Geotechnical Solutions

Person doing ground investigation Person doing ground investigation

Japan Home Shield Initiatives

Japan Home Shield has faced various problems concerning the ground. How did we perceive these issues and how did we solve them? Beginning with our efforts up till now, we will introduce the unique technologies and services we have created.

Reliable soil analysis and quality assurance as proof of responsibility
- Ground Support System -

We are a third-party independent of surveying and construction companies and housing companies. Our qualified ground and building specialists conduct ‘ground analysis with clear evidence’ and create a service that guarantees safe ground quality.

The ground support system is a system that can investigate, explain, and guarantee the quality of the ground.

Ground Support System®

We take a multi-faceted approach which includes field surveys, data analysis, and material analysis. We arrive at the optimal solution for the geotechnical design and guarantee its quality for up to 20 years.

The ground information system includes 2 million SWS test data, 500,000 SDS test data, 8,000 boring data, surface geological maps, aerial photographs (1970s), old topographic maps (Meiji to Heisei), special soil area maps, subsidence accident information

Analytical Criterion × Analysis System

We will thoroughly eliminate the risk of accidents by making full use of standards that have been aggregated from current knowledge and with the use of systems equipped with big data.

Person doing ground inspection

Development of SDS® Testing: Patented Technology

High-precision soil analysis is added to conventional testing. A low-cost technology for determining the 'soil quality' that causes ground incidents.

Retaining wall construction scenery

Special Provisions for Retaining Wall

Ground incidents caused by retaining walls account for more than 60%* of the total of accidents. Soil investigation under retaining walls and special provisions are preparations for potential risks. * Based on the accident data we consulted with (in-house research).

Non-residential store

Technology Deployment to Non-Residential Areas

We are applying the technology and know-how cultivated via our experience in dealing with residential land to commercial facilities such as shops*. *Cumulative number of shops for soil investigation and foundation design: 4,368 (in-house research)

Joint research with the United States, New Zealand, Thailand, and Malaysia

Joint Overseas Research

We have expanded technologies cultivated in Japan such as sales of SDS survey equipment and survey cooperation using SDS test methods to several places abroad. *5 countries.

Balancing Safety and Economic Efficiency
Development of Construction Technology

We have pursued safety and economic efficiency even on grounds that require countermeasure construction.
All three construction methods provided by JHS are highly safe technologies approved by third-party organizations.

Ground work using pure pile

Pure Pile Method

As cement milk is solidified in piles in the ground, it is a safe and reliable ground reinforcement method that exhibits high quality and high bearing capacity regardless of soil classification.

B-STR image

B-STR

We conducted mutual examination of the foundation and ground based on structural calculations. We then optimized placement and improved the pile length of the cross-section of the foundation according to the load bearing. Both safety and cost-reduction are achieved.

SQ Pile image

SQ Pile

By having the flat tip, this suppresses ground disturbance and ensures high tip bearing capacity. This is a construction method that rotationally penetrates square steel pipes to minimize the strain of the frictional force on piles.

For Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
What can be done

Based on the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, as professionals of the ground, our employees thought about what they could do for disaster prevention and mitigation and started providing this as a new service.

Liquefaction image

Liquefaction Test

Using the soil quality determination technology of the SDS test and the water level gauge, the liquefaction risk is easily determined.

Ground support map screen image

Ground Support Map

A web service that shows the strength of the ground and the risk of disasters such as earthquakes, liquefaction, and floods. Anyone can view for free.

Land information report sample

Land Informaton Report

We wish for home-buyers to know the shortcomings of the land. This report was developed out of the desire to take appropriate measures in order to live safely and securely.

The Pursuit of Quality

City and nature City and nature

SDS®Test Development

SDS test (Screwdriver Sounding Test) is a patented soil survey method that JHS is involved in developing in hopes of achieving zero ground incidents.

Since 2010, we have been providing SDS testing as a revolutionary soil surveying method to determine 'soil quality' that cannot be determined by the conventional 'Swedish sounding test'.

Since we began offering this low-cost yet highly accurate soil quality discrimination test in 2010, the number of soil examinations using this test will soon reach 600,000.

Commitment to Quality

3 points for quality improvement

The JHS Group positions quality management as the most important matter in providing safe and secure living spaces. We actively take into considertation the feedback from builders and from those on site. We are working together with external organizations and research institutions to improve the quality of the industry.

