We are pleased to announce that we have been contracted by Jan de Nul to implement a structural monitoring system of the underwater concrete structure of Nieuwpoort storm surge barrier.
The FBG fiber optic sensor network will be embedded in the underwater concrete threshold and will enable long term deformation monitoring.
The surge barrier is currently in construction by Jan de Nul & Herbosch Kiere
To protect Nieuwpoort and its surroundings, the Masterplan highlights the need for the construction of a storm surge barrier at the mouth of the Yser as a priority. After thorough studies and an architectural design, a horizontal sector gate with a passage of 38 metres was chosen.
Protection from the storm surge barrier is already necessary in the event of storm surges that have a chance of occurring once every 10 years. However, the storm surge barrier will also provide protection against a 1000-year storm. This takes account of the rise in the sea level up to 2100.
The movable steel barrier is a construction that rotates around a horizontal axis. The barrier is sited in a parked position in a concrete threshold at the bottom of the Yser. The steel barrier rotates between two cast steel shafts that are anchored in a concrete abutment. These two abutments are connected to the banks of the Yser.
If a storm surge is predicted or in the event of a test closure, the barrier is rotated 90 degrees to the retaining position. For maintenance purposes, the barrier can be rotated to the maintenance position of 180 degrees. In the three positions (parked, turning and maintenance), the storm surge barrier can be locked and unlocked with the help of a remote control.
On both sides, the storm surge barrier is equipped with a movement mechanism so that it can be rotated in one continuous movement from its parked position to a rotation position or maintenance position. The capacity of this mechanism is sufficiently large that, even if only one of the two mechanisms is operating, the barrier will still rotate to the retaining position at any possible level of water.
Animatie stormvloedkering from Afdeling KUST on Vimeo.
Illustrations Copyright: MDK – afdeling KUST