Vision and Construction – structural planning symposium

October 12, 2018 – This year the German Association of Consulting Engineers (Verband Beratender Ingenieure) organized its third structural planning symposium entitled Vision and Construction. With 250 participants, this specialist forum is one of the most important industry meets. Several planning engineers gave talks and presented outstanding examples of their work in Germany and abroad. The internationally renowned speakers included Bill Baker from SOM, the studio responsible for the design of the Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest building in the world.

Dr. Hans Scholz spoke about planning and building for the government, focusing in his talk on the current project for the German Bundestag “Rück- und Neubau der Liegenschaft Dorotheenstraße 85 / Schadowstraße 4-6” (Dismantling and reconstructing the properties Dorotheenstrasse 85 / Schadowstrasse 4-6). The WTM Engineers managing director explained the particularities involved in planning on government property, the dismantling of existing structures in the immediate vicinity of listed buildings, and the complex foundation situation. WTM Engineers has planned and inspected numerous projects relating to the relocation of the government and parliament to Berlin since 1995.

Visualization: Competition design Schadowstrasse 4, CODE UNIQUE Architekten, Dresden

Dr. Morgen participates in panel discussion

September 24, 2018 – On September 19, 2018, Berlin hosted a Dialog to Accelerate Large-Scale Construction Projects. Roughly 170 high-ranking participants from the field of planning and construction took part in the event. The contributions and discussions focused on various topics related to the goal of realizing more construction projects in the field of waterway infrastructure.

As a representative of the planning & engineering office, Dr. Karl Morgen took part in the panel discussion in which members debated the current situation and possible solutions. Dr. Morgen put the emphasis on constructive cooperation and a decisive organizational culture on the part of the client. He also drew attention to how the construction process could be positively influenced by high-quality planning. Similarly, Gabriele Peschken from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) took up this idea in her talk “Erst Planen dann Bauen – BIM in der WSV” (Plan first, then build – BIM in the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, WSV). She illustrated the potential for change in WSV projects using “Building Information Modeling.” Finally, participants appraised the other ideas and specific solutions proposed in an interactive survey. Here the focus was in particular on efficient project management as well as simpler contracts and contract processing.

For more information visit https://izw.baw.de/wsv/e-medien/konferenzen/dialog-wasserstrassen

A joint start and joint finish

August 20, 2018 – On August 19, 2018, eight cycling enthusiasts from Berlin and Hamburg with highly varying levels of preparation and equipment set out on the 108.9-km route of the Cyclassics event in Hamburg.

Led by Genia Schäferhoff, the WTM CyclING Team was able to “enjoy” the new route east of Hamburg through the Sachsenwald accompanied by an excellent atmosphere and weather. The team got off to a fast start but slowed down somewhat after reaching the refreshment stop. With the help of the cyclists in front creating a slipstream, the team crossed the finish line together on Mönckebergstrasse. As the finish line photo shows, all the team members were proud and happy with the race they had mastered together from beginning to end, and in a good time, too.

Urban space, harbor life, climate adaptation

June 29, 2018 - As in many other port cities, the port of Svendborg is subject to continuous change. The port industry is retreating and the city is again conquering the water's edge. In order to pay tribute to this development, an urban planning competition was held, which aimed at the city's development towards the port as well as the necessary protection measures regarding climate change. In addition to dealing with cloud burst events, the protection of port and city from storm surges was an integral part of the competition.

In the team with EFFEKT Arkitekter, SWECO Architects and Arcgency, WTM Engineers International prevailed in a two-stage competition with their design of the flood protection measures.

The proposed concept of the polder, which took into account the historical and urban planning concept, includes about 2 km of reinforcing and raising of the quay walls and banks, as well as 3 storm surge barriers.

Image: EFFEKT Arkitekter

The flagship project takes shape

May 29, 2018 – The Center for Eco-efficient Materials & Technologies or EcoMaT is currently being realized at Bremen’s Airport City and is destined to bundle expertise in business and science in the field of lightweight technologies. The topping-out ceremony for the new building, whose footprint is approximately 22,000 square meters, was held on Friday, May 25. This innovation hub, a project of the Hanseatic City of Bremen, Airbus and other partners, is scheduled to open in spring 2019. Some 500 experts are already looking forward to moving to the center, where the focus will be on interdisciplinary work under a single roof.

