Risk management and monitoring in underground construction?

Digitization and specialized professional and practical knowledge provides answer

In our small country, space above ground is becoming increasingly limited. This means that more and more construction is taking place underground, often under complex geotechnical and geohydrological conditions. In an increasingly crowded environment, more and more is happening and with greater and greater consequences. But how do you ensure proper risk management and monitoring in earthworks and underground construction projects? According to Aveco de Bondt, the key lies with digitization and computerization laced with specialist professional and practical knowledge.

An interview with Maarten Kuiper (pricipal expert water and subsoil) and Wouter Kooijman (specialist and team leader Dewatering, Foundation & Monitoring). Both work at Aveco de Bondt, previously at Wareco, which since November has joined forces with Primum, Aveco de Bondt and Compositie 5 Stedenbouw to form Aveco de Bondt. An independent firm that designs, researches and advises.

Turning complexity into balance

"Building underground means building in a demanding environment with vulnerable buildings and infrastructure," says Kuiper. "Construction is increasingly taking place in smaller spaces and near existing buildings. Underground crowding, but with it, risks are increasing. In the construction of building pits, new energy pipelines, flood defenses, but also sewer replacement, the complexity lies not only with the construction site and the subsurface itself, but certainly also towards the environment," Kuiper observes. "For example, you have to deal with articulate local residents, sharper competent authorities and managers. Then it is a matter of guarding the balance between what is best for the project and for the environment. How? Through connection and digitization."

Geodriangle

"It is enormously important to see the construction site in conjunction with the environment. Not only during preparation, but especially during construction," Kooijman says. "Geotechnical engineering, geohydrology and geodata -we call it the Geodrie angle- along with foundation and soil testing are strongly connected in underground construction. Fortunately, both clients and contractors realize that it takes more than a building survey and the installation of some sensors. They are adapting to the increased risks and engaging us." Specialist teams from Aveco de Bondt provide the full range of services within that Geodrieangle, ensuring all phases of policy, design and implementation. To also boost digitalization, Aveco de Bondt recently started the joint venture diTTo, the Digital Twin Company, with their partner Wings ict. "This joining of forces is truly unique in the Netherlands in terms of capacity and knowledge," according to Kuiper.

Connecting and providing action perspective 

"When raising, digging or pumping, the environment is always affected. But when damage occurs, it is often difficult to pinpoint the cause. After all, it could also be the impact of climate, autonomous subsidence or another construction project," Kooijman knows from experience. "Digitization helps to clearly display connections, continuously evaluate measured values and provide action perspectives. It is essential to collect data and use it in open data portals as a starting point for analysis. And to always see this in combination with a coherent environmental study by a professional specialist. And then aligning that with practice within the construction site," Kooijman believes. "A digital analysis helps, where information from the construction site is linked to information from the environment. Where predictive risk analysis is automatically evaluated based on real-time data. That enables such a subject matter expert to make timely adjustments to the process if that proves necessary. Then you can effectively apply the plan-do-check-act approach, for example."

Overview, insight and clarity

Data, information and technology are helping Aveco de Bondt's specialists make sense of the many interfaces between the construction site and environment, to manage risk and evaluate objectively. "Automating and computerizing, in a world with fewer and fewer available professionals, is a good start, but not enough," according to Kuiper. He concludes: "If you combine digitization with specialist knowledge, only then can you recognize risks on and around the construction site at an early stage in the face of increasing complexity and fewer available professionals. And arrive at an effective design in advance. And being able to communicate about this clearly and transparently is what it's all about. Should damage nevertheless occur, digitization provides guidance and clarity about the possible contribution of the construction project to autonomous damage scenarios, extreme weather or other construction activities. This is why we are also investing heavily in digitization interwoven with water and subsurface knowledge."