Sep 22 • Machinist

Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Foundation Engineering

Climate change is creating new risks for foundation and geotechnical engineering. More frequent extreme rainfall, flooding, rising sea levels, changing groundwater conditions and heat events can affect both the design life of infrastructure and the way construction projects are delivered. In response, the European Federation of Foundation Contractors and the Deep Foundations Institute have developed the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Guide as a practical resource for the geotechnical sector.

The guide distinguishes climate adaptation from climate mitigation. Mitigation seeks to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, while adaptation focuses on preparing infrastructure, organisations and construction processes for the consequences of a changing climate. For piling and deep-foundation projects, this means considering future conditions when assessing flooding, scour, groundwater fluctuations, extreme loads and access to construction sites.

The publication presents climate resilience as the ability of a project or system to withstand climate-related hazards, adapt to changing conditions and recover after disruption. This perspective is particularly important for bridges, ports, quay walls, retaining structures, coastal infrastructure and foundations constructed in areas exposed to erosion or rising water levels. A foundation designed only for current conditions may not provide sufficient reliability over its intended service life.

The guide proposes a practical “What, Why, How and Measure” framework. The first step is to identify the climate-related issue and understand how it affects geotechnical work. The second is to assess why the issue matters, including its consequences for design, regulation, cost, programme and business continuity. The third step is to introduce appropriate actions, while the final step is to measure performance and review whether the selected measures are effective.

For designers, adaptation may involve using updated climate projections, assessing future groundwater levels, allowing for increased hydraulic or scour loads and considering more severe combinations of environmental actions. For contractors, it may require revising construction sequences, protecting working platforms, improving drainage, planning for extreme weather interruptions and ensuring that piling rigs, cranes and support equipment can operate safely under changing site conditions.

The guide also highlights the value of monitoring and early-warning systems. Instruments can be used to track groundwater, pore pressure, settlement, erosion, temperature, structural movement and other indicators relevant to foundation performance. Monitoring allows project teams to identify developing risks and, where appropriate, adjust construction methods or maintenance plans before a failure occurs.

Nature-based and flexible solutions are presented as possible elements of a resilient strategy. Water-retention measures, restored natural barriers, improved drainage and adaptable layouts may reduce exposure to flooding and erosion. Such approaches do not replace sound geotechnical design, but they can work alongside deep foundations and engineered retaining systems to improve the resilience of the wider project.

The central message for the piling industry is that climate resilience should be considered throughout the project lifecycle—from site investigation and equipment planning to construction, monitoring, maintenance and eventual refurbishment. The EFFC/DFI Guide is not a mandatory standard; it is a practical framework intended to help designers, contractors and project owners make foundation systems more adaptable and reliable under future climate conditions.

Source:

Adapted for EduPile from the EFFC/DFI Climate Adaptation & Resilience Guide and related professional announcements.

rnd(at)machinist.fi
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SUPPORT & COOPERATION

Machinist Ltd

Ivanna Rukin and Machinist Oy will assume complete leadership of the development of this project. Machinist will manage the production team and project management.

Factories

Factories such as Junttan, Movax, Dieseko Group, ArcelorMittel and other international construction equipment manufacturers have a continuous willingness to share their knowledge, introduce it and cooperate with the engineering teams.

Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)

Mechanical Engineering Department and Mr. Antti Hänninen in the Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) are invited to help with project implementation.

Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

We are collaborating with Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (Kajaani AMK) which has recently received government funding for the development of VR and 3D technologies. This collaboration provides an opportunity for us to leverage Kajaani AMK's expertise and resources in the development of our online education platform. Kajaani AMK is open to ideas and ready to provide resources to support for our efforts in integrating VR and 3D technologies into our platform. This collaboration can provide us with access to cutting-edge technology and expertise, enabling us to stay ahead of the curve and offer a unique and innovative learning experience for our users.

Finnish government (Ministry of Education)

The platform is supported by the Finnish government:

1. Financially ( the country subsidizes the budget for education)

2. Technology infrastructure

3. Promotion at the government level, compulsory for the engineering force

Foreign governments

As a pilot project, the Uzbekistani government has already agreed to accept this platform as a mandatory tool for engineering society. It was agreed with the Ministry of Education that all engineers in the country would be required to undergo this kind of education. The Uzbekistan government recognizes the importance of investing in the education and training of its workforce, especially in the construction and piling industry, which has seen significant growth in recent years. By mandating this educational program, the government aims to ensure that Uzbekistan's workforce is equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the industry.

Other institutions

Other educational organizations such as universities and technical polytechnics can benefit from the platform by accessing resources that can supplement their own educational offerings.

EXPANSION INTO FOREIGN MARKETS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Example: Challenges in Central Asia

Low cost of human labor
Due to the low cost of labor in the area, modern building technology and machine usage are being adopted gradually. The majority of workers on modern building projects are manual laborers, which results in low industrialization. New machinery are needed as soon as new construction approaches are adopted, which is both a difficulty and an opportunity.

Cultural mindset
In post-Soviet countries, the responsibility for infrastructural construction, development, and architecture is outsourced to so-called "Project Development Institutes." These institutes are partially private but mainly are government entities responsible for studying and implementing all innovations that are approved as legislation and used on the job sites. As a result, construction methodologies in the Project Development Institutes of the region are old and follow post-Soviet structure. The local engineering force, due to their old age, requires a lot of education about new technologies, modern ways of ground construction, and the use of new machines.

Safety requirements
The recent earthquake in Turkey has led to a surge of awareness regarding foundation construction and safety in seismic areas. In Central Asia, where a lot of ambitious projects are about to evolve drives demand for knowledge and international experience. This has resulted in local professionals actively seeking new solutions and knowledge to ensure the safety of their own construction projects.Absence of active know-howIn this market, there are no other competitors offering the same type of service to customers. Therefore, our online "University" will offer a unique value proposition to promote our know-how and machinery in the target markets. By providing access to the latest knowledge and industry insights, we can help local professionals stay ahead of the curve and meet the demands of the industry. This will not only benefit our business but also contribute to the overall economic growth and development of the region.

Industrialization level
Lower rate of technological usage in terms of machines and equipment. A lot of steps in the process are completed in an old-fashioned way. High demand in infrastructural construction requires knowledge and implementation of modern technology.

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Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Foundation Engineering

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EXPANSION INTO FOREIGN MARKETS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

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