Since 2013 WTM Engineers has been responsible for the building planning and structural planning of the excavation pit, the structural planning of the building construction, and the thermal building physics.

Photo: WFB/Frank Pusch

The “engineers of tomorrow” at WTM Engineers

May 2, 2018 – On April 26, 2018, six fifth and sixth graders from various schools in Hamburg visited WTM Engineers as part of Girls’ and Boys’ Day. The pupils were able to gain an insight into the various aspects involved in being an engineer. The day-long program included a tour of the office, during which the kids had the opportunity to look over the shoulder of experienced engineers, the construction of a model bridge under expert supervision, and a visit to a large construction site, namely “Southern Überseequartier” in HafenCity. The schoolchildren came away with a richly facetted picture of the profession of a civil engineer. Everyone involved was delighted with this eventful day.

After over 30 years, Dr. Karl Morgen is handing over the responsibility he had for the company as managing partner to the next generation. With a view to strengthening the team, Dr. Thomas Schadow and Dr. Gerhard Zehetmaier have now joined the company as managing partners.
Dr. Schadow has for several years been working in a position of responsibility as an authorized representative and as Head of the Building Construction division at WTM Engineers.
Dr. Zehetmaier has gained years of experience working on national and international projects for a major German construction company and brings this knowledge in our Civil Engineering division.
Dr. Morgen is to continue offering WTM Engineers his services as a consultant engineer, structural check engineer, and Federal Railway Authority (EBA) check engineer. In the future he will continue to bring his experience and extensive specialist knowledge to bear, and will act in an advisory capacity for you.
Together with our fellow managing directors in Munich, Dr. Otto Wurzer and Mr. Helmut Heiserer, as well as all the staff at our offices in Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Copenhagen, we would like to thank you for our excellent working relationship to date, and look forward to continuing it in the future. Your projects are in good hands!

Best Master’s thesis honored

December 1, 2017 – In cooperation with HafenCity University, the WTM Architectural Engineering Prize was awarded for the seventh time. Bestowed by WTM, the prize is worth EUR 2,000. In honoring the best Master’s thesis on the Architectural Engineering course, WTM promotes talented young engineers. This year’s prize went to Jon Lindenberg for his Master’s thesis “An Analysis of the Interaction between Linear Beam Elements and Structurally Effective Membranes, taking the Noda Pavilion as an Example.” Dr. Alexander Steffens bestowed the award at an official ceremony for graduates of the Department of Structural Engineering at HafenCity University in Hamburg.

Engineers and architects enjoy creative exchange

September 12, 2017 – Every three years, engineers and architects meet for the Footbridge Conference, the most important of its kind in the world, which this year was organized by Technische Universität Berlin. It was held from September 6-8 and marked the sixth time that bridge experts from all over the world had met up for an intensive transfer of ideas and knowledge. WTM Engineers delivered a lecture on the bridge over the Schleusengraben canal in Hamburg’s Bergedorf district. Designed jointly with the landscape architects Junker und Kollegen (JKL), the bridge emerged as the winner of a competition in 2014. Planning is currently under way. The agenda also included the presentation of designs and concepts for an ideas competition for six prominent locations in Berlin. The entry by WTM and JKL for the “Gleisdreieck” as well as the other 75 designs were featured in the book “The World’s Footbridges for Berlin”, which is published by Jovis Verlag.

World’s only major research facility goes operational

September 1, 2017 – September 1 saw the official opening of the European XFEL, the world’s fastest, most efficient X-ray laser. Our planning team celebrated the superlative project together with high-level representatives from politics, technology, and science. The reliability with which planning and construction were conducted and the pioneering research opportunities the facility offers received special mention in the addresses. The planning and construction of the XFEL were an extraordinary assignment for our planners. Our engineers worked very closely with the scientists in order to transfer the physical requirements into built structures.

Having been involved from the initial idea, we are delighted to have brought the project to a successful conclusion.

If you would like to find out more about the European XFEL, please visit its website: www.xfel.eu

WTM colleagues run in record-breaking event

June 21, 2017 – Together with over 17,500 participants from around 1,100 companies and organizations, our runners competed in the 16^th IKKBB Berlin Corporate Run. Thanks to the enormous sporting effort they put in, our colleagues successfully completed the entire 5.5-kilometer course. The start was at the Brandenburg Gate, and the sites the runners passed along the way included the Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz, and the Victory Column. The last 1.5 kilometers took them along Straße des 17. Juni to the finish at the Soviet War Memorial. With great weather and in a jovial mood the running teams spent the evening celebrating their success.

