In 2018 the construction works for the tunnel in the Siesegemlaan was finished. The tunnel is built under the intersection of the Gentsesteenweg and de Siesegemlaan for transit traffic. GEO was involved in the geotechnical investigation and the choice of the construction method for the tunnel. During the construction works several parameters were monitored, such as deformations and strains in the diaphragm wall and the waterlevel in the vicinity of the tunnel.

The thorough renovation of the Royers Lock in Antwerp is ongoing. The lock will be completely renovated, resulting in important increase of length and width of the lock. GEO was responsible for the coordination and execution of the geotechnical investigation. We also contributed to the drawing up of the dossier, with plans and specifications. During the execution of the renovation works, we give geotechnical support and monitor the behavior of the soil and the lock.

Within the dikes knowledge group the Geotechnics Division, in cooperation with the Hydraulics Laboratory, is working on the professionalization of dike management in Flanders.
The failure behaviour of the dikes is further explored and innovative dike monitoring techniques are tested. Together with the dike managers agreements are concluded concerning the structuring and management of all relevant dike data, etc.
Furthermore, dike meeting days are organized at which the latest state of current research topics are explained to the different dike managers.

The doors and the gate chambers of the Vandamme lock in Zeebrugge are due for full servicing after 30 years. The draining of the gate chambers is monitored with different monitoring techniques. Here both the movement of the lock and the influence of the lowering of the water table on the environment are closely observed.

More information about the Vandamme lock (in Dutch)

An extensive test campaign is currently ongoing for the construction of the Oosterweelverbinding in Antwerp. Together with BAM, the company Denys and BBRI, our division is examining the characteristics of the soil to a great depth. Vibration and piling-driving testing have already been completed. The monitoring of a test excavation to 25 metres depth is nearly finished. The results will be reported after a thorough analyses.

In the context of the Antwerp Masterplan, the historic quay walls in Antwerp must be stabilized. In order to draw up the geotechnical dossier, all available geological and geotechnical data were collected. Use was also made of the Subsoil Database Flanders Service (DOV) (in Dutch)(opens in new window). Based on the archived data, a comprehensive program was prepared for in situ tests, laboratory testing and monitoring in the field. Analysis of the obtained data was used to establish and characterize the ground layer structure. The extensive research resulted in an economic design of the stabilization method.