Design of seals listens very closely

Complex puzzle with many details

Sealing structures like those in the Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen requires a lot of expertise, thinking and know-how. To put it mildly, it is a complex story. In their own words, the design engineers at Trelleborg Ridderkerk feel "very comfortable" with it. One of them is Olivier Schuringa: "A technical challenge is there to be solved."

Trelleborg designs, manufactures, tests, evaluates and installs water infrastructure solutions. The more complex, the better. Because, "our strength is being creative in coming up with solutions," says Schuringa. "What does the customer want, what are the possibilities and how can we design workable products for that?" In the case of the New Terneuzen Lock, Trelleborg's responsibilities include the design, supply and installation of seals for the sewer gates, drying bulkheads and maintenance bulkheads. 

To the millimeter

Schuringa explains that two types of seals were used: compression sealing on the one hand and sealing by water pressure on the other. "For Terneuzen, we designed a combination of the two. This type of project involves a number of challenges. You have to deal with the customer's wishes and requirements, think for example of desired life span, maintenance and use of the slide in question. For example, the sewer slide often goes up and down, while the maintenance bulkhead is only used during maintenance. Drying baffles have complex shapes to seal, taking into account high water pressure on the lower baffles. This obviously affects the design and material of the seal. But the environment, among other things, must also be taken into account. Are you dealing with tides so the water pressure is dynamic, is it salt or fresh water, what is the likelihood of storms or cyclones as in Asia? These types of issues regularly provided interesting open dialogues with the Sassevaart contractor combination." What makes it extra challenging for the Trelleborg team is that the different profiles must also fit together seamlessly, especially in the corners. "A complex puzzle with many details to pay attention to. We help think of robust solutions with a long service life of good quality."

Practical knowledge

Once conceived and designed, the seals are ready to be installed. For the New Lock, Trelleborg is also responsible for installing its seals. Here, too, Trelleborg's design engineers are closely involved. Says Schuringa, "In the actual installation, steel, concrete and rubber come together. We have close contact with our field engineers. The more practical my design is, the smoother the installation goes. The feedback from the field service is therefore very valuable and provides additional practical knowledge for subsequent projects. Thanks to the good cooperation and coordination with the Sassevaart contractor combination, the seals were expertly installed."