Samenvatting

This final report for acquiring the bachelor of Civil Engineering focuses on the structural and geotechnical design of the foundation of a data centre, to be built on contaminated soil. In order to determine the most suitable design in accordance to the Client’s requirements, the research into the structural and geotechnical design specifications of foundations was carried out, applying the acquired information to the project.
Three different foundation techniques (these included a raft foundation, the large diameter monopiles as well as a conventional pile group design) in two different locations were considered for finding the most suitable solution. The analysis of the six solutions was done using a selective method. After preparing the preliminary designs for all three variants, two of the solutions were ruled out, either for not being structurally viable or for being considered as conservative. The remaining solutions were compared and evaluated based on the two criteria – duration and cost, finally coming to the final decision.
The purpose of investigating the possibility for the relocation of the building was to reduce the amount of polluted soil within the construction site. After the evaluation of the construction site
logistics and the volume of soil to be exchanged, the decision was made to change the location of the building and allow the replacement of the required soil prior the construction of the foundation.
The concluding evidence showed the pile group design in the altered location to be the most suitable choice. The advantage of quick installation, as well as lower preliminary direct costs were the evidence for the decision made.
All criteria considered, the final design of the foundation resulted in a pile group foundation of 210 bored friction piles, 1.2 metres in diameter and varying in length between 10 and 20 metres.
The piles were grouped by either four or six units, connected via pile cap, which then had a depth of either 1.8 or 2 metres. Additional design considerations were taken for the row of columns on axes A and B, as well as the area for staircases and elevators, located outside of the main building grid (for more details see “Appendix F – Final design”).
The design is based on the German annex of the European construction regulations – Eurocode 2 “Design of concrete structures”, Eurocode 3 “Design of steel structures” and Eurocode 7 “Geotechnical design”, as well as a set of national regulations DIN-Normen, where necessary.
With the final foundation design, the competencies in both geotechnical and reinforced concrete designs are shown. In order to prove the application of the steel design regulations, an additional steel structure for a façade was designed in accordance to Eurocode 3 and can be found in “Appendix G – Façade sub-structure design”.
For preparing the design, different software were used: Microsoft Excel for optimizing the manual calculations, Frilo for the distribution of horizontal loads, design of beams and the shallow foundation. Sofistik for the raft foundation analysis and GSA for the steel structure design. The drawings were prepared with AutoCAD 2016.