Brest: The breakwater of the FREMM No. 3 jetty reaches its final height
On the construction site of the FREMM No. 3 pier head, the slipform formwork recently reached its maximum height of 23.20 meters, a decisive milestone in the construction of this strategic structure for the French Navy. This 160-meter floating pier will allow ships to dock, while a 3,000-ton pier head, transported by flotation and placed on the seabed before being ballasted with fill, will ensure its stability. For reference, a pier head refers to the end of a jetty, often rounded, that extends into the sea.
The execution of this complex structure perfectly demonstrates the technical mastery of slipform formwork. The 16-meter-diameter formwork was assembled in eight days, and the concrete pouring was carried out over five consecutive days, at a rate of 5 meters per day, without any cold joints. The upper coping, executed at two different levels, required precise cutting during the ascent of the slipform, showcasing advanced expertise and meticulous organization on site.
Since 2024, Eiffage Génie Civil has taken over the slipform activities of the company Zuccolo, thereby expanding its expertise in the construction and rental of slipform formworks for maritime civil engineering projects. This site in Brest exemplifies the combination of technical innovation, precision, and safety, serving ambitious maritime infrastructure projects.
Pictures© Eiffage / Clarisse Dupont Marine Nationale Défense / Service d’infrastructure de la Défense Atlantique
