A hybrid method for foundation reuse evaluation

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a simple, multi-level method for engineers to conduct a pre-construction viability assessment for reuse of existing foundations in congested urban areas. As part of this, the first critical assessment is presented for three major foundation reuse evaluation tools in their ability to predict the outcomes of five published case histories. Based on strengths and weaknesses identified in that process, a hybrid system is proposed. This newly proposed, two-staged methodology is aimed to address socio-economic drivers and technical requirements, as well as to promote future reuse where current reuse is not viable. The proposed system was successfully verified by predicting the outcomes of two other, previously published case histories. In that process, the main drivers were recognised, whereas site-specific constraints and concerns were incorporated. Although the robustness and scalability of the method will need further testing, this paper introduces a promising, new, multi-level approach that explicitly addresses future reuse.