Foundation techniques

Buildings in the western Netherlands are usually founded on piles. It is important to know how heavily we can load a pile and whether it can also be pulled. In addition, many foundations are 'on steel' (directly on a sand layer). The interaction of new structures near existing foundations also requires special care.

Code of practice on inserting and pulling sheet piling (2018)

This guideline provides guidance on how to prevent damage to built environment when pulling temporary sheet piles in underground construction projects.

Walkability of construction sites: Geotechnical bearing capacity for foundation machines (2017)

This guideline provides insights for safe design, construction and maintenance of the work floor. Furthermore, the publication provides a technical analysis of the interaction between the loads from the machine and the bearing capacity of the ground. In addition, this guideline also provides guidance on the division of responsibilities between client, main contractor and subcontractor of the foundation work. An accompanying article on the guideline appeared in the Dutch Geotechnical Journal.

Setting up test site for in-situ piles (2016)

As part of the Geo-Impuls research programme, a test site was set up at Deltares in Delft with soil-formed piles. The aim was to investigate how to detect defects in the piles. This report describes the set-up of the field test.

Design guideline for swelling loads on foundations (2014)

A complete design guideline for the calculation of swelling loads on foundations, based on current design practice, extensive calculations and validations.

Investigation and assessment of shallow foundations on steel (2014)

This guideline highlights the methods of investigation and assessment of shallow foundations on steel, where it is important to understand not only the soil structure and hydrological conditions, but also the composition of the foundation structure itself.

Handbook on inner-city quay walls (2014)

Quay walls in inner cities are often centuries-old masonry structures founded on wooden piles. They often still function without problems, but defects and sometimes even collapses are also observed. This handbook therefore aims to provide an unambiguous safety philosophy for designers, with tools for inspection, management and maintenance.

At the Delft railway tunnel, the interaction between different types of foundations played an important role. Close to existing pile foundations of a railway viaduct, for instance, new diaphragm walls were built and grout anchors were installed between previously built diaphragm and sheet pile walls. Extensive field research was carried out to identify the mutual influence.

Special foundation for immersed tunnel North/South Line (2014)

Tunnel elements were immersed under Amsterdam Central Station and the IJ River for the purpose of the North/South Line. Because one of the tunnel elements takes the place of part of the station's foundation, an additional foundation of steel tubes was installed to take over much of the load on the old station foundation. The section for the tunnel element under the station was then excavated, flooded and connected to the IJ.

Acoustic through-measurement of concrete foundation piles (2013)

CUR Recommendation 109:2013 provides guidelines for the acoustic measurement of concrete foundation piles with regard to measuring equipment, execution, interpretation and reporting. The measurement provides information on the condition (integrity) of the pile shaft.

Research TU Delft

Handbook on foundation repair (2012)

Numerous techniques have been developed to repair existing foundations. In CUR/SBR's 'Handbook for foundation repair', these techniques are listed in order to help choose the most suitable method in a given situation. Besides this technical information, the handbook also contains a lot of practical information for (private) homeowners.

Design guideline for piles loaded horizontally by soil (2010)

Embankments during road and embankment construction cause vertical and horizontal deformations in soft subsoil. The horizontal deformations cause horizontal loads on concrete foundation piles, which may break as a result. In response to the need to predict these horizontal forces, design methods were investigated in CROW context. This resulted in the presentation of three methods, simple, intermediate and comprehensive. The design methods cover both soil behaviour and the behaviour of the concrete material. More recent research from Geo-Impuls - Proefterpen Bloemendalerpolder (2014) - also dealt with piles loaded horizontally by soil.

Learning from geotechnical failure (2010)

This CUR report lists the structural causes of geotechnical failure, divided into micro, meso and macro levels. For each of these levels, measures and recommendations are presented to prevent damage events. The measures are directly applicable to professionals and the organisations in which they work.

Delft Cluster: Rapid pile testing (2010)

This research into the optimisation of pile foundations called, among other things, for better models for calculating the bearing capacity of piles and for fast and cheap methods to test the bearing capacity of installed piles, such as quasi-static techniques.

Delft Cluster: New perspective foundations and construction pits (2009)

Research into improving the quality of foundations and construction pits, focusing on the use of better risk management.

Supervision of the realisation of pile foundations (2009)

CUR Recommendation 114 clarifies the tasks and responsibilities of the supervisor during the realisation of pile foundations. The required expertise of the supervisor is explained, as well as the added value in controlling quality and project-specific geotechnical risks.

Impact analysis method for groundwater level change (2009)

Wooden foundation piles can be affected by pile rot. This leads to reduced bearing capacity of the foundation resulting in subsidence. In 2008, serious damage occurs to a number of houses in Krommenie. In 2006 and 2007, soil remediation was carried out in the vicinity. The question arose whether the remediation or possibly pile rot was the cause of the subsidence. A publication by Deltares illustrates this case.

Knowledge module foundations and vibrations

A comprehensive reference work that clarifies the various foundation methods for the B+U sector in particular. It contains comprehensive information on designing and implementing a foundation plan, covers all systems and types of foundations in words and images, and provides information on companies and products in the field of the various foundation techniques.

High-Speed Pile HSP

The Voton-HSP system consists of a foundation of in-situ concrete piles over which a load-spreading layer ('mattress') of geogrid and stone pellet is laid.

Knowledge Centre for tackling foundation problems (KCAF)

The KCAF is an organisation that contributes to solutions for foundation problems by collecting and opening up independent knowledge and information relating to the prevention, recognition, repair and financing of foundation repair in housing in the Netherlands. The KCAF website includes information on foundation research, groundwater repair and sewers. Trade association F3O, for researchers on existing foundations, is also housed under the KCAF. F3O published two guidelines on foundations on piles and on steel.

FAQ Foundation engineering

Two Walinco-related websites(website 1, website 2) have several FAQs on foundation engineering. The websites look old-fashioned but contain accurate information.

Concrete House - precast piles

Website with lots of information on technical details of concrete piles such as dimensions, reinforcement and bearing capacity. It falls under Betonhuis, the trade association of the cement and concrete industry.

Pile factors

The website of the Centraal Overleg Bouwconstructies (COBc, an intermunicipal consultative body) has a comprehensive list of pile factors of some 20 pile types.

Ground survey

Soil deformation

Vibrations