Code Orange – Investigation of foundation issues

The cause is not only the ageing foundations. Climate impact such as drying out are also affecting the piles, the drought last summer being the latest example. The research results have been in for some time now, but an integrated approach to the problem was still lacking. And that whilst around 555,000 homes in the Netherlands might not be future proof. Housing associations, such Woonstad Rotterdam, and private owners bear the brunt of these problems. In the past 3 years this has led to around 1000 complaints from around 70 municipalities being lodged with the KCAF [Dutch Knowledge Centre for Handling Foundation Issues].

The foundations are investigated on the basis of these complaints. The result of this (condition) assessment is that the houses are declared safe (‘code green’) or that action is required in the short term (‘code red’). Between the two, ‘code orange’ has an enforcement period of 5 to 20 years. Since it is difficult to predict the lifespan and the investment required for the repairs (sometimes as much as 50,000-100,000 euros per home; an enormous burden for the housing associations), an integrated approach is needed for the “Code Orange” homes.

A unique collaboration between the government, knowledge institutions and companies has determined a strategy to monitor these homes using sensors. KCAF, the housing associations, owners and the Hanselman Group are collaborating to install the sensors. However, the involvement of many different players who all want to see and use the data in real time means that a new way had to be found to offer access to the data. That is why it was necessary to join forces with Oudeman.io and Packhunt.io for the hardware and software respectively. Together, the infrastructure has been set up that is required to send the data from the field to the cloud and then communicate it to the parties involved via an interactive portal. The portal not only shows the data, but also warns if problems are expected. To make it possible for decisions to be taken with regard to the data collected such as ‘When should intervention occur?’, a research council has been established in cooperation with TU Delft that will examine the data and issue advice with regard to the homes monitored.

This makes it possible to assess the condition of the structures and trends and also to issue a warning if intervention is required. Investment decisions are thus clearer, the lifespan is extended and the occupants are relieved of their worries. Each construction (both homes and infrastructure) can be fitted with sensors so that these “Code Orange” structures can become futureproof again.