METHOD FOR RENOVATING A QUAY WALL

Abstract

 A method for renovating a quay wall section by section, using a Z-shaped renovation element comprising:
- a lip;
- a main body; and
- a foot including an aperture,
wherein the method, comprises the steps of:
- placing renovation element against the quay wall, a reinforcement pile receiving element associated with the main body or the lip receiving a reinforcing pile extending from the quay wall and the at least one aperture in the foot of the renovation element receiving a supporting pile extending from a waterway bottom; and
- fixating the renovation element with respect to the quay wall to obtain a renovated quay wall section, the lip of the renovation element forming an upper side of the renovated quay wall section and the foot of the renovation element extending away from the renovated quay wall section, into a waterway.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for renovating a quay wall.

[0002] A quay wall is the wall between a canal and a quay. It can have a thickness of up to 1 meter. Quay walls constructed in the past have a life span of about 100 years, after which they should be replaced or renovated. Many historic cities having canals, Amsterdam being a well-known example, rely heavily on quay walls for day-to-day life. If the quay walls would collapse, also the historic buildings constructed along the canals, often in the city centre, would be impacted and cracks would occur in the walls and foundations of these buildings, or even worse they could collapse as well.

[0003] The quay walls in these historic cities need to be replaced or renovated in the upcoming years or decades. With known techniques, such renovation or renovation is an elaborate task. Often a temporary quay wall of steel is placed in front of the quay wall to be replaced / renovated. Then the quay is closed for all passenger vehicles and the quay wall is replaced. This can take up to one year when everything goes well, and even longer when there are setbacks. Closing quays, and the road on them, for one year or longer is problematic from an infrastructural point of view and is highly undesired. An additional problem conceived with known quay wall renovation or renovation methods is that groundwater is often drained as a result of an interruption of the fluid communication between canal water and groundwater. This can lead to rot of (wooden) foundation poles on which the city is built. This is also highly undesired.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a quay wall renovation method which does not suffer from these drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the disclosure a method for renovating a quay wall section by section is presented. The method makes use of a Z-shaped renovation element that comprises:

• a lip;
• a main body;
• a foot including one or more apertures; and

one or more pile receiving elements associated with the main body and/or the lip.

[0006] The method, per quay wall section, comprises the steps of:

• drilling through the quay wall on at least one position and in a substantially vertical direction, to obtain at least one drill hole extending through the quay wall;
• providing at least one reinforcing pile;
• placing the reinforcing pile in said drill hole, the reinforcing pile protruding with respect to the quay wall;
• providing at least one supporting pile;
• arranging the supporting pile in a waterway bottom, on a position in front of the quay wall section to be renovated, the supporting pile protruding with respect to the waterway bottom;
• placing the Z-shaped renovation element against the quay wall, the at least one pile receiving element of the Z-shaped renovation element receiving the reinforcing pile protruding from the quay wall and the at least one aperture in the foot of the Z-shaped renovation element receiving the supporting pile protruding from the waterway bottom; and
• fixating the Z-shaped renovation element with respect to the quay wall to obtain a renovated quay wall section, the lip of the Z-shaped renovation element forming an upper side of the renovated quay wall section and the foot of the Z-shaped renovation element extending away from the renovated quay wall section, into the waterway.

[0007] It is explicitly noted that the order in which the steps of the method are carried out may differ from the order as presented in the above. For example, as a first step the supporting pile(s) in the bottom of the canal may be arranged in the waterway bottom.

[0008] The method as described herein lists a number of steps which should be carried out per section to renovate a quay wall. Of course, work may be performed on multiple sections at the same time. For example, while the Z-shaped renovation element is being fixated to the quay wall of one section, drilling work may already be performed on another, e.g. neighbouring, section.

[0009] The present method is for renovating a quay wall. As such, at least a part of the existing quay wall preferably remains in place. Within the context of the present document, the wording "quay wall to be renovated" refers to the "old" quay wall that is to be renovated, whereas the wording "renovated quay wall' refers to the "new" quay wall, i.e. the quay wall obtained after carrying out the method as presented herein and including the Z-shaped renovation element.

[0010] A quay wall is typically arranged between a waterway, such as a canal, a river, a channel, the open sea, and a quay. The waterway has a waterway bottom and is filled with water, which may flow. The quay typically serves as road for transport vehicles, and may contain one or more buildings. The quay wall functions as "border" between the quay and the waterway. In cities, where the waterway is typically a canal, parking spots for cars are usually arranged in between the road and the quay wall.

[0011] The method as presented herein takes a section by section approach. The quay wall, which may have a length of several tens of meters, e.g. up to 100 meter or longer, is divided along its longitudinal direction into different sections for the purpose of carrying out the invention. Each section may e.g. have a length of between 3 and 10 meters, e.g. of about 5 meters. Upon renovating the quay wall, a first section may be renovated first, after which the second section, e.g. adjacent the first section, is renovated, and so on along the entire length of the quay wall.

