Construction of Amadeo II has started

16 September 2009 - Comments (1)

Construction

After the completion of Amadeo, we are pleased to announce the start of Amadeo II construction. It is the second phase of this low-energy residential complex. The first step was to connect the 5 geothermal probes and to pass them below ground. Then, some more digging had to be done before to start the drainage layer. From there we will start the footer slab and raise the wall of the underground parking.

Connection of the geothermal probes

The first thing we had to do was to connect and pass underground the 5 geothermal probes that will be used for the geothermal underfloor heating and cooling of Amadeo II. The probes have been installed at the end of last year. In each borehole, one probe is made of 2 loops in a U-shape. Those 2 loops are joined together to make one.

Detail of the connection of the 2 U-shape loops for one geothermal probe.

Pipes used to connect the loops have a bigger diameter than the probes to support higher flow. They are made of the same Rehau PE-Xa material as the probes. Each connection is done securely with Plasson ElectroFusion Fittings that are electronically controlled.

Gathering of the pipes connecting the geothermal probes (8 of them, 2 remaining to be brought).

Connecting pipes are insulated as they are too close from each other (because of the constraint on the land). For each loop there is a cold and a hot pipe. In heating mode, cold water will come one way and come back warmer after circulation in the loop underground. The opposite is true in cooling mode.

Putting fine sand on top of the probes and the connecting pipes.

Below and above pipes, we put a thick layer of very fine sand to protect them. As the pipes are located below the object, it is especially important to protect them against accidental damage due to compression.

Connection of the probes once finished.

Preparation of the land

On top of the probes, we had to make land to the level and dig more the edges. More coarse sand was put on the passage of the probes. We will continue with the drainage layer next.

Preparation of Amadeo II land.