CONCRETE TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS | INSIGHT
Left:
Installation of pea gravel silos
● its modular systems, enabling use of standard design elements to construct the plant, which allowed both competitive pricing and also bigger buy-back value.
For all parties it was clear that the most critical part would be effective installation inside this tight spaces underground. To optimise the logistics, in the tender phase Simem had developed a 4D analysis (3D space plus time) to simulate the complicated sequencing steps in the installation process. It would not be possible to use common cranes due
to the limited heights of the tunnels and the project schedule was tight. Simem, together with its subsidiary in Germany,
would also be able to provide the complete project management and project organisation as necessary, and also could undertake its service delivery in German language. Before award of the subcontract, representatives from
Kibag and the JV partners Implenia and Frutiger visited Simem’s headquarters, in Italy, and experienced tunnel engineers tested, finalised and approved the concept, production capabilities and engineering resources available for project delivery.
Following award of the contract to Simem, work
immediately pushed ahead. After a few months of detailed engineering the complete design was presented to the customer, Kibag, and the JV. The first trucks with Simem elements arrived on site soon after and then began an eight month-long period to undertake installation of the plant underground. Simem usually employs local installation crews, to guarantee the respect of local laws and regulations. In this case, the installation work was subcontracted to Swiss company Kamer Montagen, under supervision of experienced Simem personnel. A multilingual Simem project manager was on site during the entire installation period. The major challenges during the project were:
● Cement unloading system from the train with a capacity of 50t/h and leading through an inclined tunnel to the plant. All this needs to work in hot summer weather as well as during strong Swiss winters, so in a range from -25°C to +30°C. Four individual compressors with big air-dryers, to prevent freezing in winter, produce sufficient air to transport the cement through the 400mm-wide pipes into the tunnel.
Far left:
Lifting the top of the cement silos into place
Left:
Lifting the distributor belt into place
November 2025
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