Slender bridge with base of black architectural concrete
The German capital Berlin can enjoy yet another architectural highlight: spanning the Berlin-Spandau shipping canal, the Golda Meir Bridge deliberately sets itself apart from the currently prevailing architectural style of contemporary simplicity. A base of black architectural concrete from Lichtner-Dyckerhoff provides a perfect contrast to the almost sumptuous appeal of the gold-colored arch adorned with a delicate perforated pattern.
The bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, named after the former Israeli prime minister, connects the new Europacity with the Mitte district and is thus an important element of the capital’s infrastructure. The architectural design was created by the Berlin branch of London-based firm ACME Space Ltd.
1,100 m³ of ready-mixed C30/37 concrete, plus a small amount of C35/45 concrete, was used in the construction of the abutments and stair treads. Around 90 m³ were realized as anthracite-colored architectural concrete with Labrador Black aggregate. Acidifying the architectural concrete partially exposed the surface of the Norwegian chippings, and subsequent hydrophobizing enhanced the desired sparkle effect. The architectural concrete was produced in consistency class F4, the remaining concrete in F3, and the concrete for the bored piles in F5. All concretes were produced using a CEM III/A 42.5 N-LH (HOZ Doppel) cement from Dyckerhoff’s plant in Deuna (www.dyckerhoff.com/cgreen).
Supply of 1,100 m³ of “senate concrete”
Jena-based company Streicher Tief- und Ingenieurbau was commissioned with the construction of the bridge. Construction work began in March 2020; the abutments were produced in July 2020. The 190-ton steel bridge was manufactured in Bavaria, shipped to Berlin by barge and placed on the abutments in October 2020. The steel structure, whichfeatures an ornamental perforated pattern in the balustrade, has been painted in gold. It spans the Berlin-Spandau shipping canal and the adjoining promenades with a clear width of 58.70 m.
The client in charge of construction of the Golda Meir Bridge is the Senate Department for the Environment, Traffic and Climate Action (Senatsverwaltung für Umwelt, Verkehr und Klimaschutz). For engineering structures put out to tender by the Berlin Senate, only “senate concrete” may be offered and supplied. Concrete formulations must be created and sampled in the presence of a Senate representative. The suppliers must be senate-approved, as is the case with Lichtner-Dyckerhoff, and specifications have been laid down for the raw materials. The concrete was supplied by the Reinickendorf plant of Lichtner-Dyckerhoff Beton GmbH.
