Increasing Amsterdam quay wall stability through Bio-Inspired Soil Improvement

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4. Increasing Amsterdam quay wall stability through Bio-Inspired Soil Improvement

Bio-inspired soil improvement is being considered as a cost-effective method to improve longevity of the heritage Amsterdam quay walls. Bio Inspired Soil Improvement (BISI) employs processes that are based on natural soil biology or implement similar processes with the aim of changing the geotechnical (physical) properties of soils. Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) causes precipitation of calcium carbonates (mostly as calcite) by in-situ biogeochemical processes. These precipitates have potential to improve sediment stiffness, strength, and dilatant behaviour through inter-particle bonding and sediment particle surface roughening, commonly referred to as bio-cementation. As it can be applied in a minimally invasive manner, bio-cementation offers the potential for cost-effective cementation of the granular fill behind the Amsterdam quay walls, diverting stresses from the quay wall to the foundations. Achieving acceptance of BISI to stabilize historic quay walls is a complicated process, starting with introducing the concept to the City staff, who defined 10 different failure modes. Geotechnical modelling of the quays and modifying relevant parameters based on published effects of BISI gives insight on the required level of cementation and dimensions of the cemented soil mass to sufficiently improve stability. We tested various recipes, formulations, and modes of treatment in laboratory experiments on material from Amsterdam quays. The fill behind the quay walls is 'made ground' of vastly varying composition (sand, silt, clay, peat, demolition and other wastes), which are not all amenable to the MICP process. We assessed the composition of the fill material statistically, to conclude that BISI could be a viable option for improving the stability of 70-80% of the quays.

2025 International Conference on Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (ICBBG2025)

General session: Case studies on field application of biogeotechnics