WTM Engineers working on new assignment for Munich Airport

June 6, 2017 – The WTM office in Munich has been commissioned with the general planning of the refurbishment of a parking deck at Munich Airport. Built entirely below street level in 1992, it can house up to 1,200 vehicles. As a result of intensive use, the building is in need of refurbishment and needs to be brought up to present-day standards. The contract includes overall coordination, design and structural planning, technical equipment, as well as a survey of the technical building fabric and construction supervision. For the project, specifically the team of experts from WTM Diagnostics will be active; among other things it specializes in non-destructive testing.

Talented young engineers drum up interest in their profession

May 22, 2017 – The German Association of Consulting Engineers’ (VBI) “Constructive Civil Engineering” committee, of which WTM is also a member, has launched a new website at www.ingenieur-talente.de. It provides graphic information about the profession, training, and contacts for engineering as a career. Among other features, the homepage has three short video clips, in which young engineers offer insights into their working world. This way WTM and all the other engineering firms active on the VBI committee aim to get young people interested in civil engineering as a profession.

Civil engineering work begins

April 5, 2017 – April 4 saw the first groundbreaking ceremony for the Southern “Überseequartier” (Overseas Quarter) in the HafenCity district. Olaf Scholz, Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Christophe Cuvillier, and Olivier Nougarou, both the Co-CEO of Unibail-Rodamco, attended the official ceremony, at which together with several invited guests they celebrated the start of construction work. Across a gross surface area of approx. 265,000 m² a complex featuring a mix of retail, housing, entertainment, cruise liner terminal, hotel .and offices, is due for completion by around 2021. All the buildings will boast the Gold HafenCity ecolabel.

WTM is responsible for planning the structural engineering and the excavation pit for the entire Southern “Überseequartier”. The complex will have two underground parking decks. The location on the banks of the tidal river Elbe requires a watertight trough excavation pit and additional flood prevention measures in the event of a storm triggering a tidal bore.

WTM still closely involved in one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects

March 28, 2017 – As part of the joint venture consortium comprising Rambøll, ARUP, and TEC, WTM Engineers was successful in the tendering procedure for the follow-up contract to act as consultant to the developer Femern A/S. Alongside providing the developer with advice on all ongoing processes, the contract includes inspection of the plans drawn up by the construction companies, and on-site construction supervision.

The project involves the construction of a planned 18-kilometer tunnel between the German island of Fehmarn and the Danish island of Lolland; it will be the world’s longest immersed tunnel for a four-lane autobahn with hard shoulder and a two-track railroad. The maximum construction budget, which has been approved by Denmark, totals approx. EUR 7.4 billion, with completion scheduled for 2028.

Read more about the project at: femern.com

Advancing BIM methods in practice

Jan. 3, 2017 - WTM Engineers is supporting applied building research in the project “Standardized Example Data Base for the Software-aided Calculation of Load-bearing Structures “. The project is being conducted by the Institute of Statics and Dynamics of Load-Bearing Structures at Bergische University in Wuppertal. Other renowned engineering firms from Germany, as well as software and construction companies are also taking part. The objectives of the project, which will run until May 2018, include closing gaps in quality assurance in the development and application of software for structural planning. The project is funded by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Plannin (BBSR). You can read all about it here:

http://www.biminstitut.de/forschung/aktuelle-projekte-bim/beispieldatenbank-tragwerksberechnung

Best Master’s thesis honored

Dec. 5, 2016 – This was the sixth time the WTM Architectural Engineering Prize was awarded in cooperation with HafenCity University in Hamburg. Donated by WTM, the prize is worth EUR 2,000, and promotes. With it the company promotes young engineers by honoring the best Master’s thesis by an Architectural Engineering student. This year the prize went to Florian Wanner for his Master’s thesis on “Study of User Comfort as a Result of Reduced Wind Speeds for a High-Rise in HafenCity Hamburg”. The award was presented by Dr. Thomas Schadow, head of Structural ‘Engineering at WTM at an official ceremony for Architectural Engineering graduates at HafenCity University in Hamburg.

