Full scale test site Markermeerdijken
The Alliantie Markermeerdijken is tasked with the design and execution of the improvement of 33 km of flood defences between the cities of Amsterdam and Hoorn. Since the start of the design, new calculation methods have been implemented nation-wide to calculate the strength of the subsoil, and the dike along the Markermeer (lake) is the first to be redesigned in the Netherlands using these calculation methods.
Stability of dikes on organic subsoil
Following the ‘Dikes on peat’ research project, which confirmed that the strength of peat is higher than previous calculation methods allowed for, a calculation method using undrained shear parameters and a Critical State Soil Mechanics model has been implemented in national guidelines. To confirm the desired increase in strength of the local subsoil does occur with a sufficiently high safety margin, the Alliantie Markermeerdijken has opted to conduct 3 full scale tests.
Full scale testing
Three test embankments, each with a footprint of 50 x 70 m and a height of 5 m, have been built at different locations near the dike. They are equipped with piezometers, open standpipes, inclinometers, settlement plates, and geodetic markers. Arthe Civil & Structure has provided the design and monitoring layout for the tests, and is responsible for the interpretation of the results. An article of the preliminary results appeared in ‘Geotechniek’ magazine.
Sub goals
While testing the increase in soil strength, additional analyses were made to compare soil displacements, consolidation speed and water pressure distribution along the depth of the subsoil with calculated values.
Building trust with both the Waterboard and construction managers
The full scale testing is part of a process – along with monitoring of the actual work – for both the Waterboard and the construction managers to gain trust in the new design approach.
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