Large-scale trial in underground construction

The Friedlicher Nachbar mine in Bochum is one of 13 central water management structures of RAG AG. In transitioning to a post-mining era, RAG is engaged in converting the mine to a well dewatering site. Pumping action must be maintained while the mine is being converted, which is why the typical method of using clad piping had to be discounted out of hand. The mine posed an additional challenge on account of its pitched angle.

ZPP developed a concept on RAG’s behalf, a concept that had previously only been used in building construction yet for which mining applications were terra incognita: climbing formwork. To ensure that this newly developed technology would work in practice, it was tested in a 1:1 large-scale trial prior to being deployed in a mine for the first time. The trial was a resounding success, so much so that the decision was made to convert the surface shafts Fürst Leopold and Friedlicher Nachbar into water management wells.

The technical background, the general conditions, the construction process, the structure and functioning of the concreting system, the course of the large-scale test and its evaluation have now been published in a technical article in the "Mining Report Glückauf" of April 2020 - the leading technical and scientific journal of the German mining industry. A worth reading article by the authors Carsten Linka (ZPP) and Dieter Hardes.

Thereby, ZPP has not only proven its expertise in the field of mining among experts. The specialists for the bigger picture also do justice to their reputation of not shying away from innovative, sometimes even unconventional solutions. The safety of both the people and the structure always has top priority above all else.