Civil engineers are faced with limitations using conventional methods in muddy basin sediments, which are frequently encountered in the lake regions of Southern Bavaria. Through unique field experiments and novel modeling approaches, essential foundations for a sustainable design of foundations in these particular soils are to be established.

Structurally sensitive fine-grained limnic soils, colloquially known as lacustrine clays, exhibit the peculiarity of significantly losing their already relatively low shear strength when disturbed from their natural state. Compared to other soft soils, lacustrine clays are particularly challenging: this applies both to exploration and soil mechanical characterization, as well as to the load-carrying behavior of foundations, which is significantly influenced by the intensity of construction-related interference.

Common field and laboratory methods, as well as modeling approaches that form the basis of foundation design, reach their limits. The functionality of foundation systems successfully applied in soft soils with high structural sensitivity cannot be assumed. This complicates the implementation of construction projects and can even call their feasibility into question.

In the past, in Southern Bavaria, the construction use of areas with such high ground construction risk could often be avoided. However, the demand for infrastructure for mobility, as well as the development of sites for commercial and residential use, makes sustainable utilization of all available areas, considering ecological, economic, and social aspects, unavoidable in the future.

On a test site of around 6,000 m² in Kolbermoor near Rosenheim, large-scale load tests will be carried out on twelve foundation systems and an additional shallow foundation which is unique in terms of design and scope worldwide. The results of the load tests and the accompanying advanced field and laboratory tests are used to validate novel modeling approaches. Subsequently, the efficiency and sustainability of the considered foundation methods concerning region-specific soils will be evaluated. The ecological footprint will be considered from the production to the possible dismantling of the foundation.