TenCate Geosynthetics and AGT International have signed a letter of intent for collaboration on the installation of TenCate GeoDetect technology in a dike body at the Yellow River in Dayulan (Zhengzhou) in the Henan province in China.

 TenCate GeoDetect is a monitoring system based on geotextile with interwoven fibre optics, which registers changes in embankments and dikes. The system will be used in the AGT Flood Early Warning System.

 The AGT Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) will be employed to collect and analyse data on dike stability and deformations in the dike and on the risk of flooding. These will provide a basis for taking measures to prevent subsidence or dike failure as quickly as possible. The system is also able to do a flood prognosis and can assist decision makers in timely evacuation and will provide the manager with information about the condition and stability of the dike.

Open innovation      

TenCate says the future of TenCate Geosynthetics lies in offering solutions to geotechnical challenges by means of open innovation.

“The collaboration of AGT International and TenCate Geosynthetics is another great example of open innovation within our industry,” said global group director Wally Moore.

“The combination of our geosynthetics and sensor technology with partners such as AGT International gives us an innovative and differentiated approach to the tracing of possible defects in and problems with dikes and the hydraulic-infrastructural segment of our water and environmental activities.”

Water management expertise

“By bringing Dutch know-how in water management, we are uniquely positioned with TenCate and other partners to implement this ground breaking system,” said Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau, head of AGT International in the Netherlands.

“Our solution collects real-time information from new and existing systems to generate a real-time assessment of the river conditions. Our advanced prediction and simulation software will generate alerts and recommendations to affected areas. Another key element for the full realization and success of the project is our commitment to turning key project findings into shared learning opportunities.”

Yellow River project

The Yellow River project is being carried out by AGT International in partnership with TNO Operations and will have a duration of over one year. The commissioning authority is the Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC), which is responsible for the water management of the complete Yellow River. The river has a length of circa 5,000 kilometres through China.

 For a number of years TenCate Geosynthetics, using TenCate GeoDetect, has been involved in projects with intelligent dike monitoring, including the IJkdijk project in the Netherlands. TenCate GeoDetect has been tried and tested in hydraulic works structures such as embankment dams, canals and levees and is already used in the building of roads and railways and the construction of retaining walls, bridge abutments and underground constructions worldwide.

TenCate GeoDetect is patented and was specifically designed for geotechnical applications. Once the project is successfully completed, the YRCC and AGT International will promote the solution to water and dike managers, including those in China.