Van Brienenoord bridge Project

For the renovation of the wooden deck of the Van Brienenoord Bridge, contractor Knook Staal faced an exceptional challenge. Commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, a large number of wooden beams had to be replaced in just two weekends. The schedule was tight, the stakes were high, and delays were not an option.

Van Dulst Techniek and the MPS special construction department were brought in to help devise a more efficient and reliable way of carrying out the necessary drilling work.

Working against the clock

The work took place over the Ascension and Whitsun weekends. From Wednesday evening during the Ascension weekend, work continued non-stop in three shifts until 5.00 am on Monday morning. Within that timeframe, old beams had to be removed, new beams installed and precisely fitted with the correct drill holes.

There was an additional complication: the existing beams did not always come out of the structure intact. Copying them was therefore not an option. The new beams first had to be fitted and marked out on the bridge deck, after which the holes had to be drilled in exactly the right position.

Traditionally, this was largely done manually using an inverted drilling rig. A physically demanding method, susceptible to weather conditions and with limited control over dust and drill cuttings. Furthermore, the beams (over five metres long and weighing 250 to 300 kilos) were fitted with an extremely wear-resistant top layer that placed high demands on tools and machinery.

From concept to completion

From the very first discussions, we actively contributed ideas regarding the practical implementation. Not only technically, but also in terms of logistics and organisation.

Using detailed 3D designs and photorealistic visualisations, the solution could be presented convincingly to the parties involved. This instilled confidence in its feasibility within the limited timeframe.

The lead time from concept to handover was just two months. The formal written confirmation of the contract did not even follow until after construction had already begun; otherwise, the schedule simply would not have been feasible.

Before commissioning, the installation was extensively tested and the contractor’s team was trained. The instructions were recorded on video so that even temporary shift workers could operate the installation quickly and safely. No on-site support was required during implementation; the preparation proved decisive.

Completed sooner than planned

To ensure maximum reliability, two trailers were ultimately deployed. This proved to be a strategic choice. Whilst the work was originally scheduled to run until Sunday evening, it was already completed by Saturday.

The combination of a well-thought-out workflow, reduced physical strain on staff and a controlled working environment ensured a flawless execution. The installation ran smoothly, drill bit consumption was accurately estimated and there were no unforeseen stoppages.

What began as a complex challenge under significant time pressure resulted in a more efficient, people-friendly and better manageable working method than the traditional approach.
 

Thinking along with the client makes all the difference

This project highlights what Van Dulst Techniek stands for: not simply delivering what is asked for, but delving into the problem and working together to find a smarter solution. Even in a sector where we do not build bridges ourselves, we can make a real impact through technical creativity and practical engineering.
 

Would you like a solution like this for your project? 

Are you facing a technical challenge where planning, reliability and efficiency are crucial? Then please do get in touch for a consultation. Together, we will look at your problems, your areas for improvement and your desired output, and translate that into a suitable MPS solution.
 

  0180 510 455
verkoop@vandulst.nl

Read more here about MPS custom-built solutions at Van Dulst Techniek
 

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