Bauer executes diaphragm wall works for "Operaparken" project in Copenhagen

Bauer DK A/S, the Danish subsidiary of Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH, was commissioned by client A.P. Møller to execute a two-layer anchored diaphragm wall as part of the "Operaparken" project.

The Royal Opera House in Copenhagen is one of the most modern stages in the world. Located on the island of Holmen, in the harbor of the Danish capital, it not only offers high-quality artistic performances but is also a true visual highlight.

The area around the opera house is now being supplemented by another element. The "Operaparken" project is not only intended to create an underground car park in the center of Copenhagen and in the immediate vicinity of the opera house, but the unique building project will also fulfill special quality and design requirements: Above the underground garage with 300 parking spaces below the surface, a park with trees, ponds and walking paths. An integrated greenhouse will reach from the lowest level of the underground garage up to the ground floor, providing both levels of the garage with daylight. There will also be direct access to the opera house. A special feature: Not only the opera house itself was built on an island, but also the underground car park with its extraordinary park will be built on its own island.

Bauer DK A/S, the Danish subsidiary of Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH, was commissioned by client A.P. Møller to execute a two-layer anchored diaphragm wall as part of the “Operaparken” project, which will later form the permanent exterior wall of the underground garage. Bauer – as a subcontractor to main contractor Hoffmann – previously worked on the new headquarters of A.P. Møller, creating a secant pile wall as retaining structure. In total, 6,600 m2 of diaphragm wall will be built for the “Operaparken” project.

A Bauer MC 96 equipped with a BC 48 cutter and a Bauer MC 76 equipped with a rope grab are in use. Two anchor drilling rigs will then insert the 189 anchors into the completed diaphragm wall. The works began in March 2020. Despite the coronavirus pandemic and associated challenges, the project progress is very content to date. The multi-national site team consists of Bauer employees from all over Europe, so that experience can be optimally utilized. After all, it’s not only corona-related measures that need to be taken in account, the Copenhagen subsoil also poses a challenge: The hard flint stone as well as a variety of natural and artificial obstacles in the ground must be considered. The construction site is also located in the direct vicinity of Copenhagen’s most expensive residential area, which is why noise and dust emission is subject to strict requirements. Work by Bauer is expected to be

completed in March 2021.