Generally, it seems to be hard to prove that existing, old quay walls are safe when using traditional calculation methods. There is potential for improving the assessment of the old quay walls with better understanding of their behaviour and of soil and structural characteristics. The Overamstel full-scale test research project has exactly that goal, it aims to develop technical solutions to improve our understanding of the structural and shallow subsurface conditions affecting the behaviour of historical quay walls. This research project contributes to the safety and renovation/replacement strategy of the historic quay walls in the city of Amsterdam.
The project consists of several interrelated parts: the main part is the full-scale testing of quay wall and pile groups, which is supported by site investigations and laboratory testing and modelling of the quay wall using a fast analytical model and with FEM modelling. The site investigation involved CPT, boreholes and geophysical techniques for near-surface soil characterization. Together, these partsnsupport the development of an assessment tool to get a reliable indication of the structural condition and safety of historical quay walls in Amsterdam and to prioritize those that require renovation or replacement.
Authors
Kamchai Choosrithong
Mandy Korff