The challenge of joint closure on the Wandelbahn

The Wandelbahn project on Borkum is located in a flooding area with strong sea surge. In addition, the subsoil naturally does not have the required 45 MPa and gives a significantly lower modulus of elasticity than the prescribed standard.

Borkum is the westernmost and, at just under 31 square kilometres, largest of the seven inhabited East Frisian islands. The beach protection wall, which is more than 100 years old, is directly exposed to swell over a length of about 1,500 m. The beach promenade was renovated in 2012 and 2013. In 2012 and 2013, the adjacent, busy beach promenade was renovated. ROMEX^® had a key role to play in this case. It was clear to all involved that jointing in an unbound design with wave action could be the key to success. ROMEX developed a joint closure material with the physical properties to withstand the stress in advance of the execution. The joint closure was carried out throughout in accordance with DIN 18318 and was grouted with ROMPOX^® - D2000.

The special preliminary conditions lead to the assumption that this construction measure would not permanently withstand the forces of nature. But even hurricane "Christian", which swept over Borkum in autumn 2013, was unable to damage the promenade and its grouting. Years later, after many more hurricanes, tidal flooding and heavy sea surge, the Wandelbahn looks as if it had never been subjected to the most extreme stresses. The design is therefore a good model for similar projects to be planned along the coast in the future.

Reference photos