TRELLEBORG PROTECTS VENICE WITH THE MOSE FLOOD DEFENCE PROJECT

The term Mose, recalling as it does Moses and the Red Sea, is a particularly apt name for the project aimed at saving Venice and its lagoon from the ever-higher tides that are threatening this historic Italian showplace.

The Mose, constructed by the Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti – Provveditorato Interregionale per le Opere Pubbliche del Triveneto, through the Consorzio Venezia Nuova, is part of a major systemic program of measures combining physical defense with restoration of the morphological equilibrium of the entire lagoon ecosystem.

Trelleborg worked closely with the consultant engineer, Technital, during the design phase as well as with one of the project''s main contractors, Clodia Spa.

“For such a large-scale infrastructure project, it was vital that we source a reliable solution that would stand the test of time,” says Diego Zandolin from Clodia. “Trelleborg promised a hassle-free installation process and proven functionality; its fender systems and bespoke sealing systems provide an ideal solution.

“Trelleborg''s marine operation supplied its state-of-the-art Super Cone and Arch fenders after overcoming the challenge of supplying a large quantity of fenders in a particularly short turnaround time,” Diego explains. “Trelleborg''s infrastructure operation provided the sealing system solutions while meeting some extremely demanding guidelines. Although we knew the Trelleborg system was already proven globally, Trelleborg was able to tailor it to deliver a custom solution that would precisely meet the project''s needs. The ease of installation for the system was also a major factor in choosing Trelleborg.”

The Mose is the last and most important element in the plan of interventions to safeguard the lagoon area.

Its construction, now about 85% complete, was preceded by a work program unequalled anywhere in the world for the size of the area involved, nature of the problems tackled as well as the scale and characteristics of the measures implemented.

Mose is a series of mobile barriers installed at the three inlets (the gaps through which the tide enters the lagoon). The barriers consist of steel gates installed end-to-end and used only in the event of danger. The gates are normally completely invisible, resting in special housings in the bed of the lagoon inlets. When a high water is forecast, they are temporarily raised to isolate the lagoon from the Adriatic. When the tide goes down, the gates are returned to their housing in the seabed. The total cost of the project is estimated at 5.5 billion euros.

Diego explains what the company was looking for: “We needed multiple made-to-order sealing system solutions, and Trelleborg was able to meet our requirements with a combination of highly resilient natural rubber Seismic Gina gaskets, a molded and handmade seal manufactured to the highest tolerances, as well as Omega seals.”

The closed Gina gasket will be mounted to the barriers and will act as a dynamic seal, ensuring watertight protection. Trelleborg''s Omega seal will act as a secondary seal between the sectional elements of the mobile barriers.