Comprehensive Engineering, Monitoring and Quality Control Project in the Refurbishment of the Abaceria Market in Barcelona
General information
- Client: INSTITUT MUNICIPAL DE MERCATS DE BARCELONA
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Year: 2023 - Present
The Abaceria Market, located in the historic Gràcia neighbourhood of Barcelona, is a point of reference for both the local community and local commerce.
With more than a century of history, this market has served as the backbone for the neighbors, offering fresh and quality products, and maintaining a strong connection with the social and commercial fabric of the area. As part of its comprehensive refurbishment, an ambitious refurbishment project has been initiated that will transform both the market and its surroundings, with a budget of 22.5 million euros and an estimated duration of 24 months.
The project responds to the demands of residents and merchants, who have actively participated in its design. It is hoped that this reform will not only improve the infrastructure of the market, but also turn it into a modern and sustainable public space, promoting coexistence and respect for the environment.
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An iconic market in an emblematic district
The Abaceria market is surrounded by the Travessera de Gràcia and the streets of Torrijos, Mare de Déu dels Desemparats and Puigmartí. This project is a unique opportunity to preserve and modernize one of the most iconic markets in the district. In addition, it seeks to increase the greenery in the environment, generating some 1,500 m² of public space, which will decongest this area of high urban density.
A new public square is planned that will be a meeting space for neighbors, and the incorporation of more green areas, respecting the existing urban fabric.
SERVICE
Quality Control on Site
SOCOTEC, with its Quality Control services, supervises each phase of the project to ensure that all materials and construction processes comply with technical and regulatory requirements. In this project, specific controls have been carried out in various areas:
- Control of anchors, micropiles and cement injection: Supervision of the foundation elements and their correct installation, vital for the stability of the structure.
- Control of structural concrete and corrugated Steel: Verification of the quality of these fundamental materials, as well as their correct implementation.
- Control of finishes and installations: Final inspection of the cladding, flooring, façades, roofs and safety elements, ensuring that each component is installed correctly.
SOCOTEC, with its Quality Control services, supervises each phase of the project to ensure that all materials and construction processes comply with technical and regulatory requirements. In this project, specific controls have been carried out in various areas:
- Control of anchors, micropiles and cement injection: Supervision of the foundation elements and their correct installation, vital for the stability of the structure.
- Control of structural concrete and corrugated Steel: Verification of the quality of these fundamental materials, as well as their correct implementation.
- Control of finishes and installations: Final inspection of the cladding, flooring, façades, roofs and safety elements, ensuring that each component is installed correctly.
SERVICE
Auscultation
Through continuous and accurate monitoring of deformations, we ensure that excavations and works do not affect the stability of the ground or adjacent buildings.
- Auscultation of Screens and Deep Foundations: We monitor deformations during excavations, guaranteeing the stability of both the ground and the nearby structures. This control is vital to ensure that construction is progressing without compromising the safety of the surrounding area.
- Structural Strain and Movement Monitoring: SOCOTEC installs specialized monitoring devices, such as inclinometers and prisms, to record any movement in adjacent structures. These controls help minimize risks and maintain the integrity of buildings near the market.
- Continuous Monitoring and Manual Readings:To ensure maximum accuracy, we carry out fortnightly manual readings of the auscultation system, verifying that the deformations are kept within the established limits, and thus guaranteeing compliance with safety parameters during all phases of the work.
Through continuous and accurate monitoring of deformations, we ensure that excavations and works do not affect the stability of the ground or adjacent buildings.
- Auscultation of Screens and Deep Foundations: We monitor deformations during excavations, guaranteeing the stability of both the ground and the nearby structures. This control is vital to ensure that construction is progressing without compromising the safety of the surrounding area.
- Structural Strain and Movement Monitoring: SOCOTEC installs specialized monitoring devices, such as inclinometers and prisms, to record any movement in adjacent structures. These controls help minimize risks and maintain the integrity of buildings near the market.
- Continuous Monitoring and Manual Readings:To ensure maximum accuracy, we carry out fortnightly manual readings of the auscultation system, verifying that the deformations are kept within the established limits, and thus guaranteeing compliance with safety parameters during all phases of the work.
SERVICIO
Engineering and Structural Design
SOCOTEC, through its Structural Engineering service, has played a key role in the drafting of the project, the design of the structure, the adaptation to the current regulations of the structural code, and the technical assistance to the construction management.
- Project Drafting and Structure Design
Development of a structural plan adapted to the unique characteristics of the market, which includes the construction of three underground floors and three slabs. To respect the historical value of the building, a replica of the old metal structure has been designed. - Adaptation to the Current Structural CodeOne of the main challenges has been to adapt the structure of the market to current regulations, complying with the strict requirements of the structural code. This has involved an exhaustive review of the materials, stability and resistance of the construction elements, including the pillars that support the platform for the machinery.
- MEP of the roof: The upper structure will have a photovoltaic roof, which alternates between ceramic and solar panels, achieving a balance between energy efficiency and aesthetics.
- Technical Assistance to the Construction Management
Ensuring that the project meets the established deadlines and that each part of the structure is correctly executed.
SOCOTEC, through its Structural Engineering service, has played a key role in the drafting of the project, the design of the structure, the adaptation to the current regulations of the structural code, and the technical assistance to the construction management.
- Project Drafting and Structure Design
Development of a structural plan adapted to the unique characteristics of the market, which includes the construction of three underground floors and three slabs. To respect the historical value of the building, a replica of the old metal structure has been designed. - Adaptation to the Current Structural CodeOne of the main challenges has been to adapt the structure of the market to current regulations, complying with the strict requirements of the structural code. This has involved an exhaustive review of the materials, stability and resistance of the construction elements, including the pillars that support the platform for the machinery.
- MEP of the roof: The upper structure will have a photovoltaic roof, which alternates between ceramic and solar panels, achieving a balance between energy efficiency and aesthetics.
- Technical Assistance to the Construction Management
Ensuring that the project meets the established deadlines and that each part of the structure is correctly executed.
Given its size and weight, this machinery was installed on a platform specially designed to support it during excavations, keeping it within the work area without affecting the adjacent streets. This was essential, since, as it is the Gràcia neighbourhood, the roads are narrow and limited in terms of space.
SOCOEC has developed extensive experience in the management of large-scale and highly technically complex projects, such as the Abaceria Market. This project involves significant challenges due to the need to integrate modern infrastructure solutions within a historic environment.
