History
The groundwater table of Beauce is the largest drinking water reservoir in France, but unfortunately, it is subjected to significant pollution caused by human activities. High levels of nitrates and pesticides have been found in the water. The O-ZNS platform managed by the ISTO (Institute of Earth Sciences of Orléans) and the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) aims to understand how water and contaminants (pesticides, nitrates, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical residues) flow from the soil surface to the groundwater table, as well as the speed at which this occurs.
PROJECT
Its main structure consists of an original and exceptionally large infrastructure, unique in Europe: a well with an inner diameter of 4 meters and a depth of 20 meters, allowing for studies to be conducted under real conditions, from the soil surface to the roof of the Beauce groundwater table.
Applications
In order to place the 1,000 necessary dimension stones for the construction of the well, Bouygues TPRF, through STONO, sought the technical support of the PROMPT Vicat team. PROMPT natural cement was used for formulating the mortar for both vertical and horizontal joints for laying the blocks, each weighing between 200 and 400 kg.
Sustainable solution
PROMPT natural cement was chosen for its numerous qualities :
- Its compatibility with the stone
- Its rapid setting, which allows for fast progress of the project
- Its impermeability
- Its high compressive strength
Key information
Stone placement took 3 months, and the project was completed on December 1, 2021.
Participants
Client
CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research)
Project Manager
Antea Group-France
Contractor
Bouygues TPRF