WTM involved in Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure research project

Nov. 25, 2016 –The pioneering research project “Implementation of the phased BIM Plan” was launched on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), and WTM is involved. An interdisciplinary consortium of ten partners is advising the BMVI on the phased introduction of building information modeling, or BIM for short. As such, from 2020 on, all major federal trunk road and federal waterways projects will be planned using BIM. In particular, WTM will contribute its extensive expertise in the construction of waterways. The company will assist the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration with the successful realization of its pilot project. The team of expert comprises top-flight science and engineering representatives: first and foremost the company Planen-Bauen 4.0, of which WTM is a co-partner. It brings together major players in the construction industry and champions the advancement and standardization of BIM throughout Germany.

You can read all about the Planen-Bauen 4.0 initiative at: www.planen-bauen40.de

Successful cooperation between universities, companies, and schools

Oct. 10, 2016 – WTM has been supporting youngsters for years now, most recently as part of the “schoolkids’ bridge-building days”, when pupils studying physics spend time at our company learning about structural engineering as a career, and familiarizing themselves with the fundamentals of bridge building. They also get to design a bridge of their own based
on the Shanghai Bridge in Hamburg. On a walking tour the schoolkids then have a chance to marvel at the bridge itself, as well as others WTM designed in the HafenCity district. For the second half of the week the youngsters relocate to HafenCity University to build models of their bridges. With the project WTM supports Initiative Naturwissenschaft und Technik, NAT for short, a non-profit company which in cooperation with universities and companies tries to instill an  interest in scientific subjects among young people.

An article about the “Lighthouse” in the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper

August 20, 2016 – The August 19, 2016 edition of Süddeutsche Zeitung features a detailed article about this residential building with a panoramic view. Lighthouse Zero, a prototype for the innovative residential concept, was recently completed at the tip of the Baakenhafen peninsular in the HafenCity district. At a height of 20 meters, a circular residential platform sits atop a pre-stressed concrete tube. The project was conducted together with the developer and instigator  Arne Weber, HC Hagemann, and the architects BiwerMau. WTM Engineers was responsible for the structural engineering and the fire prevention concept.

Digital building is the future

July 14, 2016 – Last night, Industrieverband Hamburg e.V. (IVH), the Hamburg Association of Industry and more than 70 guests met at WTM for the IVH Special Evening on “In-Cost and On-Time Planning, Building and Operating”. The discussion focused on digitalization in construction. There were lectures by experts: Mr. Lang of Hamburger Hochbahn AG, Mr. Hoyer of Aug. PRIEN Bauunternehmung and Mr. Pfannenberg of Pfannenberg GmbH. Dr. Ehmann, Managing Director at WTM, introduced the topic and moderated the evening. The event clearly showed that the construction industry firmly intends to press the pedal as regards digitalization of workflow, as the benefits to the corporations are more than apparent. The move will lead to complete implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the industry. Those involved have already taken the first successful steps and countless others will follow.

Long-standing screw-producing company is building a 41-meter high-rack warehouse on two levels

June 29, 2016 –Wednesday June 29 saw the topping-out ceremony for the extension to Reyher’s facilities. The trading company has been based in Hamburg for over 125 years and supplies more than 11,000 customers worldwide from the main site in the Altona district of the city. An approx. 41-meter high, fully automated, double-decker high-rack warehouse for pallets and an adjoining office building are currently under construction there. The high-rack warehouse is the first in Germany to boast two levels. WTM has acted as gene Jahren begleitet WTM die Firma Reyher als Generalplaner bei zahlreichen Neu- und Umbauten ral planner for Reyher on numerous new builds and conversions for over 25 years now.

Scientists move into research building on the Schenefeld campus

June 29, 2016 –European XFEL GmbH is celebrating the move to the new research building on the campus in Schenefeld. Construction work is for the most part complete on the European x-ray free electron laser XFEL, a major underground research facility which extends from the DESY site in Hamburg to Schenefeld in the neighboring federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. Installation of the physical equipment is now going ahead at full speed. Research work is due to commence in 2017. Planned by the engineering consortium WTM / Amberg, the project was completed in budget and on time.

Germany can still handle major projects!

For further information please visit www.xfel.eu/de

In total, five WTM teams gave everything they had in the relay races!

