NEWS THE VSL NEWS MAGAZINE • ISSUE TWO 2009 Intrafor, an underground partner VSL Dampers for buildings Gautrain in South Africa SUSTAINABLE 4 DEVELOPMENT s Small efforts – big savings 4 STRENGTHENING 5 t FACTS&TRENDS 6 Stay cables: Hodariyat success 6 VIETNAM h Nuclear: Double first 7 DAMPERS 23 g COVER STORY 8 28 i Intrafor, an underground partner With its extensive experience in soil l engineering techniques, Intrafor is increasing its turnover dramatically. h SITE INSIGHTS 16 Dubai: VSL at the top 16 g Russia: Towering trio 19 Vietnam: Complex development 23 i SADDLE 26 Equatorial Guinea: Double challenge 24 h TECHNICAL REPORT 26 Full scale success for VSL Saddle FOCUS 28 How to mitigate movement in buildings? GAUTRAIN 32 TECH SHOW 32 For people on the move VSL is playing a key role in the construction of the Gautrain, South Africa’s new state-of-the-art rapid rail network NEWS, magazine published by VSL International Ltd. • Bern, Switzerland Director of Publication: Daniel Rigout• daniel.rigout @vsl.com Editor in chief: Jane Rousseau • jane.rousseau @vsl.com Editor : Elisabeth Lichter-Rodriguez • elisabeth.lichter @vsl.com Co-ordinators: Carlos Such, Emilie Parati, Doris Tong. Distribution: Sandra Puel • sandra.puel @vsl.com Design: Red Line Photos: Derek Allan, Arnaud Février, Philippe Guignard, Hervé Gouband, Clive Hassel, David O’Donnell, Jane Rousseau, Kevin Wright Photography, Laurent Zylberman, others Copyright: VSL • Cover photo: Foundation works in Hong Kong at Central Reclamation ISSUE TWO • 2009 EDITORIAL Building on innovative solutions The economic turmoil of the last year has influenced markets all over the world. But the infrastructure packages launched by all major countries in terms of civil works brought economies and the construction business back on the track. VSL has continued its active 3 marketing policy and can announce the signature of several important projects, such as two large projects for foundations: the Central Reclamation Phase III as well as HATS project, important contracts for VSL-Intrafor in Hong Kong. Another major project is the design and build contract for the Hodariyat Bridge in Abu Dhabi which represents an excellent opportunity to emphasize VSL’s role as leader in the stay-cable business and in line with our No. 1 Bridge Partner strategy. VSL is also building this year on another important area of competences and signed a contract for the post-tensioning works in a nuclear power plant in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. This will be a major reference for VSL and opens new possibilities on the ever growing nuclear market worldwide. VSL’s staff throughout the world has made considerable efforts to continue to offer optimised services to clients, to propose innovative solutions and to see what is best, for the engineers, the main contractor and the owner, as well as for the project. VSL’s well known commitment to quality and innovation will strengthen VSL’s position as market leader and as No. 1 construction partner. Jean-Philipppe TRIN, former CEO & Daniel RIGOUT, CEO as of Nov. 2009 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Small efforts – big savings VSL’s Actitudes programme is now three years old. VSL’s approach to sustainable development, is ‘Improving our attitudes through the way we act’ . It has 42 specific action points in seven key areas: client relationship, risk management, leadership in health and safety, employee skills and opportunities, supplier relationship, respecting the environment, community support. Review of some recent efforts. Good practice on site Certification significantly increases the proportion of the VSL Group Triple certification covered by triple certification. VSL has been making great strides in developing and implementing VSL Switzerland more effective management VSL’s Swiss operations achieved 4 systems and conforming to triple certification to ISO 9001, international standards. ISO ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001:2007 Video site inspections 9001:2008 is client-focused, with in June 2009. The scope covered by A new initiative was launched in the primary aim of ensuring the certification includes post- 2009, with site inspections being ‘Quality’ – that is that the tensioning, structural recorded on video. The inspections requirements of clients are strengthening, stay cables, are then annotated to identify both identified, understood and met. bearings, dampers, ground hazards and good practice with the The ISO 14001:2004 standard anchors and geotechnics. results published as training aids. focuses on ensuring that VSL At the same time, Special Projects, The plan is to record an inspection activities are conducted in an Heavy Lifting, and the European for each type of work and each environmentally-friendly way, Technical Centre