In July 2017 the switches at the bridge “Haus-Knipp-Rheinbrücke” in Duisburg, Germany, were renovated with the technology of SEKISUI FFU® synthetic wood.
FFU® stands for Fiber Reinforced Foamed Urethane, has the benefits of natural wood and is used for sleepers on many European railways. Since 1980 over 2,300,000 synthetic wood sleepers fitted sustainably on 1,400 kilometres of railway track. Main areas of use are the highly stressed track sections such as switches and bridges, like it was successfully done at this project in Germany.
Guess how many sleepers were used for the renovation of the German bridge! A total of 1,621 synthetic sleepers were installed on one of two tracks at the old half-timbered bridge, built in 1912. The bridge was rebuilt from June until end of August 2017 and covered the entire bridge renovation as well as track construction work in front and behind it.
SEKISUI won the tender because of its competitive prices and high-performance technology. All was done in cooperation with the German railway and construction company Schweerbau GmbH & Co. KG . The SEKISUI FFU® synthetic sleepers were implemented between the 2nd and 17th of July. During the implementation process, SEKISUI faced some difficulties: Approximately 80 % of the sleepers had to be reworked because the bridge wasn’t properly measured in advance due to so-called armoured plates.
FFU® technology and projects in Europe
FFU® (Fibre Reinforced Foamed Urethane) is synthetic wood and was developed by SEKISUI in 1978. The material has the same positive properties as natural wood, but a much higher life expectancy and weather resistance. In 2004, the first project in Europe was equipped with this technology. Since then, FFU® synthetic sleepers were installed on bridges and in switches in Europe in a sustainable manner. The “Deutsche Bahn” implemented the first project in 2011 on a steel structure in Vilsbiburg and two bridges with ballasted track. So far, more than 1,400 km of track worldwide have been laid with FFU® synthetic wood. The international standard ISO 12856-1 for plastic railway sleepers came into force in March 2014. In October 2017, the Federal Railway Authority issued the standard licence for use in Germany.
SEKISUI FFU® synthetic sleepers are delivered on a truck.
Constructors install the sleepers into the track.
SEKISUI FFU® synthetic wood sleepers on the track.
Renewed bridge with SEKISUI FFU® sleepers.
Renewed bridge with SEKISUI FFU® sleepers.