June 5, 2016 – With around 1,300 individual starters and 40 relay teams from over 10 countries, the Vierlanden Triathlon in Hamburg was held again on Sunday. This was the second time WTM had taken part in the event, and one of its relay teams made in onto the winners’ podium, no less. All our other colleagues also proved their sporting prowess in either the Olympic discipline (1.5 kilometers swimming, 40 kilometers cycling, and 5 kilometers running) or the everyman’s competition. The event was held in the area around Hohendeich Lake, in which competitors first swam before setting out on the cycling leg along the Norderelbe stretch of river towards Tatenberger Lock, and finally running along the banks of the lake.

A site with a preservation order on it between “Fleet” and City Hall is brought back to life

April 28, 2016. The foundation stone ceremony for the building complex at Alter Wall in downtown Hamburg was held on Thursday, April 28. The city’s Mayor Olaf Scholz and 200 invited guests hailed this major project as a “masterpiece of building technology”. The downtown construction pit alone is 20 meters deep, 90 meters long and 30 meters wide. A total of 45,000 cubic meters of earth were excavated. The plans envisage five buildings for high-end retail, offices and the Bucerius Kunst Forum, that together cover a surface area of 12,000 m², and boast a four-storey underground car park with more than 200 spaces.

WTM Engineers has been commissioned with the structural inspection and construction of the building pit.

Member of Hamburg's company sports association

April 07, 2016. - WTM continues to extend its commitment to sport and has now joined The “Betreibssportverband Hamburg” (BSV), the city’s company sports association. BSV represents the interests of 500 companies and authorities with around 60,000 athletes in metropolitan Hamburg. Our colleagues at WTM engage in cycling, running, triathlon, tennis, water sports and sailing together, and also take part in various sporting events and competitions. Measures aimed at preventative healthcare featuring courses such as yoga and back therapy training have been available in-house for some time now. With its commitment in this field WTM is promoting the health of its workforce, their sense of identity and their team spirit.

In 2016 we are looking forward to our teams taking part in sporting events such as the Hamburg Cyclassics and the Vierlanden Triathlon.

British design website applauds WTM project

March 10, 2016 – Already having been voted “Structure of The Year” by the Association of Architects and Engineers (AIV) in Hamburg back in 2009, this bus station has now won another prize. DesignCurial, a British site, has now named the new central bus station in Poppenbüttel the third most beautiful in the world. Together with the architects from Blunck + Morgen, WTM Engineers built a wing-shaped roof measuring around 1,800 m², producing a light, floating structure that has now caught the eye of British judges as well. The canopy in question, consisting of a closed area clad with aluminum sheeting and an extremely transparent area, covers not only the platforms and elevators, but also hospitality, retail outlets and waiting areas. WTM was responsible for the structural planning and engineering of the project.

First place for planning consortium WTM, MONO and Planorama

February 24, 2016 – Last year the town of Neuenburg am Rhein staged an open, two-stage pan-European planning competition. The design planning consortium consisting of WTM Engineers, MONO Architekten and Planorama Landschaftsarchitekten held its own against 31 competitors. The competition involved submitting preliminary drafts for the construction of a new parking deck and pedestrian and cycle bridge, as well as for the makeover of the open spaces "Am Kronenrain".

As part of the envisaged urban development scheme the town of Neuenburg am Rhein needs a new central parking deck at "Am Kronenrain". With the future location of the parking deck the design traces the line of the former historical town wall, thereby successfully forging the linkage of ancient and modern the town council so wished to see. The state horticultural show, which it is being hosted here in 2022, likewise forms part of the urban development process. With this in mind the planning consortium designed not only the parking deck but also a filigree bridge as well as a tower with stairs and an elevator, which also serves as a viewing platform. The bridge and tower are intended to act as the main link between the grounds where the future state horticultural show will be held and “Kronenrain” and the downtown area.

New sustainable offices for the Leipzig Housing and Construction Association (LWB)

January 21, 2016 – A seven-storey office building with an underground car park has been built on the “Wintergarten” site
in downtown Leipzig and will serve as the headquarters of the Leipziger Wohnungs- und Baugesellschaft mbH (LWB). WTM was responsible for the thermal building physics and fire prevention in the building, which was designed by Schaltraum
Architekten. The structure was designed taking sustainable building aspects into consideration and in line with criteria for certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). The result was readings that are 30 percent lower than those required by the 2009 German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV). WTM has been promoting energy-efficient and resource-saving building for several years now. You can read about these and other special services on our website and on the following link: http://www.wtm-engineers.de/de/leistungen/expertenwissen.html

