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.

Booysendal Central Box-Cut

Northam Platinum’s Booysendal Mine …….Several box-cuts in the valley surrounding the Groot-Dwars River will serve as portals, bringing ore to surface. The Booysendal Central Box-cut is the first of these structures. ARQ Geotech oversaw the geotechnical investigation on the proposed footprint area for the box-cut and together with DRA’s engineers set the base level of the box-cut such that the portals would be situated in competent rock – facilitating stability of portal entries. With the overall box-cut geometry set, ARQ Geotech proceeded to develop a 3D geotechnical model of the materials, and derived……

Roedean School

Founded in 1903, Roedean (SA) is a prominent all-girls’ school located on the corner of Houghton Drive and Carse O’Gowrie Road in Johannesburg, South Africa. Damage was experienced at the school during the construction of the Gautrain tunnel between 2007 and 2010. ARQ (Pty) Ltd was requested to carry out the geotechnical investigation and design remedial works for the Astroturf pitch, tennis courts, swimming pool and various associated structures.

Mill Point Development Lateral Support Design

The proposed development at 96 Mill Point Road, South Perth, WA comprises 5 basement and 22 above ground levels. Ground water was encountered some 2m below natural ground level (NGL). This combination of features presented an interesting case study. ARQ Consulting Engineers was approached to conduct a preliminary and detailed design for the lateral support and foundation of the development.

Beefcor – Internal Roads and Kraal

Beefcor’s Bayview Feedlot, situated outside Bronkhorstspruit, comprises 16 pens with a total capacity of some 40 000 cattle. The feedlot operations also include trading with the by-products from the operations (i.e. manure) and as such the roads experience high traffic volumes consisting of large interlink trucks, tractors etc. that contribute to the deterioration of these roads.

Richmond Business Park Development

The project consists in the construction of a business park containing a shopping centre, big box retailers, office blocks and warehouses. Furthermore, access road will be constructed on the site. The geotechnical investigation included soil profiling, Dynamic Probe Super Heavy (DPSH) testing and Continuous Surface Wave (CSW) tests.