Protection works on the banks of the Canal du Midi

This project management purchase order contract is part of VNF's need to reinforce the banks of the Canal du Midi between Toulouse and Sallèles-d'Aude, enabling it to study and monitor work on sections previously identified as most at risk. Since 2006, VNF has been fighting the epidemic of canker stain disease affecting the rows of plane trees. Once the plane trees have been felled, the roots no longer hold the banks in place, which end up subsiding and/or cracking in the direction of the canal and/or collapsing. The Canal du Midi plantation restoration project therefore includes a component of bank protection work in areas where plane trees have been felled and future planting sites. The solutions envisaged are:

• A “pure” plant-based technique consisting of re-sloping the bank, if necessary with the support of a coconut mat or equivalent
• A mixed counter-support technique consisting of placing small round wooden stakes to support the foot of the banks, with a weave connecting these stakes, and re-sloping the upper part of the bank
• Wooden matting consisting of driving square oak or chestnut stakes into the ground and fixing and “stacking” wooden slats vertically on these stakes.

The techniques used must be compatible with the canal's UNESCO World Heritage status: Vegetation techniques, wooden matting, Mixed.

The BRL Ingénierie teams were involved in a comprehensive project management assignment (DIA, AVP, PRO, ACT, DET, VISA, AOR):

• Studies to define the work to be carried out, including the complete definition of plant engineering techniques
• Coordination with the architectural firm for heritage aspects
• Assistance in drafting specifications
• Studies for the management of the execution of the works contract (DET)
• Assistance to the project owner during acceptance operations and during the period of the guarantee of perfect completion (AOR)