[0012] The method as presented herein makes use of a generally Z-shaped renovation element. When looking at the Z-shaped renovation in a side view, the Z-shaped renovation element comprises a lip, a main body and a foot. The lip forms the upper horizontal part of the Z-shaped renovation element; the main body forms the vertical part of the Z-shaped renovation element and the foot forms the lower horizontal part of the Z-shaped renovation element. The Z-shaped renovation element may be formed as a single part, the lip, main body and foot being integral with each other. However, in alternative embodiments the Z-shaped renovation element may also be assembled from several parts. Such an assembled element may mainly be advantageous when transport over (narrow) waterways is concerned. When the main body is arranged vertically, the lip may be arranged horizontally and the foot may be inclined downwards. When the main body is arranged vertically, a central axis of the aperture in the foot may be arranged vertically. When fixated against the quay wall, the lip faces away from the waterway with respect to the main body and the foot faces towards the waterway with respect to the main body, extending into the waterway.

[0013] The method as presented herein relates to drilling through the quay wall in a substantially vertical direction. As used herein, with respect to the vertical orientation the angle of the drill hole may e.g. be between +45° and -45°, e.g. between +30° and -30°, more preferably between +10° and -10°. Preferably the drilling step is not only limited to drilling through the quay wall, but also includes piling into the waterway bottom in the elongation of the quay wall (when seen in top view).

[0014] The reinforcing pile used in the method serves two purposes. On the one hand, it reinforces the "old" quay wall, i.e. the quay wall that is to be renovated. This is especially advantageous when a part of the quay wall is removed during the renovation method. This will be described in more detail below. It furthermore serves to keep the Z-shaped renovation element in place and stabilizes said Z-shaped renovation element.

[0015] The supporting pile is arranged in the waterway bottom, on a position in front of the quay wall section to be renovated. As used herein, the wording "in front of" means that the supporting pile is arranged at a position that allows it to be received by the foot of the Z-shaped renovation element.

[0016] Advantages of the present method are given in the below. Depending on the exact embodiment of the method and the Z-shaped renovation element, as well as the infrastructural layout of the area surrounding the quay wall, one or more of these advantages may be achieved with the method as presented herein.

[0017] Advantageously, by using the method as presented herein to renovate a quay wall, the quay wall can be renovated in a relatively short amount of time. With present techniques, it may take up to a year, or even much longer, before a quay wall with a length of 100 meter is renovated. With the present method, a shorter turnaround time of e.g. as little as approximately half a year, or in the most optimal scenario even only about 20 weeks, for a quay wall with a length of 100 meter may be realised. When the section has a length of 5 meters, a turnaround time of just one week, e.g. between 4 and 8 days, may be achievable.

[0018] Advantageously, by working section by section houseboats arranged on the waterway need to be moved to another position along the quay wall for a relatively short amount of time, and the may be moved to a position relatively close-by. Whereas present techniques require all houseboats along a quay wall to be moved to a different position for the entire duration of the renovation method, with the present method only the houseboats located in the section that is being renovated may be re-positioned. The other houseboats along the quay wall can remain in place. As fewer houseboats need to be re-positioned at the same time, this causes less logistical problems. On top of that, as the houseboats need to be re-positioned only for the duration of the time it takes to renovate the quay wall section or sections along which they are normally positioned, the duration for which they need to be re-positioned is shorter and this causes less disturbances for the occupants of said houseboats.

[0019] Further advantageously, by using the method as presented herein all or virtually all method steps may be carried out from the waterway. As it is not required to remove the entire "old" quay wall trees, in particular old and historic trees, arranged along the quay can remain in place. Depending on the exact layout on site, trimming of the trees may however be needed.

[0020] In accordance with the method as presented herein, the Z-shaped renovation element is kept in place by at least one reinforcing pile that protrudes with respect to the quay wall, as well as by at least one supporting pile that protrudes with respect to the waterway bottom. As the Z-shaped renovation element is stabilized both at its lip and at its feet, the net sum of the forces, including tensile, compressive, shear and moment forces, acting on the quay wall by the Z-shaped renovation element is advantageously relatively low and preferably near zero. Preferably, when the Z-shaped element is fixated to the quay wall the reinforcing piles are loaded by a tensile force only. Preferably, when the Z-shaped renovation element is fixated to the quay wall the supporting piles are loaded by a compressive force only.

[0021] Further advantageously, by using the present method the ground water level is not affected as the fluid communication between ground water and waterway water is not interrupted by a temporary wall arranged in the waterway. Such a temporary wall is namely not required when implementing the present method.

[0022] Further advantageously, by using the present method any disturbances on the quay are minimized. It is not necessary to close off any roads on the quay as the method may be carried out entirely from the waterway and as the quay wall remains at least partially in place.

[0023] Advantageously, the present method allows to only renovate certain sections of a quay wall, e.g. after an accident has occurred, in a short amount of time.

[0024] In embodiments, a lifespan of at least 100 years for the renovated quay wall may be realised. In embodiments, all used materials are recyclable.

[0025] Advantageously, the method can be carried out without the need for a construction site on the quay, i.e., when seen from the waterway, behind the quay wall. Advantageously, the method can be carried out without the need to temporarily reduce the width of the waterway.

[0026] In an embodiment, the one or more pile receiving elements are formed by one or more flanges, mounted to the main body and protruding with respect to the main body in a direction away from the foot. The flanges define an opening, in which the reinforcement pile can be received when the Z-shaped renovation element is placed against the quay wall.

