Instrumentation for halving greenhouse gas emissions

The KlimaGrunn method halves emissions from foundation work in quick clay - Instrumentation is the key. It provides ongoing control and actual knowledge," says Eivind S. Juvik. He has led KlimaGrunn.

Since 2017, the KlimaGrunn owners have been pursuing major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from groundwork in quick clay at construction sites. The goal of Bane NOR and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration is a 55 per cent reduction by 2030.

- We have succeeded. We are achieving emission cuts of 40 to 60 per cent. This is the result of a new method based on actual knowledge. Instrumentation can replace today's test methods. It provides continuous control, actual knowledge of the condition underground and predicts future development of strength," says Juvik.

Industry methodology

Building and construction activities on quick clay, of which there is a lot in Norway, are a climate disaster. Soft masses are stabilised using binders, primarily lime and cement. CO2 emissions are high.

- Current methods are not precise enough. KlimaGrunn documents that we can halve the use of binders. This results in enormous savings in greenhouse gas emissions. Now we're talking about a new and more sustainable way of working," says Juvik.

KlimaGrunn owners the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Statsbygg and Bane NOR invite the industry to share the results. The event will take place at Næringslivets hus in Oslo on 5 June. Developers, contractors and consultants are invited.

- We have found one of the answers to reducing emissions. It involves a new method for foundation work. Measurement technology is part of the method," says Juvik.

Instrumenting piles

Cautus Geo, Multiconsult, Heidelberg Materials (formerly Norcem) and Argeo have collaborated on the solution to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

- "We have shared knowledge and developed solutions together. In this way, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build more cheaply," says Atle Gerhardsen of Cautus Geo.

- The piles are instrumented immediately after they are installed. This provides actual knowledge of how the strength develops in the piles with data that can be read continuously in Cautus Web. There is a new analysis tool we have developed together with our partners that can show the condition of the piles and project the development of strength in the ground," says Gerhardsen.

Future-orientated

- "We have a forward-looking method that will make a positive contribution to the success of other research and development programmes to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The key will always be to have actual knowledge through instrumentation. This will give us certainty about, for example, the strength of more environmentally friendly binders or further reduced use through new technology for establishing piles," says Juvik.

- Reduced use of binders is matched by more instrumentation. Surely there is also a cost side to this?

- It doesn't have to cost more, but we need to think differently. Instrumentation will replace current methods. In addition, progress can be planned differently than we do today," says Juvik.

KlimaGrunn - an innovation partnership

• Clients: Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Statsbygg and Bane NOR.
• Suppliers: Multiconsult, Cautus Geo, Heidelberg Materials (formerly Norcem) and Argeo.
• Solution: New technology and methods reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ground reinforcement.
• Economy: Supported by Innovation Norway and the Supplier Development Programme.

Method with technology and equipment

• Sensors and measuring instruments document properties in the present.
• The Cautus Web application predicts the development of strength in the pillars.
• Instrumentation including loggers, sensors and seismic data.