ABSTRACT
The Belgian territory is rather flat with a continuous transition from a plain at the North Sea and the Dutch border to the highlands of the Ardennes, the highest point being situated at Botrange. The geology of the Tertiary and Quaternary formations in Belgium is characterised by a Southeast Northwest oriented epirogenetic axis, which follows the valleys of the rivers Haine, Sambre, Meuse and Vesdre, and which divides Belgium into approximately two equal parts. More sophisticated soil mechanical parameters may be needed when pile design is enhanced by means of finite element programs. The evolution of the piling techniques used in Belgium has been originally mainly influenced by the historical development of the Franki-type rammed driven pile with dry concrete. The original system has evolved with the years while its Belgian and foreign competition has developed alternative systems of impact driven piles with a shaft concreted with plastic concrete and with or without enlarged base.