[0027] In an equivalent embodiment, the one or more pile receiving elements are formed by one or more apertures in the lip, said apertures receiving the reinforcement pile when placing the Z-shaped renovation element against the quay wall. A central axis of the aperture in the lip may be arranged vertically.

[0028] In a yet further equivalent embodiment, the one or more pile receiving elements are formed by one or more flanges, mounted to the lip and protruding with respect to the lip in a direction away from the foot. The flanges define an opening, in which the reinforcement pile can be received when the Z-shaped renovation element is placed against the quay wall.

[0029] In an embodiment, each section of the quay wall has a first quay wall portion that is removed when carrying out the method as well as a second quay wall portion that remains in place when carrying out the method, the drill hole is drilled in said second quay wall portion, the method includes a further step of removing the first quay wall portion, along the entire length of the quay wall section to be renovated, before the Z-shaped renovation element is placed, and the Z-shaped renovation element is placed against and fixated with respect to said second quay wall portion.

[0030] Although it may be possible that the entire quay wall remains in place and that the Z-shaped renovation element is placed against the quay wall to be renovated, in embodiments a portion of the quay wall section to be renovated may be removed while another portion of the quay wall remains in place. The Z-shaped renovation element may then effectively replace the removed quay wall section. An advantage of this embodiment is that the waterway is not narrowed by renovating the quay wall.

[0031] According to this embodiment, at each section the quay wall to be renovated comprises a first portion and a second portion. This distinction between the first portion and the second portion is purely for reference and definition purposes however. The quay wall to be renovated is typically formed as one wall, possibly having damaging as it is to be renovated.

[0032] Although in this embodiment a portion of the quay wall is removed, reducing the strength of the quay wall, by working section by section and by placing reinforcing piles in the remaining quay wall section the quay wall will still be strong enough to at least temporarily, until the Z-shaped renovation element is installed, keep the quay intact without collapsing.

[0033] For example, the first quay wall portion to be removed may have a thickness of between 20 cm and 50 cm. For example, the second quay wall portion to remain may have a thickness of between 50 cm and 80 cm.

[0034] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a pre-treatment step. The pre-treatment step may include the step of making a 3D scan of the quay wall section to be renovated, to obtain a more precise overview of the outer shape and the inner construction of the quay wall section to be renovated. For example, the 3D scan may identify the presence and position of any cables, wires and pipes extending through the quay wall. For example, the 3D scan may identify any imperfections in the outer shape of the quay wall section, which may or may not be corrected with the Z-shaped renovation element. The pre-treatment step optionally further includes the step of modifying the design of the Z-shaped renovation element with respect to a base design thereof, based on said outer shape and said inner construction. That is, a base design of the Z-shaped renovation element may be established. As the quay wall to be renovated may be 100 years, or 100's of years, old, the shape and inner construction of the quay wall section may be significantly altered with respect to the original shape and construction over its lifetime. Based on the 3D scan such alterations may be identified, and implemented in the Z-shaped renovation element. In embodiments, when the entire quay wall is renovated every Z-shaped renovation element used may be slightly different from, i.e. unique compared to, the other Z-shaped renovation element. This is certainly not required however.

[0035] In an embodiment the method further includes the step of removing quay paving that is arranged directly against and/or on the quay wall section to be renovated, along the entire length of the quay wall section, preferably along a width of at most 3m. When seen from the waterway, paving may be arranged on the quay at a position directly against the quay wall and/or on top of the quay wall. In embodiments this paving is removed before placing the Z-shaped renovation element against the quay wall section, preferably before removing the first quay wall portion (when it is removed). Often the quay paving may have a width of up to ten meter or more, starting from the quay wall up to buildings constructed on the quay. Measured in said width direction only up to 3 meters of paving may be removed, the other part of the quay paving remaining in place to allow the quay to be used as normal, e.g. as a road for transport vehicles. Removing said quay paving reduces the forces acting on the quay wall, which is advantageous when a portion of the quay wall is removed while carrying out the method. Advantageously, compared to known methods wherein the entire quay paving is removed, in such embodiments only up to 3 meter, preferably only up to 2 meter of quay paving is removed.

[0036] In an embodiment the step of drilling through the quay wall or the second quay wall portion is carried out with a hollow pipe drill. This minimizes any vibrations during the drilling step. Less vibrations, in turn, minimize the risk that buildings constructed on the quay, or the foundation thereof, are damaged. Preferably the amount of vibrations is reduced to below or equal to the level of regular traffic.

[0037] In an embodiment the reinforcing pile is screwed in the drill hole, preferably while injecting grout in the drill hole. In an embodiment the supporting pile is screwed in the waterway bottom. These measures, again, reduce the intensity and/or the number of vibrations.

[0038] In an embodiment more than one, e.g. three, drill holes are drilled in the quay wall or the second quay wall portion and an equal amount of reinforcing piles are placed in said drill holes. In an embodiment more than one, e.g. two, supporting piles are arranged in the waterway bottom. This results in a more stable placement of the Z-shaped renovation element, wherein less forces, in particular less shear forces, act on the quay wall by the Z-shaped renovation element.

