What we do
From the first borehole to the final statutory report
Geotechnical and hydrological work is the core of Spheroid Engineering Limited. Our principal consultants hold doctoral and master's qualifications in civil, geotechnical and environmental engineering and have more than fifteen years in practice.
We plan and run the field investigation, log and test what comes out of the ground, analyse it, and turn it into foundation designs, stability assessments and reports that meet the statutory requirements of the mines department and the client's own standards. The same team handles surface-water and groundwater questions: water-resources assessments, pumping tests, hydrogeological modelling and hydro-forecasting.
For tailings storage facilities we also act as Engineer of Record and independent reviewer under the GISTM.
How a site investigation runs
Scoping & desk study
Terms of reference, review of existing data and drill logs, site walk-over and a costed programme of works.
Field investigation
Drilling, SPT, trial pits, packer and pumping tests, geophysics, instrumentation and monitoring, to recognised standards.
Analysis & design
Laboratory testing, numerical modelling, stability and hydrological analysis, and engineering design.
Reporting & support
Clear reports that meet statutory requirements, with regular updates and support through to project completion.
Selected experience
Where this work has been done
Projects in which our consultants have been engaged, directly or in association with other firms. The full project record runs from 2008.
Pumping tests for Zambeef Products PLC
Geotechnical survey for the proposed ZAMMSA Kabwe Regional Hub
Geotechnical survey for the proposed ZAMMSA Kasama Regional Hub
Installation of vibrating-wire piezometers at Kariba North Bank
Waste-dump statutory geotechnical audit, Astro Quarries and Handyman's Lime
Blast vibration and sound-level monitoring, Kalumbila Minerals
Standard penetration tests for an EGENCO office building, Mangochi, Malawi
Site investigation for a crude-oil storage tank, Indeni Petroleum Refinery
Lugeon tests under the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project, for Hydrokarst Zambia
Drilling, geotechnical and Lugeon tests at the proposed CEC Changa hydropower dam site
Electrical-resistivity survey for the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Hospital road pavements
Water-resources assessments for Zambeef Kalundu, Huntley and Chambatata farms
Seasonal-to-subseasonal hydro-forecasting for power generation, SSE Hydro, Scotland
Site investigations for a ZESCO substation, Ndola
Hydrological study of the Chambishi Mine area
Core logging and rock-strength characterisation, Mopani Copper Mines
Have a site that needs investigating?
Tell us the location and the question you need answered, and we will come back with a costed programme of works.