and soil mechanical loads. By means of heavy
stones considerable loads of up to 300 tons
located at one point can be exerted on the
sill-beams. Hence model research has been
carried out into the distribution of these loads.
Photo-elastic material was used by means of
which the loads became visible and were able
to be photographed. The size of the loads was
indicated by the appearance of dark and lighter
rings.
Various configurations were measured in the
sill-beams, with various interaction forces.
Supplementary requirements for the design of
the sill-beams were made on the basis of this
research. Amongst other things it was decided
to bevel the Oosterschelde side at an angle of
1:4.
Information on the Oosterschelde Works
Information on the Delta works has been
available since 1957. At present all attention is
concentrated on what is being carried out in
the Oosterschelde. The economic situation
requires that the Office of Information work in
co-operation with the contractors and other
companies involved, as well as with the
Ministries of Foreign and Economic Affairs.
The general public is received in exhibition
halls where slides are shown. Moreover
printed information is circulated. Groups with
an administrative or technical interest are
treated to a more personal approach on their
working visits to the Oosterschelde works. The
media have shown a renewed interest, which
also applies to foreign media. There was a
count of 30 international radio and T.V.
programmes on the project in 1982. Regular
documentary films are made in co-operation
with contractors.
The future development of the Krammer-
Volkerak
shipping are being investigated as well as
those managerial measures which may be of
influence.
These studies are still in progress.
Lay-out possibilities for the Plaat van de Vliet
The Plaat van de Vliet is one of the sites which
will undergo a new development in the
presently to be closed Krammer-Volkerak
basin. Research has been set up into the
development possibilities of this shoal,
bearing in mind especially the stream of
day-trippers from West Brabant. Plans exist for
three alternative forms of lay-out. Its function
as a nature area can be left to spontaneous
growth or be assisted by measures such as
mowing and grazing. Recreational development
should fit in with the surrounding landscape.
The east side of the central part of the flat is
especially suitable for daytime recreation. Here
for example one kilometre of sandy beach
could be laid out.
Landscape formation of the Oosterschelde
Barrier and the surroundings
The appearance of the Oosterschelde Barrier
within the existing landscape and the bordering
islands will be determined mainly by the
technical design resulting from its function.
Hints on the details of its appearance and of
the landscape formation have been studied.
Suggestions have been made for the lay-out of
the dam portions, work sites, construction pits
and work harbours. It is possible to give
expression to the double function of the
barrier, namely safety and preservation of the
environment by among other things making
sure that both the North Sea and the
Oosterschelde will be visible from the highest
point of the storm-surge barrier.
The Krammer-Volkerak, the north-eastern
branch of the present tidal basin of the Ooster
schelde, will, on completion of the compartment
works, change into a stagnant freshwater lake
in which there will no longer be an inter-tidal
area. The water surface will increase by a good
2500 acres, and 4500 acres will become
permanently dry, which is more than a quarter
of the whole area. A hard fast barrier will
emerge between land and water where
erosion of the shores can be expected as a
result of the wave assault.
Changes caused by this new situation in water
management and water quality which will
affect plant and bird life, fishery, recreation and
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