ABS Oldenburg-Wilhelmshaven

The Oldenburg - Wilhelmshaven upgraded line is part of the 2003 Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan and is categorised under number 3 as a new project with urgent requirements.

The expected increase in freight volumes on this line with the commissioning of the Jade-Weser Port in Wilhelmshaven requires an increase in the existing line capacity in line with demand. 
The 180 m long section between km 38.810 and km 38.990 is bridged by means of a deep track foundation due to thick Holocene soft layers. The construction provides for a reinforced concrete slab supported on rigidly connected bored piles, which is divided into 5 blocks, each approx. 36 metres long. The bored pile foundation is made up of 105 large bored piles with a diameter of 90 cm, which were constructed by the employees of Eiffage Infra-Spezialtiefbau GmbH with various inclinations and up to 28 m deep. A particular challenge when constructing the piles was the high water level at approx. 1.2 m below ground level in conjunction with a high proportion of fine particles in the subsoil.

The sufficient load-bearing capacity of the pile foundations was verified by dynamic test loads on test piles produced in advance. As the test loads achieved were higher than the expected values, the pile lengths could be partially reduced compared to the tender. Due to the very short construction time, the drilling work was carried out with two drilling rig units and was completed on time.