[0039] In an embodiment the method comprises the further step of connecting a seepage screen to an outer end of the foot of the Z-shaped renovation element after it is placed or after it is fixated. In an alternative embodiment the Z-shaped renovation element comprises a seepage screen connected to an outer end of the foot of the Z-shaped renovation element. In an embodiment foundation material is arranged between the foot of the Z-shaped renovation element and the waterway bottom. A seepage screen prevents any such foundation material to be removed by a current of the water flowing in the waterway.

[0040] In an embodiment a thickness of the main body of the Z-shaped renovation element at a position near the lip thereof is smaller than a thickness of said main body at a position near the foot thereof. The main body e.g. comprises an offset where the thickness increases. In this embodiment the method may comprise the further step of bricklaying, the bricks being layed on the offset of the Z-shaped renovation element. When a portion of the quay wall is removed while carrying out the method, the bricks removed during the removing step may be used for the bricklaying step as described here. By bricklaying against the main body of the Z-shaped renovation element the original look of the quay wall may be restored, which may be visually appealing.

[0041] In an embodiment the reinforcing pile(s) and/or the supporting pile(s) comprise a threaded end portion, and the step of fixating the Z-shaped renovation element includes a step of screwing a nut directly or indirectly on the threaded end of the reinforcing pile(s) and/or the supporting pile(s). Preferably the nut is then arranged in the at least one aperture of the lip - when present - and/or the foot of the Z-shaped renovation element. In such an embodiment, advantageously the Z-shaped renovation element is demountable with respect to the quay wall, which e.g. allows for easy recycling of the Z-shaped element.

[0042] In an embodiment the main body of the Z-shaped renovation element comprises at least one aperture, and the method comprises the further step of drilling a hole in the quay wall or the second quay wall portion through said aperture in said main body, as well as the further step of arranging a drainage tube in said hole. Such a drainage tube importantly allows a fluid communication between ground water in the substructure of the quay and the water in the waterway through the Z-shaped renovation element. Preferably the drainage tube is arranged at a position below the normal waterline of the water in the waterway. Advantageously such a drainage pipe can easily be cleaned.

[0043] In an embodiment all steps of the method are carried out from a pontoon arranged on the waterway. This minimized any disturbances on the quay adjacent the quay wall. Preferably the transport of all needed materials, including the Z-shaped renovation element, the reinforcing piles and the supporting piles, is done over water. Advantageously, especially when the waterway is a canal, this eliminates the need for any utility vehicles in the city.

[0044] A second aspect of the disclosure relates to a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element configured for placement against a quay wall section to be renovated and comprising

• a lip configured for placement on top of said quay wall section,;
• a main body configured for placement against said quay wall section in an assembled state;
• a foot including one or more apertures configured for receiving a supporting pile protruding from a waterway bottom in an assembled state; and
• one or more reinforcing pile receiving elements for receiving a reinforcing pile protruding from said quay wall section in an assembled state, the receiving element associated with the lip and/or the main body and extending from said lip and/or main body in a direction opposite to the foot.

[0045] For example, such a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element may be made from concrete. For example, such a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element may be formed as one part, the lip, main body and foot being integral with each other.

[0046] For example, such a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element may be produced in multiple parts, e.g. two, three or four, which separately produced parts can be assembled together to form the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element. Assembling the Z-shaped renovation element from multiple parts mainly has the advantage that the individual parts can be transported more easily than an integral Z-shaped quay wall renovation element.

[0047] Advantages of the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element, when used to renovate a quay wall, are the same as the advantages described in relation to the first aspect of the disclosure.

[0048] Embodiments described in the above in relation to the first aspect may also be advantageous for the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element according to the second aspect of the disclosure.

[0049] In embodiments, similar to the embodiment described in the above, the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element is placed against a remaining portion of the quay wall.

[0050] In an embodiment the main body comprises one or more holes for receiving cables and/or pipes running between a quay substructure and a houseboat positioned on the waterway. For example, the desired position of such holes may be determined with a 3D scan before the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element is produced. The Z-shaped quay wall renovation element may be tailored depending on the need to comprises one or more holes for receiving cables and/or pipes running between a quay substructure and a houseboat positioned on the waterway.

[0051] In an embodiment, when seen in a top view, the lip and the foot of the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element are tapered. This e.g. allows to follow a bend of the waterway with the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element.

[0052] In an embodiment an edge of the main body has a profiled shape configured to interconnect with an edge of a main body of a neighbouring Z-shaped quay wall renovation element. This allows to more accurately position and align two neighbouring Z-shaped quay wall renovation elements. Many different such profiles are known.

[0053] In embodiments the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element may have further holes, apertures, recesses, protrusions, or surface modifications, e.g. for accommodating animal species living in the waterway and/or for allowing plant species to flourish.

[0054] A third aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element according to the second aspect of the disclosure, in a method according to the first aspect of the disclosure.

