Geotechniek 2010, Special ExCeL-London

Model ‘forecasts’ design feasibility better than guidelines

T.J. Bles, Geotechniek Special ExCeL-London, mei 2010, pagina 4

In addition to the well-known database, GeoBrain Foundation Technics also has a forecasting model. Making use of expert knowledge and 2,400 practical experiences, the model is able to provide a judgment about feasibility and the risk of damage. The model for sheet piling has recently been positively validated. It seems that it can indeed help designers improve designs. Use of the tool is now on the rise. ‘Principals will increasingly insist that designers use this type of practical tool.'

Voorbij piles drive into Europe

C. van Klarenbosch, Geotechniek Special ExCeL-London, mei 2010, pagina 6

Voorbij Funderingstechniek (Amsterdam - the Netherlands) specializes in foundation work of all kinds and is leading in the supply of bearing capacity for infrastructure, residential, and nonresidential applications. We offer our clients solutions for the challenges they face.
Our earth and water retaining steel structures are frequently used in construction pits, underground car parks, quay walls and cofferdams. Our approach is to identify the best technical and commercial solutions in consultation with our customers. This partnership is the basis for creative and innovative solutions with a no-nonsense approach.

Terracon ‘Quality is the foundation’

S. Doornbos, Geotechniek Special ExCeL-London, mei 2010, pagina 8

Terracon is an expert in the field of special foundations, both driven and drilled systems and has extensive know-how, geotechnical engineering capacity, modern equipment but most of all motivated staff and crews to its disposal. The highest priority is given to safety and quality.
Terracon operates mainly throughout the Benelux-countries (HQ in the Netherlands) and Germany (subsidiary in Berlin), but has executed piling works for large industrial projects on a hit-and-run basis in Finland, Poland, France, England, Scotland, Portugal, Hungary and even on Sri Lanka and Aruba.
All of Terracon’s staff and key personnel are multilingual which enables them to work throughout Europe and with international clients. Terracon is able to offer and execute a great number of foundation systems from 4 to 40 m in length!

Jet grout strut prevents deformation diaphragm-wall

H. Dekker, R.M. van der Ploeg, P. van Holten, Geotechniek Special ExCeL-London, mei 2010, pagina 10

In order to limit the amount of steel struts in the excavation, a jet grout strut was designed and executed. Just beneath the excavation level a 1 to 3 m thick grout layer resists the horizontal forces to limit deformation of the diaphragm wall. Excessive diameter measurements as well as compressive strength tests have been performed to assure that the design requirements have been met.

VolkerWessels: we present solutions for every geotechnical challenge

E. de Jong, C. England, L. van Mansfeld, Geotechniek Special ExCeL-London, mei 2010, pagina 14

VolkerWessels is a close-knit group of companies, working in construction and related fields. Its 100 operating companies trade as independent entities with their own profit and market responsibility. VolkerWessels has a turnover in excess of € 4.4 billion (2009). The operating companies form part of a strong internal network, within which they cooperate in the areas of business development, staff development and communications.
Both in the UK and the Netherlands VolkerWessels has operating companies in the field of foundation construction and engineering. These companies operate worldwide and are capable of fulfilling all your construction requirements when dealing with challenging ground conditions. This paper will present both general information of our companies and some of the special techniques that are available from Volker-Steel Foundations Ltd., Volker Staal en Funderingen B.V. and VolkerWessels Stevin Geotechniek B.V., all part of the VolkerWessels group.
At the 11th DFI conference Volker Wessels will present two papers about the foundation techniques that the companies have developed, executed and tested in recent years. The introduction of large diameter cased piles and vibrated VM piles has been a success in the Netherlands and we consider these techniques to be interesting for the UK market as well.

High Speed Piles for foundations of steel fibre-reinforced concrete floors

H. Bredenberg, P. Oscarsson, Geotechniek Special ExCeL-London, mei 2010, pagina 18

For warehouse buildings, a steel fibrereinforced concrete floor is often used as floor construction. Where pile foundations are required for this type of floor, the piles must be placed relatively close together, depending on the limited bending moment capacity of the floor. Close spacing of piles implies that the pile load is relatively low in most cases, e.g. in comparison with heavily loaded piles under columns and facades. This article describes a recent project where, for the foundations of a 12,000 m² fibre- reinforced concrete floor, a type of pile was used that is new to Sweden: the Dutch Voton HSP pile (HSP = High Speed Pile).

A2 Maastricht Tunnel: Geotechnical Risk Analysis

P. Kouwenberg, B. Vink, Geotechniek Special ExCeL-London, mei 2010, pagina 22

This article summarizes the conclusions of the MSc thesis of the author, based on research done under supervision of the A2 Projectbureau. The A2 Maastricht Project’s goal is the design and construction of a tunnel for the busy A2 motorway, which runs right through the city of Maastricht. The A2 tunnel shall greatly reduce current daily traffic problems which negatively impact Maastricht’s living conditions.