IMPROVING INSPECTION TOOLS FOR WOODEN FOUNDATIONS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION

Before the introduction of concrete, only wooden foundations piles were used in the Netherlands. Nowadays millions of wooden piles are still in use storing large amount of carbon. Yet, problems related to exposure of foundations to oxygen and bacterial decay under water call for monitoring of the actual condition. Detecting the condition of wooden pile foundations is crucial to come up with tailor-made repair and maintenance measures. Currently, inspection guidelines are available, to evaluate the actual load carrying capacity and predict the associated life expectation of a foundation. The common field method of assessing the residual strength of foundations uses an impact hammer. Here, this device is tested for reliability by comparing it with the results of wood anatomical analyses on the same piles. Results indicate that predictions of the remaining pile strength based on impact hammer measurements with current models are too uncertain especially for constructions in water. Suggestions are given to improve these predictions. Improving current inspection methods is relevant not only to increase the service life of existing wooden foundations but also to promote the use of wooden foundations in the future. Both developments can have a positive contribution to enhance and increase this sink for carbon sequestration.Paper presentatio