A remarkable project is currently underway in Kleine-Brogel, notable for both the size of the site and the complexity of the works. A concrete pavement of no less than 30,000 m² is being installed for the cargo parking and loading/unloading zone near the main runway. APK Wegenbouw was selected to carry out the works. To ensure proper drainage, they in turn chose to partner once again with Deschacht.
Thorough study and preparation specific to the site
Lead civil servant and also author of the specifications Bart Geerts speaks: “The water management involved in this assignment sounds deceptively simple: buffer, settle and drain. Yet there are a number of challenges specific to this site that led to consulting Deschacht’s engineering department, among others. On the one hand, the scale of the works poses a challenge. The entire surface area of the paving is surrounded by drainage channels.
In addition, these gutters must be connected to an underground buffer and settling basin. An open basin would attract birds, which obviously poses a risk to aircraft jet engines. Thirdly, the line marking is crucial to safely receive the aircraft. The paving was executed in concrete rather than asphalt because of its compressive strength for the point loads of aircraft. Perfect installation is therefore essential.”
Deschacht's expertise
APK Wegenbouw specified the materials for the works. Site manager Koen Brebels testifies: “We indeed chose to collaborate with Deschacht again. The products they offer have an excellent price-quality ratio and the communication is very pleasant. That we had to use both an optimal plan and high-quality materials for this assignment became clear when heavy showers flooded the entire site in June 2021. The paving had not even been installed yet at that time.”
A remarkable project is currently underway in Kleine-Brogel, notable for both the size of the site and the complexity of the works. A concrete pavement of no less than 30,000 m² is being installed for the cargo parking and loading/unloading zone near the main runway. APK Wegenbouw was selected to carry out the works. To ensure proper drainage, they in turn chose to partner once again with Deschacht.
A total of 411 m of Faserfix Super 300 01 (Hauraton) drainage channels was installed, including cast iron grates load class F-900. Koen Brebels praises the dimensional accuracy of the Faserfix channels. “Despite having to work with concrete, we achieved a perfect alignment in the channels, everything clicked together nicely. The result is impressive, which is of course also thanks to all the installers.” Through these channels, the water flows into a double-walled KWS oil separator HSKPEA090 (Collinet) toward an underground settling basin. For this project, Deschacht supplied 3,600 units of IT Plus Variobox SP.
The system was just designed for use in large-scale applications. Variobox contributes to this sustainable water management system by infiltrating excess water. The drainage system is ready and the delivery of the entire site is planned. Thanks to the good interaction between APK and Deschacht, the collaboration is going well, literally and figuratively.
APK Group
HQ location: Pelt Founded: 1960 Number of employees: 1,653 Activities: Infrastructure works Company: APK Group specializes in infrastructure works for water pipes and facilities, energy networks, telecom networks, and road construction. In addition, complementary activities in environmental and landscape architecture, trenchless technologies, civil structures, and recycling provide true added value. APK Group is active in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
