LEAP has designed CREDiT Foundations, a CO2 calculator for foundation design that allows a comparison between the equivalent carbon costs for shallow strip infrastructure and a piled foundation solution for a site.

The calculator focusses on upfront embodied carbon emissions and is not carrying out a whole life carbon assessment of the development.

The calculations are based on site-specific data, most of which is available or can be gathered as part of a Phase II site investigation.

A simplified ground model is used but with the facility to select from a range of different soil types.

For shallow foundations, the width and depth of the infrastructure are considered along with reinforcement details when specified.  The calculations also consider the type of cement used within the foundations, to allow for low carbon options to be used.

For a piled solution the diameter and length are considered, together with the number of piles and distance between them.  As with the traditional footings, the steel reinforcement and cement type can also be changed. For the piled solution, the piling mat size and thickness is included in the calculation of the equivalent carbon for the earthworks required prior to the piling works.

The calculations also consider any made ground present.  First we evaluate whether this is contaminated or not, and suitable for reuse. Then the tool calculates the total equivalent carbon of the earthworks activities and both on site and off site transport. For more complex earthworks projects, CReDiT Earthworks is recommended.   Where remediation of contamination is recommended CReDiT Remediation can be deployed in addition to CReDiT Foundations.

To discuss your project and how we can help you save carbon get in touch.