Wonderwoods delivers new insights into WKOs

Innovative research on the impact of construction and drainage activities

In downtown Utrecht, where every meter counts, CRUX Engineering worked on Wonderwoods - a project with literally and figuratively a lot of ground to cover. "In every project we work with the ground as an ally, but in a densely populated area like Utrecht, that requires extra precision," says Thomas Sweijen, Specialist Geohydrology at CRUX.

CRUX specializes in consulting in the fields of geotechnical engineering, geohydrology, soil and energy. The company offers customized solutions for projects in complex construction environments throughout the Netherlands and abroad. "Our approach starts at the design stage and doesn't stop until the final act of construction," Sweijen explains. "We have an eye for the impact on the environment, because building underground is more than realizing a foundation; it is an interplay between technology and nature." 

Precision work in a crowded underground 

Wonderwoods was a project full of challenges. In the middle of Utrecht, where buildings and underground energy systems are close together, the construction had to take place safely and sustainably. CRUX was responsible for the complete geotechnical and geohydrological package, including the design of the building pit, the foundation advice, the geohydrological analyses and an extensive settlement analysis. "We had to carefully examine the impact of the foundation and building pit on the surrounding subsurface," Sweijen says. The thermal energy storage systems (CHP systems) located just a few meters from the construction pit gave the project an additional challenge. These CHP systems are essential for energy management in the city, and a disruption has major consequences. CRUX worked closely with the municipality of Utrecht and the owners of these systems to ensure their operation. Sweijen explains: "We had to take into account not only soil deformation, but also chemical reactions, water quality and the lifespan of the wells due to soil injections and dewatering. Careful risk assessment, process control and environmental monitoring ensured that the wells remained intact." 

Digging for knowledge 

Sweijen is also an associate professor and took the experiences of Wonderwoods into the lecture halls. "This project provided insights and questions that we are now exploring further with students. Together we are looking at how we can better understand and further develop interactions in the crowded subsurface." Wonderwoods now not only stands firmly on Utrecht soil, but is also a source of inspiration for the next generation of engineers.