Geotechnics

When designing and determining the assumptions for ground-mounted solar installations, data on soil and other local conditions are of great importance.

This optimizes construction work, avoids downtime, a drop in performance during operation or rapid damage to the plant.

The study includes: geological, hydrogeological and soil conditions, soil chemistry conditions, morphological, hydraulic, climatic and sociological conditions at the site.

We use precise and authoritative testing methods to make sure that the solutions we choose for our customers provide optimal results and performance.

The depth of loose rock deposition is determined using a light probe. A probe with a specific tip is driven into the soil, and the depth is measured against the number of strokes.

The given values and embedment depths provide additional knowledge to supplement exploratory drilling, which allows the development of first concepts for the type and depth of foundations of the supporting structure for solar panels.

It is assumed that the parameters determining the bearing capacity of steel piles are derived from the changing soil structure and the corresponding possible bearing capacity. Therefore, it is recommended that special attention be paid to testing the soil layer at a depth of 2 to 4 meters.

With measurement methods taken from the evaluation of the foundation depth of noise barrier piles and adapted to conditions corresponding to photovoltaic installations, it is possible to reliably calculate the necessary foundation depths for all types of steel piles if the following parameters are known:

In addition, the vertical application of force and its transmission to the soil should be investigated, using information on the contact stresses between the piles and the surrounding soil. Pile planting depths calculated from tilting moments and horizontal working forces are usually sufficient for piles to withstand loads in the vertical position. In rare cases (very light soils), however, it is necessary to increase the depth of the pile to effectively transfer vertical stresses.

The evaluation system is computerized and approved in accordance with ZTVE LSW88/03. It is based on standards for permissible ground loads (DIN/EN 1054).

In these tests, a steel pole is driven into the soil to be tested. Then, a force is applied horizontally and vertically to the column to measure its reaction above the ground (deformation). Finally, the profile is pulled from the ground, where the applied force is recorded.

Thus, the method provides information about deformations and the effects of various forces acting on the founded pile. However, it provides only limited information on the actual soil structure and its mechanical properties. The test is designed to confirm that the pile being driven into the ground is, under the given conditions, able to withstand the stresses present in the supporting structure.