Successful dike improvement through deployment of Brabant Dijkencombi

The dyke reinforcement project Mook-Afferden-Bergen-Aijen is a project realized by contractor combination Vissers Ploegmakers/FPH Ploegmakers/Wetering (Dijkencombi) on behalf of Waterschap Limburg. Residents, businesses and infrastructure will be better protected against flooding from the Meuse after the project is completed.

"A project of this magnitude requires a lot of preparation," says Toon van Mierlo, environmental manager at Dijkencombi. "Think of designing, making calculations, arranging permits and getting a picture of the boundary conditions. But also the conditioning: detecting explosives, doing soil research, moving cables and pipes and taking into account ecological conditions and wishes of the surroundings. Frequent and good communication with all parties involved is extremely important. There is close contact with local residents because construction is taking place, sometimes literally, in their backyard."

Less disruption from ship transportation.

Thinking along in solutions: Dike section Mook
"By thinking along in solutions and making optimizations, necessary work could be carried out, but in harmony with the environment and with mutual respect for each other's interests. At Dijkraject Mook, for example. This consists in part of a hard retaining wall and in part of a green dike. Dijkencombi placed a deeper and firmer foundation in the ground on which the new higher and more stable concrete retaining wall was built. By choosing a vibration-free CSM wall formed in the soil instead of a conventional sheet pile wall, the risk of damage and inconvenience was reduced. An innovative method that, in combination with a retaining wall, has not been done before," says Toon. 

"The innovative way of working did cause a slightly slower start, because designing and calculating these solutions is not yet cut-and-dried. Dijkencombi took measures to address this. By deploying more machinery, equipment and manpower, we achieved the flood safety milestone on Oct. 15. We are currently working on finishing the wall. We are more than satisfied with the beautiful sight of the new masonry. Mook has become not only safer but also more beautiful."

The retaining wall in Mook: the result is impressive!

Expertise in levee construction: Dike section Bergen - Aijen
After the high water in 1995 an emergency dike was constructed around the villages of Bergen and Aijen, which lie in the river bed of the Maas. The dike was too low and there was a chance that water would flow under the dike, carrying soil/sand with it (piping). Toon: "We raised and widened the dike, applied extra clay in the foreland outside the dike and replaced the cutoffs with dike crossings. In two places we placed a cast-in-ground (CSM) concrete wall in the barrier to ensure stability. At this subproject, we really showed our dike expertise. With as much reuse as possible, we guaranteed the flood barrier. Sustainable, economical and with much less disruption."      

Innovative measures: Afferden dike section
The Afferden dike section is a so-called green barrier. The slope (slope) of the dike is too steep. At some locations the dike is also too low. The dike is also insufficiently stable and there is a risk of piping. "At Klein Canada Campground, we have already flattened the inner slope before the high water season," continues Toon. "All preparations have now been made so that Dijkencombi can start work on the remaining dike reinforcement task from mid-March. Along the N271, the landscape-defining monumental trees will be spared. At the location of these trees, elevation/completion is not desirable. Here, too, an innovative measure will be taken. 

Applying CSM wall in Mook with limited working space.

Proud of all that realized
"On behalf of the entire Dijkencombi, Waterschap Limburg and other parties involved, I am proud that by applying innovative solutions, we are quickly and with limited disruption realizing a well-fitted, safe flood barrier for the environment," concludes Toon.