France: foundations poured underwater!

6 June 2011

LafargeHolcim has helped to construct the future hydroelectric power plant in Roanne (south-east France), which will eventually produce 7,200MWh a year. It was an unusual project, since the power plant is partly submerged in the River Loire. Its foundations rest 9m deep on the riverbed!


The particular conditions of the works meant LafargeHolcim needed to keep up a sustained pace to ensure continuous delivery of the 7,000m³ of concrete. Agilia was selected to meet the requirements of the delicate task of pouring the foundations. Its self-leveling properties proved essential in facilitating the operation and its compactness prevented leaks. Teams on the surface, supported by frogmen, were able to complete the pouring in just 10 hours.