[0055] A fourth aspect of the disclosure relates to a renovated quay wall comprising, a remaining quay wall portion and the Z-shaped quay wall according to the second aspect of the disclosure. The remaining quay wall portion may be the entire quay wall, or a portion thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0056] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will be further elucidated with reference to the attached figures. In these figures:

Schematically illustrated in Figure 1 is a quay wall to be renovated in the situation as-is, i.e. before the method as presented herein is carried out;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 2 is a first step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 3 is a second step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 4 is a third step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 5 is a fourth step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 6 is a fifth step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 7A is a sixth step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 7B is a sixth step of another method, wherein a different Z-shaped quay wall renovation element is used compared to Figure 7A;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 8 is a seventh step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 9 is an eight step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 10 is a ninth step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 11 is a tenth step of one possible method according to the present invention;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 12 is a one possible embodiment of a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element according to the present disclosure;

Schematically illustrated in Figure 12B is another embodiment of a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element according to the present disclosure; and

Schematically illustrated in Figures 13A-C are some other possible embodiments of a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0057] Figure 1 schematically shows in a cross-sectional view a quay wall to be renovated 100 arranged along a canal 200 in a city. The quay wall to be renovated 100 is arranged in between the canal 200 and the quay 300. The quay 300 includes quay paving 301. The quay paving 301 includes parking spots for cars at a position closest to the quay wall to be renovated 100, as well as a road. The canal 200 has a canal bottom 201. In a longitudinal direction, the quay wall 100 is divided in several sections 100A as will be clear with reference to Figure 13. In the present Figure 1 however, only one section, the section to be renovated, is shown.

[0058] In this particular embodiment of the method, the quay wall 100 comprises a first portion 101 which will be removed while carrying out the method, as well as a second portion 102 which remains in place while carrying out the method. A thickness t100 of the quay wall 100 may be 70 cm or thicker, e.g. 1 m or thicker. A thickness t101 of the first section 101, i.e. the section to be removed, may be between 20cm and 50cm. A thickness t102 of the second section 102, i.e. the remaining section, may be between 50 cm and 80 cm.

[0059] It is noted that, while describing one possible embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention, not every reference sign is repeated in every figure, in most of the figures only the relevant and described reference signs are included. Of course one skilled in the art would be well able to recognize the other features, even when the reference sign is not included.

[0060] In a possible pre-treatment step, a 3D scan may be made of the quay wall to be renovated, to obtain a more precise overview of the outer shape and the inner construction of the quay wall section to be renovated. Optionally, after the 3D scan is made, design of the Z-shaped renovation element used later-on may be modified with respect to a base design thereof, based on said outer shape and said inner construction obtained by making the 3D scan. For example, the 3D scan may determine the position and condition of the substructure poles 170. Based on said condition and position, a position for a drill hole 110 and reinforcing pile 120 may be determined and, where necessary, moved with respect to a base design. If the position of a reinforcing pile 120 is moved with respect to a base design, also a position of a reinforcing pile receiving aperture in the lip of the Z-shaped reinforcement element will be moved, as will become more clear from the below.

[0061] Shown in Figure 2 is a first possible step of the method in accordance with the invention. Compared to the situation depicted in Figure 1, a part of the quay paving 301 is removed as is indicated by the dashed line. More specifically, the quay paving that is arranged directly against the quay wall to be renovated is removed. As seen on Figure 2, not all of the quay paving 301 is removed. Measured along the width direction wq of the quay 300, e.g. at most 3 meters of quay paving is removed.

[0062] Further visible in Figure 2 is a drill hole 110 in the canal bottom 201, arranged at a position below the second quay wall portion 102, and extending through the second quay wall portion 102. Also visible is in the canal bottom 201 is a slit 141.

[0063] Preferably the slit 141 in the canal bottom 201 and the drill hole 110 are obtained using a hollow pipe drill.

[0064] Arranged in the section to be renovated is a reinforcing piles 120, placed in the drill hole 110. Although the present cross-sectional view only shows a single reinforcing pile 120, several reinforcing piles, e.g. three, may be used for a single Z-shaped reinforcement element. As can be seen, the reinforcing pile 120 protrudes with respect to the quay wall 100 to be renovated.

[0065] Preferably, the reinforcing pile 120 is screwed in the drill hole 110, more preferably while injecting grout in the drill hole 110.

[0066] Further visible in figure 3 is a support pile 130, arranged in the waterway bottom 201 in front of the quay wall section 100A to be renovated. With respect to the waterway bottom 201, the support pile 130 protrudes. Preferably the support pile 130 is screwed in the waterway bottom 201.

[0067] Turning to Figure 4, it can be observed that the old quay wall 100 is partially removed, as indicated by the dashed lines. Along the entire length of the section 100A, the top of the quay wall is removed and the front of the quay wall is removed for 1/5^th up to ½ of its thickness, and in particular for about 1/3th of its thickness, along the remaining part of the quay wall section 100A. As such, a first portion 101 of the quay wall section 100A is removed while a second portion 102 of the quay wall section 100A remains.

[0068] When a portion of the quay wall section 100A is removed, as shown, of course the reinforcing pile 120 is to be arranged in the portion 102 of the quay wall section 100A that remains, as shown.

[0069] Turning to Figure 5, compared to Figure 4 the reinforcing pile 120 is shortened, but still protrudes with respect to the remaining portion 102 of the quay wall section 100A.

