Zero-emission, vibration-free, and smart foundations in dense cities

In densely built-up urban environments, every construction step is a challenge. Noise pollution, vibrations, and emissions disturb residents, strain infrastructure, and raise the threshold for granting permits.

Fundex Verstraeten BV offers a solution to these urban bottlenecks with its innovative foundation technologies. With electric drilling rigs, vibration-free techniques, and smart applications such as energy piles, Fundex strengthens the link between technical robustness and livable cities.

Expertise and background

Fundex has more than 70 years of experience in foundation techniques and acts as a consultancy firm, main contractor, subcontractor, or partner in international partnerships. The parent company develops a wide range of techniques: from vibration-free foundation methods (such as Fundex® combi and grout injection piles) to traditional pile driving and vibration techniques. In Belgium, Fundex operates through its branch Fundex Foundations BV in Zeebrugge, where deep foundation work and innovative projects come together. 

Electrification and vibration-free foundations

One of Fundex's showpieces is the use of machines such as the CD20E and F4800E, which are fully electric and therefore emission-free. The CD20E is a compact, lightweight drilling machine that is ideal for inner-city projects, tunnels, or sensitive areas. It operates quietly, produces no direct emissions, and is designed to deliver maximum performance in confined spaces. The F4800E is its heavier sibling: a multifunctional foundation machine with electric drive, equipped with electric winches, hydraulic pump units, a battery pack, and permanent magnets in the motors. This design offers flexibility: the machine is set up to be ‘be ready, be flexible,’ so it can switch between mains power, battery, or other energy sources.
the future.

Vibration-free techniques are crucial in cities where adjacent buildings are susceptible to cracking or movement. Fundex uses, among other things, combination piles with grout injection to create a stable foundation without the peak loads caused by traditional techniques.

Energy poles: foundations as a source of energy

In addition to load-bearing capacity, foundation piles also offer opportunities for sustainability. Fundex has therefore developed energy piles: piles with integrated heat exchangers that use geothermal energy for heating and cooling buildings. This technology combines structural strength with sustainable comfort and helps cities achieve their climate goals.

To test the possibilities in practice, Fundex first used the energy poles at its own office in Oostburg. That project served as a pilot project and provided valuable insights into the integration of foundation work with sustainable energy supply.

Challenges and strategic focus areas

The transition to electric and vibration-free foundation work also presents challenges. For example, the use of electric foundation machines requires a robust power infrastructure on the construction site, which is not always a given in an urban context. In addition, the initial investment in these new technologies is higher than for conventional solutions, which means that clients need to be convinced of the broader long-term social and environmental benefits.

Regulations are an additional obstacle: standardization and approval of innovative techniques are often slow, especially in a municipal or urban context. There is also sometimes reluctance within the sector itself. Contractors who are used to traditional methods need time and convincing evidence to make the transition to new technologies. However, Fundex is taking the lead here and showing how it can be done.