NEW CARL ZEISS BUILDING

THE PROJECT AND ITS REQUIREMENTS

Carl Zeiss AG is constructing a state-of-the-art, multi-storey building complex in Jena with office, technology and laboratory areas and also integrated production areas on a building site measuring around 80,000 m². The new building will be mainly constructed using cast-in-place reinforced concrete, whereas precast elements will be used for the bigger stages of construction.

The main challenge was whether the large movements that were required within the cast-in-place concrete structure could be reliably accommodated using suitable elastomer bearings. The angled supports running through openings in the ceiling also had to be mounted with particularly low friction using vertically installed sliding bearings.

THE SOLUTION

Building authority-approved Calenberg type GRP Ciparall sliding bearings and Ciparall linear sliding bearings with Ciflamon coating (fire protection class F 90) were used to fulfil these requirements.
The Ciparall linear sliding bearing in cast-in-place concrete makes horizontal movements of up to 80 mm possible. Four sliding bearings were installed for each ceiling element for optimum load distribution, and to make controlled movements possible.
To make the construction process efficient, all bearings were supplied pre-assembled. Not only did this significantly simplify installation, but it also removed the need to encase the bearings in concrete.