BERLIN CENTRAL STATION

THE PROJECT AND ITS REQUIREMENTS

Berlin‘s newly built main railway station was erected on the site of the historic Lehrte city railway station. As an important transport hub, it connects train routes from all four points of the compass. The distinctive building with its delicate glass/steel construction stands out from the urban surroundings with its domed structure and the two 46 metre-high gantry buildings, which are visible from afar and cross over the glazed station hall like bridges. On account of its usage concept, the fivestorey building required special measures for supporting the loads. After all, the train traffic runs on the top and bottom levels. The intermediate levels are used for shopping and pleasure.

THE SOLUTION

The structural engineering foresaw lean, vertical and extremely strong steel columns, which were to remain visible as a design element. Calenberg S 65 compact bearings were used in order to induce the loads as centrally as possible. In addition to load centring, the unreinforced S 65 compact bearings are also responsible for the absorption of unevenness and tolerances while at the same time absorbing shear deformations of the supported construction.