Wherever non-standard formwork is needed, Doka Netherlands comes around the corner. The specialist in formwork, support and scaffolding systems supplies formwork for a wide range of infrastructure projects; from pumping stations and tunnels to cofferdams and bridges. Remco de Jong, Commercial Technical Advisor at Doka, talks about the A27 Houten - Hooipolder project, among others, which it is joining as a chain partner for the first time.
Say formwork technology, you say Doka. The company has been a specialist in formwork technology for more than 150 years, offering industry-leading formwork, associated safety solutions and digital services. Operating in 72 countries, it rents and sells formwork for the infrastructure sector, among others. These include work on bridges, tunnels, retaining walls, pumping stations and viaducts. A suitable shuttering solution can be supplied for any program of structural requirements. Remco: "We are particularly strong in infrastructure projects that require non-standard formwork. For example at height on bridges, below deck on viaducts and tunnels or where a combination with climbing scaffolding is the best solution."
Examples of recent projects for which Doka is supplying or has supplied formwork are the Groene Boog A16, Zuidasdok in Amsterdam, Herepoort in Groningen and the work on project A27 Houten - Hooipolder. On the work on the A27, construction consortium De Groene Waarden has linked Doka Netherlands as a strategic supply chain partner on the Houten-Everdingen section of the project. Doka was selected because of its global expertise in free pre-construction bridge systems, the construction method planned for the new Hagestein bridge as part of the two-phase scope. "This is a new form of contract and also the first time for us to be included in the design, in this case the design of the Hagestein Bridge, as in the preliminary phase. In the coming period we will be working closely with De Groene Waarden and client Rijkswaterstaat to further develop the design for the free formwork for the Hagestein Bridge. By involving us early on in the design process, the formwork system can be optimally coordinated and interfaces with other components are controlled. In this way, we strive for a safe and efficient construction process."
There is increasing demand for heavier supporting structures. For this, Doka offers Unikit, its universal engineering kit for heavy loads in infrastructure and high-rise buildings. This system is ideally suited for developing bridges, tunnels, power plants and high-rise buildings. "The Unikit is a modular system. All components can be combined with each other and with all other Doka support systems. This improves the safety of the entire formwork. What is also increasingly in demand is the scaffolding material in combination with heavier support structures. We supply various solutions such as safety scaffolding and reinforcement scaffolding. The advantage is that clients can rent the complete package from us. Thanks to our many years of experience, we know exactly what is going on on construction sites and how to make construction processes even more efficient. Which detail can be optimized? Which formwork service saves costs?"
Another thing Remco likes to touch on is the aspect of safety. "Our vision is that safety on the construction site should go without saying. With our modular formwork systems combined with our (fall) safety systems, we can deliver the entire package completely safely. That only benefits the construction process. After all, workers who are well protected work safer, faster and more efficiently."