Unique testing of glass dam Neer

On Thursday, January 23, administrators, employees and relations of the Limburg Water Board and the Herik/Strukton vof contractor combination witnessed a unique test in the Delta flume at the Deltares knowledge institute. By carrying out various tests, it is demonstrated that a glass flood barrier can withstand occurring loads at high water, so that residents behind the dikes are well protected.

Combinatie Herik/Strukton vof is carrying out a two-year project for Waterschap Limburg to reinforce the dike near Neer in the municipality of Leudal. Within this project, the application of a glass water barrier was conceived. If the results of the tests at Deltares are positive, the Limburg Water Board will be the first to have a glass water barrier that meets all the stringent safety requirements, ensures that views of the Maas are maintained and can therefore be used as a tested system within dike reinforcement projects at specific locations.

Safety and sight preservation

The dike reinforcement in Neer consists of reinforcing the green dike over about 1,600 meters and reinforcing a hard barrier (retaining wall) of about 550 meters. The project has an intensive environmental process. Raising the hard barrier by 70 cm meant that several homes would lose their view of the Meuse River. Residents want to preserve the view of the Meuse. For the water board, safety was the most important aspect. It therefore entered into discussions with the residents and investigated the possibilities. Ultimately, the Limburg Water Board opted for the innovative concept of constructing part of the flood barrier in glass, which guarantees both safety and the preservation of the view. Combinatie Herik/Strukton vof designed and realized the glass barrier. The plan is to install this glass barrier in the fall of 2020, with completion of the total project planned for the end of 2020.

Glass panels

The glass panels are composed of several layers of glass and foil: 3 constructive panels in the middle, 2 so-called "sacrificial panels" on the outside and foils of 1.5 mm in between. In close consultation with the experienced glass supplier Scheuten, the ideal thickness and composition in terms of strength and transparency was calculated and determined, always keeping in mind the goal of maintaining the view through to the Meuse River while meeting water safety standards. The glass and foil used is of high quality so that it is also resistant to external influences such as weather. The glass panels will be installed over a total length of 80 meters, divided into four sections, the longest of which has a length of 30 meters.

Cooperation for flood safety and visibility preservation for residents through a glass flood barrier near Neer, municipality of Leudal.

Flood barrier tested at Deltares

Prior to installation, a test assembly of the glass barrier at Deltares in Delft will be subjected to various tests. The tests will take place during the week of Jan. 20 in the well-known test facility the "Delta flume. A test assembly of the barrier, built to actual size, will be tested there for wave loads and the resistance of floating objects. As a representative floating object, a 6-meter-long tree trunk weighing 800 kg and with a diameter of 40 cm is used, which collides with the glass at a certain speed. By conducting various tests, it is demonstrated that the glass barrier can withstand occurring loads during a high water, so that residents behind the dikes are well protected. Based on the test results, the Water Safety Expertise Network (ENW) will be asked for a positive recommendation for the system to be applied. On Thursday, Jan. 23, a test was conducted in which the glass flood barrier was tested with the load of water waves from 0.5 meters in height and the trunk at a speed of 2 meters per second.