Sedimentation & Dredging
Would you like to know the flow velocities at your project location? How high the waves get, or how dynamic the seabed is? We conduct hydromorphological measurements to accurately map the physical conditions of your project location.
Our measurements
We carry out measurements of, among other things, the following hydromorphological parameters:
- Flow velocity and direction
- Discharge
- Wave height and direction
- Sediment transport
- Sediment composition
- Water quality
Our measurements
We carry out measurements of, among other things, the following hydromorphological parameters:
- Flow velocity and direction
- Discharge
- Wave height and direction
- Sediment transport
- Sediment composition
- Water quality
Execution
We own an extensive set of hydromorphological measuring instruments:
- Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and Velocimeters (ADVs)
- Wave buoys
- Pressure sensors
- Multiparameter probes (MPPs)
- Various measuring fishes for measuring cross sections and sampling along the water column
Execution
We own an extensive set of hydromorphological measuring instruments:
- Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and Velocimeters (ADVs)
- Wave buoys
- Pressure sensors
- Multiparameter probes (MPPs)
- Various measuring fishes for measuring cross sections and sampling along the water column
We deploy our instruments in bottom frames on the seabed, or we integrate them into measuring buoys and measuring poles. We rely on our years of experience to plan and prepare new deployments. Because we often use the measurement data ourselves to validate our models, we know exactly what data you need to answer your questions. We don’t measure for measuring’s sake – we measure for knowledge’s sake.
» Water movement, e.g. flow strength, flow direction, wave height, wave direction
» Morphodynamics, e.g. sediment transport, sand wave mobility, siltation of cable trenches, erosion and sedimentation of coastal areas and harbours.
» Water quality, e.g. temperature, salinity, pressure, chl. A, etc.
View our hydromorphology measurement projects
Effects of Dredged Material Disposal in the Eems
The navigational channel between the Eemshaven and the North Sea needs to be dredged regularly to remain accessible to seagoing vessels. The dredged sediment is disposed of at various disposal sites, which may have an impact on the local ecology. To assess these effects, flow conditions and sediment concentrations were measured at a disposal site during sediment disposal operations. Based on these measurements and a numerical modelling study, WaterProof assessed whether sediment disposal at location P0 could have significant adverse effects on the ecology.
Research into Scour Pits
Offshore wind farms use different types of foundations depending on the site conditions. The most commonly used foundation types are monopiles, gravity-based structures and jacket foundations. In collaboration with Leo van Rijn, WaterProof investigated the expected dimensions of scour pits around offshore wind turbine foundations. The study combined physical scale experiments carried out in WaterProof’s flow and sediment basin with numerical modelling.
Impact of EMF and Underwater Sound on Harbour Porpoises
Export cables are used to connect offshore wind farms to onshore substations, from where the electricity is fed into the national power grid. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are generated around buried export cables as a result of the electrical current flowing through them. These EMF may potentially affect marine life. The magnitude of these fields and their potential impact are still largely unknown. We therefore work with several partners on different measurement and research projects to better understand and assess these effects. Research into the potential relationship between EMF and harbour porpoise presence within the Borssele offshore wind farm is one example.