Award bestowed at HafenCity University (HCU)

December 11, 2015 – In cooperation with HafenCity University the WTM Architectural Engineering Prize was awarded for the fifth time on December 11, 2015. Endowed by WTM, the prize is worth € 3,000 and aims to promote talented young engineers by honoring the best Master’s thesis submitted for the “Bauingenieurwesen - Architectural Engineering” degree. This year the prize went to M.Sc. student Kai Schramme for his thesis “The Development of Convertible Folded Plates on the Basis of Parametric Principles” and was awarded to him by Dr. Alexander Steffens at the graduation ceremony for Architectural Engineering students at HafenCity University in Hamburg.

WTM-Engineers provide a detailed account of the status quo in this specialist field

November 11, 2015 – The book "Beton-Kalender 2016" is out. In volume 2 “Silos and Containers”, authors Dr. Morgen (WTM), Dr. Ehmann (WTM), and Dr. Ruckenbrod (SMP) examine the design, the load assumptions, the calculation, the structural design, and the construction of these engineering structures in detail. They also provide important information about boosting the efficiency of and repairing silos.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) planning construction of a biogas plant and community center

October 20, 2015 - WTM is helping Engineers Without Borders (EWB) with the financing of a project in the village of Hudisahi in north eastern India. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology branch of EWB takes part in assignments in developing countries worldwide in the fields of water supply, energy sourcing, and infrastructure. Given the increasing scarcity of wood in the region, and the difficult living conditions, a biogas plant for supplying individual households will be built first, followed by a community center with a photovoltaic system. EWB members are currently in the village, where together with the Indian partner organization and the local population they are finalizing planning and coordination measures. The first ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for late 2015. EWB is still reliant on donations. If you would like to find out more about the charity and the project, please visit: www.ewb-karsruhe.de/projekte/odisha

Creative design for the WTM offices incorporating sound-absorbing pictures

13 August 2015 – The new sound-absorbing pictures not only play a functional role for individual acoustic insulation, but also constitute an aesthetic and contemporary means of displaying the planning and competition results of the last few decades. Thematically tailored to the individual specialist departments, collages made up of colour-adapted project images present the full range of services WTM provides. The design concept is supplemented by individual pictures that interpret a typical material of the relevant specialist department in representative fashion. Anyone wishing to learn more about the subject of acoustics and design can read the article about WTM in Designlines, available at the following link: http://www.designlines.de/projekte/Akustik-im-Bild_15776467.html 

A race for the Kinder helfen Kindern charity

June 27, 2015 – Amongst the 24,000 participants there were also 11 WTM runners. The HSH Nordbank Run is the largest charity run in North Germany, with runners covering a 4-km circuit in Hamburg’s HafenCity. We would like to thank our team for their hard work, and look forward to the forthcoming sporting events in the second half of the year!

Flood protection was finalized in time

April 29, 2015 - On May first the new Whitney Museum of American Art openens for public.

Renzo Piano designed the new museum with wide open light gallery spaces and with marvelous views over the Hudson and Manhattan connecting the outside to the inside. The design presents an enormous change in expression regarding the old Whitney Museum designed by Marcel Breuer in 1966 as closed, protective concrete structure at the Upper East Side. The new Museum is located in the Meatpacking District in Manhattan, NYC at the end of the Highline and next to the Hudson River in a low laying area.

The storm surge caused by the Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 detected a severe vulnerability of the building for storm surges, especially as the flood exceeded the applicable design water level.

WTM Engineers were asking to develop a flood mitigation concept which should be integrated into and hidden behind the existing design, as the design was already done and the building was structurally completed. Based on a new design water level, determined in cooperation with the Franzius Institute for Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering in Hannover, WTM Engineers were able to develop a flood protection concept including the strengthening of the existing structure, arranging of flood gates and mobile barrier systems at all openings exposed to flood and developing a concept for operation.

WTM Engineers accompanied the implementation of the concept on-site. The museum was finalized in time.

WTM Engineers enabled the new Whitney Museum of American Art to protect their invaluable artwork in future to much worse storm surges than the one of the devastating Sandy Hurricane.

