Hydraulic structures

Hydraulic structures - sluices, barriers and shipping locks and so on - have to function for many years. So engineers design hydraulic structures that can cope with what nature and operators throw at them. Deltares helps to analyse hydraulics-related factors and stability issues in all possible circumstances during the extended lifetimes of these structures.

The Deltares role involves a careful, constructive and critical examination of engineering proposals, emphasising feasible solutions. Designers ask Deltares to look at the nuts and bolts of their plans and to anticipate the possible difficulties. Our assistance may involve:

• system selection and layout
• boundary conditions
• proper operation in terms of hydrodynamics and sediment transport
• pressures and forces on components, and the dynamic behaviour of those components
• local erosion and protection measures
• stability of the structures
• operational management
• verification testing

Our ‘tools’ comprise mathematical models, and experiments using physical models and in real life. Our expertise and experience are often brought in with desk studies in the early design stages.

Deltares offers advice on:

• Weirs, barrages, sluices & fish-traps
• Intakes and outlets
• Pump stations & waterpower stations
• Barriers (flood, emergency, storm surge)
• Shipping locks (ocean going & inland)
• Closure works
• Immersed tunnels & other structures
• Operational management of structures
• Control of sediment transport, local erosion and sedimentation
• Hydrodynamic loads & responses
• Stability of structures