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7 Things to Consider for the Structural Safety of Your Asset

7 Things to Consider for the Structural Safety of Your Asset https://romaniapropertyclub.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-quang-nguyen-vinh-222549-2138126-scaled.jpg 2560 1707 ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB https://romaniapropertyclub.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-quang-nguyen-vinh-222549-2138126-scaled.jpg 18/09/2024 18/09/2024

A guide compiled by Mariana Garstea, General Director Sixense Romania

When developing a new building in an urban environment with neighboring structures in the influence area, it is essential to consider several important aspects related to geotechnical and structural monitoring.

These considerations are not only legal obligations, but also to make sure that the development of your project does not encounter blockages from the owners of the neighboring buildings and the control bodies, and most importantly, that your building is safe and durable. Here is a brief guide to keep in mind.

Risk Assessment

It is necessary to first identify the risks your asset is exposed to. Each building has a series of specific risks, which are crucial to understand. We are talking about risks associated with the location, including ground stability, groundwater levels, and the impact on adjacent constructions. Therefore, it is also important to understand how construction activities might affect neighboring buildings, including potential settlement or vibration-induced damage.

Based on the identification and definition of these risks, a geotechnical and structural monitoring program is then developed, tailored to the actual on-site conditions.

Creating a Geotechnical and Structural Monitoring Program

Next, a customized monitoring plan needs to be developed. This plan should address specific, well-defined questions and objectives and include appropriate tools to provide accurate information.

It is important not to copy or use monitoring programs from other projects without a detailed analysis of the on-site situation.

Contracting Geotechnical and Structural Monitoring Services

Seek to collaborate with a dedicated, specialized, and professional partner who truly knows what they are doing. It is important to look at their reputation, portfolio, demonstrated expertise, and supporting evidence. For example, certifications such as the laboratory authorization for testing and analysis in construction, ISO or compliance with quality standards should not be overlooked.

Geotechnical and structural monitoring is not a process to be left to just anyone: it’s not about „just putting a sensor here” or „selling another piece of equipment”. This mindset will not provide any real benefit or value to your construction project. Given that this is a long-term service, it is crucial to choose carefully and with full knowledge.

Using Modern Technologies

Like any other field, geotechnical and structural monitoring has evolved significantly. Today, there is a vast array of technology and digital tools that make monitoring easier, more efficient, and more precise, providing truly high-quality and accurate data.

Do not shy away from using technology. Monitoring today employs sensors for deformation, pressure, or vibration to manually or real-time monitor the behavior of a construction. The data obtained is highly precise and can help you identify problems before they become critical or incur high costs.

Explore automation and AI for predictive analytics and automated alerts. AI can help in identifying patterns and predicting potential structural issues before they escalate. Remember: this is not science fiction, it is the level of development and evolution of the industry today.

Compliance with Current Regulations

Romania has a well-documented legislation on geotechnical and structural monitoring or on tracking the behavior of buildings over time, P130/99 and NP 074/2022 being the most relevant. Information is readily available, so the old excuse of „I didn’t know” cannot protect us from responsibility in the event of an incident or accident due to structural issues.

Monitoring activities should comply with current legislation (which clearly specifies things such as frequency, responsible parties, project stages to consider etc.) to ensure compliance.

Periodic Reporting and Communication

The reporting system is also extremely important. Especially since decisions are based on information and data received from monitoring, it is crucial to ensure that reports are not received „yesterday” when they are needed now. Additionally, the data must be interpreted to turn it into actionable information and accompanied by recommendations for interventions and concrete measures if necessary.

Maintenance of Equipment

Geotechnical and structural monitoring activities also involve regular maintenance of equipment. For data accuracy, optimal functioning and correct instrumentation are required. Ongoing support and maintenance are something any monitoring partner should ensure right from the start.

Behind geotechnical and structural monitoring activities, there are several important factors to consider. All the criteria above must be integrated and ensured for a developer or investor to have a structurally healthy project.

