STEEL CONSTRUCTION-EXCURSION 2010

Authors: Dipl.-Ing. Lars Sieber, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Richard Stroetmann

This year's steel construction-excursion on June 18th led about 33 students accompanied by Prof. Stroetmann and employees of the chair of steel construction to the construction site of the new power plant block R at the Boxberg site and then to Züblin Stahlbau GmbH in Hosena.

At the Boxberg power plant, which is operated by Vattenfall Europe Generation AG & Co. KG, we first received information from Mr. Neudel, a long-time employee of Plauen Stahl Technologie GmbH, about the construction measures for the new construction of unit R. The scope of services of Plauen Stahlbau Technologie GmbH includes the boiler framework and the surrounding steel structures. Subsequently, Mr. Wilde, employee of Hitachi Power Europe, explained the development and functionality of the lignite-fired power plant to us. The fossil fuel is supplied by the nearby Nochten opencast mine. After the presentations we took a look at the newly built power plant unit. The assembly work has already been largely completed and parts of the power plant are currently in the first trial operation.

The second station of the excursion was the plant of the company Züblin Stahlbau GmbH in Hosena. After lunch in the company's own canteen, to which all excursion participants were invited, the managing director Ullrich Pfabe explained the structure of the company and the possible fields of activity of an engineer to the students. He then explained the fields of activity within the company on the basis of current construction projects. It became clear in his remarks that there is great interest in well-trained civil engineering graduates, who are urgently needed for the expansion course of the company. In addition to industrial and power plant construction, Züblin Stahlbau has also specialized in the planning and execution of industrial facades. The area of hall construction, which is typical for steel construction, accounts for a comparatively small part of the company's turnover.

Following the presentations, the students were guided in groups around the factory premises and through the production halls. The work steps involved in the manufacture of a steel construction - from storage and material identification to cutting, pre-assembly, welding and conservation - could be followed using interesting project examples. Numerous questions arose, which were answered competently and clearly by employees of the company and the management.

At this point we would like to thank the companies Plauen Stahl Technologie GmbH and Züblin Stahlbau GmbH once again for the friendly reception, the excellent organisation and support.