Another airport project in Switzerland under construction

March 31, 2015 – With WTM Engineers and its partner having designed a noise protection hangar at Zurich Airport, (commissioned in April 2014), another hangar destined for engine run-ups is under construction at Geneva Airport, which will offer noise protection to inhabitants and commercial premises in the area. WTM Engineers was commissioned with the design planning, structural engineering, acoustics, and studies of the flow mechanics. Furthermore, WTM, together with Thomas Jundt ingénieurs civils, is in charge of the on-site building supervision.

The hangar is being constructed as a wide-span, flat, steel framework structure. On account of the acoustic lining on the inside, the actual steel structure is outside the sound-proofed hangar. The, for technical reasons, unique shape of the building, the exterior framework, the vertically structured lamellas and the movable steel deflection make for a functional, special structure.

Work on the building began in March 2015. Assembly of the exterior steel structure commenced with the positioning of the main frame and an outside wall.

Commissioning of the entire structure is envisaged for November of this year.

Topping-out ceremony at the European XFEL international research facility

February 18, 2015 - WTM Engineers offers its congratulations to European XFEL GmbH on the occasion of the topping-out ceremony for the main building at the Schenefeld site in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. The ceremony marked a milestone in the construction of the X-Ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL), one of the largest international research facilities in Europe.

In connection with the 3.3-kilometer long XFEL, which WTM Engineers likewise planned, the research building with the company headquarters and the underground facility for experiments beneath it were constructed over the course of six years. Alongside offices, the new building has laboratories, a cleanroom laboratory and seminar rooms. The underground experiment hall with five experiment areas is located 20 meters beneath the main building.

The services provided by the engineering syndicate WTM Engineers (which acted as lead) and Amberg Engineering AG from Regensdorf in Switzerland included the feasibility study, compilation of the planning permission documentation, site planning and structural design, as well as construction management and site monitoring.

Over 350 guests attended the official ceremony, including representatives of the Federal Government, the States of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, the consular representatives of various countries, local politicians and officials, and representatives of the European XFEL Council, not to mention employees of European XFEL and DESY, and honored the efforts of the companies working on the construction project.

Link between downtown and the opera house

Jan. 28, 2015 – Nearly two weeks ago, the pedestrian and cycle bridges over the Christanshavn, Trangraven, and Proviantmagasin canals in downtown Copenhagen were officially opened by Mayor Frank Jensen. Designed by WTM Engineers and Dietmar Feichtinger Architects, the bascule bridges took two years to construct.

Configured in the shape of a star and each with one platform, the steel bridges over Christianshavn and Trangraven canals are eight meters wide and the free platforms up to 23 meters long; there is a further bascule bridge over Proviantmagasin canal. When both platforms are opened the bridge resembles a butterfly, and locals affectionately refer to it as the “Butterfly Bridge”. The extremely filigree structure enables the set of bridges to blend in discreetly with the historical neighborhood with its listed quay walls and buildings. The bridges form part of a new pedestrian and cycle path in Copenhagen that links downtown with the new opera house.

WTM supports the “Junge HTG” workshop in Kiel

Dec. 1, 2014 – This year’s “Junge HTG” workshop in Kiel was actively supported by WTM engineers. One of our staff, Lea-Frederike Koß, played a key role in the organization.

The content of the workshop was rounded by out by a poster provided by Hinnerk Sunderdiek and Manfred Gutsche, entitled “Building the 5^th Lock Chamber at Brunsbüttel” and a lecture by Fritz Hilgenstock on the “Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link – tunneling to Scandinavia “. All three are experienced engineers at WTM.

We are pleased that we were able to support the “Junge HTG” in the process of knowledge transfer by networking young engineers with experienced professionals.

For the overall congress program, simply visit www.htg-online.de

Research program with the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing

Nov. 20, 2014 - WTM Engineers and BAM, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing have been commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy to run the research project on “ZfP Structural Design – Incorporating automated non-destructive audits into retrospective load-bearing calculations and a holist assessment of existing bridges”.

As part of this research project, scheduled to run three years, a pragmatic method will be developed to enable the results of non-destructive tests (ZfP) into the probabilistic retrospective calculation of existing bridges – as Stage of the Retrospective calculations Guideline issued by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

image source: www.bam.de

Fußgängerunterführung Messezugang Hamburg-Sternschanze

During construction work on the new pedestrian underpass at the Sternschanze entrance to the Hamburg trade fair complex, on September 11, 2014 an approx. 25-meter long tunnel segment was inserted beneath the fully operational Deutsche Bahn railroad tracks.

