilitation of aged roads, bridges, river revetments and levees affected by natural disasters. The ethos of GIKEN has been maintained in the region; this is understanding the importance of reinforcing disaster prevention structures in the event of earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding and other natural phenomenon’s that can cause severe damage to societies, as well as contributing to and meeting the demands of an evolving society. We will endeavor to actively promote the Press-in Method, continuing our growth in Germany.

■Project Details

Project Name:Ersatzneubau EÜ Wiesenweg
Construction site:Wiesenweg, 10365 Berlin, Germany
Project Owner:Deutsche Bahn AG (German railway)
Prime Contractor:Echterhoff Bau GmbH
Contractor:Giken Europe B.V.
Equipment:SILENT PILER F401-1400, UNIT RUNNER UR3, CLAMP CRANE CB3-6, PILE RUNNER PR4
Sheet Pile:U type sheet pile (GU27N) Length 7.25 to 10.25m, 187 pairs (374 sheets)
Duration:May 25th to July 7th, 2021

■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed the SILENT PILER, the world's first reaction-based hydraulic pile jacking machine, installing piles with no noise and vibration. GIKEN Group now actively promotes the Press-in Technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative technology of press-in provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has grown to more than 40 nations and regions.


Contact Information:
GIKEN LTD.
International Business Department
TEL: +81-3-3528-1633 (weekdays: 8:30 to 17:30)
Tokyo Head Office: 16F Ariake Central Tower, 3-7-18 Ariake, Koto-ku, 135-0063, Japan
Giken Europe B.V.
Almere Office
Damsluisweg 13, 1332 EA Almere, The Netherlands
Tel. +31-(0)36-737-0481
Fax +31-(0)36-737-0484
Berlin Office
Georg-Wilhelm-Straße 3, 10711 Berlin, Germany
Tel. +49-(0)30-4702-3380
Fax +49-(0)30-4702-3382