Constructing roads on weak soil, as in the western part of the Netherlands, requires inventiveness. In recent years, a lot of research has been done in this field and a number of innovations have now been applied in practice.
Durability of geosynthetics: A practical roadmap for determining the lifetime of geosynthetics (2016)
This publication addresses the ageing processes that occur with geosynthetics and indicates how to deal with them when selecting, designing with and accepting geosynthetics.
Soil subsidence knowledge programme (2016)
The Climate, Water and Soil Subsidence (KWB) knowledge programme was launched in October 2016. With the knowledge programme, the province of South Holland, STOWA and the Platform Slack Soil aim to provide solutions and develop a strategy to keep the peatlands of the Netherlands liveable, safe and affordable.
Soil subsidence in low moorland areas (2016)
In this project, STOWA and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency worked on a coherent overview of the issues surrounding peat subsidence in the Netherlands, now and in the long term (2050 and 2100). A comprehensive report of the policy study has been published, identifying possible measures.
Durability of geosynthetics (2015)
This CUR manual provides an overview of the lifetime limiting mechanisms of geosynthetics, methods to test and record the lifetime of geosynthetics and ways to increase the lifetime.
Improved maintenance strategy infrastructure in weak soil areas (2014)
A preliminary study by Deltares and CROW. A report on subsidence discusses the survey and workshops completed and attended in part by participants of the Platform Slack Soil. The results were then incorporated into a multi-year action plan, which will be implemented as soon as there is sufficient support and funding for it.
Guideline Balance - consideration model roads on soft soil (2013)
Part of this guideline - which grew out of Delft Cluster research - is an inventory of uplift measures and a description of construction materials used for roads on weak soil.
Delft Cluster: Permanently flat roads (2011)
Rapid construction of affordable and low-maintenance roads was the aim of this research project. It focused mainly on the construction and widening of roads in rural areas.
Delft Cluster: Transition constructions of railways (2009)
Results of research on transition structures of railways. The response of the track and the ground to passing has been measured extensively near Gouda-Goverwelle. The ground behaviour provides insight into the extent to which railways should continue to be raised and maintained.
Delft Cluster: Maintenance strategy for facilities on soft soil (2008)
Many municipalities in the west of the country face high costs for maintaining roads and sewers; so do managers of cables and pipes. The weak subsoil is to blame. The Delft Cluster research programme (2003-2011) developed tools to achieve more sustainable maintenance, focusing on an integral consideration of above- and below-ground structures, settlement prognosis and a life-cycle approach.
Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia (2007)
From 1996 to 2007, there was a cooperative relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia on building on soft soil, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). In particular, the project focused on road construction on peat. The main problems were the high compressibility and low shear strength of the soil. Area-specific solutions were also considered. A scientifically detailed article was published on this programme, among others.
Delft Cluster: construction time and residual settlements (2005)
Rapid construction of affordable and low-maintenance roads was the aim of this research project. The predictive value of different models regarding settlement and horizontal deformations during embankments and road widening was investigated.
Betuweroute practical trial
Prior to the construction of the Sliedrecht - Gorinchem section of the Betuwe Route, a practical test was carried out to determine the actual strength of the subsoil. The knowledge obtained, combined with an extensive online monitoring system, provided the opportunity to make certain optimisations and to 'get closer to the limit' with designs. The construction process could thus be accelerated and a number of expensive screening constructions could be omitted.
Sub-topics
Pole mattresses
Substructure
Related pages
Ground improvement
Ground deformation
Measurement and monitoring
Vibrations
Settlement flow