Venice Lagoon, Italy
The Venice MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) Barriers represent one of the most ambitious and innovative coastal defense engineering projects in the world. Commissioned by the Magistrato alle Acque di Venezia and executed through Technital, TECON played a pivotal role in designing and developing the flap gate systems that protect the historic city of Venice and its precious lagoon from devastating high waters. This groundbreaking project combines cutting-edge hydraulic engineering, materials science, and structural design to create a flexible barrier system across four major lagoon inlets.
The protection of Venice from high waters has been a critical concern for Italian governments since the catastrophic flood event of November 4, 1966, when waters rose 194 cm above the conventional zero level at Punta della Salute. Following an international call for bids in 1975 and extensive evaluation of multiple proposals, the Italian Government in 1984 awarded Consorzio Venezia Nuova the concession contract to design, produce, install, and supervise all works connected to safeguarding Venice and its lagoon. This marked the beginning of a multi-decade engineering endeavor that would fundamentally transform coastal protection technology.
TECON’s comprehensive involvement in the MOSE project spanned nearly three decades, from 1987 to 2013, encompassing every phase of design development from initial research through final implementation. The project required unprecedented coordination between hydraulic research institutes, engineering firms, and government bodies to develop a barrier system that could reliably protect Venice while allowing normal maritime traffic and ecological functions to continue unimpeded.
TECON’s engineering methodology for the MOSE project integrated advanced computational modeling, physical prototype testing, and iterative design refinement. The flap gate concept, selected from multiple competing proposals and refined into the “progettone” (great design), presented unique challenges in structural mechanics, hydraulics, and electromechanical systems integration. Each gate measures approximately 20 meters wide, 20-30 meters long, and weighs about 300 tons, yet must operate with precision under extreme marine conditions.
The design process required extensive review and approval from multiple political bodies and technical expert panels, necessitating rigorous documentation and justification of all design decisions. TECON managed this complex approval process while maintaining technical integrity and project continuity across changing political administrations and evolving environmental requirements. The gates are designed to rest on the seabed during normal conditions, allowing unimpeded navigation and tidal exchange, then rotate upward when high water threatens, creating a temporary barrier across the lagoon inlets.
Material selection proved particularly critical, as all components must withstand decades of submersion in seawater with minimal maintenance. TECON developed specialized specifications for corrosion-resistant steels, protective coatings, seals, and mechanical systems, drawing on the extensive testing conducted with the MO.S.E. prototype. The success of the 2013 Treporti barrier tests validated TECON’s comprehensive engineering approach and demonstrated the viability of this innovative flood protection system.
