A tower that glides up underground
A tower that glides up underground? Sounds strange – but it is. You can see it in the centre shaft of the Ibbenbüren mine water channel. The ATI consortium erected the 70 m high steel and concrete structure in just two weeks (Figure 1).
The Ibbenbüren tower was not only built quickly, but also economically. Slipforming made it possible. Piece by piece – always just under 2 cm – the tower grew in height. After each load of concrete, hydraulic pumps lifted the formwork a little. Construction materials were supplied by a single crane, which – positioned in the centre of the shaft – lowered concrete and steel into the depths.
In future, the tower will be used to ventilate the mine water channel and as an escape route during inspection work. (RAG/Si.)
