Foundations

Vertic’Alps Engineering carries out foundation design studies for leisure structures: multi-activity towers, zipline stations, posts, masts and other activity supports.

We study different solutions according to the project's characteristics and site constraints:

• Piles.
• Ground screws.
• Foundation blocks, footings and rafts.
• Deadweight anchors.
• … and other solutions suited to your project's constraints.

Our work concerns taking the loads transferred by the structure, foundation stability and connections to the supported components.

The load take-down calculations — DDC required for this study can be prepared by us as part of the “Structural design of leisure installations” service, or provided by the engineering consultancy responsible for the structure.

The assignment scope, solution studied and expected documents are defined with the client.

Depending on the assignment, our study includes:

• Examining loads transferred by the structure, load configurations and the associated assumptions.
• Studying foundation stability, taking interaction with the ground into account.
• Foundation component design, depending on the selected solution.
• Reinforcement design, for reinforced-concrete structures.
• Studying connections to the structure: base plates, anchors, fixings and interfaces included in the assignment.
• Producing the drawings and details needed for construction.

The study takes account of project geotechnical data, together with the properties and manufacturer requirements of the systems used.

Depending on the request, we provide:

• The structural calculation reports — NDC for the foundations studied.
• The layout drawings.
• The foundation drawings and details, adapted to the selected solution.
• The formwork and reinforcement drawings, for reinforced-concrete structures.
• The connection and anchor details included in the assignment.
• The properties and construction conditions assumed in the calculations.

Where we also carry out the structural study, the corresponding load take-down calculations (DDC) are among the documents provided within this scope.

The necessary data are specified at the start of the assignment. They include:

• The layout drawing, including site levels and constraints.
• The structural drawings and support locations.
• The DDC, where the structural study is carried out by another engineering consultancy.
• The geotechnical data required for the study.
• The properties of the proposed piles, screws or other components, where a system has already been identified.
• Details of the base plates, anchors and connections to the structure.
• Information on existing structures, utility networks and access or construction constraints.

Missing information is identified and completed before the relevant calculations.

The study scope, input data and deliverables are defined before calculations begin.

Structural and foundation studies are coordinated: the selected loads, support locations and connection properties must relate to the same project.

The results are tied to the assumptions described in the structural calculation report, particularly regarding ground conditions, loads, materials and structural geometry.

Any change to these data or any difference observed on site requires an assessment of its effect on the study before the relevant work is carried out.