Videos of our work
Depth to Rock by Geophysics
Using Sound Waves To Map Underground Rock Formations
Here in Ireland, seismic refraction is the method most often used to determine the depth to rock. Our civil engineering clients need this information for projects like:
– Foundation design
– Excavation planning
– Quarry development
– Trenching for pipelines and cables
– Determining stability of slopes, embankments and quarry faces
Data from seismic refraction is recorded on site and processed on computer to create imaging that shows the depth and thickness of each rock layer.
Depending on the amount of detail needed, we combine the data from seismic refraction with other techniques to generate higher resolution field reports for our clients.
Peat Thickness Measurement by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Treading Gently On Protected Natural Spaces
Bogs and peat land are famous features of Ireland’s landscape, especially in the midlands and the west.
Much of this land is protected now for environmental reasons, but some development is still needed for roads, railways, wind power, solar power, and telecoms.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is an ideal method for this type of work.
The rough and rugged peatland terrain is difficult to survey on foot or by vehicle, so we use small, agile ATVs to carry radar equipment and cover ground efficiently.
Archaeological Geophysical Survey for Solar Farms
The Fastest Effective Way To Survey A Large Development Site
Solar farm developers need to know if there is anything under the ground which might delay their project completion, or make their desired site unsuitable for development.
With these solar farms covering hundreds of acres, this investigation used to take a long time and be very expensive. Magnetic gradiometry is an efficient way to investigate land using a mobile array of sensors.
This type of archaeological geophysical survey is fast and cost-effective, helping project managers make good decisions, and reducing delays.
Marine Geophysics in Coastal and Inland Waters
Marine and transition zone geophysical survey for maritime and coastal projects
Because Ireland is an island nation, we have an abundance of waterways and coastal regions, which means marine and transition zone subsurface data are needed for many civil engineering projects.
For civil engineers and property developers, this information about geophysical surveys in shallow water environments is highly relevant for several key reasons:
Project Feasibility and Planning:
Understanding the capabilities and limitations of geophysical surveys in marine environments helps civil engineers assess the feasibility of projects near water bodies.
Project Accessibility:
Understanding how to access survey sites, whether by boat or on foot, helps in planning the logistics of development, especially in remote or difficult-to-access areas.
Design Accuracy:
Accurate subsurface data is essential for designing stable and safe structures. Knowledge of the ground conditions, like the presence of rock or glacial till, directly impacts the design of foundations and other structural elements.
Cost Estimation:
Knowing the ground conditions can influence the type of construction methods used and the materials needed, impacting the overall budget.
Marketability and Planning:
For developments aimed at specific markets, like residential properties near water bodies, knowing the land-water interface conditions can enhance the marketability and planning of these projects.
Environmental Responsibility:
Developers and civil engineers must consider the environmental impact of their projects. Conducting appropriate surveys helps reduce the environmental impact of development, particularly in sensitive aquatic areas.
Risk Management:
Awareness of environments where surveys might be less effective, like in gas-loaded sediments, helps in risk assessment and management. This saves time and resources caused by investing in surveys that won’t yield useful results, encountering unexpected issues during construction, or even pursuing unfeasible projects.
Regulatory Compliance and Permitting:
Civil Engineers and Developers must navigate many environmental and construction regulations. Knowledge of appropriate survey methods and environmental considerations is essential for obtaining permits and ensuring compliance.
Infrastructure Development:
For infrastructure projects like bridges, harbors, docks, and wind farms, knowing the subsurface conditions is essential for planning, design, and construction of new structures as well as upgrading or expanding existing developments.
Long-Term Planning:
For projects like flood alleviation schemes, knowing the depth to rock below rivers can inform long-term planning and sustainability of the project.
Innovative Approaches:
Knowledge of advanced survey techniques opens up opportunities for innovative developments in challenging environments, like waterfront properties or developments that span land and water. Detailed data allows civil engineers find new approaches to solve complex problems.
Magnetic Surveying for Archaeology
This survey was the biggest of its kind in Europe
For this solar farm project in County Meath, the land needed to be fully surveyed without digging before any groundworks could begin.
We used Magnetic Signature Mapping to collect large scale data that allowed us to map subtle changes in magnetic signatures below the surface. The survey ensures almost all underground aspects are known before construction.
This was all possible because of the LEA-MAX system with 10 magnetic sensors that surveys up to 100 hectares per week at 10 cm intervals.
We needed that high production system because this survey was the biggest of its kind in Europe.
To work on this bigger scale, we also partnered up with Eastern Atlas in Germany, and their team travelled over from Berlin to work with us on site.
It was a challenging project, but all of our team enjoyed the opportunity to learn new ways of working, put our skills to the test, and collaborate with our international colleagues.