Background and impact
In the fragmented Norwegian building and construction sector, the cost for damages caused by groundwork alone is estimated at 13 billion NOK annually. The BegrensSkade program has the aim to significantly reduce the unnecessary costs and risks associated with damage due to groundworks. BegrensSkade I was concluded in 2015, and one of the conclusions was the need for further research and development. The objective of REMEDY (BegrensSkade II) is to increase competence related to this topic, over the entire Norwegian building‐construction‐property‐infrastructure sector.
The technical risk, time delays and economic risk can be reduced by raising the competence of the stakeholders on the effects of groundwork, such as settlements, groundwater level change and reduction in bearing capacity. State‐of‐the‐art guidelines for design and execution of drilled piles and anchors, deep excavations, hydrogeological modelling and reduction of damage due to vibrations will be prepared. Tools to aid decision‐making, such as cost‐benefit and vulnerability analyses, will be developed for implementation in practice.
BegrensSkade II / REMEDY will raise the competence level of research institutes, universities, public organisations and industry in Norway, and will strengthen the entire value chain in the building and construction sector.
The usefulness of the results of the research is illustrated by the number of companies wishing to join the project. Each partner has a keen interest in cost reductions, reducing the number of conflicts and to develop a competence‐based practice. They are all eager to develop tools for 'risk‐based' decisions and for improved interaction among the different actors within the industry. Societal benefits will follow from the reduced costs and more efficient construction processes.
The innovation of the project includes:
- new methods for drilling of foundation piles and sheet pile walls tie‐back anchors
- new methods for deep excavations
hydrogeological models for reducing damage due to excavations - procedures for grouting under low pressure
reduction of damage due to construction‐induced vibrations.
Each of the technological developments represents a step in advancing both the 'state‐of‐the‐art' and the 'state‐of‐practice'. New risk assessment methods for design and construction in Norway will be developed to assist decision‐making.