Deltares is an independent institute for applied research in the field of water and subsurface with five areas of expertise.
Deltares provides tailored water and subsurface research solutions matching the requirements and budget of companies. The institute has a wide range of experimental facilities: from laboratories and field studies to test arrays and simulators. It is also possible for external companies to conduct their own study or experiment in Deltares’ facilities, such as the hydro (basins), measuring, geo and data facilities.
Deltares studies the effects of waves and currents on physical structures and the strength of soil and the subsurface. They also study the quality of water and the morphology of rivers, lakes and the coast. The combined facilities allow them to conduct small- and large-scale integrated studies on companies’ behalf.
Access to facilities
The researchers can study designs for innovative solutions in verifiable and extreme conditions, and advise about improvements. The testing often generates considerable savings and risk reductions. They also engage in long-term research to test numerical models and collect data for use by others.
It is possible for companies to conduct their own study or experiment in Deltares’ facilities. Subject to various conditions, Deltares provides access to facilities for researchers and users ‘from the outside’.
Offshore engineering
Deltares supports offshore contractors, energy utilities and engineering companies during the design, installation, operation & maintenance (O&M) and decommissioning phases. Their specific expertise of waves, currents, geotechnics, geology and morphology, including their complex interactions, is of key importance for offshore projects.
They develop knowledge and tools for the industry that guarantee safe, reliable, sustainable and cost-efficient operations.
The main topics covered are:
- Offshore tidal and wave energy
- Metocean conditions and Operational forecasting, both for normal and extreme conditions (waves, water levels, currents, wind etc.)
- Seabed morphodynamics and the prediction of seabed changes during the lifetime of an offshore project
- Hydrodynamic loads such as currents and (breaking) waves
- Local scour and scour protection around offshore infrastructure
- Geotechnical design of foundations
- Alternative wind turbine support structures
- Pile installation techniques (hammering, vibrating, drilling etc.)
- Cable and pipeline routing, burial depth assessments, protection methods and risk assessments
- Multi-purpose use of offshore platforms
