{"id":7529,"date":"2025-12-04T11:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T11:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buildsoft.eu\/?post_type=reference-project&p=7529"},"modified":"2026-07-30T08:51:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T08:51:54","slug":"dorpsdreef-residential","status":"publish","type":"reference-project","link":"https:\/\/www.buildsoft.eu\/en\/reference-projects\/dorpsdreef-residential\/","title":{"rendered":"Dorpsdreef Residential"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For the Dorpsdreef residential project in Zonhoven, 47 flats across three buildings for Dethier Development, V2S engineers Walter and Luc built a full 3D Diamonds analysis model within 2 working days, modelling the subsoil realistically with CPT profiles assigned per zone of the foundation slab so Diamonds could iteratively calculate spring stiffness until the slab’s deformations matched the subsoil’s actual settlement. That level of detail, combined with treating the whole building as floors, walls and columns working together rather than as separate elements, is what let the team save their client roughly EUR 10,000 in steel and concrete per flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Dorpsdreef residential project, one of the many projects from the broad V2S portfolio, consists of 47 flats spread over three residential buildings within a green environment in the centre of Zonhoven, Belgium. The project was designed by a2o architects and commissioned by Dethier Development. “For projects like this, we always use BuildSoft\u2019s Diamonds software to perform 3D structural analysis,” Walter and Luc continue. “Of course, our engineers must invest time in building a 3D analysis model, but that time is more than worth it. And that is something that you can take literally. In our experience, we can easily save our customers EUR 10,000 of steel and concrete (and more!) per flat. Just calculate what that means for a project like Dorpsdreef!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building the 3D model in two days<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our engineers build the 3D analysis model from top to bottom, complementing the geometry model layer by layer with boundary conditions, permanent loads and service loads. In this way, they have an analysis-ready model within 2 working days, which they can then use to optimise the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diamonds analysis model of building B in Dorpsdreef residential project, Zonhoven (back view)<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Diamonds analysis model of building B in Dorpsdreef residential project, Zonhoven (back view)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Basement design and mushroom slab<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The modelling of the basement deserves special attention. We typically design a thick foundation slab to spread the line loads from the upper floors to the subsoil. Where columns transmit concentrated forces to the floor slab, mushroom slabs are used to resist concrete punching. We try to work with flat ceilings as much as we can and minimise the use of underhanging beams. In that case, flue gases can be discharged naturally without mechanical flue systems, which helps our customers achieve additional savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modelling the subsoil with CPT profiles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By modelling and analysing the entire building in 3D, we design it as a box with holes: floors, walls and columns work together to spread and transfer loads to the subsoil, making optimal use of the concrete and the reinforcement. We always try to include the subsoil in the Diamonds analysis model as realistically as possible. For example, in the Dorpsdreef residential project, we assigned CPT profiles to the foundation slab. Based on those CPT profiles, Diamonds iteratively calculates the spring stiffness of the subsoil until the foundation slab\u2019s deformations in serviceability limit state match the calculated settlements of the subsoil. Thanks to Diamonds’ comprehensive approach, we can achieve significant savings for our customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vertical deflection of building B in Dorpsdreef residential project, Zonhoven (serviceability limit state, cracked)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Vertical deflection\/settelement building B at foundation level in Dorpsdreef residential project, Zonhoven<\/em>
(serviceability limit state)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Especially in the case of building B, it is quite interesting that Diamonds enables us to work with CPT profiles, all the more since we can assign different profiles to individual zones of the foundation slab. In front of building B, the basement will only transmit a limited load to the subsoil (since this part of the basement only supports a garden area). As a result, the subsoil spring stiffness will vary over the surface of the foundation slab. You can never achieve this kind of realistic modelling for the building and the subsoil when you limit yourself to using a global spring constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Diamonds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The great thing about Diamonds is that it\u2019s an easy-to-use tool that enables you to analyse various structural designs.<\/strong> As we said before, we really like the BuildSoft products\u2019 user-friendliness and BuildSoft\u2019s top-notch customer service. We have been big fans since the 1990s, and that continues to be the case today!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n