Hydraulic Engineering

For more than 20 years, DEC has been active in preliminary studies, execution and aftercare of a wide range of hydraulic works, more specifically where special asphalt materials are used. The restoration or protection of the environment always plays a prominent role in these projects.

Hydraulic engineering with fibrous open stone asphalt

Fibrous stone asphalt forms a relatively thin, plate-like, flexible covering that is resistant to flow and waves for banks, bottoms and other marine engineering applications. For years, it has offered an outstanding, economically affordable alternative to the traditional materials in marine engineering applications.

Fibrous open stone asphalt®: patented technology

GOSA® is a crushed stone-mastic mixture that exhibits erosion-resistant properties. Cellulose fibres are also added to enhance the quality of the product.

The primary properties that can be mentioned:

Stable on steep inclines and resistant to intense wave and flow action
Good drainage and permits vegetation growth
Flexible, durable and low maintenance
Environmentally friendly

Fibrous dense stone asphalt

If there are higher requirements for the bituminous construction’s resistance to hydraulic or mechanical loads, deformability resulting from settling or erosion, one can opt for a mixture such as fibrous dense stone asphalt. Adequate consideration must however be paid to the impermeability of this protective layer and the consequences that may have for stability as a whole.

Bank protection of rivers with fibrous open stone asphalt (Jamuna, Bangladesh).

Construction of a container dock with in-situ installed fibrous open stone asphalt® (Antwerp harbour, Belgium).

Hydraulic works

Slope and bottom protection with in situ fibrous open stone asphalt®

Slope and bottom protection with fibrous open stone asphalt® can also be employed in-situ. DEC installed a strip of fibrous open stone asphalt® in the construction of the Deurganckdok (Port of Antwerp), at the level of the final soil profile.

Environmentally friendly river and canal banks

To protect banks in natural areas, DEC uses techniques to install environmentally friendly banks. By making a well conceived choice and the interaction of various products and bio-engineering techniques creates a valuable environment for people, animals and vegetation.

Soil protection with prefabricated fibrous open stone asphalt® mats

DEC has automated leg frames of various sizes with a maximum of 35 m on 10 m for the installation of prefabricated fibrous open stone asphalt mats. Adapted leg frames can also be made to measure, to meet specific client requirements.

The placement of prefab elements can be done from the land and from pontoons, and is performed by our own experienced and specialised personnel. The technique is employed to protect quay walls from erosion, to protect and create underwater sites for sediment storage, to protect anchors above tunnels and pipelines.

Installation of soil protection with prefabricated open stone asphalt mats (Zeebrugge).

Fish breeding grounds along canals are being created using fibrous open stone asphalt whereby the natural habitat is restored with vegetation (Leie, Ghent).

Would you like to know more?

Download our hydraulic engineering brochure (pdf, 833 KB), or view some projects that we have completed using this technique.