The Dutch military is dedicated to serving peace. This paradox is perhaps nowhere more evident than on the Oirschot Heath, where spectacular military exercises take place above publicly accessible heathlands. The Oirschot Heath is one of the last wild terrains in the Netherlands and an example of the historic landscape of Brabant. The "Trench for Peace" emphasizes both the landscape and its military use by creating a cut in the ground in the shape of a peace symbol. From this trench, not only can military training be observed, but also the landscape and the unique podzol soil can be admired.
2019
Gemeente Oirschot
team
in cooperation with
Franki Grondtechnieken
Groundwater Technology
Gemeente Eindhoven
Brabants Landschap
Provincie Noord-Brabant
Ministerie van Defensie
DPD
Kunstloc
Groundwater Technology
Gemeente Eindhoven
Brabants Landschap
Provincie Noord-Brabant
Ministerie van Defensie
DPD
Kunstloc
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Trench for Peace
From the trench, the surroundings can be experienced from various depths. The peace symbol cutout is excavated on a slope, offering different perspectives of the landscape. The trench is accessible from a path that borders the green corridor. From there, the trench gradually deepens, enhancing the connection with the soil layers. At a certain point, visitors reach the military's perspective, where the viewing height is just above ground level. In the deepest part of the trench, visitors are entirely below ground level. The trench here is enclosed and narrow. The soil is palpable, and above the visitors, only a narrow strip of sky is visible, with the occasional helicopter flying overhead.
The soil is palpable, and above the visitors, only a narrow strip of sky is visible, with the occasional helicopter flying overhead.
Biocementation
The goal of the trench was to expose the unique podzol soil at the location. To achieve this, biocementation was used, a process that naturally creates biological cement. Approximately 2 meters below the surface, nutrients are injected into the soil. The naturally occurring bacteria in the soil are activated by these nutrients and produce calcite. This calcite binds the sand grains together, stabilizing the soil and creating biological cement. This process makes the sand much more stable and stronger than usual, allowing the walls to be excavated almost vertically without collapsing, thereby revealing the distinct colored soil layers. Groundwater Technology developed an optimal formula in the laboratory for treating the locally present soil, and the injections were carried out by BE Inject.
The calcide produced by the bacteria binds the sand grains together, stabilizing the soil and creating biological cement.
3,500 Injections
The technique used is quite intensive. Approximately 3,500 soil injections were required to sufficiently stabilize the soil before excavation could begin. The initial injections aimed to create the right biochemical conditions, including the proper pH value and conductivity in situ. Following this, nutrients were injected to activate and harden the soil. This process had to be repeated three times in total. This technique requires much less invasive soil work compared to using concrete, and it also does not release CO2 during the soil hardening process.
