NEWS: With the framework ordinance introduced by the Federal Council on 25 June of this year, the Federal Soil Protection Ordinance has legally established pedological construction monitoring (BBB). The aim of BBB is to do justice to soil protection in the context of construction projects. Large construction projects in particular, such as the laying of supply and disposal lines, affect large areas of soil. As these areas are to fulfil natural soil functions again after the measures have been carried out, it is important to avoid or reduce soil damage caused by the construction process.

Soil science construction monitoring can be used for all construction projects in building construction and civil engineering, landscaping and all linear and surface construction works, such as transport routes.

The tasks of the BBB include defining the boundary conditions and requirements for soil protection as well as preparing and reviewing the necessary planning and data bases. In addition, necessary measures are defined from a soil protection perspective. A further component is the creation of pedological implementation plans, which can, for example, define the implementation of soil removal or recultivation targets. The specialist also takes part in construction meetings and provides advice during construction to ensure soil protection in all phases of the project. Finally, the construction work is inspected.

Since 2017, the Bundesverband Boden e. V. has been offering a certification course in cooperation with the University of Osnabrück, which is primarily aimed at employees of engineering and consultancy firms. Components of this course are the legal framework and soil science requirements.

Targeted planning and sufficient expertise can prevent harmful soil changes from the outset. Measures to protect the soil can include laying load distribution plates on ground areas that are regularly driven on or using tracked vehicles instead of wheeled vehicles. Another important point in this planning is the consideration of soil moisture. Soils are generally much more susceptible to compaction when the soil moisture is high. Construction measures should therefore be monitored on an ongoing basis so that measures can be taken to protect the soil depending on the prevailing conditions.

The timely involvement of a soil monitoring organisation has various advantages. On the one hand, legal certainty is increased as the principle of precaution before aftercare is applied. In addition, conflicts during the construction phase can be avoided from the outset. Another advantage of BBB is that the costs of recultivating the land are reduced. This is also "engineering for a better tomorrow"!

Image source: Soil science construction supervision - GeoTeam Naila (geoteam-umwelt.de)

Further sources: LANUV (nrw.de) / Bundesverband Boden e.V. - Soil science construction monitoring (bvboden.de) / LANUV Technical Report 82 (nrw.de)

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