Samenvatting

This bachelor’s thesis presents a study that investigates the optimal arm solution for a self-closing tainter gate at Koopvaardersschutsluis in conjunction with the technical issues that the lock is currently facing, as well as the national issue related to the means of renovating old locks throughout The Netherlands. This study was made by gaining a comprehensive understanding about the structure of a tainter gate and the requirements imposed by the environment at Koopvaardersschutsluis. A case-study of a project in Södertälje, Sweden where a similar tainter gate has been adopted is used for guidance during the design process. The paper outlines the relationship between the arms of the gate and the rest of the gate leaf. The results of the study confirm that arms, which consists of a pair of struts, will be significantly susceptible the buckling which is explained by the large hydrostatic pressure and the power requirements of the cylinder, imposed by the optimal buoyancy tank design. Finally, the results of the study present the optimal arm strut profile as well as the connection to the gate leaf.