PRESENTS
One aspect of WallslotRobot is plain productivity: you can finish one segment of a wall in just two days (instead of a week using traditional methods) and the neighbouring segment can be excavated consecutively.
Another aspect is humanitarian: WallslotRobot avoids constructors having to send people down the shaft to carry out excavation works in an intimidating tiny space underground. But WallslotRobot is so much more than that.
With the combination of micro-tunnelling and automated excavation, the impossible becomes reality. You can construct large underground parking spaces without the need for a huge excavation ruining your urban space for years. What’s more, WallslotRobot allows you to carry out excavation works below groundwater level, meaning that you avoid subsidence due to draining the site. In short, with WallslotRobot you can create valuable underground space almost anywhere, including beneath historic monuments, busy main roads and bustling marketplaces.
WallslotRobot is simple but smart. It combines micro-tunnelling with automated trench excavation. First, we bore a 3-metre diameter micro-tunnel and equip it with rails. Then, from an opening in the micro-tunnel, we drive reinforced concrete ctngs (about 1 by 3 metres) into the ground while an excavator attached to the bottom casing digs up the soil. A worker in the micro-tunnel operates a crane and gripper to take up the soil and have it removed via rail. Once the entire shaft is finished, we remove the excavator, put reinforcement bars into the shaft and cast concrete in place.
In the past few years, Denys has developed a revolutionary semi-automated underground construction concept called WallslotRobot. It is designed to construct 20 to 30-metre walls underground in densely built-up areas where there is limited room for manoeuvre above ground. Think historic town centre in need of extra underground parking space, something like that.
Picture the Sablon in Brussels as it is today: a grey square, cars parked, cars passing by. A beautiful location that has been downgraded to an open air parking. Now imagine the Sablon as it could be when the WallslotRobot has passed through - or rather underneath it. An idyllic square, restored to its natural glory. A park, a fountain, maybe an art exhibit or cosy café.
You name it, the WallslotRobot makes it possible. By working underground, without disrupting the square or roads above, we avoid the socio-economic deadlock construction works usually bring about. The WallslotRobot enables the Sablon to regain its exclusivity and to make up for the many economic opportunities it now has to miss. And those parking spots? We’ve moved them underground. More parking space, more economic and environmental opportunities, no construction work fuss. A triple win!
Future Foundations is the joint-venture between Denys and PMV, aimed at developing and marketing new underground building techniques. The first project for Future Foundations is the WallslotRobot.
Denys, with its experience in a wide range of disciplines (water, energy, mobility, restoration, architecture, special techniques and other specialised building methods) has grown to become a diversified international group. Denys is a much sought-after partner for complex construction and infrastructure works.
PMV shapes the future of the Flemish economy. It promotes greater economic wellbeing by financing promising enterprise projects as they grow and take on international markets.