What kind of tests?

This page will provide information on the tests that have been performed and are being performed. Usually a series of tests on a particular phenomenon are performed. In each test something is changed, a boundary condition, the g-level (accelleration relative to that of gravity), a water velocity, the geometry of a structure, or the material properties of the soil within or underneath this structure.

Micro Instability

Micro instability is a phenomenon in which the lower part of a dike becomes instable due to seeping water. For sandy dikes it is particularly a problem when the water in a channel or river is high and when due to a lacking drainage facility the ground water table is sufficiently high to touch the inner slope. A more detailed description is given in Dutch. For an overview of the tests we have performed on Micro instability see also the overview of the tests on Micro instability

Anchor chain tests

Pipe lines on the sea bottom can be damaged by anchors dropped by vessels. The sheer weight of a falling anchor might break through the covering layer of a pipe line and damage the pipe line itself. Another type of damage may be caused when a vessel pulls its anchor on board, while dragging the anchor chain through a berm, protecting a pipe line. The purpose of the tests is to gain insight in the processes, which will lead to damage. A more detailed description of the tests is given in Dutch. For an overview of the tests we will perform, see the overview of the Anchor chain tests.