Stair Railing for Railway Project in Vejle Optimised with Specially Designed Guardrail

DAV NORDIC supplied a customised stair railing for a railway project in Vejle, along with bridge parapets, railway guardrails, safety barriers and foundation solutions. Through technical optimisation and close collaboration, a safe, functional and cost-effective solution was achieved.

As part of a major infrastructure project in Vejle, DAV NORDIC supplied and installed a specially adapted stair railing for a concrete staircase near the railway. The staircase itself was constructed by Per Aarsleff, while DAV NORDIC was responsible for the guardrail solution.

The delivery formed part of a larger contract package, which also included bridge parapets, railway guardrails, safety barriers and foundation solutions.

Although the project consisted of several elements, the stair railing developed into a technically interesting task where optimisation and adaptation became crucial to the final result.

Challenges in the Tender Required Innovative Thinking

The original solution included a heavy guardrail system that would require crane installation over long distances. This would have made the installation both more complex and more costly.

At the same time, it became apparent during the project that the specified fixing method was not optimal for the actual site conditions. This created a need to reassess and adapt the guardrail solution.

As the staircase was one of the final activities within the contract, an extended period of dialogue arose between all parties involved to identify the most optimal solution.

Further Developed Guardrail Adapted to the Staircase Function

Based on experience and ongoing development work, DAV NORDIC used the company’s own pedestrian guardrail system as the starting point and further developed and modified it specifically for the project.

The guardrail was dimensioned based on structural calculations carried out in accordance with applicable standards, including DS EN 1993-1. The calculations document, among other things, that the structure has been verified for a design guardrail load of 1.5 kN per metre of handrail.

A significant adaptation was the integration of two handrails, which are not normally included in this type of guardrail. To comply with the requirements for stair railings, handrails were installed at heights of 70 cm and 90 cm respectively, ensuring correct ergonomics and safety for both children and adults.

Precision in Surveying and Design

To ensure precise adaptation to the concrete staircase, surveying was carried out by a land surveyor. All levels and dimensions were subsequently incorporated into the drawing material, which formed the basis for production.

During the design phase, several adjustments proved necessary. The staircase geometry, including angles and tolerances, required flexibility in the design, particularly regarding handrails and joints.

Structural Reinforcements Ensured Stability

Calculations from Per Aarsleff showed that the structure at the staircase landings did not provide sufficient strength to support the guardrail.

To address this, HEA beams were incorporated into the structure to ensure the necessary load-bearing capacity and stability.

Complete Delivery with Complex Adaptations

In addition to the stair railing, the project included several other deliveries that also required adaptations:

The bridge parapet was designed as an H2 W3 safety barrier. Due to the road curvature and an edge beam that did not follow the same geometry, all posts were specially manufactured to ensure correct installation.

The railway guardrail was mounted on steel sheet piles and adapted to the existing conditions, while the safety barrier included electrical insulation in several locations. This is an important safety solution that prevents electricity from being conducted through the structure in the event of fallen live cables.

All elements outside the edge beams were installed on DAV NORDIC’s standard foundations for bridge parapets.

Efficient Installation and Financial Benefits

The final solution with the customised guardrail made it possible to simplify the installation significantly. The need for heavy crane lifting was reduced, and the installation could be carried out efficiently.

For the client, this resulted in significant savings compared to the original solution, while both functional and safety requirements were fully met.

The project in Vejle is a strong example of how an infrastructure project can be optimised through technical expertise, flexibility and close collaboration. With the specially adapted stair railing, DAV NORDIC delivered a solution where functionality, safety and cost-efficiency are combined in the best possible way.

Gallery from the project

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