![Two PORR helmets lie on a foundation stone of Continental AG on a construction site.](/fileadmin/_processed_/0/f/csm_Continental_1_7edab0a38c.jpg)
of its kind
Extension to Continental building in Iasi
At the Continental research centre in Iasi, Romania, PORR is building a seven-storey extension and annexes onto the tyre manufacturer’s existing R&D building.
The seven-storey precast concrete structure is one of the first of its kind for Romania. Two major challenges were faced in the first phase of the project: tricky soil and weather conditions, and coordinating the subcontractors.
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EmployerContinental Automotive Romania
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ContractorPORR Construct
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ArchitectArcadia Engineering
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Order typeGeneralunternehmerin
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Project typeBuilding construction
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Project scopePlanning and building a seven-storey office building including annexes, linked to an existing building
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Order volume24.7 million euros
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Construction start01/2019
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Construction end03/2020
Overview
Tyre manufacturer Continental is planning to use the extension to its research centre in Iasi to centralise its local R&D activities. Employees currently scattered across numerous small offices in the city will relocate to the new centre in March 2020. The contract for the 24.7 million euro project was awarded to PORR Construct. Construction is being carried out almost exclusively by local workers and subcontractors.
![Continental The diagram shows the existing structure of a building in blue and the planned extension in red.](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/9/csm_Continental_pixelart_336795985c.jpg)
![Continental The diagram shows the existing structure of a building in blue and the planned extension in red.](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/9/csm_Continental_pixelart_336795985c.jpg)
Project details
The current research centre in Iasi consists of a five-storey office block and a small single-storey annex used as a test garage, waste area and substation. The extensions are being built on the west and east sides of this existing building and the inner courtyards of the two multi-storey buildings.
After the excavation, 400 concrete piles were drilled and the building foundation was concreted. Even at this early project stage, the PORR experts ran into significant challenges: Repeated heavy rains held up the displacement and sealing process and the 85 tonne drilling rig had to be supported by a work platform as the site turned into a bog. The building foundation was divided into two sections to minimise effects on the schedule. Work on the first half of the base plate to be concreted could then continue despite the difficult conditions.
![Two construction workers in high-visibility waistcoats walk across a building site where a multi-storey building and a tall construction crane can be seen.](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/b/csm_Continental_5_78158963da.jpg)
![Two construction workers in high-visibility waistcoats walk across a building site where a multi-storey building and a tall construction crane can be seen.](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/b/csm_Continental_5_78158963da.jpg)
New construction technique
A particular highlight of the project is the use of precast concrete structures, a technique that has not yet found a foothold in Romania. A system comprising a stiff-jointed frame with precast reinforced concrete girders and columns minimised the effects of the construction work on the existing building and ensured faster installation.
The main component of the structure is a cross girder with precast columns that have corrugated pipe inserts. With this system, the reinforcement can be inserted from the lower level into the upper level. Grout sleeves connect the cross girders with the longitudinal supports. These are installed ex-works in the prefabricated columns and injected in-situ with a mortar.
To avoid problems, the prefabricated columns were not installed until the positioning of the starter bars had been carefully checked. The rebars protruding from the base plate had to be placed with a maximum deviation of 5mm, in order that the grout sleeves in the prefabricated columns could be assembled precisely on the rebar ends.
![A construction worker measures the height of the reinforcing bars in a concrete base on a building site.](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/f/csm_Continental7_pixelart_b41e160c8a.jpg)
![A construction worker measures the height of the reinforcing bars in a concrete base on a building site.](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/f/csm_Continental7_pixelart_b41e160c8a.jpg)
A major challenge in the first stage of the project was coordinating the subcontractors carrying out precast concrete production and assembly with the subcontractors for the poured in-situ concrete.
Summary
The biggest challenge in the first stage of the project was coordinating the subcontractors carrying out precast concrete production and assembly with the subcontractors for the poured in-situ concrete.
The result of the cooperation is a sort of jigsaw of precast elements
connected together with small in-situ concrete elements.
Thanks to excellent cooperation between the individual teams, the way has been paved for completion on time in March 2020.
Technical Data
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Gross floor area2,200m²
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Site area25,000m²
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Excavation depth3.5m
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Parking spaces150
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Steel incorporated50t
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Concrete incorporated9,000m³
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Reinforced concrete incorporated1,200t