RPC Talks with Mariana Garștea, General Manager, Sixense Romania

RPC Talks with Mariana Garștea, General Manager, Sixense Romania https://romaniapropertyclub.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mariana-Garstea-Sixense-RO-landscape-002-scaled.jpg 2560 1999 ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB https://romaniapropertyclub.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mariana-Garstea-Sixense-RO-landscape-002-scaled.jpg 22/05/2024 22/05/2024

RPC Talks to Mariana Garștea

General Manager, Sixense Romania

Profile of the company

We’ve been on the Romanian market since 2010, when Sixense Group, a global leader in the field, opened a local branch, primarily motivated, at that time, by a series of complex projects, including the First Section – Line 5, and Line 4 of the Bucharest metro.

Briefly put, we operate in the field of structural health of the built environment, or in other words, we provide expertise and digital solutions for monitoring the behavior of constructions over time, during both construction and operation.

Our portfolio includes numerous projects from various industries. We work both in the private sector, where we have significant expertise in office, retail, and industrial categories, and in the public sector, where we handle complex infrastructure projects – transportation, sports, or healthcare, to name just a few.

Most representative projects in the portfolio

Some of our most representative projects, to name just a few examples, are: the First Section – Line 5 of the Bucharest Metro, the Daneș and Sighișoara Tunnels, Line 4 of the Bucharest Metro, the New Agigea Bridge, Arcul de Triumf National Rugby Stadium, Steaua Football Stadium, Târnava Bridge, Ulmeni Bridge, Neo Floreasca Lake, Aviației Tower, The Light, Millo 6, Tandem, Sema Park, Țiriac Tower, Ana Tower, Green Court C, and many others.

Solutions for real estate sector

For real estate, we offer comprehensive solutions for monitoring construction projects over time, both during execution and in operation. What does this mean? It means that through what we do, we ensure that a project is safe, behaves as originally designed, and meets all quality standards.

During execution, we ensure that neighboring constructions are not affected and that all work on the new construction proceeds safely. And in operation, we ensure that the building behaves within parameters, is not affected by risks (vibrations, extreme temperatures, wind etc., to name just a few), and does not degrade (with the appearance of cracks or settlements, as frequent phenomena) or become a structural hazard to the community, given the natural aging process it undergoes.

Sometimes, when justified, monitoring the behavior of constructions over time may even involve implementing an automated, real-time monitoring solution. This means that sensors are deployed in the field, transmitting data to a digital platform, which automatically transforms them into valuable, useful information, easily understandable for all stakeholders involved in the project. Additionally, this system also entails real-time alerts whenever there is a danger or safety thresholds are exceeded. All of these help us intervene proactively, before a major incident or accident occurs. This process also helps streamline the investment and better plan maintenance and upkeep operations for a building.

Development plans

We are currently in a growth phase, but we aim for this scaling to be as healthy and sustainable as possible, without compromising the quality of services we offer and the work we do. In 2023, our business grew by 50%, and we are pleased to have now a team of over 25 people, which has doubled in the past year. Also, our concern for quality and the rigor of what we do – especially because we work with sensitive and critical information for the current state of the built environment – has led us to certify on several ISO standards, aiming to align internally with the same work standards. And when I talk about these certifications, it’s important to say that for us, they are not just obtained „on paper”, but we actually follow all the procedures, protocols, and recommendations that come along with them.

And because we are aware that the people in our team are the most important in the work we do – with their ability to be partners, to explain and guide – we focus heavily and invest in training and development, in order to provide them with all the skills they need to carry out their work in the best and most customer-oriented manner possible. In our profession, in addition to exceptional mastery of new technologies and a deep understanding of technical information, soft skills and good interaction with others are also needed.

Many important things are coming up for us this year, both in terms of developing our office in Bucharest and the projects that await us. We will provide more information very soon about all of these.