What It Really Takes to Build a Skyscraper on Shifting Ground

Meet Karlatornet, now Scandinavia’s tallest building, rising 247 metres high in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Built on soft clay soil, the ground beneath it is notorious for expanding when wet and shrinking when dry—leading to major foundation challenges like cracking and shifting. In short, this skyscraper needed some serious, bespoke support.

We’ve earned a solid reputation in Gothenburg for handling tough ground conditions, and this project was no different. The excavation for Karlatornet’s basement stretched 72m by 60m—too vast to support all at once. So, we phased it out, propping each section until the slabs and retaining walls were secure.

Our high-end modular hydraulic props, installed at spans of up to 50 metres, were essential in stabilising the structure.

These props, designed for high-capacity lateral support, can be quickly adjusted on-site to match specific excavation demands, even in unstable soil conditions.

By transferring lateral loads from the retaining walls to thrust blocks embedded in the excavation floor, the props counteract shifting forces, ensuring the walls remain rigid during construction.

The modular design also allows for easy relocation as construction progresses, meaning fewer components are required overall, leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.

“The components are very quick and easy to install and disassemble. It would have been much slower and more complicated if bespoke fabricated steelwork had been used.”

?- European Sales Manager Sam Oldroyd

In challenging conditions like soft clay, Groundforce’s hydraulic props are what it took to provide the strength needed to maintain stability, allowing the project to proceed smoothly and safely.

Found this interesting? Subscribe to our newsletter for more industry updates and advice.