The Hallepoort tunnel was named after the former Hallepoort city gate in Brussels, which it is located beneath. It facilitates transit traffic on the ‘small ring’ inner ring road and links the Munthofstraat and the Engelandstraat crossroads. The road tunnel is 635 m long, 4.5 m high and 17 m wide and will be renovated and upgraded from February 2017 until January 2019.

Alongside the installation of fireproof panels, the project also involves the renovation of damaged concrete structures as well as the construction of a dividing wall between the opposing dual carriageway lanes. The project will also include the renewal and sealing of the lanes, a new and efficient ventilation system, additional emergency exits, the replacement of the entire tunnel lighting, number plate recognition cameras for recording oversized vehicles as well as further measures including the required technical equipment. The fireproof panels will be installed on a stainless steel substructure which will be safely and firmly secured to the concrete walls and beams using the fischer nail anchor FNA II, fischer bolt anchors FAZ II as well as the fischer universal channel system FUS. “Our products meet all the necessary fixing project requirements”, explains Christiaan van Dyck, Managing Director of fischer Belgium. “As is usual with fischer, our experts will also look after the construction site 24/7, including in person, in order to solve any potential problems.”

With its permissible load of up to 2.4 kN, its low anchor depth (up to 25 mm) and its short usable length (6 mm), the FNA II combines safety and ease of installation and is a favourite when it comes to tunnel construction. The expansion clip gives the nail anchor a firm hold when placed in the drilling hole and prevents it from falling out during overhead installations. The anchor can then simply and quickly be installed using hammerset installation. The enormous shaft cross-section guarantees a high load-bearing capacity. The installed nail anchor automatically expands under load.

Its high load-bearing capacity in concrete makes the FAZ II ideal for applications in tunnel constructions, such as for anchoring substructures for fireproof panels. According to the new ETA, the tensile and shear strengths have increased once more (sizes M8 - M12), which requires fewer anchoring points while reducing costs. Its variable anchorage depths (sizes M8 - M16) also allow millimetre precision adjustment to the loads. The conical bolt is pulled into the expansion clip by tightening the nut, pulling firmly against the borehole wall. Loads are simultaneously transferred into the concrete, achieving the highest load-bearing capacity. Both the FNA II and the FAZ II feature European Technical Approval and classification as per fire resistance class R 120. Both steel anchors can be inserted through prior insertion of push-through methods of installation, which is an advantage when installing anchor groups. Low axial and edge spacing make it easier to process the anchors.

The universal channel system FUS allows media conduits as well as supporting structures to be installed.  The clever geometry and preinstalled connectors enable channels and the extensive accessories to be combined into the desired construction using a simple “clix” mechanism. The fire resistance class R 120 and the fire protection certificate as per MLAR/EN13501 preserve the system’s functional reliability in case of fire.

The fischer products that were used for the project were of the corrosion-resistant A4 stainless steel variant. With their technical characteristics, the applied steel anchors and installation systems meet all the necessary requirements to preserve and increase road user safety in the Hallepoort tunnel.

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