Chris Foster Feb 23, 2013:

@freekfluweel/Asker Yes, I think using the word foundation is a good way round it, as it pitches it at a colloquial level, but is also a true representation of what the piles are doing. Anothr example of where you need to get beyond the words to the meaning!

freekfluweel Feb 23, 2013:

@Tecton/Asker: Although often used i.c.w. foundation "structural stability" still sounds somewhat odd to my ears when referring to pile/deep foundation. When referring to "structural stability", my immediate thoughts go to the body of a building. Like a (hard/static) core (e.g. elevator shaft) to which one builts additional parts of the building. A bunch of piles is not exactly a structure, or adds/is paramount to the strucural stability of the body of the building in its whole: imo, it serves as a foundation...--> then Tecton has a point there, although slighty nit-picking ;-)

Depending on whether the text is meant for sales reasons or for peers in the trade, I'd still consider the more freely interpreted option of "solid foundation".

Jo Bennett (asker) Feb 22, 2013:

Thanks! This is very helpful, also the weblink.

freekfluweel Feb 22, 2013:

http://www.baunetzwissen.de/glossarbegriffe/Heizung_Energiep...

freekfluweel Feb 22, 2013:

(serve as a) solid foundation (static) pylons used for two purposes: foundation AND for geothermal heating