Maastasemat

Maastasemat is a Finnish term used in civil engineering to refer to foundation systems or ground-supported structures. They are designed to transfer structural loads from buildings, towers, bridges, or other constructions into the soil or bedrock, providing vertical support, resisting horizontal and uplift forces, and limiting settlement. Maastasemat can be permanent installations or temporary supports used during construction.

Common types of maastasemat include footings and slabs that distribute loads over a larger soil area, piles (driven or bored) that reach deeper, and ground anchors or anchors such as screw piles or helical anchors that resist tension or lateral forces. The choice of system depends on soil properties, load magnitudes, desired serviceability, and environmental conditions, including frost depth and groundwater.

Applications for maastasemat cover a wide range of structures and activities. They are used for new buildings, transmission towers, bridges, retaining walls, and temporary supports for construction work. They may also be employed to stabilize slopes or to anchor temporary structures in challenging sites.

Design and installation follow geotechnical assessments and engineering calculations. After determining soil bearing capacity, settlement tolerance, and load paths, engineers select an appropriate system and dimensions. Installation procedures vary: footings are poured concrete, piles are driven or drilled, and anchors are installed with tensioning or anchorage into stable soil or rock. Quality control includes material testing, alignment verification, and, where required, load testing and corrosion protection.

Standards and regulation: design and installation of maastasemat adhere to national building regulations and relevant European standards, with documentation of safety factors, load paths, and maintenance plans. Regular inspection and maintenance are recommended to ensure long-term performance.