Design Oosterweel Link with preservation of a historically protected building Samga Silo A-Paper

Paper

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The paper examines how construction of Antwerp’s Oosterweel Link may affect Samga Silo A, a protected 1895 masonry building located close to a planned tunnel. The 100-by-25-metre structure has a shallow concrete foundation and stands near works including dock filling, quay construction and demolition, piling, and deep tunnel excavation.<br /><br />Researchers used Plaxis 2D models to estimate ground and building settlements from the construction activities, and a Diana finite-element model to assess the masonry’s deformation and likely cracking. The predicted combined settlement reaches a maximum of about 73 mm; tunnel construction is the largest individual contributor, at up to 30 mm. The Diana analysis indicates potential significant cracking beneath the building’s expansion joints, although predictions are uncertain because of assumptions about soil, structural behaviour, and construction effects.<br /><br />Several ways to reduce settlement were evaluated. The adopted tunnel design incorporates thicker and deeper diaphragm walls, balancing effectiveness, cost, and construction scheduling. The team also changed the quay-demolition method, using localized drilling rather than first creating a building pit and removing the entire quay.<br /><br />Because deformations may develop gradually over several years, the project relies on continuous monitoring of settlement, vibration, and crack widths to check and refine the models and guide any interventions. If damage becomes significant, possible responses include crack repairs, reinforcement across masonry joints, or compensation grouting beneath the foundation. The study emphasizes adapting design and construction methods while preserving the building’s structural integrity.

Keywords

Antwerp Oosterweel Link

Samga Silo A

masonry building

ground settlement

tunnel excavation

finite element analysis

Plaxis 2D

Diana model

cracking risk

construction monitoring