[0070] Turning to Figure 6, adapters 151 are mounted on each of the supporting pile 130 and the reinforcing pile 120. Each of the adapters 151 comprises a threaded end 123, 132. The adapters 151 allow to fixate the Z-shaped renovation element to the quay wall 100 in a balanced manner. For example, when one or more of the reinforcement piles 120 and/or the supporting piles 130 is slightly displaced in position and/or inclination compared to the 'desired' position, the adapters 151 may be used to still properly fit the Z-shaped renovation element on said piles 120, 130. Such a displacement may e.g. result from a slight misalignment in the drilling step or the step of arranging the support pile in the waterway bottom. For example drilling may be a few degrees tilted compared to a desired orientation. For example the reinforcement pile(s) 120 and/or supporting pile(s) 130 may be arranged somewhat deeper or somewhat less deep than designed. To allow for such displacements the adapter 151 may include and adjustment plate having a larger diameter than the aperture in the lip and foot of the Z-shaped renovation element, such that the Z-shaped renovation element rests on it. The adjustment plate may be movable upwards and downwards with respect to the supporting 120 and/or reinforcement pile 130. The exact position of the adjustment plates is preferably measured accurately before the Z-shaped renovation element is placed.

[0071] Figure 7A shows the situation after a Z-shaped renovation element 1 is placed on and against the second quay wall portion 102 of the quay wall section 100A to be renovated. The Z-shaped renovation element 1, which will be explained in some more detail in the below with reference to Figure 13, comprises a lip 11, a main body 21 and a foot 31. Both the lip 11 and the foot 31 comprise apertures 12, 32; here two in the foot 31 and three and the lip 11, although in the present cross-sectional view only one aperture 12, 32 is shown in each of the lip 11 and the foot 31. In the position of Figure 7A, the Z-shaped renovation element 1 is placed against the second quay wall potion 102. The aperture 12 in the lip 11 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 receives the reinforcing pile 120. The aperture 32 in the foot 31 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 receives the supporting pile 130.

[0072] Not visible in Figure 7A, but possible in embodiments, is an aperture in the main body 21 of the Z-shaped renovation element. In a not-shown method step, a hole may be drilled in the quay wall 100 through said aperture, e.g. in a substantially horizontal direction. A drainage tube may then be arranged in said hole and aperture, to allow a fluid communication between the water in the canal and the groundwater in the substructure of the quay.

[0073] Further visible in Figure 7A is an offset 22 where a thickness of the main body 21 increases in a step-wise manner.

[0074] Shown in Figure 7B is an equivalent embodiment of a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element 2. Compared to the element 1 shown in Figure 7A, the element 2 of Figure 7B does not have apertures in the lip. In contrast, the element 2 of Figure 7B comprises flanges 27, mounted to the main body 27 of the element 2. The flanges 27 define an inner volume, in which the reinforcement pile 120 is received. Besides the equivalent embodiments of reinforcing pile receiving elements that differ in Figure 7B compared to Figure 7A, other features of the Z-shaped element 2 of Figure 7B are substantially the same as the Z-shaped element of Figure 7A. For the remainder of the method, reference is made to the element of Figure 7A; the other method steps do not significantly change when the Z-shaped element of Figure 7B is used to mount against the quay wall.

[0075] Turning to Figure 8, compared to Figure 7A a seepage screen 140 is mounted to the outer end of the foot 31 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1. The seepage screen 140 extends into the bottom 201 of the canal 200, more in particular into slit 141.

[0076] Turning to Figure 9, compared to Figure 8 the Z-shaped renovation element 1 is now fixated to the remaining wall portion 102. A nut 150 is threaded on the threaded ends of the adapters on top of the reinforcement pile 120 and the supporting pile 130. The nut 150 is received in the aperture 12, 32 in the Z-shaped renovation element 1. The Z-shaped renovation element 1 and the remaining portion 102 of the quay wall 100 together form the renovated quay wall 400. The lip 11 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 forms an upper side of the renovated quay wall section 400, whereas the foot 31 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 extends away from the renovated quay wall section 400, into the waterway 200. If present, the horizontally-arranged aperture in the main body 21 remains open to allow fluid communication between the canal water and groundwater through said aperture.

[0077] To fixate the Z-shaped renovation element 1 to the quay wall 100 and obtain a renovated quay wall 400, a nut 150 is screwed on the threaded end portion 123, 132 of the adapters 151, and the Z-shaped renovation element 1 is balanced. Preferably the apertures 12, 32 in the lip 11 and foot 31 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 are larger in diameter than the diameter of the nut 150. This allows the nut 150 to be fastened even when the angular orientation of the adapter 151, more in particular, the threaded end 123, 132 thereof, and/or top end of the pile 120, 130, more in particular, the threaded end thereof, is not perfectly vertical.

[0078] Shown in Figures 10 and 11 finally are some post-treatment steps, wherein the bricks are layed on the offset 22 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 (Figure 10) and wherein the quay paving 301 is restored to the original condition (Figure 11).

[0079] Now that one section of the quay wall is renovated, work may start at a next section. Of course, some work may have already been done at the next section simultaneously to working on the section as illustrated here.

