Construction of the KLM Crew Training Center expansion completed
Severfield has completed work on the expansion of KLM’s Crew Training Center at Schiphol-East. Working on behalf of main contractor SPIE, we supplied and installed, amongst other things, over 428 tonnes of steel for the extension, which will soon house five flight simulators.
The work carried out in a live airport environment and the specific requirements relating to the simulators made the project technically challenging. For example, vibrations during construction had to be minimised as much as possible, while existing simulators and KLM’s Operations Control Center in the adjacent buildings remained operational.
Our work has been completed
Since work began, the project has come a long way. Following the erection of the main steel structure, the floors, roof and building envelope were installed. For this project, we supplied and installed over 428 tonnes of steel, the hollow-core slabs and the roof cladding. We also supplied and installed the partition walls, sandwich panels and cladding, amongst other things. The large spans and high ceilings are characteristic of the building and will soon house five flight simulators and associated facilities.
Special foundations for the simulators
The weight and movements of the flight simulators place particular demands on the structure. Each simulator is therefore fitted with its own concrete block measuring 8 by 8 by 1 metre, with a separate pile foundation. DPA piles were used for this purpose, as they cause significantly less ground vibration during installation. This was of great importance, as the existing simulators and KLM’s Operations Control Center in the adjacent buildings remained operational.
Construction at Schiphol
The location also imposed specific requirements on the project. The work took place in a secure area at Schiphol-Oost, whilst activities in the surrounding buildings continued as normal. This called for close coordination between the parties involved and careful planning of the work.
