Inflatable Buoyancy Units to position temporary water barriers
On behalf of BSB Staalbouw Buitink Technology engineered,
produced and installed air Inflatable Buoyancy Units
(IBUs) to descend temporary water barriers.
Afterwards the same system can lift the barriers again.
Jointly BSB Staalbouw and Buitink Technology developed the water
float system for renovation of three weir constructions Amerongen,
Hagestijn and Driel in the Nederrijn.
Renovation, carried out by BSB Staalbouw and Siemens, involves
placement under water of temporary barriers in order to remove and
replace or renovate the excisting sluice gates. Information is
found on: www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/stuwensemble.
The temporary barriers consist of two separate steel
constructions, each weighing 130 tons. Assisted by a crane the
IBUs - inflatable water cushions - carry
the construction in the water.
Connecting Inflatable Buoyancy Units
Each part of the temporary barrier is connected to eight IBUs.
Together with BSB Staalbouw size, position and connecting points
were determined. Real challenge in development was to find the
proper floating power, but more over proper stability and centre of
gravity.
Controlling Inflatable Buoyancy Units
All IBUs (16 units) are connected to an air compressor system
with divider. Each IBU is controlled individually such that each
IBU< recieves its own pressure and air flow. This advanced float
control enables accurate fine tuning of horizontal position during
decend and lifting of barriers.
Project data:
Testing tension belt
Testing IBU with water
Testing IBU with water
Controlling Inflatable Buoyancy Units
Controlling Inflatable Buoyancy Units
"Our waste materials and by-products are recycled by Texyloop"