[0080] Turning to Figure 12A, an embodiment of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 is schematically shown on its own, in an isometric view thereof. The Z-shaped renovation element 1 is made as a single part, e.g. from concrete, preferably from reinforced concrete or high-strength concrete. The Z-shaped renovation element 1 comprises a lip 11, a main body 21 and a foot 31.

[0081] As shown here, the lip 11 extends away from the main body, in a rearward direction. The angle between the main body 21 and the lip is about 90°. Arranged in the lip are three apertures 12, 13, 14, each for receiving one reinforcing pile extending from the quay wall. A central axis of the apertures 12, 13, 14 is arranged in the vertical direction. In an assembled state of the Z-shaped renovation element, the main body 21 is placed against the quay wall or the remaining portion thereof. The lip 11 is placed on top of the quay wall or the remaining portion thereof.

[0082] As shown here, the main body 21 has two distinct thicknesses t11, t31 and includes an offset 22 at which offset 22 the thickness of the main body 21 increases. Near the lip 11 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1, i.e. above the position of the offset 22, the thickness t11 of the main body 21 is less than near the foot 31 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1, i.e. below the position of the offset 22. Although the lower part of the main body 21, i.e. the part below the offset 22, may be stronger and stiffer, a main advantage of the offset is that it can be used as a starting base for bricklaying.

[0083] Further shown are several apertures 23 and holes 24, 25, 26 in the main body 21. The positions of these apertures 23 and holes 24, 25, 26 are schematically illustrated and they may well be located at different positions in different embodiments of the Z-shaped renovation element 1. For example, the aperture 23 is provided below the waterline of the canal and may comprise a drainage tube when the quay wall is renovated (as described in the above). For example, the holes 23, 24, 25 may be configured for receiving all kinds of cables and pipes that run from a houseboat arranged on a canal towards the substructure of the quay. For example, such cables and pipes may include an internet cable, a telephone cable, a sewage pipe, an electricity cable, etc.. One or more of these cables and pipes may be bundled, reducing the amount of holes in the main body 21.

[0084] As shown here, the main body has a plain edge 28, 29. However, in other embodiments the edge may have a profile to allow the edge to interconnect, in an assembled state, with the edge of a neighbouring Z-shaped renovation element.

[0085] As shown here, the foot 31 extends away from the main body, in a forward direction. The angle between the main body 21 and the foot 31 is larger than 90°, the foot 31 being inclined downwards with respect to the main body 21. This ensures that the flow profile of the waterway is not interrupted and reduces the risk that e.g. ships, more in particular a bottom thereof, hit the foot portion 31 of the Z-shaped renovation element 1 when they pass through the waterway 200.

[0086] Arranged in the foot 31 are two apertures 32, 33, each for receiving one supporting pile arranged in a canal bottom. A central axis of the apertures 32, 33 is arranged in the vertical direction. In an assembled state of the Z-shaped renovation element, the main body 21 is placed against the quay wall or the remaining portion thereof. The foot 31 extends away from the main body 21, into the waterway water.

[0087] The Z-shaped element 2 shown in Figure 12B is substantially the same as the Z-shaped element 1 of Figure 12A. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 12A, the Z-shaped element 2 of Figure 12B comprises flanges 27 as reinforcement pile receiving elements rather than apertures in the lip.

[0088] Turning to Figures 13A - 13C, it is shown how a curve of the quay wall can be followed by tailoring the shape of the used Z-shaped quay wall renovation elements 1, 1', 1". More in particular, when looking in a top view, the edges of the lip 11 and the foot 31 may be tapered. As shown, either the foot 13 may be wider than the lip 11 (Z-shaped quay wall renovation element 1' as depicted in figure 13B), or the lip 11 may be wider than the foot 31 (Z-shaped quay wall renovation element 1" as depicted in figure 13C). Further visible in Figure 13A is how the quay wall 400 is divided in different sections 100A along its longitudinal direction.

[0089] Of course, also the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element 2 of Figure 12B may comprise tapered edges in a way similar as shown for the quay wall renovation element 1, 1', 1" of Figures 13A - 13C.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0090] 

1

Z-shaped renovation element

2

Z-shaped renovation element
11 lip
12 aperture in lip
13 aperture in lip
14 aperture in lip
21 main body
22 offset
23 aperture for drainage pipe
24 hole for sewage pipe
25 hole for electricity wire
26 hole for water pipe
27 flange
28 left edge
29 right edge
31 foot
32 aperture in foot
33 aperture in foot

100

quay wall
100A quay wall section
101 first quay wall portion
102 second quay wall portion

110

drill hole

120

reinforcing pile
123 threaded end portion

130

supporting pile
132 threaded end portion

140

seepage screen
141 slit

150

nut

151

adapter

200

waterway
201 waterway bottom

300

quay
301 quay pavement

400

renovated quay wall section

L

longitudinal direction quay wall

T11

thickness main body near lip

T31

thickness main body near foot

T100

thickness quay wall

T101

thickness first quay wall section

T102

thickness second quay wall section

WQ

width quay paving

Claims

1. A method for renovating a quay wall (100) section by section, wherein use is made of a Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) comprising:

- a lip (11);

