HUESKER geosynthetics ensure firm
foundation for valuable storage space at
Hamburg’s Rodewisch Harbour

Background
The former harbour basin at Rodewischhafen in Hamburg (Germany) had been in long-term use as a temporary storage site for pumped dredge material.
Over the years, a thin crust of sparse plant growth had been established on the dredged sludge.
The objective was to allow the material to dry out and then prepare to receive important sand fill.
Construction
Before placing the geosynthetics, the existing vegetation was cleared whilst retaining as much as possible of the established root crust as a stabilisation layer. A high strength woven geotextile, Stabilenka® 150/45, was laid transversely. As the fine grained sediment had such a low shear strength and was unable to support site traffic without stabilisation, the selected geosynthetic had to fulfil two functions: the Stabilenka® woven geotextile had to act as a separation layer as well as a reinforcement.
Its high tear resistance was key to allowing the use of high performance earthmoving equipment. This factor was crucial in meeting the required construction time, during which 150,000 m3 of sand had to be placed.
Subsequently the Fortrac® geogrid, type R 150/30-30, was laid. The two geosynthetics in combination guaranteed the stability of the earthworks structure and the safety of the mechanical filling operations.
In a few years, the former harbour basin and canal will be in use again – as valuable warehouse space for the Port of Hamburg.
Project/location: Rodewischhafen in Hamburg (Germany)
Client: City of Hamburg
Planning, design and site supervision: ibw Ingenieurgesellschaft, Hamburg
Contractor: Hermann Wellmann, Tief- und Straßenbau, Hamburg
Constructed: March – May 2004
Products: Stabilenka® 150/45; Fortrac® R 150/30-30