Renewal Bernadetteschool
For the planned expansion of the Bernadette School on Vondelstraat in Veghel, SOCOTEC carried out a geotechnical soil investigation. Thanks to targeted additional soundings and thorough historical research, a cost-efficient foundation recommendation was developed. A great example of how local soil assessments can lead to smart and sustainable construction choices.
Important information
Projectname: Renewal Bernadette School on the Vondelstraat in Veghel
Date: july 2024
Clients: Cornelissen Aannemingsbedrijf B.V. fromZeeland
Location: Vondelstraat 1 in Veghel
Project summary
Performance of geotechnical soil investigation and preparation of a foundation recommendation for the planned expansion of a school.
Example that a proper site history survey and additional soil investigation can lead to an optimal foundation design.
Project description
For the renovation of the Bernadett School at the Vondelstraat 1 in Veghel, our office performed a geotechnical soil investigation consisting of 6 soundings and a hand drilling.
The geotechnical soil investigation indicated that the new building should be founded on piles. After the constructive elaboration of the new building, a total of 87 piles were required.
Four of the six CPTs gave a CPT image such that auger piles could be considered, a relatively inexpensive pile system. Two probes, however, showed a strongly abnormal soil structure in the upper layers in which so much peat was found that the manufacture of auger piles is risky. Within the development of the pile plan, this amounted to about 35 piles, about 40% of the total.
Based on the survey conducted, a different and generally more expensive pile system should therefore be used. Through historical research, however, it was suspected that the deviating soil structure is caused by former water and therefore a local deviation. By performing 7 additional soundings, relatively many compared to the initial investigation, it was shown that this deviating soil structure was only very local, such that this risk could be limited to about 8 piles, about 10% of the total. This risk was surmountable and therefore a foundation on (relatively inexpensive) auger piles did qualify for the entire plan.
