For the first time, Van Oord and GMB use innovative dyke pins on a dike compartment between Hagestein and Opheusden in the Netherlands.
The great advantage of this dyke reinforcement technique is that it can be used in places where working space is limited. The client, Rivierenland Water Board, is embracing this new method for use in the Hagestein-Opheusden Dyke Improvement Project.
Dyke Pins
Dyke pins are steel anchor rods encased in cement. They are inserted into the underlying layer of sand and prevent the possibility of the dyke collapsing during floods. Installing the pins is an effective way of making dykes safer. Additionally, the pins can be used when working space is limited, for instance because of houses and vegetation.
The dyke pins are installed completely inside the existing dyke profile, so that it is not necessary to interfere with the crown or foot of the dyke. During the work, the surrounding area suffers much less disruption than with the traditional installation of sheet piling or soil replenishment, while still being kept safe from flooding.
In addition, the pins are a simple and environmentally friendly way to reinforce dykes. As the dyke pins have a modular structure, it is possible to extend them in future.
This innovative method of dyke reinforcement is the result of close cooperation between Van Oord, GMB, BAM Speciale Technieken and RoyalHaskoningDHV. The innovation has been further improved on the back of a number of tests and pilot projects.
Hagestein-Opheusden Dyke Improvement Project
The Hagestein-Opheusden Dyke Improvement Project involves reinforcing about 18 km of dike spread over two dike rings, ten work areas and five municipalities. The first and last work areas are 40 km apart on the southern bank of the Lower Rhine and Lek.
It is one of the projects in the Room for the River national programme. In this programme, regional authorities and the Dutch government work together to improve flood protection in river areas. This provides more room for the river. At the same time, work is being done to improve spatial quality to ensure that the economy, environment and landscape of river areas benefit from the project.
