Master Challenging Urban Terrain

In the demanding world of geotechnical engineering, ensuring the long-term stability of slopes and underlying ground is paramount, particularly when urban development encroaches on naturally unstable areas. Our team recently completed a critical project in the Western Cape province, demonstrating our expertise in challenging drilling and installation scenarios to facilitate ongoing slope stability monitoring.
 
The project's core objective was to install inclinometers across a sloped area experiencing active movement. Evidence of this instability included significant surface cracking and, in some instances, impacts on nearby structures.
 
Precision Drilling in Difficult Conditions
Our technical solution involved the strategic drilling of three H-size boreholes, each 15 meters deep for the installation of the inclinometers. One borehole was positioned at the crest of the slope, another at the base, and a third, most challenging, midway up the incline.
 
While access to the crest and base boreholes was relatively straightforward, the central borehole presented significant logistical hurdles. Our team executed a meticulous access clearance operation, involving the clearing of vegetation and tree branch removal. The real innovation came in deploying our heavy drilling rig to this precarious mid-slope location.
 
Innovative Rig Deployment and Recovery
To safely position the rig, our crew engineered a precise lowering system. This involved tethering a Land Cruiser to a large crane truck for stability, then utilising the Land Cruiser's winch, augmented by a manual snatch block (or 'tirfor') and cable system, to gradually and securely lower the drilling rig into its precise drilling position. This intricate process required exceptional coordination and a deep understanding of load distribution and mechanical advantage. Once on-site, the Geomech Africa team expertly completed the 15-meter deep boreholes and oversaw the grouting process, while the Terra Monitoring team were tasked with the precise installation of the inclinometers.
 
Long-Term Monitoring for Proactive Management
Upon successful installation, the inclinometers will now record any data relating to slope movement. Each inclinometer position will be monitored monthly for a period of six months, allowing the client to precisely determine the rate and direction of any ground movement. This ongoing data will be invaluable for developing proactive interventions and ensuring the long-term safety and stability of the area.
 
This project underscores our team's commitment to delivering highly technical turnkey solutions, even in the most challenging environments. Our ability to overcome complex access issues and implement precise drilling and installation techniques ensures that our clients receive the accurate and reliable geotechnical data essential for informed decision-making and safeguarding valuable infrastructure.