achieved type of project. while OHSAS 18001 makes sure certification to ISO 9001 and that works are carried out without OHSAS 18001. Better living undue risk, either to VSL VSL Middle East for site labour employees or to those working VSL-ME satisfied the system VSL Brunei is in the process of with and around VSL. requirements of all three upgrading its labourers’ living VSL Australia was recently standards when audited in conditions by providing better September and was recommended accommodation and amenities in recommended for triple certification for quality, safety and for the triple certification of its the camp, in line with VSL’s Integrated Management System ideology to “lead by example". environmental management (ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001). (IMS). The certification covers the Recognising This achievement builds on a long full range of work, including history of quality management and design, supply, installation, safe performance construction and consulting VSL-Intrafor Hong Kong was involved services in relation to specialist in organising and judging the construction methods and Lighthouse Club (Hong Kong Branch) structural engineering projects Safe Subcontractor Awards 2009. The using VSL post-tensioning awards were presented in front of systems, segmental erection, stay 300 people, including senior cables, VSoL ® and stressbars. I representatives from the Government and other major employers. NEWS N°2•2009 Take the lead in sustainability Recycling materials Environmentally-friendly paint systems in Thailand, India, Dubai, VSL in New Zealand is taking a lead VSL Thailand has identified that Hanoi, Melbourne and possibly in sustainability and recycling by the use of high-quality paint and Brisbane, to supplement existing finding companies who can reuse strict painting standards has many systems in Paris, Switzerland, Hong materials arising from the advantages including reduced Kong and Singapore. demolition of a 700m-long viaduct. maintenance and lifetime paint Other initiatives include reducing costs, extended equipment life Developing a new culture carbon footprints by working with and improved productivity. and changing old customs key suppliers to minimise the The approach is being used initially • Use less paper number of deliveries. on hydraulic jacks. Paper production and related activities have a strong Cleaning concrete environmental impact, requiring up waste naturally to 60m 3 of water to produce a ton of VSL Brunei has set up a series of paper. Throughout the network, ponds at its yard to treat the water offices are implementing many that washes out its concrete mixer recycling and paper-saving routines trucks. Settlement removes the including printing documents on both sediment and ultraviolet radiation sides, use of recycled paper as well treats the water before discharge, as scrap paper where possible, with promising initial results. thinking before printing and recycling printer cartridges and paper. Reduce pollution Adoption of the guidelines achieves 5 Vehicle fleet significant energy and cost savings • VSL Thailand recently replaced an Charity bike ride without affecting the quality of work. older diesel truck with one that combines use of compressed Office organisation • Save energy natural gas and diesel. The Stay right where you are Timers have been fitted to all investment has an expected payback As a global organization, VSL needs printers and photocopiers in VSL’s period of three years or 250,000km. to communicate across borders and Hong Kong offices to shut off the as a result staff members have power overnight and at weekends. • In Switzerland, VSL is reducing spent considerable time travelling the environmental impact of its by air to attend meetings, creating a There are also more local initiatives, vehicle fleet: vehicles coming up for significant ‘air travel footprint’. In an such as developing enthusiasm for renewal are replaced with ones that effort to reduce this footprint by cycling to work and supporting are leaders in environmental 25%*, VSL is upgrading its video- charity bike rides. performance to ensure continual conferencing capabilities. These improvements in the fleet’s upgrades will be completed by the * The actual amount of travel depends on activity emission and fuel performances. end of 2009 and will introduce levels and locations. Community actions Members of staff around the world VSL Taiwan staff sacrificed their carry out corporate and individual holidays to help in a refuge camp community activities. For instance, after Typhoon Morakot caused VSL Australia is now a sponsor and severe damage and the loss of partner of the international hundreds of lives in August. foundation Emergency Architects, Staff members from VSL India have which works alongside other been making regular