Commissioned by the Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV), SANACON (in collaboration with SBE) carried out a comprehensive study and design assignment for the renovation of the Leonard Tunnel (-2) at the intersection of the Brussels Ring Road (R0) and the E411 . The project specifically focused on the roof slab and front walls of the tunnel tubes, which showed damage due to crumbling concrete cover and chloride-initiated reinforcement corrosion .
Our approach: Maximizing service life through innovation. The study’s goal was to maximize the structure’s service life to 30 years after renovation . To achieve this, SANACON applied its extensive expertise in concrete durability and corrosion analysis .
Key points of our contribution to this project:
Complete Construction Technical Survey: Mapping of both visible and invisible damage through thorough inspections and chloride measurements.
Risk analysis & Restoration options: Drawing up a comparative study between different restoration methods, taking into account budget, accessibility and maintenance-free periods .
Cathodic Protection Design (CP): Cathodic protection with impressed current was chosen as the most sustainable solution for the roof slab . SANACON provided the complete design, technical specifications, and bill of quantities for the implementation specifications .
Site Supervision & Adjustment: In addition to the design phase, SANACON provided technical assistance during implementation, including checking for local repairs and adjusting the KB system .
Result Thanks to the scientifically sound approach, the Leonard Tunnel now has future-proof protection that guarantees its structural integrity for decades to come . This project serves as a benchmark for large-scale infrastructure renovations in which specialized concrete studies and advanced protection techniques go hand in hand .
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