Dredging and Jetting Basin
Want to research large-scale processes? We’ve constructed our dredging and jetting basin for this, which we use to conduct research on innovative dredging techniques to bury cables more efficiently, among other things.
Large-scale dredging and jetting basin
Our dredging and jetting basin has an area of 7x5m available for research, in which we’ve installed a variety of measuring instruments. We’ve performed various research on the efficiency of dredging techniques and the stability of cable trenches. After draining the basin we use 3D laser techniques to scan the sandbed and measure morphological changes. We optimise dredging techniques based on these results.
» large-scale morphological processes and optimization of dredging techniques, including research into cable trenching for offshore wind farms.
» scale experiments for scour formation around structures such as monopiles, gravity based structures and for example bridge pillars
Bekijk onze bagger en jetting projecten
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.
