Geotech

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Geotech

Geotechnics is one of ARQ’s key areas of specialisation. ARQ Geotech is active in a wide range of geotechnical fields both within the borders of South Africa and internationally, providing professional engineering services to a wide range of clients in the private and public sector.

We undertake and oversee geotechnical investigations which range from basic to highly advanced – each, tailor made for site conditions, proposed land use and our clients need. We specialise in various forms of analyses and designs including Slope Stability & Seepage, Lateral Support, Piled and Shallow Foundation Design, Ground Improvement, and more. both within South Africa and internationally.

While hand-calculations and simple spreadsheet models are used to develop judgment in respect of geotechnical problems, our sophisticated analytical methods and software allow us to design ambitious and innovative geotechnical systems ensuring that our client receives the optimization allowed by the latest technological developments. Design-compliance field measurement is regularly applied to complete the investigation-analysis-design loop, or simply for the purpose of quality assurance, while the requirements of OHS and environmental legislation are rigorously observed to ensure safety and minimum disturbance to the environment.

Innovative and cost-saving solutions, coupled with detailed attention to each client’s specific needs, have established us as one of the preferred Geotechnical firms in the industry.

Click here to view the ARQ Geotech Profile document.

Waterkloof Marina Development

Central Developments constructed a large residential development (including multi-level structures) on a site in Monument Park situated partially on a historic clay quarry backfilled in places with uncontrolled brick and other rubble. The brick fill is up to 20m thick in places and highly variable in composition. This naturally posed a risk to structures founded upon it and required investigation and settlement mitigation measures. ARQ was tasked with, amongst others, the geotechnical investigation of uncontrolled fill…

TASEZ Development Phase 1 and 1A

ARQ Geotech’s involvement with the momentous Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) commenced in 2019. The multibillion-rand Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone is a collaborative project of the Gauteng Province, City of Tshwane and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (DTIC’s) SEZ. The TASEZ is punted as Africa’s first ‘Automotive City’. Nissan, BMW and Ford will all assemble vehicles…….

Far West Gold Recoveries Regional Tailings Facility

In the interests of re-mining and consolidating tailings on the West Rand for environmental and economic benefits, the concept of the Far West Gold Recoveries (FWGR) Regional Tailings Facility (RTF) was developed. The conceptual design of the RTF presents a 4th Generation upstream on-wall cyclone ring dyke dam with a pumped decant and expected Rate of Rise (RoR) of 4-6m per year. If the RTF is implemented as designed, it should be possible……..

Brakpan Tailings Storage Facility Stability Review

The Brakpan Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) has been operational since 1985, with a footprint of 800Ha, perimeter of 11km and maximum height of about 100m, it holds approximately 496 million cubic metres of tailings material. An investigation into the Brakpan TSF was conducted by a team of professionals aiming to investigate and validate various stability aspects, not only for Brakpan TSF itself, but upstream cyclone facilities in South Africa …….

Booysendal Central-Change House & Management Office

Northam Platinum’s Booysendal Mine is situated about 50km north west of Mashishing (formerly Lydenburg) on the border of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. ARQ Geotech was appointed in 2015 by DRA Global, the mine’s main EPCM contractor, as Geotechnical Consultant for the expansion project. The mine extracts platinum and platinum group minerals from deposits in the eastern limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC). Northam plans to increase its current production through construction of several large infrastructure ……..