BioSealing
BioSealing is a method to repair groundwater leakages in constructions and in soil. Bacteria that naturally occur in the soil form the basis for this self-searching, sustainable and durable method.  A nutrient-rich mixture is injected near the location of the leak. As the injected nutrients mix with the groundwater, they are automatically transported towards the leak, resulting in an increase of bacterial activity near the leak location. Chemical reactions induced by bacteria cause clogging.

In laboratory and field experiments it is demonstrated that BioSealing is a successful method for repairing leakages in the following situations:

  • leakage in sheet pile walls
  • leakage in clay or peat layers
  • sealing of salt water intrusion flows
  • sealing of reservoir dams, e.g. for reducing seepage through hydropower dams.

Click here for general information about BioSealing.
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Ground reinforcement technique BioGrout
BioGrout is a sustainable technique to improve engineering properties by reinforcement of sand and gravel as a result of microorganism activity. Stimulation of microbial activity results in the precipitation of calcite. Calcite crystals function as bridges between grains in the matrix which results in increased strength of the soil.

Research has shown that BioGrout is a succesful method for reinforcement of soil the following situations:

  • strengthening gravel deposits for HDD (horizontal directional drilling)
  • prevention of piping (levees and dams)
  • sand control (oil and gas)

Potentially also for:

  • preventing liquefaction and erosion prevention of embankments
  • maintenance of roads and railway tracks

New generations of BioGrout are being developed.  

Strengthened sediment
Strengthened sediment is a cost-effective, simple and quick-to-use technique in which dredged sediment is being strengthened by means of addition of secondary (construction) materials ((as fly-ash or cement and sodium silicate) in order to, for example, strengthen nearby water-retaining structures. It is an on site, mixed in place technique. Within hours after application, it is possible to walk on the strengthened sediment. Examples of possible (dry and wet) applications, (construction of):

  • primary and secondary dikes/embankments, levees
  • groynes/abutments, breakwaters, riverbank and –bottom
  • protections
  • coverage of (contaminated) landfills and underwater depots
  • roads, noise-protection dams
  • cemeteries, golf courses and other soil structures
  • islands in lakes within the framework of nature development.

Click here for more information about this technique.