The bauma Innovation Award 2025, presented in cooperation with Messe München, VDMA, and the construction industry associations HDB, ZDB, and bbs, honors outstanding technologies in the fields of climate protection, digitisation, machinery, construction, and research. Out of a total of 208 submissions, 52 projects qualified for the final round, from which the jury selected 15 nominees. The evaluations were based on practical applicability, economic potential, the degree of digitization, environmental aspects, resource efficiency, and the humanization of the workplace. With its new composite bridge construction method, AHA stood out in the “Building” category, outperforming high-caliber competitors.
Innovative Solutions for the Construction of Steel Composite Bridges
In the replacement construction project for the over 50-year-old Thulba Viaduct on the BAB A7 between Fulda and Würzburg, AHA has opted for an entirely new construction method and will implement PERI’s VCT VARIOKIT Composite Track for the second steel composite superstructure.
By employing a formwork system that travels underneath the superstructure, the carriageway slab can be cast without penetrations of formwork carriage supports – a method that not only improves the quality of the structure but also significantly shortens construction time and reduces traffic disruptions. This innovative method offers numerous advantages:
- Almost jointless construction of the Carriageway Slab: The absence of penetrations prevents crack formation and allows an even load distribution.
- Shortened Construction Times: Unobstructed access from above allows for more efficient reinforcement work, significantly reducing completion times.
- Sustainability and Traffic Safety: Shorter construction times lead to improved CO₂ emissions during the construction phase. Moreover, the nearly interruption-free construction of the carriageway slab extends the bridge’s service life, positively impacting the overall CO₂ balance of the structure.
AHA is setting new impulses in bridge construction with this innovative concept. The decision to use PERI’s VCT VARIOKIT Composite Track demonstrates the company’s relentless pursuit to challenge traditional construction methods and replace them with modern, resource-efficient techniques. Peter Wagner, Head of Bridge and Civil Engineering at AHA, emphasizes, “We are never satisfied with the status quo. With the new cantilever bridge, we have the opportunity to further develop our projects and methods and make an important contribution to innovation in the industry.”