Underground car parks: Lessons learnt from Dutch practice | 2018

The key Insights from Dutch Experience with Subterranean Parking Facilities

Cities have grown substantially in recent decades, resulting in higher building densities and a scarcity of space at street level. Although mindsets are changing, in many European cities mobility still relies predominantly on individual cars and the associated inherent problem: parking.

Since residents clearly prefer public parking, underground car parks (UCP) seem to be the perfect solution in urban areas.

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en English Underground car parks | Guide book – NL – 2018.pdf de German Tiefgaragen – Lehren aus der holländischen Praxis, 2018.pdf fr French Parkings souterrains – Les leçons des Pays-Bas, 2018.pdf es Spanish Aparcamientos subterráneos – Lecciones aprendidas de la práctica holandesa, 2018.pdf
Underground car park with permanent steel sheet pile walls
Hopmarkt shopping center, Aalst, Belgium
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Developers and operators look for the most cost-effective solution

In the last 50 years, although many UCPs throughout the world have been built with steel sheet piles as permanent walls, too many architects and design engineers are still reluctant to consider this proven solution. ArcelorMittal therefore contracted Dutch engineering consultancy Royal Haskoning DHV to draw up a guide book on underground car parks, focusing on Dutch practice regarding design, installation and permanent application of steel sheet piles.

In the Netherlands, steel sheet pile walls are cost-effective for UCPs of up to 4 levels

Nowadays, with the latest installation techniques using high-frequency resonance-free vibratory hammers or hydraulic presses, noise and vibration during driving of sheet piles can be reduced or even eliminated. 

Another interesting feature is that steel sheet piles can act as a bearing element, transferring high vertical loads to the ground and thus reducing the number of columns and foundations required inside the walls.