Since the project’s inception, TESS Industri-Fokus Porsgrunn has been a key partner, contributing with expertise, specialized equipment, and solutions that ensure safe and efficient execution.
Grenland Bridge: Technology and Precision
In the southern part of the Grenland Bridge, the assembly of steel box girder bridges with concrete slabs and road surfacing is underway. The work requires high precision and careful coordination between steel and concrete work. The project is technically demanding, with high demands for safety, sustainability, and construction standards.
Chloé Volberg, civil engineer for the steel section, highlights TESS’s role:
– If we need something, we just ask Andreas or Georg at TESS – and they find it. They get us everything we need on site, she says with a smile.
Bridge Construction at Langangen: An Engineering Challenge
The Langangen project consists of two bridges, Langangen 1 and 2, which span Langangsfjorden. Langangen 1 is already in place, while work on Langangen 2 is ongoing. The tallest pillar will be 63 meters, significantly higher than the existing ones at around 43 meters. The bridges are built of steel, with enormous load-bearing components transported from France via Rotterdam and Larvik, before being brought to the site on specialized trailers. The sections are welded and assembled into complete spans.
To place the bridge sections, launching is used – meaning that the bridge elements are pushed outwards as they are completed, from one or two sides until the bridge is in the correct position. The bridge rests on temporary support towers and is gradually pushed forward with winches, cables, and greased sliding pads. The front steel nose distributes the weight and ensures stability until the bridge reaches the next pillar. Each bridge section weighs between 1200 and 2000 tons, in steel alone, before a concrete deck is added to provide the necessary strength to the structure.
Induction Heaters and Safe Welding
One of the latest additions to the project is the use of induction heaters for warming steel plates before welding. Previously, this was done with propane burners, which was both time-consuming and posed safety challenges. Induction makes heating faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly:
– The client wanted to use as much electricity as possible instead of oil and gas, and TESS helped us with the implementation. This reduces fossil energy consumption, increases workplace safety, and provides faster and more precise welding, explains Chloé.
Sustainability in Focus
Sustainability is a central part of the project. Eiffage, Metrostav, and B&G continuously work to reduce the environmental impact of the construction process, which traditionally has high emissions from concrete and steel. By implementing electrical solutions, optimizing transport, and reducing material waste, the project contributes to a greener construction process.
– We want to be part of the solution, not the problem. Everyone must contribute for it to work, says Chloé.
TESS – A Partner That Creates Value
TESS has delivered far more than just equipment. The company has provided knowledge transfer, consulting, and quick access to parts and solutions. Christin Michael, chief mechanic for the tunnel work, describes the value:
– We use TESS for hydraulic hoses, machine parts, platform equipment, and electrical components. TESS responds quickly and solves problems almost immediately. This makes our work more efficient and reduces the risk of downtime.
The client’s value lies in security, efficiency, and quality. With TESS as a partner, contractors gain:
- Quick access to specialized equipment and parts
- Knowledge transfer and on-site training
- Reduced risk of delays and downtime
- Improved safety and environmentally friendly solutions
This ensures that the project can be completed within schedule and budget, while maintaining quality.
Experience and Knowledge Transfer
For young engineers like Theo Duplaquet, responsible for the steel section at Langangen, the collaboration with TESS has been invaluable. – I have learned an incredible amount here, both professionally and personally. Having a partner like TESS provides security and allows us to focus on the technical work, he says.
When the Langangen bridges are completed, they will not only provide shorter travel times and safer traffic conditions but also serve as a concrete example of how collaboration with a competent and solution-oriented partner can create real value for the client – in terms of quality, efficiency, and sustainability.