OUR SERVICES

Most construction engineering projects require information on subsurface ground conditions to maximum depths of approximately 50 metres. This zone may encompass soil, groundwater, unconsolidated sediments, weathered rock, and competent bedrock. It may also contain man-made products including utilities, buried waste, and contaminants. Understanding what is under the surface before breaking ground may save significant costs to a construction project. Fender’s non-intrusive survey methods provide design and safety information through initial ground investigations and help assess the impact of subsurface structures on construction. We can eliminate potentially costly guesswork during project planning and construction.

DEVELOPMENT OF REMEDIATION PLANS
The development of remediation plans is important for site redevelopment. Identification of buried structures, utilities, and rock using geophysics is needed for safe site redevelopment.

IDENTIFICATION OF UNDERGROUND SERVICES
Disturbing underground services such as electricity and telecommunications during construction may be dangerous, expensive to fix, and have financial and reputational impacts. Fender helps mitigate these risks, providing a detailed picture of pipework, cabling and other utility infrastructure. Our surveys will inform the diversion of essential services, and ensure that excavations, construction or exploratory work are safely positioned away from existing utilities.

INVESTIGATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Improved knowledge of bedrock, water tables and voids reduce risk for residential developments. Subsurface investigations are required as these features are commonly not observed at the land surface.
Geophysical surveys are undertaken before residential developments to assess depth to bedrock, location of water table, and void detection.

IDENTIFYING COMMERCIAL ROCK ANDAGGREGATE DEPOSITS
Sand, gravel, and cobbles (aggregate) are commonly used in landscaping and construction projects and are quarried like many non-precious rock types. Sand, gravel, and cobble deposits are commonly located in between and adjacent to clay. Resistivity surveys commonly differentiate clay from coarser materials and provide insights into their sub-surface distribution.

Basalt is commonly used as aggregate in construction projects and in structural building materials such as bricks, tiles, and foundations. Ground magnetic surveys can assist with mapping the extent of basalt and other ‘mafic’ rock units within quarries. Their magnetic signature commonly differentiates them from other rock units.

Accurate mapping of resources within quarries is used to determine viability of economic extraction and for planning and management. These surveys improve the delineation of commercially important rock units and ensures economically viable quarry operation.

PROVIDING GREATER DETAIL
Fender’s geophysical surveys provide resolution and area coverage far greater than is achievable with boreholes or probing. Traditional borehole and trial pit investigations are often insufficient to fully characterise the subsurface. Our surveys often identify features that borehole investigations miss. We help reduce the risk and uncertainty that comes with reliance on these methods.