DIN 18915:2018-06

Professionally carry out soil works in landscaping and preserve soil functions

The DIN 18915 standard specifies requirements for soil works for vegetation engineering purposes. It helps planners, landscaping contractors and clients preserve natural soil functions, professionally construct vegetation-bearing layers and sustainably protect soils during construction and land restoration projects. The standard provides a key basis for soil protection in landscaping.

What is DIN 18915 about?

The standard defines requirements for handling topsoil, subsoil and vegetation-bearing layers during planning, construction and land restoration. It focuses on soil investigations, soil cultivation, soil storage, soil improvement and land restoration measures. The standard also describes methods for assessing soil properties, requirements for the trafficability and workability of soils, and measures for restoring a functional soil structure.

Topics covered

• Soil works in landscaping
• Topsoil, subsoil and vegetation-bearing layers
• Soil protection during construction and land restoration projects
• Soil investigations and soil properties
• Workability and trafficability of soils
• Soil excavation, transport and storage
• Soil improvement and temporary greening
• Creation of a functional soil structure
• Land restoration measures and soil treatment

Practical relevance

Soil protection is becoming increasingly important in construction, infrastructure and landscaping projects. DIN 18915 helps companies preserve soil functions over the long term and prevent damage caused by compaction, erosion or improper soil handling. The standard therefore makes a significant contribution to the sustainable use of vegetated areas and the quality of landscaping measures.

The requirements for trafficability, soil storage, vegetation-bearing layers and soil protection measures are particularly relevant because they directly influence subsequent vegetation development and the long-term functionality of soils.

Changes compared with DIN 18915:2002-08

The 2018 edition was extensively revised. The most important changes include:

• Extension of the scope to cover additional soil works associated with construction and infrastructure projects
• New section entitled “Soil protection requirements”
• Fundamental revision of the section entitled “Soil cultivation”
• New provisions on the workability and trafficability of soils, including new assessment tables
• New section entitled “Creation of a functional soil structure”
• New section entitled “Land restoration measures”
• Expanded annexes on soil properties, soil types and plant species with soil-improving effects

Target audience

• Landscape architects
• Landscaping contractors
• Specialist planners for outdoor spaces
• Construction companies
• Environmental and soil protection professionals
• Experts and assessors
• Municipal authorities and public-sector clients
• Land restoration and soil protection professionals

Conclusion

The DIN 18915 standard provides the key basis for soil works in landscaping. Through its requirements for soil protection, vegetation-bearing layers, soil improvement and land restoration, it supports the professional execution of landscaping measures and makes a significant contribution to preserving natural soil functions over the long term.

This document replaces DIN 18915:2002-08 .