At Japan Home Shield, we not only provide solutions based on the core idea of wanting to deliver a better life with reliable quality, but also work to improve quality based on customer feedback and provide new solutions.
Customer Feedback
  • Questionnaire (Owners, Residents, Businesses)
  • Market Reseach
3 points for quality improvement
The three points of quality improvement at Japan Home Shield Group are systems, people, and technology.

We strive to continuously improve quality from three angles: prevention of acts of fraud and abuse and errors through system introduction, human resource development including that of partner companies, and technical research.

Ensuring quality by providing streamlined solutions
Japan Home Shield provides a comprehensive service. We provide solutions in every phase related to housing, such as ground analysis and compensation in the design phase of a housing company, quality inspection in the construction completion phase, and inspection service in the sales phase.

From soil surveys to building inspections, we provide streamlined solutions. We support safe and secure living.

GeoWeb System

We have introduced a system to eliminate data falsification and human error that occurs in soil surveys, improvement work, and building inspections.

How GeoWeb System Works
The GeoWeb System is a mechanism that instantly converts measurement values ​​into data without human intervention, encrypts it with a smartphone, transfers survey data and photos to a server, and shares them with Japan Home Shield. The GeoWeb System is a mechanism that instantly converts measurement values ​​into data without human intervention, encrypts it with a smartphone, transfers survey data and photos to a server, and shares them with Japan Home Shield.
  • GeoWeb System is GeoSign Co,.Ltd.'s third-party authentication system for residential land. Japan Home Shield formed a capital and business alliance with Geosign Co., Ltd. in 2016 and introduced this system.
  • The implementation rate of GeoWeb System as of November 2023 is 95%.

Geotechnical Analysis System

A unique core system equipped with ground big data detects fraudulent data such as data falsification.

Automatic detection of suspected forged data

Raw data and report compliance check

Confirmation of topographic consistency with neighboring data during soil analysis

JHS subcontractors and the JHS Group participate in the National Association for Housing Technology and Quality. The National Institute of Technology and Quality cooperates with the government, related organizations, and academic experts to contribute to the improvement of quality throughout the industry.

Quality Initiatives in Collaboration with External Organizations

Japan Home Shield participates in Zenju-hin, which consists of about 400 housing-related companies, and actively conducts various activities such as training and awareness-raising activities with the aim of improving housing quality and solving issues in the housing industry.

The ground survey and construction of Japan Home Shield will be conducted by qualified personnel who have passed the qualification examination conducted by the association. Together with the association, we are striving to improve the quality of on-site and customer service.

State of the meeting

Pioneering technology

Image of ground technology Image of ground technology

International and domestic joint research

Japan Home Shield has concluded research agreements with architecture-related universities in Japan and as well as abroad.

On April 23, 2013, we signed an agreement with The University of Auckland in New Zealand (Location: Auckland, New Zealand, President: Roger France) to conduct joint research on geological mechanisms in New Zealand and full-scale research began in July.

Like Japan, New Zealand is as prone to earthquakes. Since 2011, we have been conducting field surveys using new-generation geotechnical survey SDS® tests to investigate the possibility of ground liquefaction. As a result, it has been found that ground survey technology using SDS® tests may possibly be a very effective technology for revealing ground mechanisms in New Zealand. We have proceeded to conduct research on ground technology improvement in collaboration with The University of Auckland.

Currently, joint research is also underway in Thailand and Malaysia. In 2020, we started research on ground-related marketing with Boston University in the United States.

World map with New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and USA highlighted
  • New Zealand University of Auckland
  • Thailand Kasetsart University
  • Malaysia University of Technology
  • United States of America Boston University
Members of Geotechnical Research Institute

Geotechnical Research Institute

A specialized research and development team established with the purpose of eliminating ground subsidence accidents and providing safer and more economical geotechnical countermeasures.

We conduct daily research, such as analysis of the causes of subsidence accidents, research on investigation methods, research on analysis methods, and research on regional soil quality nationwide, so that we be able to respond to a variety of geotechnical problems.

The scene of the conference

Participation in The Japanese Geotechnical Society and presentation of research papers

Civil engineering technology plays a central role in protecting people’s lives from natural disasters, creating a foundation that supports social and economic activities, and materializing high-quality living spaces. Civil engineering systematically supports this civil engineering technology as an academic discipline.

As a member of The Japanese Geotechnical Society, one of Japan's leading engineering organizations, JHS actively publishes the results of its geotechnical research in public forums.