Incorporating climate change in I&M planning for engineering structures - A Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework

In the last decades, climate change is causing our environment to change rapidly, unprecedented in recent history. Civil engineering structures are dependent on the deteriorating environment they are situated in. Changes can cause an increase in loading due to, for example, extreme weather events or alter the structure’s resistance by, for...

A design of the Delta21 sea defence using the adaptive pathway approach

Besides global warming, climate change is expected to result in (among others) an increased number of extreme precipitation events and a rising sea level. In the future, this can be the cause for an increased number of high river discharge events in combination with high water levels on the North Sea, which goes hand in hand with an increased...

Retention of Rhine water in the Rijnstrangen to mitigate drought

Over the last years the Netherlands has often had to deal with droughts and water shortages during summer. This problem is caused by long periods without rain but with high evaporation rates and is enhanced by groundwater extraction for drinking water. Due to climate change, these droughts are expected to occur more often and become more severe....

Reliability based adaptation of port infrastructure against climate change

Seaports across the globe form a critical lifeline for 90% of the international trade of goods. To ensure the safe and efficient handling of these goods and protect the hinterland from floods, seaports often construct and maintain a large array of hydraulic structures. Revetments and quay walls are a critical part of this infrastructure....

Low polders and high waters: Dealing with uncertainties of climate change in future polder management

It is no secret that the climate is changing, however, the severity and speed of this process is under debate. This leads to the question if and when we need to take action to protect the Netherlands against the effects of climate change. In order to deal with the uncertainties in policy- and decision-making, an adaptive approach is desirable....

Design of an adaptive weir: A case study of the replacement of weir Belfeld

In contrast with other Dutch rivers parts, human measures in the upstream part of the River Meuse did not mainly focus on discharging surplus water, but on retaining water in dry periods. Almost 100 years ago seven weirs were constructed in the River Meuse to enable transport of coals. The structures reach, due to concrete degradation, the end...

A Method to identify potential Climate Change Impacts on Infrastructural Assets and Further Steps for Adaptability: A case study on the Afsluitdijk

Climate change is likely to affect our infrastructures in the Netherlands and seems to accelerate: sooner, faster, stronger. This stresses the need for adaptable infrastructure. Asset owners cannot assume a certain final situation of the infrastructure and the impacts on it due to climate change. This report answers the following research...

Waterproof Gouda: The creation of new spatial pathways to connect climate sustainability with monumental preservation

Gouda is one of several cities in the west of the Netherlands which still have a traditional medieval core, built on the long stretches of subsiding peat ground. The effects of subsidence, combined with the removal of surface water in the last century, are now further exacerbated by the increasing threat of climate change, which results in a...

Tilburg. Movement in time: Corridors as an adaptive framework

The intersection of effects of climate change, urbanism and communal action provides an opportunity for architects and planners to reinforce the complex system of cities by challenging current norms and empowering residents with tools to influence spatial form that they interact with. Going forward solutions that demand a conservative use of...

Adapting urban areas to climate change: a necessary evil or a world of opportunities?