The soil of Fehmarnbelt has now been documented

The soil of Fehmarnbelt is rather complex, but it does consist of known types of soil layers. This is described in the Ground Investigation Report released by Femern A/S today.

The report documents the geological and geotechnical studies of the past three years in relation to the planning of the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link.

"There are no geological or geotechnical obstacles to constructing a fixed link in the area", states Jens Kammer, geotechnical manager, Femern A/S.

"The result of our studies is largely as we had expected based on the previous feasibility studies of the 1990s. However, we have now ascertained that the clay layers close to the coastal regions have been disturbed more by the glaciers of the ice age than previously assumed", says Jens Kammer, geotechnical manager.

By the Danish coast, this so-called Palaeogene layer of clay is placed so deeply that it will not be affected by the pending construction work. However, by the German coast, earthworks will occur in the palaeogenic clay layer because the layer is very close to the seabed in this area.

To obtain further geotechnical information and practical experience with work in this specific type of clay layer, Femern A/S has established a special test field off the German coast. Experiments to measure and observe movements in the earth under various conditions of stress are currently conducted here, and will be continued in the coming years.

"The geotechnical knowledge that we have today is sufficiently detailed for experts to create a full picture of the geological conditions of Fehmarnbelt. Therefore, any interested construction companies can begin to work on the available data even now, so they are well prepared when the construction work is put out to tender in the coming years", says Jens Kammer.

The entire report including the enclosures and appendices can be downloaded here.

For further information: Jens Kammer, geotechnical manager, tel. + 45 30 32 13 23 or public relations officer Karsten Holmegaard, tel. +45 40 10 42 50.