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What happens to a bridge pier when the current changes? How do you prevent erosion from compromising stability? And how do you ensure that bridges, locks, weirs, and tunnels remain resistant to the forces of water?
These are issues that Tijl Wijnants deals with on a daily basis in his role as an asset manager at Rijkswaterstaat. On and along the Meuse River, he works on the management and maintenance of the land area. Engineering, water safety, and asset management all come together here.
Because the Meuse is constantly changing. During dry periods, the riverbed shifts, and with it, the conditions in the field. At the same time, more extreme flood flows place a greater strain on the system. “When there’s more water, everything is put under greater strain,” Tijl explains.
That calls for well-founded technical decisions. For example, riprap stones are carefully sorted to withstand the forces of flowing water. “Pay attention to the forces: not every stone can handle everything,” says Tijl. “During high water, there’s a lot of water above you, and that can cause displacement.” That’s why you don’t just look at the water level, but also at the load, the current, and the impact on the soil.
The same dynamics are at play with bridge piers and other structures in the river. Changes in current and bends place additional stress on the riverbed. Erosion and instability can then have direct consequences for the safety and service life of these structures.
According to Tijl, that is precisely what makes asset management a continuous process. You don’t just inspect what’s there today; you also take into account the dynamics of water, soil, and objects in your management and conservation efforts. This ensures that the land area remains robust.
And you don’t do it alone. Environmental organizations, consulting firms, engineering firms, project teams, municipalities, and the provincial government all come together in this approach. “Very complex, very complicated, but definitely multidisciplinary,” Tijl sums it up.
Want to apply engineering to challenges that are literally in motion? At Rijkswaterstaat, you don’t just work on flood protection and civil engineering management—you also discover the impact these efforts have on the Netherlands.
