Service
Special Foundation Engineering
Shoring, bored pile walls and underpinning for demanding deep construction projects in Berlin.
Scope
What's included
Excavation shoring and sheet piling
Bored pile walls and micropiles
Underpinning according to DIN 4123
Soldier pile walls
Groundwater lowering and dewatering
Securing adjacent buildings
Details
Special Foundation Engineering in Berlin and Brandenburg
Lula Bau GmbH offers professional special foundation engineering services in Berlin and Brandenburg. From excavation shoring to bored pile walls to underpinning existing buildings, we cover all deep construction requirements. Our experience with Berlin's subsoil, particularly the typical sand and boulder clay layers, enables safe and efficient execution.
At a Glance
Special foundation engineering begins where ordinary earthworks end: when loads have to
reach deeper strata, when a neighbouring building is founded higher than your excavation
base, or when groundwater is in the way.
Signs that you need it
Underpinning
The most common trigger in Berlin, particularly for underground car parks next to period
buildings on strip footings. Work proceeds in short, non-adjacent sections, each one
exposed and immediately rebuilt, so the building is never left unsupported along its
length. The cost is normally borne by the client of the new building, not by the owner
whose building is underpinned, and a condition survey is mandatory before work starts.
Bored piles, micro piles and pile walls
| Arrangement | Piles | Property | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| spaced | with gaps, infilled between | load-bearing, not tight | stable soil above groundwater |
| tangent | touching | load-bearing, nearly tight | high loads, little water |
| secant | interlocking | watertight | excavation in groundwater |
Micro piles suit confined conditions: small diameter, small rig, usable inside basements.
Berlin-type shoring: driven or drilled
| Driven or vibrated | Set into bored holes | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | fast | slower |
| Cost | lower | higher |
| Vibration | noticeable | practically none |
| Suitable next to | robust structures | period buildings, sensitive equipment |
Groundwater
Either the water is lowered, which needs a water permit and can cause settlement nearby,
or the excavation is sealed with secant piles or sheet piling, which costs more but is
predictable.
Condition surveys and monitoring
A surveyor documents the neighbouring buildings before work starts; settlement and wall
deflection are measured during execution. Without a baseline record, a later complaint
comes down to one word against another.
Together with excavation and demolition
Foundations, shoring and
earthworks interlock. If a building still stands on the plot,
demolition comes first.
Process
How Your Project Works
Soil survey and planning
Structural calculation
Permits and coordination
Shoring and securing
Excavation and monitoring
Soil survey and planning
Structural calculation
Permits and coordination
Shoring and securing
Excavation and monitoring
Projects
712+
Berlin Districts
12
Years Experience
29+
Association-certified
100%
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When is underpinning required?
Whenever the planned excavation base lies deeper than the neighbouring building's foundation, which would otherwise lose lateral support. In Berlin this is especially common for underground car parks next to period buildings on strip footings.
Who pays for underpinning a neighbouring building?
Normally the client of the new building, the party founding deeper. The neighbour must tolerate the work but does not bear the cost, and is entitled to continuous structural safety of their building.
What is the difference between a pile wall and a soldier pile wall?
A soldier pile wall uses steel beams with infill between them and is the more economical option, but it is not watertight. A bored pile wall consists of reinforced concrete piles, carries far higher loads and is watertight when the piles are secant.
Does the work cause vibration?
It depends on the installation method. Driven or vibrated profiles are fast and cheaper but noticeable. Setting beams into pre-bored holes, or using bored piles, produces practically no vibration, which is what we choose next to period buildings or sensitive equipment.
Do I need a ground investigation report?
For any special foundation project, yes. Without soil parameters and groundwater levels neither the structural design nor a sound choice of method is possible, and any cost estimate remains guesswork.
Guides
Service Areas
Special Foundation Engineering across Berlin
We operate in all Berlin districts and throughout Germany.
Your Project
Do you have a demolition project?
Contact us for a free consultation and a non-binding fixed-price quote. We will get back to you within 24 hours.