Assessing and managing the risks with transitions in flood defence infrastructure

This is a research and development project to better understand the effects of transition zones on the performance of flood defence assets. Transition zones are areas of weakness within an overall system of flood defences where flood defences 'transition' to a new form or geometry. It is at the interface between the two differing surfaces, where the processes of erosion (internal and external) are promoted. If these erosion processes are undetected, or left unchecked, they can ultimately lead to flood defence failure and breach.

This work aims to address these issues by helping Risk Management Authorities to: 1) consider the presence of transitions during flood defence condition assessment; 2) quantify the effects of transitions on defence performance and flood risk; and 3) manage the risk of transition with improved design and retrofitted solutions for existing defences.

It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in April 2018, to be completed over approximately 17 months. Both geotechnical and hydraulic engineering expertise will be required to fulfil this project. This contract will be let to a single supplier, supplier with subcontracting arrangements or a consortium, that demonstrates they have the range of skills detailed in the specification and the capacity to complete all aspects of the work.