Theme Water Construction Day 2024: Space for hydraulic engineering!

The theme of this year's Hydraulic Engineering Day on Thursday 17 October 2024 is space for (future-proof) hydraulic engineering. In doing so, we look ahead to what is needed in the Netherlands to accommodate our hydraulic works because the Netherlands is becoming increasingly full and space is becoming scarcer. Dike reinforcements, river and nature measures require space for landscaping. Existing hydraulic infrastructure (waterways, quay walls and locks) is due for replacement or renovation, and energy transition is also claiming our space with wind farms. But hydraulic engineering interventions can also provide new space and create new landscapes.

The Hydraulic Engineering Day is a unique opportunity to meet and share knowledge about the future of hydraulic engineering in the Netherlands. Together, we can create the space needed for a resilient future in hydraulic engineering!

Plenary programme

inspiring and renowned speakers will discuss the challenges involved in finding sufficient space for hydraulic engineering projects.

This year, the day will be chaired by Esther van den Akker, Royal HaskoningDHV and Bas Jonkman, TU Delft. Esther will also take us through the conference theme: "Space for Hydraulic Engineering".

Lotte Jensen, professor of Dutch literary and cultural history at Radboud University gives a cultural-historical perspective on hydraulic engineering and space in the Netherlands. Martin Wijnen, DG at Rijkswaterstaat, will then give a presentation after which we will conclude the morning with the presentation of the Hydraulic Engineering Award.

The plenary afternoon programme concludes with two fantastic projects. Wilbur van Beijnen, Rijkswaterstaat shares the 'lessons learned' of the Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen, which was officially opened on 11/10. Finally, Piet Dircke, Arcadis takes you to the 'Big Apple' in his presentation with the project: Big U.

Of course, there is much more to do and experience at the Water Construction Day! You will find more than 30 companies at the Expo and you can once again choose from 5 parallel sessions. So register quickly and make it a (team) outing with colleagues via the attractive WBD group booking. Register and programme information via www.waterbouwdag.org

Hydraulics Podcasts
Did you know that the Hydraulics Day also produces its own podcasts? Interesting speakers, as well as the winners of the Hydraulics Award, have their own WBD community podcast! Again this year, the podcast studio can be found at the Hydraulics Expo. You can listen to the previously created podcasts here: https://www.waterbouwdag.org/podcasts.html

Extra info on 2 of the 5 parallel sessions

In the parallel session 'Young professionals', we will organise an "AI tasting". In this, you will be presented with an overview of Artificial Intelligence applications in Hydraulic Engineering by @Joostdenbieman of @deltares. In the second part, it's time for a College Tour with @Rutger de Graaf of @Blue21. Rutger shares the latest technical developments for large-scale floating construction projects for housing, logistics and energy. Learn how floating construction fits into 'water and soil steering' and how it can contribute to the different solution directions within the delta scenarios. Finally, you will hear all about the Floating Future Research Project: the largest floating construction research project in the Netherlands and beyond!

In the parallel session: Structural Hydraulic Engineering / Replacement and Renovation Programme, four interesting presentations are planned. Jan Hein Poodt of Sweco kicks off with the project: Quay 2.020. This innovative Amsterdam quay project won the public award for quay innovation just last June. Next, Wim Kortlever of Rijkswaterstaat tells you all about the calamities at the Meuse weirs that show us again that postponing maintenance, changing circumstances, and 'forgotten' extreme events can lead to failure. In the2nd part of the parallel session, we will start with the presentation: 'Maeslantkering automatically closed'. In it, Ilze Plomp-van der Sar of Rijkswaterstaat shares lessons from practice. Finally, we cross over to Sweden where the replacement of 6 locks in the Trollhättan Canal will be the focus. Fokke Westebring of WSP discusses, among other things, the challenges and one of the key innovations in the project: the application of the triangular lock. The shape of the lock allows the connection to the existing outer harbours to be realised with much less excavation and thus less impact on the environment.