Sharper infrastructure performance starts with database-supported insight 

Cost-saving and environmentally friendly

In the first GWW edition of 2023, we presented CloudPiling, the software developer operating out of Bruges, Belgium. With the software package of the same name, the company provides a complete platform with which, among other things, pile foundations, earth retaining walls and anchors can be calculated quickly and more optimally. The resulting information is not only useful during the underground job itself, but also when additional infrastructure work is carried out around the site in question at a later stage. A welcome added value. 

Michelle Vanhove and Thomas Zwaenepoel, the faces of CloudPiling, don't just know software. The market in which they operate is also clear on their radar. Especially when it comes to the needs at hand and the developments underway. "Recently, especially in the Netherlands, there have been voices calling for the data of underground structures, foundations and flood defenses to be recorded centrally and made accessible to market participants," Thomas says. "A common suggestion is to do that through some kind of government registration platform. The first idea is fine, the second we definitely do not think is a good plan. Simply because we believe that the design software used for such applications should have mandatory and full-fledged database support. So that all data will continue to be collected and available in the future when infrastructure work is carried out near the object in question."

More transparency, fewer assumptions

Quick and easy review of subject matter whenever there is a need. WITHOUT creating an additional administrative burden for the industry. It forms the core of the argument of the faces of CloudPiling. And it can all be done with the cloud-based software solution they developed. For all foundation work that has ever been or will ever be performed on a site. "Often in practice, there is too much guesswork about what foundation techniques were placed at the time," Michelle explains. "If you could map this exactly for each project again, i.e. without coincidence, you can design more sharply or rather the strictly necessary and fewer assumptions need to be made. Benefits that translate into substantial cost savings in terms of hours, concrete and steel. And what's even more important: thanks to that reduced CO₂-footprint also benefits the environment."    

No data = oversizing and thus unnecessary costs
That the lack of complete cloudbased data on the foundation of a building can be quite costly is proven by the assignment CloudPiling performed in Ostend. In this case, the client wanted to build an apartment with a parking basement next to a five-story apartment. This raised the question of whether this apartment was founded on piles or just a steel structure. "The information on this was not known to anyone," says Thomas. "We therefore created two designs based on the possible scenarios. Because the client did not want to run any risks and no cloud database existed at the time, he ultimately chose the most expensive solution. Unfavorable for his wallet and our planet." 

Geotechnical Engineering Day Amersfoort
During the Geotechnical Day, organized biannually by the KIVI Geotechnical Department, CloudPiling (among the last three finalists for the Cobouw Award Digitalization) will also be present again. Everyone is welcome to visit the booth at De Flint in Amersfoort on Thursday, November 16. Do you have a question beforehand? Then feel free to contact Michelle Vanhove.