WL Delft Hydraulics | |
Established | 1927 |
---|---|
Laboratory type | Hydraulic Engineering Research Laboratory |
Location | Delft, The Netherlands |
The Waterloopkundig Laboratorium (Hydraulic Research Laboratory) was an independent Dutch scientific institute specialising in hydraulics and hydraulic engineering. The laboratory was established in Delft from 1927, moving to a new location in the city in 1973. The institute later became known as WL | Delft Hydraulics. In 2008, the laboratory was incorporated into the international nonprofit Deltares institute. [1]
The Hydraulic Laboratory was classified by the Dutch Government as a major technological institute and was tasked with acquiring, generating, and disseminating knowledge on hydraulics and hydraulic engineering. [2]
The laboratory conducted research into the causes of changes in the course of rivers, estuaries, and coasts, and the possible influences on them due to hydraulic engineering activities, along with a range of studies on topics such as dredging, wave action and coastal morphodynamics. The laboratory played a significant advisory role in the conception, design, and implementation of the Zuiderzee Works and the Delta Works, [3] along with several international projects. [4] [5] [6] [7]
The laboratory was established in 1927 by Rijkswaterstaat, under the directorship of Professor ir. J.Th. Thijsse (1893-1984). It was initially located in the basement of the Civil Engineering Department building at Delft University of Technology. [8]
Thijsse's role on the Zuiderzee State Commission had introduced him to hydrodynamic model research, an innovative approach to understanding the dynamics of water. In 1927, both Rijkswaterstaat and Delft University of Technology began incorporating this research methodology, prompting the establishment of the laboratory. [5]
The impetus for the formation of the laboratory began in the 1920s, and lay in the design of the sluices for the Afsluitdijk, a significant project requiring extensive research and experimentation. The task was initially assigned to Professor Theodor Rehbock at the Flussbaulaboratorium(river construction laboratory) at the Technical University of Karlsruhe, a major institute in the field of hydraulic engineering research at the time. The results of this investigation were documented in a report which was published in 1931. [9]
This report was subject to review by Thijsse, who advised the Dutch authorities on the need for additional research of this type, not just for the Zuiderzee Works, but also for other projects across the Netherlands. This recommendation precipitated the decision to establish a laboratory similar to that in Karlsruhe, to serve the Netherlands. Thijsse spearheaded the initial research at the newly formed laboratory and documented the findings in a follow-up report to Rehbock's original study. [10]
To facilitate third-party contract research, such as work for Rijkswaterstaat and international schemes, it was decided that the laboratory would operate independently from the Delft University of Technology, and be established as a financially autonomous foundation, with its board appointed from university staff, major consultants, and representatives from Rijkswaterstaat. [2] [11]
Experiments into the behaviour of irregular waves had been undertaken in the Netherlands since 1920, with initial experiments on irregular wave behaviour in wind tunnels. This pioneering research, including investigations into wave run-up, led to the construction of a specialised wind wave flume at the laboratory in 1933. Unprecedented at the time of construction, the flume boasted dimensions of 25 metres in length, 4 metres in width, and a maximum water depth of 0.45 metres. [12]
Subsequently, in order to better satisfy the necessary conditions for wave height and period, the flume was extended to 50 metres in length, and fitted with a monochromatic wave generator. These enhancements enabled a wider variety of research projects, including studies on wave overtopping, the stability of rubble-mound breakwaters, wave impact forces, and the stability of floating structures. By the time of World War II, research had extended into model investigations of wave generation, with outcomes corroborating prototype data collected by Harald Sverdrup and Walter Munk. [13] [14]
In 1969, new wave flumes with typical widths of 8 metres were installed in the laboratory in order to permit modelling and testing of breakwaters and dikes whilst simulating arbitrary angles of wave attack. The previously available flume widths of 4 metres had proved too small for this purpose, and the new flumes therefore provided the laboratory with the ability to model and test the performance of significant coastal and river engineering structures. [15] [16]
In 1973, the laboratory moved from its location in the centre of Delft to a new location at the most southern end of the Delft Technological University campus, becoming known locally as the Thijsse-erf(Thijsse yard). [17] [18]
Throughout its history, the laboratory undertook national and international research on numerous civil and hydraulic engineering subjects including dredging technology, [19] density issues, pumps, and detailed structural studies on locks and weirs. [20] [21] International projects included the Belgian Port of Zeebrugge (1933–36), the cut-off of the Abidjan lagoon (1933–46), [4] and flood prevention works in Nottingham (1946–51). [11] [22] [23]
