Lowering ECI/MPG value by implementing sustainable foundations for houses

Lowering ECI/MPG value by implementing sustainable foundations for houses

Hogerheijde, Sebastiaan (TU Delft Civil Engineering & Geosciences)

Schipper, H.R. (mentor)
Korff, M. (graduation committee)
Jonkers, H.M. (graduation committee)
Vernooij, Sander (graduation committee)
Blankendaal, Tom (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Civil Engineering | Building Engineering - Structural Design

2023-11-24

This research addresses the environmental impact of foundations in lightweight housing units, focusing on BAM's timber house concept, FLOW. While the engineered timber superstructure is environmentally conscious, the foundation's contribution is often overlooked. The study aims to minimise the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) of FLOW houses by investigating three foundation variants through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The LCA compares three foundation variants: prestressed prefab concrete piles, timber foundation piles with concrete caps, and shallow concrete strip foundations, considering soil profiles in Zwolle and Delft. Results show that the timber foundation has the lowest ECI, driven by CO2 storage in the spruce timber part. Sustainable options, such as Blast Furnace Slag cement, a reduced concrete strength, and optimised processes, significantly reduce ECIs. Timber foundation piles with concrete caps emerge as the most environmentally promising. Further technical implications and feasibility research are recommended for integrating timber foundations into lightweight structures like FLOW.

Environmental impact
Foundation Design
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Timber Foundation
Shallow foundations
Prestressed pile
Sustainability
Environmental cost indicator
Milieuprestatie gebouwen

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1ab23655-2798-4662-ad49-ab3f080221c9

Student theses

master thesis

© 2023 Sebastiaan Hogerheijde