GeoDuct, joining forces with nature Infrastructure projects typically bear a sizeable ecological
reinforced with steel. When steel-reinforced concrete reaches the
footprint and often lead to significant environmental impact
end of its lifespan or is removed, it no longer retains the value of
due to the extraction, processing, and transport processes. At
primary raw materials and can only be recycled.
the same time, large segments of existing Dutch infrastructure must be replaced and/or renovated (Replace & Renovate
Lower CO₂ emissions
programme). The Directorate-General for Public Works and
The use of materials largely determines the CO₂ emissions of a
Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) has set its objective
viaduct. The production of materials such as concrete and steel
to become fully circular from 2030 and has appealed to the
generates high levels of CO₂ emissions. When geotextile and soil
market via the SBIR Programme (Strategic Business Innovation
are used, these emissions are significantly reduced or not even
Research) to develop innovative circular viaducts that can be
applicable, respectively. Based on indicative calculations, the
reused repeatedly. Iv-Infra took on this task and developed
development (production materials + construction site activities)
the so-called GeoDuct with various partners, including Dura
of the GeoDuct emits 50% less CO₂ than a conventional viaduct
Vermeer, Geotec Solutions, Heusker, Wagemaker, Ploegam and
made of concrete and steel.
Zwarts & Jansma Architects. The GeoDuct
The raw materials of the GeoDuct are highly reusable.
The GeoDuct is a viaduct built entirely from area-specific, local soils confined within geotextiles. The natural curve of the
Constructive feasibility
arch distributes the forces and eliminates the need for a pile
Currently, the constructive feasibility has been established
foundation. The soils are not bound or mixed, and the geotextile
mathematically, and we now aim to demonstrate the GeoDuct
can be recycled, biobased or designed to be fully removable. Thus,
in a suitable test environment. The design needs to be further
resulting in a lower environmental impact in terms of circularity
developed to build the prototype on the desired scale. Following
and CO₂ emissions.
this, the prototype will be constructed and extensively tested. If the innovation achieves the prototype level TRL6, the participants
A circular concept
will consider the GeoDuct concept sufficiently proven to be
The lower environmental impact with regard to circularity stems
included in innovative tender projects. The remaining detail
from the use of primary and secondary materials. The GeoDuct
engineering will subsequently take place within the first
uses 95% less primary materials compared to a traditional viaduct
commercial project.
made of concrete and steel. And because the GeoDuct is 100% removable, the raw materials are highly reusable, unlike concrete
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