From 1951 to 1996, a second location known as the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium de Voorst (WLV)(Hydraulic Laboratory "de Voorst") was located in Noordoostpolder, between Marknesse, Kraggenburg, and Vollenhove. The establishment of a second laboratory at de Voorst was prompted by the lack of space in Delft for large outdoor models. Utilising land on the outskirts of Delft was not feasible due to the damp peat soil, which made it difficult to construct large models without soil settlement. In an environment where water levels are measured on a millimetric scale, even minute settlements were unacceptable. [24] [2]
Additional benefits of the de Voorst location included its location within a low-lying polder, eliminating the need for an additional pumping system, and its availability due to the heavy boulder clay composition of the soil making it unsuitable for farming. Since the land was government-owned, no financial acquisition was required. [25] From 1951, the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium therefore operated two facilities: an indoor modelling laboratory in Delft, and an outdoor model facility in De Voorst. In the 1970s, indoor laboratory facilities were added to the de Voorst location. [26]
A significant advantage of the de Voorst location was the ability to construct large-scale models of estuaries and ports, enabling model tests to predict the influence of hydraulic works on the watercourses, making use of the large differences in water levels from the surrounding surface water. These models were pivotal during the planning and construction phase of the Delta Works in Zeeland, and also allowed research works to be undertaken for international projects such as the reconstruction of the Port of Lagos. [4] [27]
Other international projects where research was carried out at the laboratory to inform the design and construction included the construction of the Eider Barrage, and works at the mouth of the Volta River in Ghana. [4] [6]
The scale of the physical models in the laboratory were often substantial, with many being large enough to permit model ships which necessitated pilotage by helmsmen, an example being the model created for Jo Thijsse's design for the junction of the Amsterdam–Rhine Canal and the Lek, a large structure which came to be known as De Eieren van Thijsse (Thijsse's eggs). [28]
From the 1980s, computer-assisted mathematical modelling began to be useful in mapping potential water flows, reducing the need for very large-scale physical water models. [29] Consequently, the decision was made in 1995 to concentrate activities at the Delft location and close the de Voorst facilities. The site was purchased by Natuurmonumenten and renamed the Waterloopbos, where visitors can view the models and associated infrastructure via a walking route through the woods. [30] [31] [32]
By 2008, the Delft laboratory had become known by the English name WL | Delft Hydraulics, and in an effort to consolidate knowledge with similar institutes, it was merged with other research institutes and sections of Rijkswaterstaat to form the Deltares Institute. [33] The laboratory continues to operate today as part of Deltares. [2]
The following people were directors of the laboratory from its foundation in 1927 until it merged with Deltares in 2008. [2]
Year from | Year to | Name |
---|---|---|
1927 | 1960 | ir. Johannes Theodoor Thijsse |
1960 | 1971 | ir. Harold Jan Schoemaker |
1971 | 1986 | ir. Jacob Egbert Prins |
1986 | 1996 | ir. Henk Jan Overbeek |
1997 | 2007 | ir. Jan Groen |
2008 | 2008 | Merged with Deltares |
The following personnel served as Heads of the de Voorst facility.
Year from | Year to | Name |
---|---|---|
1960 | 1968 | ir. Abe Hoekstra |
1968 | 1990 | ir. Joannes Jacobus Vinjé |
Significant engineering figures who undertook research or served in senior positions with the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium included Eco Bijker (various roles including head of department, head of the de Voorst Laboratory, and deputy director), [34] [35] Frank Spaargaren (interim general director, 1995–1997), [36] [37] Krystian Pilarczyk (research engineer, 1966–1968), [38] [39] and PJ Wemelsfelder, who undertook research at the facility and served as head of the Hydrometric Department. [40]
A similar institution known as the Waterbouwkundig Laboratorium (Hydraulic Engineering Research Laboratory) is located in Borgerhout, Belgium. It was established in 1933. [41]
The Waterways Experiment Station (WES) is a United States Army Corps of Engineers research campus in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The 673-acre (272 ha) campus hosts the headquarters of the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and four of its seven laboratories. Congress authorized the research complex in 1929 to develop flood control methods on the Mississippi River, as part of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. Subsequent research delved into topics, including coastal engineering, dredging, weapons effects, and geotechnical engineering.
Theodor Christoph Heinrich Rehbock was a German hydraulics engineer, and professor at the University of Karlsruhe.
