Many river bank stabilisation systems on rivers such as the Rhine, Elbe or Weser consist of riprap. The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) calls for the replacement of these stone embankments on inland waterways above the mean water level with biological stabilisation systems in order to create near-natural shoreline areas in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This puts the question at the centre of how technical bank protection systems can be further developed in such a way that they guarantee the protection of banks and at the same time make a contribution to environmental protection. This is precisely where a research approach comes in that integrates natural processes to a greater extent and scrutinises conventional solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The research project \u201eSequentially biodegradable geotextiles for technical-biological bank reinforcements on inland waterways (Bioshoreline)\u201d was launched due to the fact that plant roots can both protect the banks and make a valuable contribution to the preservation and creation of habitats for plants and animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bioshoreline project is thus pursuing the goal of designing bank reinforcements in such a way that plants are not only ecologically valuable, but can also actively contribute to stabilisation. The approach combines technical requirements in hydraulic engineering with the advantages of near-natural and biological systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 2016, the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, together with three industrial companies and the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute, has been developing a temporary geotextile filter made from renewable raw materials that enables plants to grow in technical-biological bank protection systems and is completely biodegradable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) via its project management organisation, the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the Bioshoreline project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, the Federal Institute for Hydraulic Engineering, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) are working on a solution that combines technical functionality and ecological sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the Prof. Burmeier Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH (BIG)<\/strong><\/a>- Part of <\/strong>SIERA <\/strong><\/a> this topic is particularly relevant as it shows how technical innovations in the environmental sector can contribute to the development of nature-orientated and sustainable solutions for infrastructure systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project team from BNP Brinkmann GmbH & Co. KG, Trevira GmbH, FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Bundesanstalt f\u00fcr Wasserbau (BAW) and Fraunhofer UMSICHT combines rapidly degradable natural fibres (sisal fibres) and bio-based, slowly degradable synthetic fibres made from the biopolymer polylactide (PLA) in its geotextile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The collaboration between BNP Brinkmann GmbH & Co. KG, Trevira GmbH, FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) and Fraunhofer UMSICHT shows that the Bioshoreline project is being developed on a broad technical basis. Research, material development and hydraulic engineering requirements are combined in this project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The combination of rapidly degradable sisal fibres and bio-based, slowly degradable synthetic fibres made from polylactide (PLA) is a central component of the concept. The material should fulfil its technical function in the initial phase and then biodegrade completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Special requirements are placed on this material: The geotextile fleece must stabilise the slope after the biological-technical bank protection has been created until the plants have formed enough roots to take over this function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, the material must have sufficient permeability and strength and at the same time be easy to root through and biodegradable in the long term so as not to permanently restrict the passage of microorganisms in the bank area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These requirements clearly show how demanding the development of such a system is. In the Bioshoreline project, the geotextile must not only have a stabilising effect, but must also be rootable and biodegradable. This is precisely why the contributions from Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW), BNP Brinkmann GmbH & Co. KG, Trevira GmbH and FKuR Kunststoff GmbH are particularly relevant for the development of the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The geotextile filter developed is intended to completely decompose after three years and thus represent an environmentally friendly alternative to the less sustainable plastic filters used to date, which last for decades and are difficult to dismantle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this approach, the Bioshoreline project addresses a major problem with previous solutions. While conventional plastic filters remain in use for a long time and are difficult to dismantle, the geotextile filter developed in the project should disappear completely once it has fulfilled its function. The aim is to create an alternative that is both functional and more environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again, this demonstrates the relevance of the partners involved: Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the Federal Institute for Hydraulic Engineering (BAW), BNP Brinkmann GmbH & Co. KG, Trevira GmbH and FKuR Kunststoff GmbH are working together to develop a viable alternative to less sustainable plastic filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The extent to which the developed geotextile fulfils the aforementioned requirements has been tested on a section of the banks of the Rhine near Worms since the beginning of 2020. Here, the installed prototypes have to withstand the changing hydraulic loads of shipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The test on the Rhine near Worms is of central importance for the Bioshoreline project. Only under real conditions can it be seen whether the developed geotextile actually fulfils the necessary requirements. The hydraulic loads of shipping represent a realistic and demanding test standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The trial on a section of the banks of the Rhine will investigate whether the approach of Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the Federal Institute of Hydraulic Engineering (BAW), BNP Brinkmann GmbH & Co. KG, Trevira GmbH and FKuR Kunststoff GmbH is sustainable in the long term and can contribute to the increased greening of riverbanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next few years will show whether the innovative, bio-based fastening system can help to green up the banks of our rivers again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that the further course of the Bioshoreline project remains particularly relevant for the environmental and hydraulic engineering sector. The work of Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the Federal Institute of Hydraulic Engineering, BNP Brinkmann GmbH & Co. KG, Trevira GmbH and FKuR Kunststoff GmbH show how technical development and ecological objectives can be brought together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the Prof. Burmeier Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH (BIG)<\/a>- Part of SIERA <\/a> this topic is from the area of The Bioshoreline project shows how biodegradable geotextiles can help to make bank stabilisation on inland waterways more sustainable and closer to nature. Through the combination of technical stabilisation, biodegradability and support for plant growth, an approach is being pursued that combines ecological and functional requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The collaboration between Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW), BNP Brinkmann GmbH & Co. KG, Trevira GmbH and FKuR Kunststoff GmbH emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary developments for sustainable solutions in hydraulic engineering. Also from the point of view of Prof. Burmeier Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH (BIG)<\/strong><\/a>- Part of <\/strong>SIERA<\/strong> <\/a>the project illustrates how innovative materials and sustainable infrastructure approaches can make an important contribution to environmental protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe project partners and the material<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Requirements for the geotextile fleece<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic filters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Practical test on the Rhine near Worms<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Outlook for near-natural bank stabilisation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/del>Environmental engineering is particularly interesting as it exemplifies how innovative and bio-based materials can contribute to the near-natural design and protection of riverbanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n