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SOIL AND BANK PROTECTION

The water bottom and banks near rivers, coasts and structures must be protected from erosion and the influence of currents and waves. We have the knowledge, skills and equipment to reinforce or restore the stability of waterbeds and banks. Where necessary, we then monitor and maintain them.

Protecting soils and banks can be done in a variety of ways. Think of stone dumping, breakwaters, dams and groynes. Each situation requires its own solution. We have the knowledge to determine which solution provides the best and most sustainable result in which environment.

Specialist in zinc and corbels
One of our areas of expertise is the installation of zinc and corbels. We have the right equipment and experienced employees with extensive knowledge in this field. In the eighty years of Van den Herik’s existence, we have already immersed hundreds of zinc pieces and installed corbels.

The classic sink and collar piece

Zinkstukken gebruiken we om erosie van de bodem tegen te gaan, kraagstukken zorgen voor oeververdediging. Klassieke zink- en kraagstukken zijn gemaakt van bossen in elkaar gedraaide takken. Deze bundels wilgentenen noemen we ook wel wiepen.

Van deze wiepen vormen we vervolgens een raamwerk. Dat is de basis van een zink- of kraagstuk. Een tweede raamwerk komt er haaks op te liggen. We verbinden ze met een speciaal soort touw dat zichzelf vast trekt als het nat wordt. De raamwerken van wiepen vullen we op met bossen rijshout. Dat zijn de kleinere takken en tenen van de wilgenboom.

Deze oude techniek gebruiken we nog steeds. Wanneer we daarbij werken volgens de klassieke werkwijze, dus alleen met wilgenhout, is het ook nog eens enorm duurzaam!

 

Three generations of specialists
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“We pass on the art of sinking from generation to generation. Whereas we used to tie the zinc piece together with natural materials, over time we started using more and more non-natural materials. A nice trend now is that we are actually turning back to more sustainable alternatives and natural materials. So when I started, we were actually way ahead of our time.“

Teus Klop | Foreman and ‘zinc boss’ at Van den Herik since 1975

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“Almost thirty years ago, I brought my first sinker on the Waal River with my father. A wonderful experience. Even now, I still find zinc work the most beautiful thing there is.“

Theo Klop | Executive at Van den Herik since 1995 and the son of Teus

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“Recently I, the third generation Klop, started at Van den Herik. It’s very special to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather and also to be able to work together with both of them.”

Tom Klop | Did an internship at Van den Herik (2024) and is the son of Theo, he is now working as an assistant foreman

Stone deposits
In addition to the installation of sinks, we calculate, design and realize granular filter structures of all types and sizes. Here, we arrange several layers of stones of different sizes in a specific order. The construction thus allows water to pass through, but keeps materials such as sand or clay in place. This prevents erosion of banks and water bottoms.

View our work at the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier here

View all soil and bank protection projects here