Geotechnics

When planning and defining the assumptions for ground-mounted solar systems, data on the soil and other local conditions are of utmost importance.

These allow the optimization of construction work, the avoidance of downtime, the reduction of performance during operation or the rapid assembly of the system in the event of damage.

The investigation includes: geological, hydrogeological and soil conditions, soil chemical conditions, morphological, hydraulic, climatic and sociological conditions at the site.

It is completed by establishing the conditions for a company that carries out construction works from the point of view of the location of the solar panels and the design of the plant, taking into account the access roads, drainage or soil surface.

Test method

We use precise and reliable measurement techniques to ensure that the solutions we choose provide our customers with optimal results and efficiency.

Probing with a driving rod

The depth of the loose clastic rock deposit is determined by a light sounding with a driving rod. A pole with a defined tip is driven into the ground and the riding progress is measured depending on the number of hits.

The reported values and deposition depth provide additional knowledge that complements the exploratory drilling and enables the development of initial concepts for the type and depth of the foundations for the solar panels.

Well Detection

The considerations are based on the fact that the load-bearing capacity parameters of the steel piles result from different soil structures and their different load-bearing capacities. It is therefore advisable to pay special attention to the examination of the top 2 to 4 meters of the soil layer.

Using measurement methods from the evaluation of foundation depths for noise barriers and adapted to the requirements of solar power plants, it is possible to reliably calculate the required foundation depths for all types of steel piles if the following parameters are known:

  • The technical characteristics of the floor
  • The dimensions and dimensions of the pile
  • Forces and moments acting on the piles.

In addition, the vertical application of force and its transfer to the soil must be investigated, using information on the contact stress between piles and the surrounding soil. As a rule, the pile seat depths calculated from tilting moments and horizontal operating forces are sufficient for the piles to be able to absorb vertically acting loads. However, in rare cases (very light soils), it is necessary to increase the pile seat depth in order to be able to effectively transfer vertical stresses.

The evaluation system is computerized and homologated according to ZTVE LSW88/03. It is based on the standards for the permissible load on the site (DIN/EN 1054).

Test pile drilling

In these tests, a steel pile is usually rammed into the soil to be examined. A force is then applied horizontally and vertically to the pile to measure its reaction above the ground (deformation). Finally, the tread is usually pulled out of the ground, registering the applied force.

In this way, information is obtained about deformations and the influence of various forces that occur on a recently introduced steel pile. However, it provides only limited information about the actual soil structure and soil mechanical properties. Ideally, the test shows that the pile driven into the ground can withstand the load from the superstructure in this state, which leads to the conclusion that the same conditions apply after the construction of the supporting structures.

Investigation steps

Ecotec offers the determination of these basic design conditions in several subsequent steps. After completing each step, it is possible to evaluate the entire project and adapt it to the overall concept. These steps are as follows:

01

Collection of
Information

02

Preliminary investigation
of the location

03

Laboratory tests

04

The report

05

Pull-out tests

06

Final

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