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Geotechnical engineering for foundations, slopes, mines and dams
We investigate soil and rock, design foundations, excavations and slopes, and inspect tailings facilities, waste dumps and underground support.
Our geotechnical work covers investigation planning, field and laboratory testing, analysis and design, and statutory inspections of existing structures.
What we do
Soil investigation and foundation design
Trial pits, boreholes and laboratory testing to classify soils and derive design parameters, then shallow and deep foundation design for buildings, tanks, plant and bridges.
Tailings and waste dump inspection
Statutory inspection of tailings storage facilities, rock dumps and dams, with stability analyses and recommendations.
Slope and pit stability
Numerical modelling of open-pit and underground stability, from bench and inter-ramp design to overall slope checks.
Underground support audits
Audits of installed ground support against the design and the ground conditions, with recommendations.
Excavation support design
Temporary and permanent support for excavations next to structures, services and water.
Geotechnical studies
Engineering geological mapping, core logging, rock mass classification and laboratory testing of rock strength.
Field instrumentation and testing
Installation of vibrating wire piezometers, Lugeon (packer) permeability testing, and blast vibration and noise monitoring.
What you receive
- Factual and interpretive site investigation reports
- Borehole and trial pit logs, core photographs and laboratory results
- Design parameters and foundation recommendations
- Stability analyses and factors of safety
- Statutory inspection reports for tailings facilities, dumps and dams
- Instrument installation records and monitoring data
Selected projects
| 2022 | Geotechnical survey for the ZAMMSA Kabwe Regional Hub construction site |
| 2021 | Geotechnical survey for the ZAMMSA Kasama Regional Hub construction site |
| 2021 | Installation of vibrating wire piezometers at Kariba North Bank |
| 2021 | Detailed engineering design of a tailings dam for Kampoko Resources, Chiengi |
| 2021 | Statutory geotechnical audit of the waste dump at Astro Quarries and Handyman's Lime |
| 2020 | Lugeon tests for Hydrokarst Zambia, Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project |
| 2020 | Drilling, geotechnical and Lugeon tests at the proposed CEC Changa hydropower dam site |
| 2020 | Site investigation for a crude oil storage tank, Indeni Petroleum Refinery |
| 2020 | Standard penetration tests for an EGENCO office building, Mangochi, Malawi |
| 2017 | Statutory inspection of tailings and rock dumps, Kagem Mining, Kafubu |
| 2015 | Stability assessment and numerical analysis of an existing tailings dam, Luanshya |
| 2012 | Core logging and rock strength characterisation, Mopani Copper Mines |
Projects before 2023 were carried out by our engineers before Rockface was formed. All projects