On Friday 2 October 2026, KIVI Geotechniek and KIVI Waterbouw organised a site visit to the ‘Krachtige IJsseldijken Krimpenerwaard’ (KIJK) project. During the afternoon, participants were given a behind-the-scenes look at the dyke reinforcement project and the geotechnical challenges involved.

The afternoon began with a boat trip from Ouderkerk aan den IJssel to Gouderak. From the water, it was clear to see how the new ‘hard barrier’ is being constructed using sheet piling and tubular piles. Participants also got to see GIKEN’s Gyropiler in action, an innovative technique being used in the dyke works.

During the boat trip, a guide provided further details about the project and local history, including a reflection on the 1953 flood disaster.

After the boat trip, the group moved on to KIJK’s project office. Here, they attended two presentations which went into greater detail about the design and the equipment being used during the project.

The design presents various geotechnical challenges. For instance, the area is characterised by soft and highly variable soil layers. Furthermore, the existing embankments are steep in many places, and there are numerous homes situated directly alongside the dyke. These conditions require careful decision-making in both the design and the execution.

There are also significant challenges during the construction phase. The dyke’s load-bearing capacity is very low, whilst at the same time traffic must be able to continue using the narrow dyke. The works must therefore be carefully scheduled, with both safety and accessibility requiring constant attention.

The afternoon concluded with light refreshments, providing ample opportunity to chat and exchange experiences with colleagues from the sector.

KIVI Geotechnics and KIVI Hydraulic Engineering look back on an interesting and informative field trip, during which participants were able to gain an insight into the geotechnical and hydraulic engineering aspects of the KIJK project from various perspectives.