Flood protection system at the level crossing in Minnesota
Categorie: References
Mobile Flood protection system - terra Dammbalkensystem
Flooding along the Chippewa River, a tributary of the Minnesota River in Montevideo, occurs more quickly than expected, especially after heavy winter snowfalls and the spring thaw. In addition, ice jams upstream cause rapid currents in Montevideo. Flooding particularly affects areas in the immediate vicinity of the river and on the west side of the dike.
Within the affected area, there is also a railway line that crosses the Chippewa River. This is regularly affected by flooding and should be provided with a Flood protection system. The challenge was to develop a solution that could be integrated into the existing system comprising sheet piles, concrete walls and the tracks, and that would protect the buildings and businesses in front from flooding by the river. The railway line had to remain passable for trains and should only be sealed in the event of flooding.
The seal of this opening is 6 metres wide and 2 metres in height, which, due to the forces involved, would normally have to be solved using several panels with mullions and anchor plate foundations. Due to the existing tracks – no structural changes were possible here – this project seemed difficult to implement.
With the support of the experts in the technical office, terra infrastructure developed a special solution for this. It comprises modified 6-metre-long stop logs that can withstand the water in the event of a disaster. These fulfil all static pre-conditions. For this project, existing 250x150 stop logs were individually reinforced with welded plates.
In the future, Montevideo will be well protected against flooding in the area of the tracks at the river crossing.