Henning Roedel

Civil and Environmental Engineering Department

Stanford University

November 25, 2008

Overview of Presentation

1. Site Identification

2. Conceptual Design Alternatives

3. Schematic Design

4. Incorporation into Overall Project

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Site IdentificationPort Locations

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Bremenports: A Unique Scenario

Protection of ports is only part of the larger issue due to sea level rise and climate change

Much of the German coastline is affected

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Site IdentificationBremenport Economics

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69 Million Tons of Cargo – 25% of total German shipping tonnage

112% Tonnage Increase Projected by 2025

Currently 5 Million TEU – Projected Increase from 7-14 Million by 2025

Major Items Handled: Vehicles, Ores, Steel

Site Identification

Floods and Storms

Bremen – Located on the banks of the Weser River, subject to flooding

Bremerhaven – Located at the mouth of the Weser and on the North Sea, subject to flooding by both

Greater risks come from theNorth Sea

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Vulnerability1m SLR with 1995 Data

Storm flood event probability will increase from 1:100 in most cases to 1:10 and in some 1:1Design based on 100-year return period events

Assets Affected – DM 151 Billion Population Affected – 631,000 people

(92% of population) Area Affected – 323km2

(80% of total area)

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Conceptual Design Alternatives

Design Criteria – Flooding due to SLR

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Conceptual Design AlternativesOptions 1 & 2 Conceptual designs

Combination of wet-wet and wet-dry dikes with locks

Dredging would become issue due to sedimentation buildup, potential need for additional dredging ships

Another design would include sea walls along existing facilities with similar wet-dry dikes

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Conceptual Design AlternativesDesign considered - Bremerhaven

Followed roads, and protected port facilities based on flood map

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Conceptual Design AlternativesDesign considered - Bremen

Followed roads, and protected port facilities based on flood map

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Conceptual Design AlternativesOption 3 Current General Plan from Bremen and Lower SaxonyIncrease dike

heights by 25cm, to be complete by 2017

Revisit plan every 20 years

Building codes might consider 1m SLR for future protection

12Source Meeresspiegelanstieg.pdf – Used with Permission from Uwe von Bargen

Red = Build outBlack = Follows Requirements of General Plan

Conceptual Design AlternativesExisting Structures

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North Dike

Storm Quay with wave calming design

North Lock

High Water Protection WallsMain Lock

Lohmann DikeSport boat Lock

Weser River Dike

Storm Flood Barrier

Fishery Lock

Sea Dike

Dike Line ~15 kmProtected Area ~5330ha

Source Meeresspiegelanstieg.pdf – Used with Permission from Uwe von Bargen

Conceptual Design AlternativesRetention Basin Development

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Flood Gate

Tidal Power Generation Plant

Area Subject to Tidal Flooding (220ha)

Farm Land (240ha)

Outside Area “Old Weser” 140ha

Source Meeresspiegelanstieg.pdf – Used with Permission from Uwe von Bargen

Conceptual Design Alternatives

Expected Costs: Bremen and Lower

Saxony~85 Million €/year until

2017

Germany~160 Million €/year until

2017

Netherlands Comparison

2 Billion €/year until 2050

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Schematic Design

Design elementsDike and Lock System

MaterialsConcrete, Structural Fill, Riprap, Pumps

EquipmentDredging, Heavy Earthwork

Time and CostBremerhaven – 3 years 6 months, $2.39BBremen – 11 months, $597M

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Schematic Design

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Schematic Design

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Schematic Design

Impacts on port operations, ecology, geology, hydrology, society, etc. Based on design, the Weser River would

dump into the North Sea at the City of Bremen

Design limitations and next stepsRedefine minimum “credible” design

standards for low lying areasThe Germans are already looking into the

situation, lets work with them to learn what they are doing

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Incorporation of Results into Overall Project

Recommend future effort on Germany case studyHelp define issues with our port protectorWhy are the Germans and Long Beach

assuming only 1m Sea Level Rise? Begin Addressing Resource Constraints

Contact Germany and receive estimate on resource consumption

Compare with Netherlands project

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