Commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, SealteQ worked together with Solidd Steel Structures, as a subcontractor to Siemens, on the corrosion protection of the tainter gates of the Nederrijn and Lek weir ensemble over recent years (2017–2020). This was a remarkable assignment, as it involves three complexes with six enormous tainter gates. Tainter gates have a major impact on water in the Netherlands: they regulate water levels in the major rivers, enabling smooth and safe navigation, and they contribute to national water management.
Conservation of sight slides of the Lower Rhine and Lek rivers
Using a risk assessment, Rijkswaterstaat determined the maintenance condition. A large-scale renovation of the weir ensemble, which has been in use for more than 50 years, proved necessary. Blasting and coating the tainter gates formed part of the renovation that SealteQ undertook.
Renovation Work
The Nederrijn and Lek weir ensemble consists of three weir complexes: Driel (1970), Amerongen (1965) and Hagestein (1960). Each tainter gate consists of four sections, covers 4,000 m
Of all the tainter gates, the one at Hagestein is special because it is a national monument. The weir removed from Amerongen in 2017 was installed at Hagestein. When coating this tainter gate, SealteQ treated the underwater weld seam on site, in a specially designed cofferdam.
The other tainter gates are entirely new builds and were designed by Solidd Steel Structures in their workshop. The parts were then blast-cleaned and coated by SealteQ with a three-layer coating system in our covered blasting booth in Bergum. This is an exceptionally suitable location because it lies right next to the water. Objects and components can easily be shipped to this location. After the coating work, the tainter gates were shipped to their respective weir complexes and then installed there with precision. During the replacement of the tainter gates, the weir channels of the complexes were completely closed for periods. In the meantime, shipping traffic had to use the adjacent locks.
More Information
SealteQ has many years of experience in blasting and coating steel structures. We do this both on site and in one of our covered blasting booths in Bergum, Bergharen and Schoonebeek. Thanks to the size of these halls, we can treat complete bridges and bridge components with a range of coating systems.
Would you like more information about SealteQ’s steel corrosion protection services? Read more here or contact us by phone at 0599-696333.