Thorough investigation by probing, drilling and analysis

Substantiated soil condition advice for infrastructure projects requires more than just probing, according to Aad van der Burg, director of Geosonda. "Soil mechanical research in the infrastructure sector consists of several components: probing, drilling and lab research. With that combination, you get a much better and substantiated result."

Geosonda distinguishes itself with a wide range of services. As part of the ABO Group, Geosonda is able to take on the entire spectrum of soil testing and consulting in-house. "Besides probing, we also make soil borings, take undisturbed soil samples and have them analyzed in our own laboratory in Breda," says Aad. "Especially in infrastructure projects, combined research is essential to indicate the right parameters for settlement calculations or sheet piling calculations, for example. We used to outsource the lab research, but from now on we can do that in-house as well. And that benefits speed. Moreover, this way we can also say just that little bit more about the quality."

Combination of disciplines

Probing is Geosonda's core business. "No probing is too crazy for us," says Aad. "We have an extensive fleet of machinery, ranging from various demountable units for indoor probing, in confined spaces or hard-to-reach locations, and a trio of mini-trackers to an 11-ton intermediate track and a large 20-ton track for standard work. Furthermore, we have a fleet of 'familiar' tracktrucks. Actually, we can handle all probing jobs. In addition, we can use the expertise of our sister company Sialtech, which specializes in mechanical soil drilling with pulse drilling units and sonic drilling rigs, as well as Geo-Supporting, incorporated by ABO Group, with the best specialists for indoor probing."

N211

In its in-house laboratory, Geosonda is able to perform quality geotechnical tests and analyses. "Among other things, our specialists here provide compression tests, tri-axial tests, examine grain distributions, permeability and volume weights and other minor soil parameters," Aad explains. "The broad expertise means that we not infrequently work for different clients on a project. A good example is the reconstruction of the N211 where new structures are being built and intersections are being modified. Two years ago we did soil surveys here for the province of South Holland, while this summer we will be working for the contractor. We will then do all the probing, drilling and laboratory testing. The contractor has just one point of contact for all the soil testing."