The inserted shell weighs around 750 tons in total. The insertion was made using a towing device “from the front”. Given its footprint, which is widened in the shape of a trumpet, it is not possible to insert the northern section of the tunnel in the same way. The tunnel and the other parts are being made using in-situ concrete.

The pedestrian underpass is expected to be completed in the fall of 2015.

On behalf of the Roads, Bridges, and Waterways Agency of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, WTM worked on the planning of the structure util it was put out for tender.

Structural work completed

June 27, 2014 – At the invitation of the Opera Director-General Dr. Birgit Meyer and the Theater Director General Stefan Bachmann, and in the presence of Mayor of the City of Cologne Jürgen as well as around 800 guests, not to mention those involved in the construction work, the topping out ceremony was held to mark the conclusion of the structural work on Offenbachplatz.

Performances in the completely renovated and extended “Bühnen Köln” building ensemble, which was designed by Wilhelm Riphahn and houses the opera house, theater, the new underground children’s opera house and the new “Kleines Haus” are expected to begin again in November 2015.

As part of the “Prüfung Bühnen Köln” consortium that included the firm Dr.-Ing. W. Naumann & Partner, and Dr.- W. Sievering, WTM has been commissioned with the technical inspection of all the buildings, facades, and excavation pits, and the securing of the existing buildings and the stage equipment structures.

New beacon heralds construction work

May 23, 2014 – The new beacon recently erected on Mole 2 near Brunsbüttel serves not only as a guide for shipping, but also for the expansion of the international Kiel Canal.

Following final approval by the Federal Republic of Germany of the construction costs totaling half a billion euros, work can now commence on the major project that is the 5^th lock chamber in Brunsbüttel. Since 2008 WTM has been providing the client, the Brunsbüttel Waterways and Shipping Authority, with planning services relating to structural and design planning, supervision of the planning approval procedure, tendering procedure, and award of the contract. Services relating to construction management and local site supervision are now pending.

The lock is intended to be opened to shipping in the second half of 2020.

WTM successfully re-certified in accordance with ISO 9001: 2008

Following extensive tests, WTM Engineers once again received the ISO 9001: 2008 quality seal for all its locations (Hamburg, Berlin, Munich), as well as for WTM International.

Achieving the audit targets underscores WTM Engineers’ own quality standards. The auditor Jürgen Feil mentioned in particular the quality management system in place at WTM, which made an extraordinarily good impression. The DNV GL auditor also praised the employees’ great expertise.

“We’re proud of the path we have taken with regard to quality. For our clients and partners it’s an important part of our joint work – now and in the future,” Dr. Ulrich Jäppelt, Managing Director at WTM Engineers and the QM Team in Hamburg, Berlin and Munich are delighted to say.

More about quality management at WTM

Contract for the revitalization of Congress Centrum Hamburg (CCH) awarded to WTM

Following its successful pre-qualification in the first round of the procedure for the contract award for the revitalization of Congress Centrum Hamburg (CCH), at the end of the second round WTM has now landed the contract for the structural planning.

The CCH has 23 flexible-use rooms covering a gross surface area of approx. 96,000 square meters. Opened in 2007, the western section no longer meets current requirements relating to Hamburg positioning itself as an international trade fair city. Built in 1973 and with a preservation order now on it, the old structure, on the other hand, cannot sustain the changed demands in terms of spatial requirements and congress procedures.

The plans involve restructuring and renovating the building, such that it satisfies current needs, in the form of a plenary hall, group rooms that can be partitioned, as well as exhibition and communication spaces that will enable the CCH to grow further.

Subject to conclusive political decisions, the work is due to be conducted in 2017-18.

“Brückenschlag Darmstadt”

The entry submitted to the “Brückenschlag Darmstadt” (Darmstadt Bridge) competition was rewarded with a commendation and prize money. The design by WTM was the result of collaboration with the architecture firm Benthem Crouwel from Amsterdam (Netherlands), the Hamburg transport planners ICB Ingenieur-Consult, and the light planning firm Bartenbach from ldrans in Austria.

The competition related to two road bridges across the railroad tracks between Rheinstrasse and the Heimstättensiedlung development in Darmstadt, which forms part of an overall concept.

“The proposed family of bridges has […] an extraordinarily high recognition factor, which can provide an identity and play a role in a perceptible upgrading of the urban environment around the planned bridges,” was how the jury’s verdict read.