The Deltar was an analogue computer used in the design and execution of the Delta Works from 1960 to 1984. Originated by Johan van Veen, who also built the initial prototypes between 1944 and 1946, its development was continued by J.C. Schönfeld and C.M. Verhagen after van Veen's death in 1959.
Johannes Aleidis (Johan) Ringers was a Dutch hydraulic engineer and politician. He served as the director-general of Rijkswaterstaat and later as the director of Dutch East Indies Railways. During World War II, Ringers was appointed as the government commissioner for reconstruction, but was later interned by German forces.
Eco Wiebe Bijker was a Dutch civil engineer and Professor of Coastal engineering at Delft University of Technology from 1968 until his retirement in 1989.
Het verjaagde water is a 1947 Dutch non-fiction novel written by A. den Doolaard, which gives an account of the recovery works to repair dike breaches after the October 1944 Inundation of Walcheren as part of operations by The Allies of World War II during Operation Infatuate. Researchers from Delft University of Technology have found high levels of historical accuracy in den Doolaard's descriptions of the events that took place, the methods used to close the dikes and the key people involved. Den Doolaard assigned pseudonyms to most of the main characters and organisations. The name A. den Doolaard is also a pseudonym, the author’s real name being Cornelis Johannes George Spoelstra Jr.
Pieter Jacobus (P.J.) Wemelsfelder was a Dutch hydraulic engineer who made significant contributions to the field of hydrometry in the Netherlands, and in hydraulic engineering internationally. In addition to his involvement in the design and planning of the Delta Works, he published widely and is notable for the first use of probability theory in the design of flood levels.
Wave overtopping is the time-averaged amount of water that is discharged per structure length by waves over a structure such as a breakwater, revetment or dike which has a crest height above still water level.
Wave run-up is the height to which waves run up the slope of a revetment, bank or dike, regardless of whether the waves are breaking or not. Conversely, wave run-down is the height to which waves recede. These heights are always measured vertically. The wave run-up height, denoted by , , or , is a very important parameter in coastal engineering as, together with the design highest still water level, it determines the required crest height of a dike or revetment.
Jo Johannis Dronkers was a Dutch mathematician who is notable for the development of mathematical methods for the calculation of tides and tidal currents in estuaries. His work formed much of the mathematical basis for the design of the Delta Works. He attended the 1954 International Congress of Mathematicians in Amsterdam, where his work was discussed by David van Dantzig.
Johannes Theodoor Thijsse was a Dutch hydraulic engineer who made significant contributions to hydraulic engineering both in The Netherlands and internationally. In addition to having a major involvement in the design and planning of both the Zuiderzee Works and the Delta Works, he published widely and played a key role in the establishment of the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.
Frank Spaargaren was a Dutch hydraulic engineer who was one of the main designers of the Oosterscheldekering and served as a director of the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium in Delft.
Pieter Philippus Jansen was a Dutch civil engineer and hydraulic engineer who made significant contributions to hydraulic engineering in The Netherlands. He spent the majority of his career with Rijkswaterstaat, working on several major projects including the first phase of the Delta Works and leading the reclamation and repair efforts following the inundation of Walcheren.
Jan Fokke Agema was a Dutch hydraulic engineer and professor at Delft University of Technology. He is notable for his design of the harbour entrance at Hoek van Holland and involvement in the construction of the Oosterscheldekering. The prof. dr.ir. J.F. Agemaprijs is named for him, and has been awarded every five years since 2000.
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Emmericus Carel Willem Adriaan "Wim" Geuze was a Dutch civil engineer who contributed to the development of soil mechanics, and the founding of the geotechnical engineering journal, Géotechnique. He was head of research at the Laboratorium voor Grondmechanica in Delft, and professor of soil mechanics at Delft University of Technology and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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Hendrik Wortman was a Dutch civil engineer. Born in Amersfoort, Utrecht, he graduated from Delft Polytechnic in 1880 and joined the Rijkswaterstaat. He took offices throughout the country, focusing particularly on questions of water management and hydraulic engineering, until he was seconded to the Ministry of Public Works, Trade, and Industry in 1894. In this capacity, he developed several infrastructure projects, including a harbour in Scheveningen, while preparing exploratory studies for damming of the Zuiderzee.
Krystian Walenty Pilarczyk is a hydraulic engineer whose contributions to civil and hydraulic engineering include the development and improvement of the Izbash formula, along with the Pilarczyk formula for the stability of block revetments. He is the author and editor of a number of academic papers and textbooks on coastal, river, and hydraulic engineering subjects.