BRABANT FIGHT AGAINST WATER Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm).

 

These problems could all be overlooked before building the weir and solutions were sought.

The first problem was solved by building the weir in the docks. During the works there would be no hinder for the shipping.

The second problem was solved cleverly. The adaptation of the shape of the wall to the seaside was slanting and skirts were put on the bottom of the turning wall.

What most people don't know is that the weir has leaks. Leaks ?!!! Yes leaks, because water floats under the weir, when the weir is closed. This isn't a problem for the area behind the flood barrier. They left the leaks in because there are few advantages. For example: the leak between the two turning walls. There is a hole of 1,5 meter. If that weren't there, the walls  would collide and could be dislocated. There are other places with leaks, look down under for "leaks”.

The other leaks in the Measlandkering .

 

As usual everything started with building a parking dock and this was done because later on the big parts of the Measlandkering could be transported onto the dock. And then they can put it all together.

At first the turning wall is put together in the dock like a jigsaw puzzle. It's fixed together with two arms: one arm weighs twice as much as the Eiffel tower. This arms cost many hours to make. Then they were put together in the building place of the Measlandkering, this wasn´t a whole lot of work. The welding however did take a lot of time.

Each weld needed ca. 160 hours work. And if the welding wasn't good the whole weir could be destroyed. Because of that the weirs were welded in special tents where the most ideal situation for welding was created.

There are more parts important for the Measlandkering, the hingeboll for instance makes the closing and opening of the weir possible. The hingeboll has a diameter of 10 meter and it's the biggest in the world. The building of a great hingeboll wasn't easy, but the biggest challenge was that the deviation should not be more than 0,5 mm.

The hingeboll, just like the human shoulder, can turn in three ways. This is necessary to follow all the movement of the doors both horizontally (by sailing out) and vertically (by sinking down) when the doors open and close. The power on the doors can by work arm and hingeboll at least be carried off to a colossal triangle concrete block, the foundation of the hingeboll.

Look how the Measlandkering works and when.