5,200 m³ of underwater concrete poured for new lock
08.07.2026As part of the construction of the new Wedtlenstedt lock on the Salzgitter branch canal, the largest single concrete pour of the project was completed in mid-April. From April 14 to 16, 2026, approximately 5,200 m³ of underwater concrete was poured by BDB Beton GmbH from Mehrum near Peine in continuous day-and-night operations.
The new lock replaces the West Lock, built between 1938 and 1940, whose dimensions and structural condition no longer meet today’s requirements. The new facility will be 190 m long and 12.50 m wide.
Figure: BDB
Continuous Concrete Placement Over 54 Hours
According to the company, an average of 96 m³ of concrete was processed per hour. Three ready-mix concrete plants and more than 30 concrete mixer trucks were involved in the project, supplying the construction site in three shifts.
Three teams of divers continuously carried out the underwater concrete placement using a hop-dobber. At the same time, Ackmann und Lörcher GmbH & Co. KG from Haldensleben ensured that the ready-mix concrete plants were supplied with aggregates, sand, and cement.
During the concrete placement, three concrete engineering teams continuously monitored the quality of the concrete. The goal was to complete the main concrete placement section within 54 hours. A total of approximately 750 concrete mixer truck trips were required to achieve this, without interrupting the concrete placement.
According to the company, construction work on the new lock is proceeding according to schedule. Once completed, the facility is expected to increase the capacity of the Salzgitter branch canal and ensure its future operation.
CONTACT
BDB BETON Baustoffgesellschaft mbH
Ackerköpfe 16
31249 Hohenhameln/Germany
+49 5128 4009 0