- a main body (21),

- a foot (31) including one or more apertures (32, 33); and

- one or more pile receiving elements (12, 13, 14, 27) associated with the main body (21) and/or the lip (11);

wherein the method, per quay wall section (100A), comprises the steps of:

- drilling through the quay wall (100) on at least one position and in a substantially vertical direction, to obtain at least one drill hole (110) extending through the quay wall (100);

- providing at least one reinforcing pile (120);

- placing the reinforcing pile (120) in said drill hole (110), the reinforcing pile (120) protruding with respect to the quay wall (100);

- providing at least one supporting pile (130);

- arranging the supporting pile (130) in a waterway bottom (201), on a position in front of the quay wall section (100A) to be renovated, the supporting pile (130) protruding with respect to the waterway bottom (201);

- placing the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) against the quay wall (100), the at least one pile receiving element (12, 13, 14, 27) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) receiving the reinforcing pile (120) protruding from the quay wall (100) and the at least one aperture (32, 33) in the foot (31) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) receiving the supporting pile (130) protruding from the waterway bottom (201); and

- fixating the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) with respect to the quay wall (100) to obtain a renovated quay wall section (400), the lip (11) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) forming an upper side of the renovated quay wall section (400) and the foot (31) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) extending away from the renovated quay wall section (400), into the waterway (200).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pile receiving element (12, 13, 14, 27) is formed by a flange (27) mounted to the main body (21) and/or a flange mounted to the lip (11), the flange (27) protruding from the main body (21) and/or the lip (11) in a direction opposite to the foot (31).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pile receiving element (12, 13, 14, 27) is formed by one or more apertures (12, 13, 14) in the lip (11) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1").

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each section (100A) of the quay wall (100) has a first quay wall portion (101) that is removed when carrying out the method as well as a second quay wall portion (102) that remains in place when carrying out the method,
wherein the drill hole (110) is drilled in said second quay wall portion (102),
wherein the method includes a step of removing the first quay wall portion (101), along the entire length of the quay wall section (100A) to be renovated, before the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) is placed, and
wherein the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) is placed against and fixated with respect to said second quay wall portion (102).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first quay wall portion (101) has a thickness (t101) of between 20 cm and 50 cm, and/or wherein the second quay wall portion (102) has a thickness (t102) of between 50 cm and 80 cm.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pre-treatment step that includes the step of making a 3D scan of the quay wall section (100A) to be renovated, to obtain a more precise overview of the outer shape and the inner construction of the quay wall section (100A) to be renovated, and wherein the pre-treatment step optionally further includes the step of modifying the design of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) with respect to a base design thereof, based on said outer shape and said inner construction.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes the step of removing quay paving (301) that is arranged directly against the quay wall section (100A) to be renovated, along the entire length of the quay wall section (100A), preferably along a width of at most 3m.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein three drill holes (110) are drilled in the quay wall (100) or the second quay wall portion (102) and wherein three reinforcing piles (120) are placed in said drill holes (110), and/or wherein two supporting piles (130) are arranged in the waterway bottom (201).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the further step of connecting a seepage screen (140) to an outer end of the foot (31) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) after it is placed, or wherein the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) comprises a seepage screen (140) connected to an outer end of the foot (31) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a thickness (t11) of the main body (21) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) at a position near the lip (11) thereof is smaller than a thickness (t31) of said main body (21) at a position near the foot (31) thereof, the main body (21) comprising an offset (22) where the thickness increases, and wherein the method comprises the further step of bricklaying, the bricks being layed on the offset (22) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing pile(s) (120) and/or the supporting pile(s) (130) comprise a threaded end portion (123, 132), and wherein the step of fixating the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) includes a step of screwing a nut (150) on the threaded end (123, 312) of the reinforcing pile(s) (120) and/or the supporting pile(s) (130), the nut (150) being arranged in the at least one aperture (12, 13, 14, 32, 33) of the lip (11) and/or the foot (31) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2).

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (21) of the Z-shaped renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) comprises at least one aperture (23), and wherein the method comprises the further step of drilling a hole in the quay wall (100) or the second quay wall portion (102) through said aperture (23) in said main body (21), as well as the further step of arranging a drainage tube in said hole.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waterway (200) is a canal.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all steps of the method are carried out from a pontoon arranged on the waterway (200).

15. Use of a Z-shaped quay wall renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) in a method according to any one of the claims 1 - 14, the Z-shaped quay wall renovation element (1, 1', 1", 2) configured for placement against a quay wall section (100A) to be renovated and comprising

- a lip (11) configured for placement on top of said quay wall section (100A),;

- a main body (21) configured for placement against said quay wall section (100A) in an assembled state;

- a foot (31) including one or more apertures (32, 33) configured for receiving a supporting pile (130) protruding from a waterway bottom (201) in an assembled state; and

- one or more reinforcing pile receiving elements (12, 13, 14, 27) for receiving a reinforcing pile (120) protruding from said quay wall section (100A) in an assembled state, the receiving element (12, 13, 14, 27) associated with the lip (11) and/or the main body (21) and extending from said lip (11) and/or main body (21) in a direction opposite to the foot (31).

Drawing