ABSTRACT
This chapter describes an objective non-destructive method quantifying the actual and future stability taking in to account the special behavior of wood in constructions in the ground. It summarizes the main causes of settlement of constructions standing on wooden piles and explains the Dutch non-destructive research method. In the Netherlands wooden foundations are a national bench mark and Amsterdam is often regarded as the City on wooden piles. The pile population in service is estimated on 25 million and as they are carrying many ordinary family houses and water building constructions their importance is far above building history. Data collection In order to classify the quality of the wooden foundation, data has to be collected. A first step is to gather general information on the construction for example age, construction details, maintenance and reparations carried out. The second step is to gather information on the status of construction above the foundation, which are mainly made of brickwork.
