Water Board Rivierenland to Test Vacuum Consolidation
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Technology
Dutch regional water authority Rivierenland started a field test with vacuum consolidation as a mean to reinforce its river levees.
For three months a special designed vacuum pump will create a low suction pressure in the subsurface of a test site of 15 by 15 m that has been covered with a geotextile. As a result the subsurface will become more compact and the shear strength will improve.
This subsurface consolidation technology can potentially be used to upgrade the stability of levees as an alternative to widening the berm.
The field test is part of a national programme to explore and improve macro stability of levees (POV) and the national River and sea defense programme (HWBP).
Contractor for the field test is Martens & Van Oord. Research institute Deltares will provide the technical guidance, laboratory tests and analyses.
Better faster and cheaper
Vacuum consolidation is an existing technology for improving levee stability. Now, for the first time, its performance will be thoroughly analysed, including its lasting effects.
An evaluation of the field test is expected to show whether the technology is better, faster and cheaper than current technologies to upgrade levee stability.
The technology is seen as highly potential for levees in nature conservation areas or where houses adjoin the levee. In these cases there is limited space available.
By using vacuum consolidation it is possible to strengthen the soil and upgrade a levee without having to widen the berm.
Behaviour of subsurface
A soil survey for this test site ( on top photo ) took place and the baseline situation was assessed using laboratory tests. After the test, a number of control measurements and borings will take place at set intervals to monitor the behaviour of the subsurface.
This data will be used to determine the effect of vacuum consolidation on the undrained shear strength. This will involve field and laboratory experiments. In addition to the standard laboratory tests, laboratory experiments will also be conducted in vacuum conditions.
Source: Dutch Water Sector
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