GO4ZERO – A New Deep Foundation Challenge

As part of Holcim Belgium’s strategic GO4ZERO project, Franki Foundations is carrying out major foundation work at a site in Vaulx, a former quarry. The project involves the construction of a storage warehouse for limestone, a key raw material in cement production. Once extracted and processed in Vaulx, the limestone will be transported by train to Holcim’s Obourg plant, ensuring an efficient and sustainable logistics chain.

Our role: deep foundations under complex conditions

Franki Foundations is responsible for installing the deep foundations for this new infrastructure. The ground conditions and the former quarry setting present unique challenges requiring expertise and precision.

Project details:

Pile type: Driven cast-in-situ concrete piles with lost base plate
Pile depth: Between 10 and 35 metres, depending on the location
Total number of piles: 370
Equipment used: the Fundex 3500, our largest and most powerful rig

A high-performance and eco-friendly technique

The technique involves driving a closed steel casing into the ground with a lost plate at the base, which is then filled with concrete. The casing is removed, leaving the concrete in place. One major advantage of this method is that no soil is excavated, meaning no spoil is generated – a more sustainable and cleaner approach.

Building a sustainable future together

We are proud to support Holcim in this ambitious project, which aligns with their goals for innovation and sustainability. This site in Vaulx highlights Franki Foundations’ ability to operate in demanding geotechnical environments, while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and environmental care.

Hats off to all team members involved in making this project a success!