Efficient foundation investigation in Rotterdam
Commissioned by the Kenniscentrum Aanpak Funderingsproproblematiek (KCAF), SOCOTEC Netherlands conducted a large-scale foundation survey in Rotterdam between July and November 2024. Using the innovative Quickscan method, approximately 3,400 addresses were examined for foundation risks. This efficient approach helps homeowners and municipalities gain timely insight into the condition of foundations, with the aim of preventing damage from subsidence and climate change.
Important information
Project name: QuickScan Rotterdam
Date: July-November 2024
Client: Foundation Knowledge Center Approach to Funder Problems (KCAF projects)
Location: Rotterdam
Size: approximately 3400 addresses
Summary of the project
The KCAF is a foundation dedicated to the collection, development and disclosure of knowledge on the management and prevention of foundation problems. The foundation has been working for more than 15 years to support house/building owners with such problems. Especially areas in the Netherlands where in the past properties were founded on wooden piles, or areas where shallow foundations on clay were installed, have in recent years been experiencing problems with their foundations reported to the KCAF's National Desk. Due to factors such as subsidence and drought, which stem from climate change, the foundation problems of these buildings are increasing. This problem was denied for a long time.
Recently, the Raad voor de Leefomgeving en Infrastructuur (RLI) conducted a study on this and prepared an advisory report "Well-founded. This advisory report was presented to the cabinet. The research shows that foundation problems can occur in at least 425,000 properties in the Netherlands. Many of these homes/buildings are already experiencing subsidence damage or will experience it between now and 2050. Without preventive measures, the number of properties with foundation damage and the extent of repair costs will increase significantly in the coming years.
In collaboration with the KCAF, SOCOTEC Risicomanagement & Claims is involved in a pilot to cost-effectively map the risk of foundation problems for building blocks or a single dwelling. The extensive knowledge and experience within SOCOTEC Risk Management & Claims, in the fields of monitoring, visual inspections and geotechnical engineering, has been used to implement the KCAF's QuickScan product. In the QuickScan, measurement data is assessed in an objective manner in accordance with the KCAF guideline “Foundations under buildings”. Based on this assessment a conclusion / advice is made by the KCAF how to deal with the obtained assessments.
This method answers the market demand to easily determine if a property has foundation problems.
Project Description
To conduct the pilot, SOCOTEC Risk Management & Claims collected data from 3,400 addresses in the field. In this pilot, the QuickScans included three main measurement components:
- Visual Inspection: This inspection identifies all defects in the facade parts. SOCOTEC performs this inspection according to the NIVRE classification guidelines, so that each relevant defect is accurately recorded. These are also in accordance with the classification in the KCAF guideline.
- Lead measurement: This involves determining the skew of the facade “out of plumb”. This helps in understanding the overall structure of the building, deformations and subsidence.
- Ribbon joint measurement: This measurement identifies subsidence differences that have occurred since the building was built. It is an essential step in understanding how the foundation, and therefore the facade, has set over time.
During these measurements, SOCOTEC uses, among other things, a hose level, a useful tool that can be used to determine the apparent slope of a property or surface.
During these measurements, SOCOTEC used, among other things, a hose level, a useful tool for determining the apparent slope of an object or surface.
The measurement results obtained were incorporated by SOCOTEC into a prediction of risk of foundation problems per building unit. This also made use of the data already available on the FunderMaps platform, including pawn subsidence rates and foundation type of the building units.
Based on our assessment, the KCAF prepared a conclusion / advice which includes a possible course of action for the owner of the properties.
The QuickScan is a cost-effective and reliable way to identify risks before expensive surveys are deployed. It is a versatile solution applicable for both residential and non-residential buildings.
