Strengthening Markermeerdijken
The 33-kilometer-long dike along the Markermeer between Hoorn and Durgerdam was assessed in 2011 and found deficient in height, stability, and facing. To ensure dry feet for 1.2 million residents of North Holland over the next 50 years, the dike has been reinforced.
The soft, compressible soil makes construction challenging due to the risk of settlement and instability. Moreover, the alignment passes through villages and alongside vulnerable buildings. Therefore, smart solutions are required to prevent damage while meeting water safety requirements and project timelines.
Key facts about the project
- Sector
- Water safety
- Project type
- Dike strengthening
- Client
- Alliance Markermeerdijken
- Duration
- 8 years
Results & Benefits
Despite the challenging conditions, a certain level of flood safety must be guaranteed. The reinforced dike must deliver this—not only upon completion but for many years into the future. The entire dike alignment along the Markermeer has been approved and now meets water safety standards. BT Engineering contributed to safe dikes along approximately two-thirds of this alignment.
Impact
In the site engineering phase, the safety of roughly 20 km of dikes was demonstrated. During this process, various optimizations were investigated and designed, including preventing a six-month delay on one dike section and saving 100 meters of anchored sheet pile wall.
Why BT
We have specialist knowledge and experience across a wide range of technical disciplines relevant to flood defenses. We are also aware of the factors that make a project successful for the client and know how our design work can contribute. This allows us to always take our role within the bigger picture and help bring a project to a successful outcome.
We have been happily working together with BT Engineering. Participating 3 years already in the on-site engineering team on the Markermeedijken. They respect the deadlines and are a valuable point of contact for implementation with an eye for implementation detail and respect for the design. One of the important advantages having a flexible back office to be able to solve any technical question, with customization where necessary. A trustworthy party, also in stressful periods.
Result we are proud of
- where we carry out site engineering
- 20 km dike strengthening
- prevented in a dike section
- 6 months of delay
- of anchored sheet piling avoided
- 100 m
- future-proof
- 50 years
At BT Engineering, we are represented in the site engineering team by a three-person team. As a site engineer, you act as the link between design and execution, being directly confronted with the realities on site, which makes the work extra challenging and dynamic. Unforeseen issues require flexibility and accurate risk assessment under time pressure. It gives me great satisfaction when a team, together with project preparation and execution, is able to arrive at practical, implementable solutions.
Marcel van Velzen
Geotechnisch Adviseur
Remco Bakker
Geotechnisch Adviseur & Projectleider
Lucas Heezen
Geotechnisch & Waterbouwkundig Adviseur